Thor Ace

I can easily drive with one hand in my 33 foot Ford chassis MH. I'm actually quite surprised how stable it is even with a trailer in tow. To me it sounds like something is amiss but since other owners of your rig are reporting the same problem, not sure what's going on there.

We test drove the ACE 30.1 on May 26, and bought it that day. We took delivery on June 1. We've had it out for three nights and have driven about 300 miles in it.

We love the unit with a few exceptions:

If you're under 6'6" tall, your feet will not touch the floor when you are sitting on the commode. I'm 5'10", and my toes touch the floor. DW is 5'6", feet don't touch at all! Complained to Thor and bought a short step stool.

TV is mounted crooked in the cabinet - dealer fix.

Pocket door has chip - dealer fix.

Handling wise - it's a little loose, but I drive ambulances (Ford, Dodge and Chevy - our squad is fickle) as a volunteer EMT. It handles a lot like the ambulances - a little loose, top heavy and it does take more attention to the road than driving a car. You're car isn't 8"+ wide and almost 12' high, either.

I have a friend who retired and sold his tour bus company. He has a new coach also. I asked him for driving advice, and he said if you're in a hurry, don't go camping. Take is slowly and carefully, and if you think you won't fit or can't turn around, don't go there. Pretty much sums up my attitude, too. If we have to hurry, we aren't enjoying the journey. Camping time has a different speed than OMG I'm late for work time! We did buy a new CR-V to tow behind, and I'm sure that will change the handling again.

I like the ACE a lot, and the price point made it affordable to move up from truck and TT.

Elizabeth
The Mothership (2014 Thor ACE 30.1)
The Toad (2013 Honda CR-V)

Finally Time wrote:
I just bought a new Thor Ace 27.1. Your description of the handling sounds just like mine. Following Thor’s recommendations in the Owners Manual, I adjusted the tire pressure to the loaded weight and had the alignment checked; it was fine. I had the "cheap handling fix" (CHF) done. That improved the handling slightly. The suspension and alignment shop owner said he had the same Thor chassis under his similarly sized motorhome with the same initial handling. He recommended air bags; said most of the wandering and bobbing around was due to soft suspension and the "tail wagging the dog" syndrome. He didn’t think anything else like the more expensive track bars or steering stabilizers would add anything over what the air bags would do. I drove his motorhome. The difference was amazing. I’m having air bags installed next week. I love the ACE floor plan and features but it is really disgusting that Thor shoves them out the door with such poor suspension and handeling.

Not a Thor chassis its a Ford and there are thousands being used by several Manuf.

My wife and I test drove the Thor ACE 27.1. I too thought it wandered on the road and when a large truck went around us it pushed me to the shoulder of the road. We ordered a new ACE 30.1 five weeks ago, was told it will take up to 10 weeks to get. From what I've been reading you can change the sway bar mount to the other hole and this helps. I have also read that you can buy an after market sway bar to help even more with this problem. Since I have one on order I guess I will deal with it when I get it....

I just bought a new Thor Ace 27.1. Your description of the handling sounds just like mine. Following Thor’s recommendations in the Owners Manual, I adjusted the tire pressure to the loaded weight and had the alignment checked; it was fine. I had the "cheap handling fix" (CHF) done. That improved the handling slightly. The suspension and alignment shop owner said he had the same Thor chassis under his similarly sized motorhome with the same initial handling. He recommended air bags; said most of the wandering and bobbing around was due to soft suspension and the "tail wagging the dog" syndrome. He didn’t think anything else like the more expensive track bars or steering stabilizers would add anything over what the air bags would do. I drove his motorhome. The difference was amazing. I’m having air bags installed next week. I love the ACE floor plan and features but it is really disgusting that Thor shoves them out the door with such poor suspension and handeling.

Mine is an older F-53. No, it holds the road just fine. However, tire pressure and alignment play a big part in the handling of the rig. Also I have inflatable air bags on the rear axle. They help tremendously.

Having said that, I would insist on driving another similar model that maybe is aligned a bit better.