Sway on a gasser

3 dog nights wrote:
OK, my first class A. Moved from a fifth wheel, towed by a dually. Wife does not like the sway/rocking we are getting. I've been on line checking options and have four solutions. Which would you do first? or open to your ideas.

Safe-T-Plus
Spring kit(?)
Koni - shocks
Helwig Rear Sway Bar

Only one item on the list will directly affect sway and just by chance it has the word sway in its name. CHP will do the same at a much lower cost.

Safe-T-Plus - helps with lane holding, straight line driving performance and steering during a front tire failure.

Spring Kit - helps restore ride height loss due to worn primary suspension springs. Will also potentially stiffen the ride.

Koni Shocks - primary effect is suspension bounce and softening the initial shock of suspension reaction to poor roads.

Helwig Rear Sway Bar - Either a direct replacement or additional sway bar that adds additional counter force to body roll or sway.

Other options that may help besides the CHF include supplemental airbags front and rear, Sumosprings also front and rear. You can help to minimize body movement but you won't totally eliminate it. These beasts are just a bit to heavy above the frame rails.

If you really want to go crazy there are complete suspension replacements available for the Ford chassis. One is a hybrid airbag/smaller leaf spring for both front and rear axles and the other is a liquid spring set up for the rear axle.

Keep an eye on the rear sway bar bushings and bracket hardware. The bushings will degrade in about another two or three more years to the point that they actually dissolve. Regarding the hardware they have been owners reports of the fasteners loosening up and clamps actually coming off while going down the road. No real pattern so can say if the problem is a particular year of chassis model. Just something to check as part of normal routine.