Forum Discussion

CaptainCal's avatar
CaptainCal
Explorer
Sep 24, 2019

Handling advise

After 11 years of owning a 28 ft. class c ,I just bought a 2004 Safari Trek,29RBD with 36,000 miles. It is on a workhorse chassis but I do not know which model.
I only drove it for 30 miles on 2 lane roads and 15 miles on the highway. It would sway even when passenger cars would pass. I was hoping that a semi would pass to see what would happen but didn't meet any. I am 1400 miles from home base at my son's house and he has a place for me to make repairs.
What I need to know is what do I need to do to the suspension to get this rig to handle rock solid ?
Class A
  • DFord's avatar
    DFord
    Explorer
    Sep 24, 2019
    The best advice I can offer is to become a member of Trek Tracks http://www.trektraxs.com/ That site is dedicated solely to supporting Trek owners of all ages. You'll find others there that have already addressed the issues you're experiencing. Welcome to the world of Treks. I've got a 2004 Trek but it's on the Ford chassis which are few and far between.
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Sep 24, 2019
    DFord wrote:
    The best advice I can offer is to become a member of Trek Tracks http://www.trektraxs.com/ That site is dedicated solely to supporting Trek owners of all age.

    That's excellent advice. I'm sure Trek Tracks can advise you on the best way to correct your problem.
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Sep 24, 2019
    To quickly tell which Workhorse chassis you have, look under the front.

    W has a solid front axle.
    P has independent front suspension (kind of like a large version of a Chevy PU).

    They are different enough that most advice for one does not carry over to the other.

    Another quick check would be to check the sway bar bushings. At 15 years old, they could be shot. Replacing with polyurethane bushings is a quick and pretty inexpensive upgrade.
  • CaptainCal's avatar
    CaptainCal
    Explorer
    Sep 24, 2019
    It has a solid axle. I asked the previous owner if he had done any suspension work, he said no. Socks look to be stock. The rig has made one trip to Alaska so the stock may be shot. Does anyone know of the Bilstein shock model number and part number that will fit.
    there isn't any sway bars on the front being a straight axle and none on the rear. Any advice would be helpful. Thank You.
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Sep 24, 2019
    CaptainCal wrote:

    What I need to know is what do I need to do to the suspension to get this rig to handle rock solid ?


    It may never be "rock solid".

    It has about as much side wind resistance as the side of a barn.
    And there is NO steering "feedback" and no good sense of slow deviation from a good line......so constant attention is required.

    No doubt that you can improve things some but I think you will soon notice that big vehicles overtaking from the REAR will tend to push the BACK off line......and that is not due to a fault in the suspension.
  • Octaneforce's avatar
    Octaneforce
    Explorer
    Sep 29, 2019
    Sounds like you need a supersteer trac bar. I just did one on my p30. Its not going to turn the rig into an f1 car but it does alleviete what your describing.

    https://supersteerparts.com/product/motorhome/class-a/gm-chevy-chasis-p30-32/p32-rear-trac-bar-u-bolts-rear-disc/
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Sep 29, 2019
    Octaneforce wrote:
    Sounds like you need a supersteer trac bar. I just did one on my p30. Its not going to turn the rig into an f1 car but it does alleviete what your describing.

    https://supersteerparts.com/product/motorhome/class-a/gm-chevy-chasis-p30-32/p32-rear-trac-bar-u-bolts-rear-disc/


    NO, that link/product is for the P30 chassis.

    The OP has a W chassis.

    Depending on GVWR of his W chassis, here are track bars (which I agree are an excellent upgrade for the suspension):

    https://supersteerparts.com/shop/motorhome/class-a/workhorse-chasis/
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Sep 29, 2019
    First place to always start is with a suspension inspection and alignment. You can throw all sorts of stuff at it, if things are loose nothing will help.

About Motorhome Group

38,705 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 14, 2025