Stability Issues

[hedgehopper]

I am considering the purchase of a Class A. But I keep seeing posts about stability issues. How common are such problems? Are they more common on certain brands/models/ lengths? Have you had a problem? With what brand/model/length? What did you do to correct it? Did that solve the problem?

[larry_cad]

Also be aware that the driver seat position of an A is higher up than a passenger car. This magnifies the driver's view of left/right "sway" and fools the driver into thinking the RV is swaying back and forth more. It is a feeling you get used to quickly. The passenger also gets this feeling, perhaps even more than the driver, but again, it is something which you get used to.

[wa8yxm]

Do you mean stability when driving or when camping?

Driving: Most motor homes have leaf springs all the way around these allow the body to shift not only up and down (As you would expect) but side to side a bit as well. The addition of Track Bars (I added one on the front, I'm told rear is more effective, two are best) stop this "Shifting"

Good shocks handle side to side Rocking

And a good sterring stablizer. I went with Blue Ox due to the "Remote adjustment" button in the cockpit (next to the driver)

But Saft-T-Steer now has that as, last I knew, an option so it too would be worthy of consideration.

How much difference do these modifications make?

Before Mod I towed my car from Detroit to Las Vegas
It was a relief to park the house and drive the car

Then I added the front trac bar and stablizer

And again towed the SAME car to las Vegas
And it was amazing how much harder that car was to drive

(I'd gotten used to driving the stabilized motor home)

I can explain why but that is a longer post.

[Harvard]

POPULAR MECHANICS MAY 1973:
START QUOTE:
If too little caster exists, the car will wander and weave,
thus necessitating constant corrections in steering.
END QUOTE:

[IB853347201]

Our current 38ft gasser and previous 36 ft gasser, both drive and ride well. Very stable, no wandering, no handling issues.
I suspect a lot of handling issues are caused by improper tire inflation. Many folks seem to think that their tires should be filled to the maximum PSI or are unaware of the manufacturers recommendations on the placard.

[larry_cad]

Ivylog wrote:
Since you previously said when asked… “How long and how much to spend?Shorter is better -- say 25 ft. Budget: maybe $30K”, so, YES it’s going to have handling problems.

Sure helps when you know the whole story! Hmmmmm

[RetiredRealtorR]

I think you'll find typically a DP, the longer the better, will offer the most stability. Front engine gassers, just by nature of the beast, tend to be less stable, based on personal experience.

[Ivylog]

Since you previously said when asked… “How long and how much to spend?Shorter is better -- say 25 ft. Budget: maybe $30K”, so, YES it’s going to have handling problems.

[grldst]

Over the years I've had 7 different Class A's. As a general rule longer and heavier is going to be more stable. Gas models...35ft and over have been very stable...Diesel models 38ft and over have been very stable.

I've owned 32ft gas model that was a bear with side winds and truck traffic passing in the wind. Had a 35ft diesel that was bad. Drove a 40ft Bluebird Wanderlodge for awhile. It was heavy and had a tag axle. It was a dream to drive.

[Tom_Barb]

CA Traveler wrote:
Stable as a rock.

yep X2

[LadyRVer]

I had 3 Class A's, gassers. All 31' or close. 2 I put Steer Safe Stablilzers on, the other I didn't need them.

[chuckftboy]

There are a few that that have had issues. Maybe some people expect there class A to handle like a car or SUV and maybe there are some lagit issues with coach handling but I have owned a Newmar 34' FRED, a Fleetwoof 37' gasser, a HR 39' diesel and my current coach 43' Winnie. None of them had handling issues and I never needed to do any suspension work on any one of them.

[CA_Traveler]

Stable as a rock.