Steering Problem

"gman421"......Is this your first diesel pusher and/or Class A motor home? If so, you might consider this. Often, new owners try to steer these coaches like their car. Stay between the lines and steer directly in front of them. A motor home is different. On your next trip, try looking farther down the road. Don't look directly in front of the motor home. Pick a spot a hundred yards or so ahead and steer for that point. You'll find that you will do less wandering.

Second, your coach has a tilt wheel. Tilt it all the way up and see how it steers. It becomes difficult and awkward. Tilt the wheel down as far as comfortable and you'll do less steering.

Lastly, you should have adjustable armrests. Position them and your seat so you can rest your arm on the armrest and still grip the wheel. It will help you to relax. Make sure when you adjust the armrest it's not up to high forcing your shoulders up, or they'll become painful by the end of the day.

If this doesn't improve your wandering, then check into what others have suggested.

Don't automatically blame the front end for steering issues.

When we bought our Dutchstar it drove really bad. Had the dealer take it to alignment shop for big trucks, rv's ect and their work corrected it. I was given a report of what was found and what was done to correct it. If you wern't given a report the work may not have been performed. Just an opinion. Larry

Some very good info has been provided.
I would like to thank everyone who answered.
Safe Travels to all!

The DynoMax chassis is the best in the market and doesn't need any add on "fixes".

First thing to do is verify correct tire pressure. CC recommended a tire pressure of 120 psi for the front and 110 for the rear, this was/is a cover your assets thing. You really should weigh the coach loaded like you will normally travel and then adjust the tire pressure accordingly. Next is ride height. Make sure the ride height is correct as it can affect steering.

A 4 wheel alignment could be done if the above doesn't correct the problem but I think ivylog has some good ideas for you to try before you go throwing money at a problem that you really don't have.

The 40ft Inspire is a very nice coach, just spend some time with it

Could be several things wrong.

Here are the two most likely.

1. Not enough castor as the shop has told you. I race cars in a straight line and want a bunch of castor put into my font end to keep the car going straight.

2. Worn steering box. Play in the box can be a nightmare. You did not say how many miles on this unit. Even then it does not matter much. There are good boxed out there and bad boxes out there.

There are several more but the two above are the most important. If you get the shop to do a castor adjustment get a before setting to see how far they changed it..

First things first Get it weighed, front ,rear and total. If you do not have the front axle loaded to 80% of rated capacity you will have handling problems no matter what you do. Find a tire pressure chart and set your tire pressure to the weight.

John, I was wondering...do you still have the same opinions and comments if talking about a DP with a Freightliner chassis?

Ok, there are three things that often need to be done to a motor home, This is NOT in likelyhood order

Sway: Side to side rocking of the body, Think of fans at a rock concert holding up their lit lighters swaying side to side...

Solution: Sway bar.. you have one but a better one may improve.. LEAST likely

WAG: with leaf spring and solid (one piece) axles the body can move, slightly, right and left, Often one end moves one way while the other moves the other, This gives the impression you are NOT going down the straight and narrow, even if you are.. You are kind of like the tail of the dog.

Track Bars, also called Pan Hard bars,, These positively LOCK the body in position (side to side) over the axle,,, NOTE: this is why independent front suspension was such a big thing when it came out on pick ups back in th 60s. IFS does not need a FRONT track bar, as the two half axles each run to the body and thus lock it nicely.. Likewise a car with STRUT suspension already has one.

But on a motor home most folks say the rear is where you need to put one first, I put it on the front,,,,, BIG DIFFERENCE.. I will do the rear later

Ultra Power track bar is my first choice if it fits your chassis.
(Well built, low cost).


Finally steering stabilizers,, These devices try to keep you pointed straight ahead,, The two I suggest are the Blue Ox Tru-Center and the Safe-t-steer with the adjustable center option. Both of these are easy to adjust if they need adjustment.. VERY EASY.

How big a difference do they make?

Ever see a movie or tv show where a novice piolt has to land the airplane.. They warn him but when he disengages the auto pilot to take manual control he still almost looses control.... THAT is how much difference it makes.

How much air is in the tires and are they new? If more than 100 in the front and 90 in the rear you may have too much air in your tires. If you have not loaded your stuff in it yet, load it up with full fuel and water in all three tanks. Go to a truck stop and weigh each axle and then adjust air pressures for those loads.
If the air pressure is close to 100 and 90 the problem could be the nut behind the steering wheel. No offence but it's easy to over steer something this long as it takes longer than what your are used to for it to respond. Take it out on a smooth road (no wind) and see if you can decrease the amount of steering wheel movement by giving it a little longer to react. With practice it's amazing how little input it takes to keep one between the lines. You also need to look 100 yards out front and only closer when turning.
Try the simple things first. I often put in 12+ hour days and enjoy doing it.