Quest. re: steering wandering on A's vs C's

I have a 2011 Georgetown 378TS, a Class A gas MH on a Ford F53 Chassis, with 22.5 tires. I encountered the wandering problem when I first got it, and fixed it with the following:

1. Front end alignment, toe in set to max specs
2. Inflate tires to 95 PSI
3. Do the Cheap Handling Fix, which is to move the sway bar bolts to the rear hole from the front. Google this for more info.

This should work on all F53 Chassis motorhomes.

Happy Trails, Forrest

Several summers ago I delivered a used 30' E450 Class C to AK. I was impressed with how well it handled, especially after driving my DP which I describe as having rock solid handling with one finger. OK, one finger and a thumb. There is a lot of difference in the handling of a overloaded gas class A and a diesel pusher class A.

Wow, all over the map. Some A's handle with two fingers. Some are white knuckle monsters. I know, I own one that has been tamed. The problems can be very simple or very complex. It depends on the chassis. Tag axels for example have some advantages.

There is no one correct answer. Front end alignments, shocks, sway bars, and any other modification may not be the resolution to wandering issues. There is a tremendous two threads on another forum that has probably 2000 response and excellent resolutions.

For example, on many Monaco/Holiday Ramblers it takes changing the steering box out to remove the slop in the system. The one from the factory meets specs but is really not a good choice for over the road use on these chassis.

I drove a big diesel pusher from California to Colorado and back. It was two fingers and if not careful 80mph. I bought a brand new 2008 HR diesel pusher and white knuckled it for a couple of years before sorting things out. Actually more than a few years. I just changed the steering gear out last year and added one more mod.

It was not due to being new to driving rv's. This is our fourth rv. Two c"s, two A's.

The class C just sold wandered all over the road,installed a steering stabilizer and rear sway bar then it handled great. Just bought a 04 class A it drove great on the way home 50 mi. Know more on next trip.

goufgators wrote:
Most, if not all, posts I've seen regarding steer wandering problems have been on Class A's. Just wondering...is the problem more prevalent on A's and less so on C's?

On gasser Class As, yep. On diesel Class As, nope.

There is also a loading problem that can affect the handling but most people do not get their coach weighed. Most coaches will handle better if the front axle is loaded close to it's maximum.
This can only be determined by weighing the coach after it is loaded for travel, with all occupants on board and the tire pressure adjusted accordingly.
Another thing to check, which very few do, is the front end alignment, with the coach loaded for travel. Depending on the type of front suspension, the alignment can change with the load. It is also a good chance to check for proper four wheel alignment, commonly called the thrust angle adjustment.

People drive cars and PUs most of their life. Get in a MH and the front turning wheels are behind the driver instead of in front. There is a learning curve

Insufficient caster and short WB/OL also contribute to wander.

Same on Class A or C.

goufgators wrote:
Most, if not all, posts I've seen regarding steer wandering problems have been on Class A's. Just wondering...is the problem more prevalent on A's and less so on C's? I'm considering down sizing from an A to a C and wondering if I might be facing a similar 'wandering' problem as once experienced on my A. Thanks in advance for your comments.

Well Sir,
"Wandering" is not an operational characteristic of any "Class A". It's not natural. If it happens, it happens for a reason. There's several reasons.

1. Too high of front tire pressure, causing the tires to follow ANY imperfection on any road surface. Had that happen more than once.
2. Low tire pressure on one side
3. Improper toe-in due to improper alignment or, damage to steering components or, worn components
4. Suspension parts worn on one side causing a drop or droop which causes issues with alignment.
5. Miss-aligned rear differential (axle) causing "dog leg" driving and possible wandering.
6. Road Crown, causing ill-handling and wandering, mainly to one side

And the list goes on. And, it can and does happen, like stated, to ANY class of motor home. We've had two Class Cs and two Class As and, NONE of them wandered unless specific conditions or circumstances caused it, like some of the ones mentioned above.

But, for someone to claim Wandering mainly applies or, happens to Class A coaches, is a bit off in accuracy. If the coach has been inspected for proper alignment, properly and accurately working front end steering and suspension components, proper tire pressure, PROPER LOADING OF THE COACH, and there are no adverse road conditions, i.e. many ruts, RAIN GROOVES, etc., you should have no WANDERING what so ever.
Scott

I have the problem in our class "C". Had a front end aliment and it see to help. They did add some type of "bushing" if that's what its called. It cane be adjusted. It did seem to help quite a bit, but there is still some wandering. I have been told to lower the tire pressure in the front tires. Haven't had a chance to do that yet.