Wandering Coach

Too little positive caster can result in wandering.

Too light on the front axle of the coach, when loaded, can cause it to wander all over the road.

Slojoe72 wrote:
Just wondering how I can improve the handling of my ride. 1999 holiday rambler, 40' 350 cummins diesel pusher 36000 miles.
So while driving it just seems like I'm always chasing it, not terrible but always feel like I'm steering it. So here's the issue .... I bought it to tow my race car trailer with. So I have a 32' enclosed trailer attached. Soooo when I'm towing and chasing the motorhome, the trailer seems to all over the place.
Wonder about shocks... Suspention bushings.... Alignment?? Something?

Trailer loading might be causing it. be certain you have the center of gravity forward of the axels, and at least 10% of the total trailer weight on the hitch.

Or move up to a Newmar with comfort drive :)

I though a lot about the trailer loading. But it does it empty.... Then it's just magnified because coach is wondering back and forth
which jerks trailer around.

Larger percentage of towed trailer weight needs to be in front of the wheels when loaded. Are you within the weight on the MH hitch? If not, are you using a weight distribution hitch with sway control? Even if not a trailer that long should have a weight distribution hitch with sway control damper IMHO.

Next are you within the weight specifications for your MH towing? Front axle weights, rear axle weights when loaded? Shocks old? Steering damper old? Tire pressures correct for loaded weights?

Lots to look at. But you need to be serious about finding out if you're within weight limits and loading, both trailer and MH.


What type of motorhome are you pulling with? Year, make & model?

I though a lot about the trailer loading. But it does it empty.... Then it's just magnified because coach is wondering back and forth
which jerks trailer around.

I 'wonder' if SloJoe means 'wander'...:W:W:W.....Dennis

First thing is weigh your coach, 4 corners. Then hook up the trailer and weigh the entire setup. Determine your tongue weight and start from there. Your rig is not setup correctly but without these numbers we're all just guessing. Your problem may not be with the coach at all but with the trailer...Dennis

The coach is wondering if it is wandering.

How does the coach handle without the trailer attached? If OK, then the problem is obviously related to the trailer, if the same, then it is obviously related to the coach.

Until you perform a test with an without the trailer, you may be focusing on something that does not need attention.

Yes yes wandering. Thanks for the spelling lesson. It happens with no trailer, kinda wanders from side to side in the lane and I feel like I'm always steering it.
Then when the trailer is hooked its transferred to the trailer and its swaying all over.
All orignal shocks, but I did put new tires on and replaced the 10 suspension bushings in rear.
1999 holiday rambler, 40' with 350 cummins pusher.