Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-22-2018, 04:25 PM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: McKinney
Posts: 65
2018 alnate 26x

Hello folks, I'm a newbie to this world of RV's. We just bought a new 26x in March. Needless to say we have not had the best of experience's . The biggest issue I'm having is the alignment of the steering wheel. When we picked the coach up I was told by the tech that he had the front end realigned. This with less then 1100 miles on it. As we drove off the lot and headed down the road I noticed the steering wheel was pointed at 8 and 2. My first thought was because it was very windy this was normal. As we drove further and the wind stopped the steering wheel never changed position. Upon arriving home I contacted the dealer and expressed my concern. They sent someone out to pick it up and returned to the shop that did the realignment. Although after I got it back it was better I'm still not confident it's correct. I've contacted Jayco and they have agreed to have another facility verify both the front end is properly aligned and that the steering wheel is in specs.
As I stated we are new to the RV world and wonder if any one has had a similar experience? Am also interested to know if adding a HD sway bar to the front will make the driving less stressful? The GVWR is 16K and the ford chassis manual states the HD sway bar is optional on a 16k. Thanks for listening and I 'm looking forward to being a active participant in this Forum
Rico 1967 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2018, 08:48 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Allen_C's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: INDIANAPOLIS
Posts: 310
The steering wheel being off-center is actually not an indicator of the alignment being off. There is a process to re-center the steering wheel in ppst #4 and 6: https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...oes-43786.html.

As for the sway, things to try in order of ease and cost are: properly inflate tires for the actual weight, complete the Cheap Handling Fix (Google "ford chf"), steering stabilizer and/or beefier anti-sway bars (Jayco installs bars in most if not all of its class a units).
__________________
2016 Alante 31v
Allen_C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2018, 07:21 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Excelsior
Posts: 175
It seems like the steering wheel alignment problem is more common than expected. I picked up a new 2018 Alante 31V in December to find the wheel was off at least ten degrees to the right. It tracked really straight down the road, no pull to either side. I took it to my dealer and was told it was a Ford issue. I took it to our local Ford shop that has a dedicated Motor Home specialist. They had it for three weeks and adjusted it "the best they could" and now it is off about five degrees to the left. I am going to adjust it myself using the info outlined in the link in the first response. Looks like about an hour job. Not going to pay another $130 to the Ford dealer.
HJ Rosch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2018, 06:56 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
hawkster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: frankfort
Posts: 392
Just had front aligned to increase caster to motorhome specs, 4.8 degrees I believe. My steering wheel is at 8 and 2 but tracks straight. The shop added two shims, one side a 1 and the other a 1.5.
__________________
2016 Jayco Precept 31 ul
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad

hawkster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2018, 06:46 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
JesseS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 652
Getting the steering wheel back to center when driving straight is not hard, I had to do it on my 26AY after adding air suspension. There is a tutorial on how to do it in my other posts on handling issues, with a link, takes less than an hour. Only takes a wrench, crows foot pry bar, and a hammer. A shop will either tell you they can't do it or charge about $160. If you can't find the link PM me and I will hunt it up.

Found it, you can find the instructions for centering the wheel HERE
__________________
2016 Alante 26AY
Roadmaster Braking, BlueOX Tow Bar.
Kelderman Air Ride, Safe-T-Steer, Supersteer Trak Bar rear w/ Sumo Springs.
400 AH LiFePo4 house batt w/750 watts solar 40A charger & 2500 watt whole house Inverter.
2021 Ford Ranger 4X4 Toad
JesseS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 07:15 AM   #6
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Riverview
Posts: 6
Hi, we are also new to the RV world.
Purchased a 2018 26X in Feb.
After being fobbed off by the dealer and the Ford dealer, we went to an independent truck shop that did the alignment and balanced the wheels.
Much better but still apt to wander , especially when overtaken by tractor trailers.
Did fitting HD sway bars help with this?
Tia

Les
El Pea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 09:17 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
JesseS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 652
Quote:
Originally Posted by El Pea View Post
Hi, we are also new to the RV world.
Purchased a 2018 26X in Feb.
After being fobbed off by the dealer and the Ford dealer, we went to an independent truck shop that did the alignment and balanced the wheels.
Much better but still apt to wander , especially when overtaken by tractor trailers.
Did fitting HD sway bars help with this?
Tia

Les
Hello, I would try the CHF (google Ford CHF for a youtube video) and then a Safe-T-Steer steering control first and see if this gives you an acceptable control.
__________________
2016 Alante 26AY
Roadmaster Braking, BlueOX Tow Bar.
Kelderman Air Ride, Safe-T-Steer, Supersteer Trak Bar rear w/ Sumo Springs.
400 AH LiFePo4 house batt w/750 watts solar 40A charger & 2500 watt whole house Inverter.
2021 Ford Ranger 4X4 Toad
JesseS is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:08 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.