Wandering E450

graveson1954 · 01-27-2012, 07:48 PM

If you are having steering problems with your unit, find out if your wheel alignment is good and what the camber of the front wheels are.
The front wheels on our new 2010 Grayhawk 31FK were very negative on the camber.
After three wheel alignments, two new tires, lower ball joints, drag link and camber eccentrics, Motorhome does not wallow or wander like it did before this work was done.
When transport trucks pass, the motorhome stays on the straight and narrow.

cdrcos@gmail.com · 01-31-2012, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graveson1954

If you are having steering problems with your unit, find out if your wheel alignment is good and what the camber of the front wheels are.
The front wheels on our new 2010 Grayhawk 31FK were very negative on the camber.
After three wheel alignments, two new tires, lower ball joints, drag link and camber eccentrics, Motorhome does not wallow or wander like it did before this work was done...

Well, I have done one wheel alignment, 6 new tires and so far only slightly better - I think next in the list is a Safe-T-Steer or one of the steering stabilizers.

I'll keep the group posted.

Joe

reitrof · 01-31-2012, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graveson1954

If you are having steering problems with your unit, find out if your wheel alignment is good and what the camber of the front wheels are.
The front wheels on our new 2010 Grayhawk 31FK were very negative on the camber.
After three wheel alignments, two new tires, lower ball joints, drag link and camber eccentrics, Motorhome does not wallow or wander like it did before this work was done.
When transport trucks pass, the motorhome stays on the straight and narrow.

Can you post what your final alignment specs are?

graveson1954 · 02-03-2012, 05:07 PM

what you need to find out is what the cambers are.
Ford put in caber eccentrics.
What that does is put wheels into a positive camber.
No more thread wear on inside of tires!!!

Hairy1 · 02-04-2012, 06:06 PM

I have a 2011 Greyhawk FK31 and Ford had to align it twice before getting it right. I had a hard time finding a Ford dealer that could do it. After the alignment, I installed a Roadmaster steer safe(steering stablizer) and it handles much better. Easy to install. Bought at Hitch Source cheaper than Camping World.

cdrcos@gmail.com · 06-08-2012, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdrcos@gmail.com

Well, I have done one wheel alignment, 6 new tires and so far only slightly better - I think next in the list is a Safe-Steer or one of the steering stabilizers.

I'll keep the group posted.

Joe

Well, I did have the Safe-Steer put on and it is a huge improvement. I have put on 2000 miles since having it installed and after fighting cross winds for the first 5-6 days using it, I was able to drive for a few days without the wind and it doesn't wander like it did before. Also felt better in the cross winds, but wasn't sure until I had a chance to try it without.

Would strongly recommend this for correcting the wandering steering problem!

Joe

Grumpy · 06-08-2012, 11:23 AM

When we had our 2001 DESIGNER I took it to a "truck" alignment and spring shop. Only had to do it once and never had any steering issues.

stans02 · 06-08-2012, 04:13 PM

How many miles are on the motorhome? Stan

cdrcos@gmail.com · 06-09-2012, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stans02

How many miles are on the motorhome? Stan

30,000 - including 3,000 getting here to Alaska and using the Safe-Steer

bgermane · 03-25-2014, 03:08 PM

When we first picked-up our Greyhawk, it was actually a bit scary to drive because it wandered so bad and the steering felt so loose. But, as we racked up the miles, I became more and more comfortable driving it and never did anything about the issue. Recently, we began towing a vehicle behind us, and that has caused the issue to become so much worse. The tail is truly wagging the dog. You simply cannot find a neutral steering wheel position where the coach will drive straight. It may hold a line for a split second but will then start to wander left or right.

I have read so many posts (on multiple forums) on how to remedy the situation, but can't determine what the problem really is. Since it won't even track in a straight line without any other contributing factors (wind, passing semi's, etc.) I tend to think that I have an alignment problem. What have others found to be the real culprit?

reitrof · 03-25-2014, 04:35 PM

Have you had it aligned? I would start there 1st. See if that helps.

renman · 03-25-2014, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

When we had our 2001 DESIGNER I took it to a "truck" alignment and spring shop. Only had to do it once and never had any steering issues.

Do this first and go from there. Worked for me too.

Harvard · 08-21-2014, 01:22 PM

Here is a link to my experience with adding more +caster.

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/ind...?topic=40337.0

MadDad · 09-22-2014, 05:47 PM

Just got back from an Alignment shop with a good rep. They must be doing something better with the 2013 chassis. Below is there readings. The owner said he hated to charge me because he didn't have to do anything. It was $35 well spent though.

Harvard · 09-22-2014, 06:05 PM

It may be that Jayco aligns it to these settings before it leaves the factory. In my case it was the factory (Triple E) that installed the Ingalls 594 sleeves BUT did not set them to the most available +caster.

Mr.Oz · 09-23-2014, 10:38 AM

Exactly!! Caster is the primary stability angle followed by toe. Camber is a wear angle (critical for cornering on my racecar tho).

By adding +caster it will become more stabile but give a heavier steering feel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harvard

Here is a link to my experience with adding more +caster.

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/ind...?topic=40337.0

The Brit · 10-14-2014, 03:25 PM

29,000

Harvard · 10-14-2014, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadDad

Just got back from an Alignment shop with a good rep. They must be doing something better with the 2013 chassis. Below is there readings. The owner said he hated to charge me because he didn't have to do anything. It was $35 well spent though.

MadDad, it is great to see these reports, thank you. I have a question, does your unit, fore and aft, sit level, nose down or nose up?

For example, my unit sits 1 degree nose down and as such I have +casters of +5.3 and +5.5. If I were to level my fore and aft I would actually have +6.3 and +6.5 Degrees of Caster which would be even better.

wwsmith111 · 10-14-2014, 04:59 PM

I have had my big truck aligned four times and chewed off thousands of dollars of tires. The last time finally seems to be right. I hear there is a company called "Laser Align" that nails the alignment the first time. Not sure where their locations are.

MadDad · 10-14-2014, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harvard

MadDad, it is great to see these reports, thank you. I have a question, does your unit, fore and aft, sit level, nose down or nose up?

For example, my unit sits 1 degree nose down and as such I have +casters of +5.3 and +5.5. If I were to level my fore and aft I would actually have +6.3 and +6.5 Degrees of Caster which would be even better.

I don't know how I would actually measure that?? It looks level, but to determine that the road or driveway would have to be perfectly level.

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