Forum Discussion
FloridaRosebud
Jan 16, 2019Explorer
Cloud Dancer wrote:
The center of mass is located ABOVE the roll axis (on your motorhome). If a lateral force is applied above the roll axis, the suspension springs on one side will compress, and the body will tilt to the same side. You can call it whatever you want, but the motion is "tilt" or "roll". Therefore, what you call a "anti-sway bar" I call anti-roll bar.
The performance characteristics of a motor vehicle chassis have been assigned their respective name. Three of the more common are: understeer, neutrol steer, and oversteer. Another is "quality of directional stability". There are adjustments, and/or modifications for the purpose of changing the "handling" qualities of a chassis.
In auto-racing vernacular, sometimes understeer is described as "pushing" or "plowing". And, oversteer is described as "loose", or "wants to come around" or "wants to spin out".
Changing the diameter of the anti-roll bars has more to do with changing the understeer and oversteer, whereas changing the "wheel rates" (spring rates) has more to do with directional stability, or "quality of ride".
I understand your terms, as I used to race SCCA. I'm using the term "sway bar" as that's what the manufacturers call them, so to the "normal" person that's what they would understand. The addition of the bar to the rear made a huge difference in keeping the MH from rolling and from semi's pushing me over (along with the CHF and the correct tire pressures). If I didn't do anything else I could live with the MH as is, but I was wondering what, if any, improvement I might get from adding the front anti-roll bar. I can not seem to find any good information from users so far to my specific question, which, in truth could be the answer...;)
Al
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