Hellwig anti-sway bar opinion...

[TravelinTim]

I am still deciding on the steering stabilizer. Leaning to the Safe-T-Plus but have not ruled out the Roadmaster Reflex. I will adjust the helpers when I install the front improvements.

[Atlee]

Tell me about adjusting the Hellwig helper springs. How is this done? Is it hard? Could any mechanic do it? What does this adjustment accomplish?

Originally Posted by Dgibbster

I will tell you that if you at least replaced the steering stabilizer with the roadmaster reflex and adjust your rear hellwig helper springs to 2” clearance it will make it handle like it should at least stock, then the sway bars will help with any additional side to side sway.

[Johnynorthland]

Originally Posted by TravelinTim

Has anyone with a 2021 E450 chassis upgraded the front sway bar to the Hellwig? Their website list the 7718 for 1997 thru 2020 so I called Hellwig customer service and they told me they don't have one for the 2021.

If you check the Roadmaster website they show using the same sway bar as the 1997 thru 2021

I would do the rear track bar first. If available.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Atlee

Tell me about adjusting the Hellwig helper springs. How is this done? Is it hard? Could any mechanic do it? What does this adjustment accomplish?

LOTS of discussion about this around the forum.

They install Hellwig helper springs on the chassis before the "house" is added, so they are installed with no "adjustment". The adjustment needs to be made after a load is applied to the suspension, and Jayco never goes back and does that. So the helper spring is not much more than bolted on, it's not "tightened down". I've read of cases where the user can grab the spring and move it with their hand quite easily. I've read where it was so loose, it would rattle and make noise.

So, it is up to the end user to adjust that suspension add on. No, it's not terribly difficult if everything is still in working order (not rusted, or in my case, the threads on the U-bolts were fouled). The u-bolts are quite long, so it's a LOT of turning a wrench since you can't get a socket on that nut. I actually purchased an entire set of offset ratchet wrenches when I went to do my adjustment. Of course, I'm a bit of a tool guy, so I felt like the set would be a welcome addition to my tool set anyway...

That being said, I did read recently where the customer brought the rig back to the dealership and made them do it as a "warranty" fix.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

So, it is up to the end user to adjust that suspension add on. No, it's not terribly difficult if everything is still in working order (not rusted, or in my case, the threads on the U-bolts were fouled). The u-bolts are quite long, so it's a LOT of turning a wrench since you can't get a socket on that nut.

Ha... it's a great upper body workout making the correct adjustment. You won't need to go to the gym that day.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by RetiredOne

Ha... it's a great upper body workout making the correct adjustment. You won't need to go to the gym that day.

Ya, I got rid of my gym membership years ago. If I need exercise, I'll just pick up my "to do" list and get to work. Fence needs building, oil changes needed on something, boat needs attention, camper needs cleaning, windows need cleaning, yard needs attention, dog needs walking, suspension upgrade on the ol' YJ, battery and cables on the ol' YJ, ... I could go on all day, and I get PLENTY of exercise turning wrenches...

I call it "the good life". If I could quit my day job and just do all that other stuff all day, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

[CaptainDawg]

Originally Posted by Johnynorthland

You really want a big improvement, install the super steer track bar from Henderson lineup. I threw a bunch of money in to the suspension of my 2019 Redhawk 25R to try and get it to handle decent, and by far that Track bar was the biggest improvement! Night and day!, especially while towing! The 2nd best thing was Firestone Ride Rite rear airbags, followed by an alignment, New front sway bar And steering stabilizer, in this order.

Johny - thank you for the suggestions! I have the new 2021 Odyssey 31F, so I am waiting to hear back on the chassis comparison as the new E450 cut-away is different than anything older than 2020 with the V10 engines...it's probably not much different in the back, but the front could be the one that is changed.

With that being said, I had some questions about you upgrading to airbags. Did you do a total air install and put in a pump with access to use for inflating tires and such? I am also hunting down the track bar (haven't heard many on here sing it's praises as a first install...everyone says steering stabilizers should be the first and easiest install).

[GABob]

Originally Posted by TravelinTim

I am still deciding on the steering stabilizer. Leaning to the Safe-T-Plus but have not ruled out the Roadmaster Reflex. I will adjust the helpers when I install the front improvements.

Just had the Safe-T-Plus installed (plus the rear sway bar) after my last trip. Heading out again soon and will report back. Trip home (about an hour from the factory) felt good, steering taught.

[TwinDad]

Originally Posted by CaptainDawg

Johny - thank you for the suggestions! I have the new 2021 Odyssey 31F, so I am waiting to hear back on the chassis comparison as the new E450 cut-away is different than anything older than 2020 with the V10 engines...it's probably not much different in the back, but the front could be the one that is changed.

With that being said, I had some questions about you upgrading to airbags. Did you do a total air install and put in a pump with access to use for inflating tires and such? I am also hunting down the track bar (haven't heard many on here sing it's praises as a first install...everyone says steering stabilizers should be the first and easiest install).

I was very impressed with how much a difference the steering stabilizer made on my Redhawk 31F. It’s amazing. Before investing in air bags, I would check to make sure your helper springs are tightened to spec. There should only be a 2-3 inch gap between the springs and the u-bolts. Mine was barely on and needed to be tighten quite a bit. It’s a free adjustment that might help you avoid shelling out the money on airbags.

[J2048b]

Originally Posted by TwinDad

I was very impressed with how much a difference the steering stabilizer made on my Redhawk 31F. It’s amazing. Before investing in air bags, I would check to make sure your helper springs are tightened to spec. There should only be a 2-3 inch gap between the springs and the u-bolts. Mine was barely on and needed to be tighten quite a bit. It’s a free adjustment that might help you avoid shelling out the money on airbags.

Can u still put air bags on if u have jride plus with the helper springs?

[TravelinTim]

Just an FYI. I did my PDI on the new 2021 29MV today. Because of Covid they are not allowing you to work with a technician. So I did my own inspectin today and gave the list of issues I found to my sales person who will put in a work request. Two days before we pick up the MH the technician will provide a video of his inspection which they will email to me for review before our final signing on Thursday.

However while doing the inspection I did check the front stock sway bar and it did have the Ford tag on the bar. It is in fact the same sway bar that has been used in the E450 chassis with the V10 engine, # M3H5K! This confirms Roadmaster's website that says the 2021 uses the same sway bar as the previous 24 model years that had the V10 engine. It is odd that the person I spoke to at Hellwig indicated that they didn't know if it was the same. The Hellwig site only shows what Hellwig part number you should use up through 2020. The 2021 is not listed.

[Silvernelle]

Regarding the Greyhawk with JRide Plus, we have a 26Y. We really dont have much pushing from semi trucks passing. Its noticeable but hardly enough to be scary or anything. We also manage to be on the road with pretty significant wind ( we dont plan it that way..its just we are primarily in the southwest and wind just is there, a lot), and though some gusts may cause a bit of movement for the most part it seems quite stable. Maybe upgrading the front sway bar would make a difference, but for our particular rig it seems it might be a waste of money.


From what I've seen on the forum, I suspect that ours may just be short enough not to need it, as opposed to the bigger ones.

[TravelinTim]

Originally Posted by J2048b

Ok thanks, im new to fords, i just dont want to buy the wrong ones is all.... Do u search for the ford 350/450 chassis? Or something else?

E450 and the year of the vehicle I think is all you’d need.

[CaptainDawg]

Originally Posted by TwinDad

I was very impressed with how much a difference the steering stabilizer made on my Redhawk 31F. It’s amazing. Before investing in air bags, I would check to make sure your helper springs are tightened to spec. There should only be a 2-3 inch gap between the springs and the u-bolts. Mine was barely on and needed to be tighten quite a bit. It’s a free adjustment that might help you avoid shelling out the money on airbags.

Thanks TwinDad! I am crawling around under my 2021 confirming part numbers and such as we speak and will crawl under and see how the helper springs are installed. Just got back from a long trip down to Fort Wilderness and really want to improve the drive quality.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by Silvernelle

Maybe upgrading the front sway bar would make a difference, but for our particular rig it seems it might be a waste of money.

From what I've seen on the forum, I suspect that ours may just be short enough not to need it, as opposed to the bigger ones.

My rig is shorter than yours, and I felt a BIG change by installing the sway bars.

[dbahn]

Pretty much a newbie here, although since we bought this used last month we've done over 2000 miles of shakeout tripping with it.

Is a steering stabilizer really worth it on a 2016 Greyhawk MV29? This is our first motorhome (bought used with 8,000 miles) and I found the ride surprisingly smooth with easy handling, even in wind and 65 to 70 mph interstate speeds, on our recent 2000 mile shakedown trip. Apparently part of the JRide Plus includes a bigger rear anti sway bar, which probably helps.

I know some people swear by the steering stabilizers, but I hate to put one in and find out that it just doesn't make much of a difference. The dealer that sold it to the original owner recommended against it.

I'd be interested in anyone's first hand experience with and without the stabilizer but no other changes (i.e. sway bars) in this model. From previous comments and searches it does seem somewhat model specific.

[Johnynorthland]

Originally Posted by dbahn

Pretty much a newbie here, although since we bought this used last month we've done over 2000 miles of shakeout tripping with it.

Is a steering stabilizer really worth it on a 2016 Greyhawk MV29? This is our first motorhome (bought used with 8,000 miles) and I found the ride surprisingly smooth with easy handling, even in wind and 65 to 70 mph interstate speeds, on our recent 2000 mile shakedown trip. Apparently part of the JRide Plus includes a bigger rear anti sway bar, which probably helps.

I know some people swear by the steering stabilizers, but I hate to put one in and find out that it just doesn't make much of a difference. The dealer that sold it to the original owner recommended against it.

I'd be interested in anyone's first hand experience with and without the stabilizer but no other changes (i.e. sway bars) in this model. From previous comments and searches it does seem somewhat model specific.

Do the track bar first. I did all the upgrades to my RedHawks suspension and I keep telling people on this forum that ask. The track bar was The one thing that was immediately felt. And I’m an X mechanic and suspension specialist in my younger years!

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by dbahn

Is a steering stabilizer really worth it on a 2016 Greyhawk MV29? This is our first motorhome (bought used with 8,000 miles) and I found the ride surprisingly smooth with easy handling, even in wind and 65 to 70 mph interstate speeds, on our recent 2000 mile shakedown trip.

It's going to depend on your "feel" of the road. Everyone has a different perception. I found that replacing the OEM damper with a Reflex calmed the steering wheel down, stopped the jerking when hitting rough patches, and helped keep the rig heading straight, versus off to the right or left when hitting bumps.

With the OEM damper, when I hit a expansion joint or crappy road patch, the steering wheel would jerk, and where ever it landed, the rig started heading that direction. The Reflex, because it has the centering spring, would force the wheel back straight after the bump. So, I was able to stop guessing if we were going to head towards the woods or the center median.

[TravelinTim]

So after getting my 2021 29MV on October 1st we put a quick 600 miles on it in two weekend trips. I have to say, based on the experiences described by others, I was expecting to get blown all over the road. Many owners seemed not to be able to live with the semi trucks pushing them around while passing. However for me that simply was not the case. My rig was rock solid at 65mph whether I was passed by a semi flying by or barely creeping by. I had no problem driving with one hand. One particular windy area I did notice some pushing but hardly different from what I would have expected driving my car.

From these first experiences I do not plan to spend the extra money unless something changes. If it isn't broke....

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by TravelinTim

So after getting my 2021 29MV on October 1st we put a quick 600 miles on it in two weekend trips. I have to say, based on the experiences described by others, I was expecting to get blown all over the road. Many owners seemed not to be able to live with the semi trucks pushing them around while passing. However for me that simply was not the case. My rig was rock solid at 65mph whether I was passed by a semi flying by or barely creeping by. I had no problem driving with one hand. One particular windy area I did notice some pushing but hardly different from what I would have expected driving my car.

From these first experiences I do not plan to spend the extra money unless something changes. If it isn't broke....

This makes me wonder what suspension improvements Ford worked in to the new generation of motor home chassis. I know I read about several improvements in the chassis as a whole...