DunnInn
Texas
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Joined: 01/17/2012
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I'm planning on talking to the guy who did the alignment and asking him to change the caster to 5 - anybody think it should be greater than that? Also any recommendations for online places to order hellwig swaybars? Think that's next. I definitely think the length past the back axle is an issue, but can't change that. Thought we were getting a good deal when we bought this unit. Looks like it's not turning out that way.
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j-d
Sunny Florida USA
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Joined: 09/04/2003
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For the caster, search for Harvard's posts or send him a private message.
For the Hellwig bars, SD Truck Springs
God Bless, jd
2003 Jayco Escapade 31A on 2002 Ford E450 V10 4R100
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desertrek
Mesa, AZ
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Joined: 07/08/2012
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Dunnlnn,
I just looked and my 2011 coach came with front and rear sway control bars from the factory. If yours didn't, that could be a big issue too. I owned one 3/4 ton pickup I bought used that had sway control front only (unusual) until I installed the rear it was terrible towing anything.
Desertrek
2011 Four Winds 25C (27')E450 Ford
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee(Toad)
2009 KLR-650 Kawasaki-(Toads piggyback)
Mesa, AZ
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Kamphiker
South Florida (this 'aint paradise anymore)
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Joined: 07/09/2002
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Trac Bar on the rear should have taken away the side push on the rear.
It sounds like the "Tail is wagging the Dog" when the Toad is attached.
Several others have observed / suggested to have your RV weighed to get the tire pressures correct for the actual travel weight.
I'm thinking (as others have stated) that you don't have enough weight on the front axle in relation to the rear, This allows the Toad to steer the RV.
Another thought what is your ride height UN-loaded, fully loaded w/ & W/O the Toad ? (measure the 4 corners top of the wheel wells) Are you squatting Down in the rear a excessive amount when fully loaded ?
2006 Winnebago Outlook WF324V
2009 Honda CR-V 2wd TOAD ......Campgrounds in the Smoky Mountains NP
Last Camping trip ->2011 SUMMER SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
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Harvard
51.4N 114.4W
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Joined: 12/24/2005
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DunnInn wrote:I'm planning on talking to the guy who did the alignment and asking him to change the caster to 5 - anybody think it should be greater than that? Also any recommendations for online places to order hellwig swaybars? Think that's next. I definitely think the length past the back axle is an issue, but can't change that. Thought we were getting a good deal when we bought this unit. Looks like it's not turning out that way.
I changed my caster from +3.3 to +5.3 (upper specified limit is +7.3) and it made all the symptoms you have talked about go away.
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DunnInn
Texas
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Talked to alignment guy yesterday. He's going to set the left caster at 5.3 and the right at 5.8 on Wednesday. Also the toe in increased by 1/8". Fingers crossed!!
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j-d
Sunny Florida USA
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I really don't know what Winnie's justification for not stretching your chassis more than they did could be. Stretch Plus Two Feet More in Front of the Axle and Minus Two Feet Behind... Cost would have to be just about a wash.
I've tracked Harvard's progress toward good handling from Day One and what he did with Caster was close to miraculous. Hopefully it'll help you. Still, with all that overhang and the short wheelbase ratio, I'm becoming convinced you're going to need all the help you can build into (under) that coach.
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DunnInn
Texas
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They could only set the left caster to 4.7 because of the bushing? He didn't have any bigger ones. Right is set to 5.3. It helped a LOT!! He's going to loosen the steering gear box a little tomorrow and after a test drive, I'm going to tell him to get the bigger bushings so he can increase the left caster. THANK YOU HARVARD for your advice!! We may still get the larger sway bars to replace the OEM ones.
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wolfe10
Texas
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You WANT more caster on right than left to compensate for the crown in the road.
Brett Wolfe
1997 Safari Sahara 3540
EX: 1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
FMCA Forum: www.community.fmca.com/index
Diesel RV Club:http://www.dieselrvclub.org/
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DunnInn
Texas
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I know, but we want the left to be 5.3 and the right more than that.
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