Safe T Steering Stabilizer

bobndot wrote:

callans1 wrote:
Had the steering stabilizer put on when doing front alignment. Made of huge differene in handling.

Do you think the correct alignment would have done the trick without the stabilizer ?

The MH I have now came with a steering stabilizer(steer safe) for years I believed it really helped because I drove it with one hand like a car even with passing trucks while others complained about a white knuckle ride. About 5 years ago I had a front end failure and had to drive home from Ohio without the stabilizer. I noticed no difference in the handling, still drove it with one hand. I think if your weight distribution is right, (each tire carrying the same load) and the alignment is right a stabilizer is not needed except for front tire blowouts.

callans1 wrote:
Had the steering stabilizer put on when doing front alignment. Made of huge differene in handling.

Do you think the correct alignment would have done the trick without the stabilizer ?

riverboaterbill wrote:
Thanks Guys! I had a through and accurate alignment from a truck center and they said they increased the caster as much as possible with stock Ford parts. I also installed a TPMS to monitor tire pressure. It still is a bear to drive especially with a cross wind or passing truck. I understand it is a high profile vehicle but I am hoping to find something to tame it down. I appreciate the replies!

When an 18-wheeler overtakes your RV, the bow-wave hits the left rear of the coach first, and that pushes the rear toward the shoulder. When the body rear moves right slightly before the rear axle does, it amplifies the push to the left that you feel in the front causing you to correct by steering to the right.

As the 18-wheeler bow wave moves toward the front of the coach, it pushes the front of the coach to the right, and when the body moves right slightly before the front axle does, it amplifies the steering correction you have already done causing you to have to correct to the left.

This whole thing, if you are not used to the feelings, can be quite scary. One way to overcome that is to install Vortex Generators like Air Tabs They cut down on the dead air and drag on the rear of RV and greatly reduce the bow wave of passing trucks.

I have AIRTABS on my Class C.

They really help on a cross wind situation,no more sudden buffeting. It has stopped the sideways push when being passed or passing a large truck.

They are a vortex generator that produce a counter rotating air trail several feet behind the vehicle, This airflow alteration improves vehicle stability. As far a mileage it may helped some but the stability they provided is amazing.

Thanks Guys!

Had the steering stabilizer put on when doing front alignment. Made of huge differene in handling.

No mention of your tire pressures... Get the rig weighed loaded as you normally travel and then check the load/inflation tables from your tire manufacturer. Nothing else can give you the right pressures for your your rig. Ignore the door sticker and the max psi on the sidewalls.

Most Ford chassis Class C's can be cured of any ride and handling issues by doing a proper alignment to include upping the + caster and simply inflating your tires for the load they are actually carrying. At just a year old your original shocks should still be fine but down the road {so to speak} plan on upgrading. I went with heavy duty Bilstein's and they have been awesome.

Good luck!

:C

riverboaterbill wrote:
Thanks Guys! I had a through and accurate alignment from a truck center and they said they increased the caster as much as possible with stock Ford parts. I also installed a TPMS to monitor tire pressure. It still is a bear to drive especially with a cross wind or passing truck. I understand it is a high profile vehicle but I am hoping to find something to tame it down. I appreciate the replies!

I upgraded the shock absorbers which not only reduced the banging when going over small obstacles like rail road tracks but also cut the side roll you speak of in half. With a front and rear stabilizer bar and new shocks it drove like a different vehicle. And yes, proper wheel alignment.

I had the same problem.
I needed the Ford bushings added to gain more caster. I also added a rear track bar which bolts to the frame and rear axle. It eliminates any side movement which translates to the steer axle. This was a great improvement.

Or it can not translate but transfer :S :)

Thanks Guys! I had a through and accurate alignment from a truck center and they said they increased the caster as much as possible with stock Ford parts. I also installed a TPMS to monitor tire pressure. It still is a bear to drive especially with a cross wind or passing truck. I understand it is a high profile vehicle but I am hoping to find something to tame it down. I appreciate the replies!

Tire pressure and caster are the first two things to address to improve steering on the Ford E-van.