2008 Tioga 31M-Steering Stabilizer

[cgmartine]

For those of you who own a Class C with a Ford e450, particularly the Fleetwood 2008 Tioga 31M, can you tell me if it comes equipped with an actual "steering stabilizer?" I looked under the front of the motorhome and saw what appears to be a stabilizer with a small skinny shock absorber. If this is a steering stabilizer, would it help to replace the shock absorber to slightly improve handling, so that I can avoid buying a steering stabilizer like a Roadmaster? On closing, if I do already have a factory installed stabilizer, then something like a Roadmaster cannot be installed? Thanks

[j-d]

Good stabilizer discussion HERE
A few questions:
Is your 2008 coach on a 2007 or a 2008 E450?
How many Miles?
Any apparent Front End Wear?
What's your Wheelbase?
So you have Axle Weights??
I ask because if your components are tight, Wheelbase is long enough to adequately load the front axle, Evidenced by Axle Weights, and you can get a proper Alignment, a Stabilizer shouldn't be all that essential. And, an 08 chassis has some changes which help handling to a degree and braking quite a bit.
Replacing OEM with Bilstein like Kit did might just please you.
FYI, I visited Henderson's, famous for RV handling work, and they choose the Safe-T-Plus over the Roadmaster Reflex. They sell a lot of Roadmaster products, but in the stabilizer case (and others), they go with what they believe to be best.

[Kit_Carson]

I replaced the stock steering dampner on my E-450 with one from Bilstein Shocks and noticed an immediate difference.

[Golden_HVAC]

The steering stabilizers wear out just like the shock absorbers do. Replace it if you have loose handling, and it will start doing it's job again.

If you have any unusual tire wear, then drive your car to several alignment shops, until you find one that works on large trucks. Ask if they can align a E-series motorhome. See if they have a 10+ ton jack to "Adjust" the front axle like has been done for many years on 1 ton + trucks. A typical alignment shop does not use a 10 or 20 ton jack anymore to adjust the front axle, while a good alignment shop will, and this can straighten the front axle, and provide great tire wear! And improved steering.

You might also need some upgraded shock absorbers too. This can never hurt, especially if you have old factory shocks. I replaced mine at about 1 year and 15,000 miles on the RV. It improved a LOT!

Fred.