Forum Discussion

et2's avatar
et2
Explorer
Sep 19, 2016

My latest mod - - - update

Well I finally decided to have the Blue Ox TruCenter installed on our rig. I've been putting it off due to my local Bridgeway Cummins service center recommendation to wait about two years ago as they experienced a good number of bad units they installed. They were locking up causing driving issues. All sent back to the factory. They stopped putting them on.

After checking with him today he's back installing them. Supposedly Blue Ox has fixed the problem and he's back installing them.

After reading a few posts recently about tire failures I really wanted some added security controlling the rig. I have always had a left correction to the steering no matter what I've done to correct it. So this will hopefully take some of the fight out of it.

Parts are on order :B
Class A
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Oct 02, 2016
    After 12 years of perfect handling my MH decided to start going right... not a political statement. Nothing had changed... had not hit anything, same pressures, same weight, same front tires for five years... not the crown in the road as from the wrong lane it would still head for the ditch, just not as fast. Swapped front tires L/R for $30 and problem solved... cheaper than a true center.
  • mike_brez's avatar
    mike_brez
    Explorer
    Oct 01, 2016
    The only problem I have heard of was people holding the button to long and burning something out. Not shure if that makes it lock up. But they did a fix by adding a timer in the box so it times itself out if held to long. You only need to press the button for a second.
    I did not like the button that came with mine an added This foot switch.
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Oct 01, 2016
    The only thing I do not like with my Tru-Center is if you push the button to release it when the steering is fighting you, it will sometimes pull in that direction and can be a little difficult to find the exact neutral point. Just takes a few tries to get it right.
  • et2's avatar
    et2
    Explorer
    Oct 01, 2016
    Update,

    So I had the Blue Ox TruCenter installed and picked it up today. My short ride home it was immediately evident it works as designed. I was able to set it against my steering correction ( road crown) and remove that force applied by me.

    There is a very slight additional force needed to turn the the steering wheel while driving. Nothing that is of any concern. It also took away some of the road bump ( bad roads) that was felt in the steering wheel before the installation.

    So initial impression was exactly what I hoped for. I'll be traveling next week on a 31/2 hour trip which I can get a better feel for it.

    Some of you asked for my feedback. Hope this helps.
  • Bruce_Brown's avatar
    Bruce_Brown
    Moderator
    Sep 20, 2016
    On the pulling issue, our '03 had a slight pull, always to the right. When we were getting an alignment I mentioned it to the guy, who fortunately was very experienced. While the MH was in special, the tech said for our condition it was on the wrong end of the specs. He added a shame under one side of the axle, it took care of it 100%. That thing would go miles straight as a string after that.

    Might be worth looking at that too.
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Sep 20, 2016
    et2 wrote:
    Bill.Satellite wrote:
    Not to take the post off-topic but if you have always had a left correction to the steering you should have gotten that corrected first. I know you say "no matter what I have done to correct it" but a mandatory steering correction is bad. You should be able to let go of the steering wheel on flat level pavement and travel at least 1/4 mile or so without touching the wheel again.


    Alignment was checked numerous times, tires checked, ride height, air suspension, weighed 4 corners and aired per loading chart. New shocks ( Koni's) and suspension checked over. All within specs. Now the actual "ride" has significantly improved. The pull is still there. Mostly going down the freeway. So I've accepted the crown in the road argument is my issue. Most my driving is highway. You don't think that constant correction is a problem. But I know it has tired me out at the end of a long haul. And if your not paying attention it could get you in trouble.

    This is going to help with that, and a peace of mind if I have a tire failure.


    I never said I didn't say or imply that that constant correction was not a problem. It obviously is an should be corrected. Maybe the specs you have to the alignment is wrong or maybe there is another issue but the coach simply should not pull to one side. If it is the crown on the road it would pull right in the right lane and pull to the left in the left lane. Most Interstate highways do not have enough of a crown to cause a pull in either direction (maybe an ever so slight drift).
    I had been having tire wear issues on my Prevost for many years and I had tie rods replaced and a truck shop alignment center in Nashville, TN straighten everything up. Now life is good.
  • et2's avatar
    et2
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2016
    Bruce Brown wrote:
    Or...you could have just bought a Newmar with Comfort Drive - problem solved. :B:B:B


    Seriously though, I'm interested to hear your results.



    You're correct. But it's a few years out still. ;)
  • Bruce_Brown's avatar
    Bruce_Brown
    Moderator
    Sep 20, 2016
    Or...you could have just bought a Newmar with Comfort Drive - problem solved. :B:B:B


    Seriously though, I'm interested to hear your results.
  • et2's avatar
    et2
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2016
    Bill.Satellite wrote:
    Not to take the post off-topic but if you have always had a left correction to the steering you should have gotten that corrected first. I know you say "no matter what I have done to correct it" but a mandatory steering correction is bad. You should be able to let go of the steering wheel on flat level pavement and travel at least 1/4 mile or so without touching the wheel again.


    Alignment was checked numerous times, tires checked, ride height, air suspension, weighed 4 corners and aired per loading chart. New shocks ( Koni's) and suspension checked over. All within specs. Now the actual "ride" has significantly improved. The pull is still there. Mostly going down the freeway. So I've accepted the crown in the road argument is my issue. Most my driving is highway. You don't think that constant correction is a problem. But I know it has tired me out at the end of a long haul. And if your not paying attention it could get you in trouble.

    This is going to help with that, and a peace of mind if I have a tire failure.

About Motorhome Group

38,706 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 20, 2025