William, you can try shocks, but I don't think that is the problem. Their are 2 ways to try to fix the side to side roll. Increase the spring rate, or increase the stabilizer rate. There are good and bad sides to each fix.
wildmanbaker wrote: William, you can try shocks, but I don't think that is the problem. Their are 2 ways to try to fix the side to side roll. Increase the spring rate, or increase the stabilizer rate. There are good and bad sides to each fix.
Shock absorbers may help DAMPEN the side to side movement but the best way to restrict it is to install a panhard, or track bar. This will greatly reduce the side to side movement, particularly when you are being passed by a truck. I would start with a rear track bar.
The OP is describing a rocking, tilting, rolling action while PARKED.
I certainly would not waste money on shocks, nor on panhard links.
The suggestions that make sense to me is to add cargo/ballast in the lower compartments. Also, the bigger diameter sway bar(anti-roll bar) makes a lot of sense.
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
Blazer toad & Ranger bassboat
Sway bars (aka anti-sway bars) are the best way to control sway. Do shocks help? Yes, but a shock stiff enough to control sway would be WAY too harsh on the road.
For a sway bar, start by verifying that the sway bar bushings and end link bushings are in good condition. If you see any air gap, replace them, as the bar is given a "free ride" until firm resistance is applied to it.
Polyurethane bushings are a big improvement in sway control over rubber bushings.
And of course if you need more than stock sway control, a larger diameter sway bar, particularity with polyurethane bushings will help the most.
Panhard rods, aka track bars, DO help with directional control and reduce the need for as many steering corrections, but help very little with sway.
A friend of mine has a similar Southwind coach. The Fleetwood has a few unusual features that may contribute to the rocking. The water tanks for the Southwind are put in the middle of the frame, down the middle. This is good for balance but I feel that it does make the coach a little susceptible to rocking because of not having much outboard weight to counteract rocking. The slides are both fairly heavy which also tends to raise the center of gravity.
The coach is mounted on the WH 22,000 chassis with 22.5" wheels and should already have the large rectangular sway bars. This sway bar is mounted steel to steel so there is instantaneous response to something trying to make the coach sway.
You need to look near each axle for a large rectangular tube. I guess it is possible that one or both of these could have been removed at the factory.
The shocks may HELP to dampen the motion but they will not prevent it.
You may just have to load the coach as heavy as possible, and as low as possible, without exceeding the axle ratings to minimize the rocking.
ScottG wrote: I would start with new shocks, it's obvious your rig needs them and that may do it for you.
why dont you try reading previous posts before posting????
The OP clearly said he put new BILSTIENS on in 2007.They last a lifetime.NO its not the shocks
the replacement with the 2.5 front bar and addition of a HD rear bar should help but ALL gasser A,s will have that "sway" when turning out of driveways and in drops in pavement etc no matter what u do
Even the Big DP units will as all A,s are top heavy
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