Forum Discussion

basqueoju's avatar
basqueoju
Explorer
Dec 10, 2015

Top Heavy Sway

My wife and I just purchase our first motor home, 2001 Fleetwood Bounder 32' Class A only 14K miles, drives straight, rides well but has top heavy sway on curves and over bumps that I would like to minimize. I checked the sway bars & bushings and they look like new. I'm wondering if I should install air bags, replace the shocks(they look like new still) or what?? Don't want to just through money at something that won't help. If anyone has had this experience with a similar motor home and found a good solution I would much appreciate your feedback.

Thanks
John
Class A
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Dec 11, 2015
    Worn shocks, sway bar bushings worn, tire pressure too low, or you are just not used to the way most motor homes sway compared to automobiles or pick-ups.
  • RayChez's avatar
    RayChez
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2015
    Ford chassis is the F-53. I had a 2002 36' on a F-53 chassis and it come with the firestone airlifts on the rear. It used to drag on most dips until I found out that the airlifts took 90 lbs and it stabilized the motor home. It also lifted the rear so that it would not drag anymore.
  • basqueoju's avatar
    basqueoju
    Explorer
    Dec 10, 2015
    Dale.Traveling wrote:
    What chassis is the coach built on?



    Ford chassis, not sure what the official number is. it's Gas V10
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Dec 10, 2015
    Please tell us what chassis you have, or answers will be all over the board.
  • wildmanbaker's avatar
    wildmanbaker
    Explorer
    Dec 10, 2015
    If you have a Ford chassis, try moving the sway bar front links to the inside holes. Depending on how the rear sway bar is mounted, you may need to either lengthen the front sway bar links, or have them lengthened. If this does not fix all of the problem, some spring assistance may be needed. You can install air bags, or some passive system such as Sumo or Timbren helper springs. If you have rear tail waging, a track bar on the rear end will fix that problem.
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Dec 10, 2015
    Welcome to the forum and, congrats on your Blunder.
    Make sure the sway bar bushings are solid and don't just look New.

    Also, check your tires. RV tires usually age out before they wear out.
    Most replace their tires between 5 & 10 years. They start to dry rot. Even if the tread looks good the tires may need replaced.

    Enjoy your travels.
  • George_Beggs's avatar
    George_Beggs
    Explorer
    Dec 10, 2015
    Put as much weight as low as you can. Go slower on turns. You can't drive it like a car.

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