marty1300
florida
Full Member
Joined: 10/31/2014
View Profile
 Offline
|
Hello,
Inquiring as to what brand of steering stabilizer most choose. I see the two most common are by Roadmaster and Safe-T-Plus. We are getting a new Rv on the E450, chassis length is 31 feet
Thanks Marty
Marty
|
ron.dittmer
North-East Illinois
Senior Member
Joined: 02/26/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Hi Marty,
Class-Cs that benefit most from a heavy duty steering stabilizer, are shorter rigs. Your rig being 31 feet long, will still benefit, but the problem is less prominent to begin with, especially if your wheel base is longer than average (for your length) and your rear overhang is less than average.
With that said, our short under-24 class B+ has a Safe-T-Plus and it is effective. I cannot speak of other lower priced options.
Two negatives for our Safe-T-Plus are...
1) high purchase price
2) no life-time warranty (just a one year warranty)
2007 Phoenix Cruiser model 2350, with 2006 Jeep Liberty in-tow
|
MDKMDK
Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 10/15/2008
View Profile
|
marty1300 wrote:Hello,
Inquiring as to what brand of steering stabilizer most choose. I see the two most common are by Roadmaster and Safe-T-Plus. We are getting a new Rv on the E450, chassis length is 31 feet
Thanks Marty
All they are is a "return to center" set of helper springs that don't "stabilize" anything. I wouldn't waste my time or money on them. They're a gimmick, like those stovepipe things for your generator exhaust.
Just pay attention to where you're aiming the rig, with the factory steering, and you'll be fine.
Mike.
2018 (2017 Sprinter Cab Chassis) N24V + 2016 JKU (sold @ ????)
2016 Sunstar 26HE, V10, 3V, 6 Speed (sold @ 4600 miles)
2002 Roadtrek C190P (sold @ 315,000kms)
|
Desert Captain
Tucson
Senior Member
Joined: 02/19/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
Any quality new Class C should need absolutely nothing right off of the showroom floor with the possible exception of proper tire inflation and perhaps an alignment... both of which are the dealers fresponsibility. If it needs anything else it is the wrong Class C... keep shopping.
Think of it this way, would you spend $100,000 or likely much more on a nice Mercedes, BMW or Range Rover SUV if the salesman said "Well it will need a couple of thousand dollars worth of suspension improvements, an alignment and the tires need to be properly inflated"??? ![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/doh.gif "doh")
A serious, think 1 hour minimum test ride in a wide variety of road conditions to include some freeway time {see how it responds to passing trucks and how much fun merging is or isn't} should be a nonnegotiable condition of sale. If after making your best deal the dealer balks at the test drive Run Forrest Run! Go find a dealer who is willing to earn your business.
As always... Opinions and YMMV.
![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/cool.gif "cool")
|
Harvard
51.6N 114.7W
Senior Member
Joined: 12/24/2005
View Profile
|
Research E450 caster alignment before investing in steering stabilizers.
|
|
|
pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 12/18/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
How many inches is the wheelbase?
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp hours of AGM in two battery banks 12 volt batteries, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.
|
BSWS19
Tucson AZ
New Member
Joined: 05/30/2018
View Profile
Offline
|
Harvard knows what he's talking about and I appreciate the advice he has provided about the caster adjustment in earlier posts. The "correct" alignment made a huge improvement in the handling of my new MW 31K. Better sway bars in the front and rear not only greatly improved handling but also stabilize the movement in the coach while parked. I don't feel I have a need for a new stabilizer bar, and I just completed my second 4000 mile trip.
2017 Minnie Winnie 31K
2003 Wrangler
|
bobndot
USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/21/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Harvard wrote:Research E450 caster alignment before investing in steering stabilizers.
x2. When I called the company researching to buy one and explained my class c symptoms, I was told the steering stabilizer had a lot less bang for the buck than the alignment described above.
I operated medium duty ambulances all my working life on highways at 80 mph and never had to add any of this aftermarket stuff. A correct alignment was always most helpful.
|
AJR
Close to Madison Wisconsin
Senior Member
Joined: 07/28/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
The Safe-T- Plus gives you control if a steer tire blows out. It also minimizes drift on the road. I really liked that addition when I had a Ford chassis.
Harvard’s recommendation is a must in my mind. It made a world of difference in my used Ford class C.
2014 Leprechaun 290QB Chevy 6.0
2015 GMC Terrain AWD
|
marty1300
florida
Full Member
Joined: 10/31/2014
View Profile
Offline
|
OP here, the wheel base is 220" (18.33'). Seems the alignment is the biggest factor. So I will drive it first to see how it hanldes. Our old Rv was about 23-25' total and it did have the steering stabilizer . It drove nice but a semi would push it every now and then
Marty
|
|
|
