Motorhome handling issues

[Terry Melot]

Thanks, Leah.  I will give Spectrac a call.

[Gerald Farris]

Joel,
There is a little difference in handling between coaches, but from my experience the main difference is in the expectations of the driver. I have driven a Beaver coach for nearly 14 years, and I can tell you that the first trip in my Patriot (first motorhome I ever drove) was very tiring. It took about 3,000 miles to get accustomed to the way that it handled. My 2000 Marquis handles a little better than the 93 Patriot, but it still does not drive like a car, and it never will because of the long wheelbase.

Gerald  

[Joel Weiss]

Gerald:

Thanks for the response; that was sort of what I expected to hear.  After >30,000 miles of driving my PT I find it very comfortable to drive even when there are pretty severe crosswinds.  I guess everyone's expectations are just different.  I asked the question because I honestly was puzzled as to why so many people with similar coaches felt it necessary to install add-on steering aids.  I was wondering if I was missing something.

Joel

[Edward Buker]

Joel,

I'm with you, my coach steers straight as an arrow with no wandering or effort on my part to maintain my position within a lane. Even with wind it is quite solid with minor correction if at all. It is far superior to my 89 Contessa on a Gillig chassis. I have often marveled as to how well it drives. It reminds me a bit of an old heavy Cadillac, just point her and go.

I am sure that there is a certain amount of luck as to how well it was originally set up and aligned and how well it was jigged when the frame was welded at the factory. There may be a tire component here also. I am running Michelin XZA2 Energy tires and they track very well. I have no tag axle so that set up is not a factor on my coach. The only handling issue I run into from time to time is when the interstate is so worn with uneven truck ruts within a lane, that the coach can track the ruts somewhat....I do not think that there is any cure for that within our suspension set up or add ons.

Later Ed

[Joel Weiss]

Thanks, Ed.  I agree that my MH is so easy to drive that I sometimes forget I'm driving something that large.  As for staying in lane, on our way south I drove that delightful ~80 mile stretch of I-15 from Ogden to Provo with seemingly every square inch of pavement occupied by a vehicle.  Keeping track of the crazies zooming around me was tiresome, but it wasn't difficult to keep the MH in its lane.  We're driving on Michelin XZE2+'s and I think they are even better than the XZA2's they replaced.

Joel

[Edward Buker]

Joel,

Maybe we are just lucky and maybe part of this is just personal perspective, either way it is good to be happy.

I've done that stretch of road a few times and it never ceases to amaze me how fast and crazy that population of mostly Mormons drive. It is a bit nerve racking there for sure but not as bad as Houston :-)

Later Ed

[Roy Warren Co-Admin]

If you are going to be in the Phoenix area, it is not far to go to go to the Quartzsite rally.  Henderson RV has a garage set-up there and I know you could get an appointment for both alignment and the Safety Plus plus the Roy Mueller trim unit there.  You can call them in Grants Pass, OR and check with Robert about setting this up.
We had a left front blow-out on our 99 PT with Vicki driving and it was not pretty.  We left the road to the left and went into the center of an interstate highway.  Tires were only 4 1/2 years old and were under the proper inflation.  We were going to replace the tires when we got to San Diego, but didn't make it without a blow-out.  We replace our tires every 5 years now and have both the Safety Plus and the trim unit installed.
Good luck and safe motorhoming.
Roy and Vicki

[Terry Melot]

If you are going to be in the Phoenix area, it is not far to go to go to the Quartzsite rally.  Henderson RV has a garage set-up there and I know you could get an appointment for both alignment and the Safety Plus plus the Roy Mueller trim unit there.  You can call them in Grants Pass, OR and check with Robert about setting this up.
We had a left front blow-out on our 99 PT with Vicki driving and it was not pretty.  We left the road to the left and went into the center of an interstate highway.  Tires were only 4 1/2 years old and were under the proper inflation.  We were going to replace the tires when we got to San Diego, but didn't make it without a blow-out.  We replace our tires every 5 years now and have both the Safety Plus and the trim unit installed.
Good luck and safe motorhoming.
Roy and Vicki

You just scared my wife out of ever trying to drive.
We live in the Phx area and plan on being at the Rally in Quartsite. Leah told of a place in Mesa (near Phx) that installs them. If they can't do it or seem too expensive, I will give Henderson RV a call and get price and availability from them.

Gerald, do you have the Safety Plus on your rig?
Has anyone ever heard of someone having a blowout "with" the Safety Plus installed?  Anyone know "exactly" what the thing does?

[Joel Ashley]

No, I haven't experienced a blowout.  But I like to think I drive with an awareness one facet of which includes that possible event.  Having had a similar device on our old gas coach, and over 27 years read enough about them in various venues, I'd be more confident with one installed on the Beaver.

One piece of advice I've absorbed along the way is not to do the instinctive thing and brake in a blowout, especially a front one.  Rather, one should keep the throttle there enough to maintain steerage and some modicum of control, gradually powering down and to a safe roadside stop.  Suddenly hitting the brakes will take wheel power away that's necessary for steer-ability, offsetting drag from the depressurized tire.

Joel

[Terry Melot]

One piece of advice I've absorbed along the way is not to do the instinctive thing and brake in a blowout, especially a front one.  Rather, one should keep the throttle there enough to maintain steerage and some modicum of control, gradually powering down and to a safe roadside stop.  Suddenly hitting the brakes will take wheel power away that's necessary for steer-ability, offsetting drag from the depressurized tire.

Joel

Joel, absolutely good advice no matter what vehicle is being driven. This should be in all capitals in every vehicles owners manual.
A preamble to the above might be, "If a tire blows, don't panic".
A while back Firestone made some bad SUV tires that were blowing regularly and SUVs would roll with many casualties. I would guess that most were caused by people who needed your advice above.

[Jeremy Parrett]

According to Josam - Truck Frame and Alignment Specialist Worldwide in  Orlando Fl there are many many coaches out there that have serious alignment problems caused by  the manufacturer welding  steering and suspension components to the chassis without proper bracing  so when things cool the assembly twists out of true.  They have cut out whole axle assemblies on many coaches and rewelded them correctly.  
Just saying.........my 2000  Beaver Marquis Amethyst  used to wander   till I had properly sized steer tires installed with new shock absorbers.   No more wander. Alignment was fine. I can steer with my fingers....not recommended !!
 Josam's told me not one Oregon built Beaver had issues like this.  
I would strongly suggest that you go to a full alignment truck shop and have the whole coach checked before spending hard earned dollars buying gear that may only mask  the real problem.
 A simple  check.......driving down a level straight road  say at 40 mph,look in your rear view mirror as you ease off the accelerator  and then power back up .....if your rear end moved out of line you have issues. Either...an alignment problem or worn radius rods on the drive axle.....these adjustable rods secure the axle in situ and keep it aligned...they have rubber or synthetic bushings that wear  causing slackness in the assembly.
 Correct for load  tires and good shocks combined with a perfect  alignment   will allow your coach to run straight as a dye !

[Terry Melot]

Jeremy,I pick up my Marquis tomorrow from Camping world.  I will try out your test.  Sounds reasonable.
thanks,

[LarryNCarolynShirk]

Some Magnum chassis came from the factory with the rear axle installed 2-3 inches off center (left to right).  It took 5 years and many alignments for me to finally find the problem.  Centering the rear axle solved the handling problem.   Have the alignment shop check that overlooked issue also.

Larry.

[Terry Melot]

Well I went to Spectrac in Gilbert, AZ to have a Blue Ox True Centering installed. He talked me into the Safety Plus, saying they install them on all the buses. Less money. Problem is that it pulled right after I left. I have made adjustments to it three times now and it is very close. Needs another tweak (about 1/8" on the tie rod where the safety plus attaches).
It was 50 miles and another day lost, to take the unit back for them to adjust. If they didn't do it right the first time what hope was there that they'd get it right the second?
So far, I am very disappointed I did not get the Blue Ox for another $300. It is a real pain to crawl under the coach, loosen the clamps while my DW moves the steering wheel, then re-tighten. Very touchy. First try I moved it a 1/4" in the wrong direction and it pulled right even harder. Then back to original spot and 1/8" at a time the other way.  Hopefully one more 1/8" adjustment will be done with it. I'd gladly give $300 for an electric trim button in the drivers seat.
I'll have a chance to see how it has affected overall handling on the trip to Indio next week.

[LEAH DRAPER]

Terry
Am sorry to hear that you got talked into something your not happy with.  Any chance you could get Spectrac to redo and give you the Blue Ox.  I am sure happy with mine.  I love being able to trim to adjust to wind or road conditions.  I'd sure give it a try if I were you.
There is no way you should have to be crawling under your rig to adjust things.  
Sounds like they did a lousy job, I'd sure speak with the owner about all this.
Leah