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Rwake901's avatar
Rwake901
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013

Track Bar

I'm looking into buying and installing a Track Bar on my gas motorhome to help with wind and the push you get when a large truck passes. Has anyone installed one on your motorhome and do they really help? They are $500.00 plus so I want to make sure that its going to help before I buy. Thanks Roy

8 Replies

  • I ALSO MADE MY OWN AND MOUNTED IT ON BIG U-BOLTS WHICH HOLD LEAF SPRINGS ON -yOU CAN CHECK MINE & OTHERS AT oemy's web site-diy trac bar
    There are quite a few examples-Mine is under P-32 chassis but was also duplicated for a F-53 chassis-Rich Peceniak
    pauperspride.blogspot.com
    (If you want I can send you more pictures as it was made)
  • I made my own. Made a template of the housing and took it to a metal shop and they cut out the diagram and also drilled the 3 holes. They also made the u bracket for me. Went to tractor supply and bought the steering bar that goes on the steering for tractors. They have different lengths. Bought the bolt, washers and lock nut from home depot. Total cost was $125.
  • Track bar improves things in two ways. First and most obvious, it reduces or eliminates the side to side movement of the rear axle on a typical leaf spring suspension. Not so obvious is that it raises the roll center of the rear suspension from the surface of the road to the point where the track bar crosses the center line of the axle. Raising the roll center increases the roll stiffness of the rear suspension (just like an anti-roll bar does) and it makes the vehicle roll around a higher point rather than tipping above the road surface, so roll both is and seems less. You know how in NASCAR they are always "raising the track bar" in pit stops? They are changing the rear roll stiffness to make the car either push more or be looser in the corners.

    Brian
  • I installed mine. Worth the cost. You may do better than e-trailer price. Shop around. I got my best price at RV upgrades. I had some clearance problems. I had to buy a longer grade 5 bolt and some washers as spacers. Called Blue Ox and that is normal on some MHs
  • Agreed, track bars (aka Panhard rods) are one of the very first suspension upgrades.
  • Beyond tire air pressure and front end alignment, trac bar is the next piece in the arsenal to improve handling. While technically you will feel slightly more body roll, the predictability and steering response is significantly improved, which makes the vehicle feel more secure.