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goufgators's avatar
goufgators
Explorer
Jan 29, 2018

Ye ole steering wander problem...

This question/comments is in regard to a 2017 Thor Freedom Elite 29FE. The problem is the old story of steering wander. I’ve had the wheels balanced and the front end aligned. I tried to get the alignment guy to set the alignment at 5 degrees toe in as I’ve heard that is good to help with the wandering problem. He refused to agree to that request. I’ve got the tires aired to comply with weight. So, after doing all the above, the wandering problem still exists. Question for those of you who have put add-ons such as steer safe or trac bars, what did you add that made an appreciable difference? I’d like to know your opinions re: add-ons before I venture down that road. (I’ll also add this post to the Class C forum)
Class C
  • Admin's avatar
    Admin
    Moderator
    Jan 29, 2018
    Forum Rules:
    You are not allowed to post the same message in multiple forums without permission from one of the Open Roads Forum moderators.

    Please do not multiple post

    See thread running in Class A

    Admin
    RV.net
    Now in Class C.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Jan 29, 2018
    Post the alignment specs and the measured angles for best comments.
    Exactly what tires and pressure? What pressure is recommended on the GVWR sticker?
    Wanders on grooved highways or all roads? How much does the road crown affect the steering?
    Did you ask the alignment guy to drive the RV while you ride along?
    Any particular speed where the issue is better or worse?
  • Harvard's avatar
    Harvard
    Explorer
    Jan 29, 2018
    The idea is to add +2 degrees of caster to whatever caster you have. If you already have +4 degrees then you would end up with +6 etc etc. If you have +4 and go to +5 then you may not notice much difference. Just saying.
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Jan 29, 2018
    goufgators wrote:
    I’ve got the tires aired to comply with weight.


    Is this a Ford Chassis ??
    I had great results with the caster adjustment.
    Do a search on here for "caster".

    And....what does the above statement mean ? Are you using the tire pressure recommended on the factory sticker ?

    IF you are having this problem while towing......there might not be much you can do about it.
  • Tom_M1's avatar
    Tom_M1
    Explorer
    Jan 29, 2018
    goufgators wrote:
    I tried to get the alignment guy to set the alignment at 5 degrees toe in...
    Your alignment guy is correct. That should be 5 degrees caster.

    My first attempt to remedy the wandering was to replace the front stabilizer bar with a Hellwig bar. This helped a bit. I then had the front-end alignment done with the 5 degree caster. This also helped but improvement overall was slight.
  • Hank85713's avatar
    Hank85713
    Explorer
    Jan 29, 2018
    does it have airbags in rear? How many miles on tires?

    Had same problem with our winnebago aspect. Put minimum of 55psi in rear airbags, got some miles on the tires and that pretty much took care of it. New tires were squirmy (michelin ltx's) for 1st couple of hundred miles, had same issue on my F350 with the tires. Played with the rear air settings and it all helped,

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