Play in steering wheel = nerve wracking!
We took our MH out into the desert with our Liberty in tow last weekend. It is only the 2nd time I have driven it any distance, but it seems to have an excess amount of play in the wheel. I am const...
Forum Discussion
For me, driving conditions are much more often poor instead of ideal. Therefore I would not consider how the rig handles when conditions are ideal. All that would do is cloud my decision.
How often are conditions ideal for you? How often do you drive your rig on a new freshly paved "straight & flat" road with no other lanes of passing trucks with their wind influence? Interstate highways have passing trucks, country/scenic roads cause lean with every curve in the road, tired road surfaces are common and rarely flat enough, and open areas often have wind pushing the rig in various directions other than forward.
One other point we really don't talk about is that a well handling rig has reduced stopping distance that is also well under the driver's control, especially effective on scenic byways and such. Drive a rig that handles like a drunken sailor on a winding mountain byway and slam on the brakes while taking on a curve in the road. Then do the same with that rig with all the suspension upgrades discussed, having all 6 wheels firmly planted on the ground maintaining weight distribution. The difference is quite remarkable.
If you won't invest for the sake of handling for driver comfort, then consider it for your loved ones safety. For this reason alone, I feel these upgrades should be included "By Law" in every motor home package sold by chassis manufactures like Ford, Chevy, Mercedes, and now Chrysler with the Promaster.
BTW, we have a Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer on our rig and I like what it does for handling. As seen here we also have Roadmaster heavy duty stabilizer bars, but the lower cost Hellwig bars are also a very good choice. If I knew back in 2007 what I know today, I would have saved myself a big pile of money.
How often are conditions ideal for you? How often do you drive your rig on a new freshly paved "straight & flat" road with no other lanes of passing trucks with their wind influence? Interstate highways have passing trucks, country/scenic roads cause lean with every curve in the road, tired road surfaces are common and rarely flat enough, and open areas often have wind pushing the rig in various directions other than forward.
One other point we really don't talk about is that a well handling rig has reduced stopping distance that is also well under the driver's control, especially effective on scenic byways and such. Drive a rig that handles like a drunken sailor on a winding mountain byway and slam on the brakes while taking on a curve in the road. Then do the same with that rig with all the suspension upgrades discussed, having all 6 wheels firmly planted on the ground maintaining weight distribution. The difference is quite remarkable.
If you won't invest for the sake of handling for driver comfort, then consider it for your loved ones safety. For this reason alone, I feel these upgrades should be included "By Law" in every motor home package sold by chassis manufactures like Ford, Chevy, Mercedes, and now Chrysler with the Promaster.
BTW, we have a Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer on our rig and I like what it does for handling. As seen here we also have Roadmaster heavy duty stabilizer bars, but the lower cost Hellwig bars are also a very good choice. If I knew back in 2007 what I know today, I would have saved myself a big pile of money.
