Steering & Sway problem

j-d wrote:
This thread isn't working.

Without feedback from TomAndBetty, we don't know what if anything they've done about this issue and what the results are so far.

I agree 100% with Ron's list, but I also am 1000% convinced that unless you want a pre-emptive strike, like doing everything on Ron's list... You do the BASICS first!!!

1. Load it as if for travel. Easy to do at home.
2. Weigh it.
3. Set inflations, using weight from 2. and an Inflation Chart
4. See if the Drive improves.
5. If not, Get an alignment from a truck shop that will set CASTER up around 5-degrees positive.
6. See if the Drive improves.
7. If not, THEN start buying parts!!!
Reverse 2. and 3. if Set inflations, explanation above.

Personally, I like doing things incrementally so I know what paid off and what didn't. On our 31-ft E450, this was my sequence:

1. Reduced front tire pressure from 80 (sidewall maximum) to 65 (door sticker max for front tires). Left rears at 80. This helped stability noticeably.

2. Did a Shade-Tree-Mechanic check on front wheel Toe-In and found it was Toe-Out. Worn components can do this. You don't have worn components. Set Toe to slightly Toe-In. This helped a lot.

3. Had front end aligned by the truck shop recommended by a major RV dealer. Shop set Caster to 3* mid-range. I didn't know better at the time and ask it to be set to at least 5* (Harvard hadn't burst onto the scene and changed the alignment landscape...). This resulted in little to no improvement. But I did get some worn components replaced and learned the chassis was equipped with offset bushings to allow alignment to at least be in spec when the coach was loaded.
4. Self-Installed Hellwig heavy duty Front and Rear Anti-Sway bars. By buying Hellwig vs. Roadmaster (bars have the same specs) from a discounter (SDTruckSprings) and providing my own labor, I got two bars installed for about the price of one Roadmaster bar. SIMPLY HUGE improvements in Handling, Comfort, and Stability on the road. Also, coach sits much more solidly on the campsite.
5. Recently re-checked axle weights. Adjusted Front to 60 and Rear to 75 per inflation chart. Little change in ride and handling. The payoff here is to NOT run the Front Tires at Sidewall pressure of 80PSI.

To try a test drive with adjusted inflations, I'd suggest:
Fronts to 65, Rears to 80, Rear Airbags (if so equipped) to 50.

But GET THEE to a Truck Scale!

And above all, REPORT BACK