Can’t hold my 2019 29v precep on the road

[JWH-JAY]

Hello I puchasced a 2019 precep 29v back in September
I cannot hold this unit on the road, the swaying is horrible
Ford changed a bent front spring and both shocks also the rear shocks
I had a safe-t-plus steering stabilizer installed but I still have major swaying problems and it’s a challenge to keep it on the road
Heading to Florida in a few days and I am thinking on not going
Is the a typical Motor home problem or is it me
The dealership is out of answers
Help
Thanks JWH

 

[Vicr]

Inflate tires to 90 PSI
Have an alignment on the front end
Install a SafeTplus steering stabilizer and have it fully adjusted
Then post back here how it drives

 

[arcaguy]

Caster angle

I would have the caster angle checked. I'm pretty sure the factory calls for <7 deg positive. Apparently most times this set to 3.5 Deg. There is another thread discussing this here if you know how to search for it. I can't be of help in that regard.

 

[Grumpy]

Also it depends on how you load it. If not enough weight on front axle it will float.

 

[JWH-JAY]

Thanks

Thanks for the information
Will look into it

 

[1955farm]

Another tip is to have fresh water tank about 1/3 full. Ours rides much better that way. we also inflate tires to 95psi. And we had a front end alignment which Jayco paid for which did wonders for the handling. You might want to weigh it on CAT scales to see how it's loaded also.

 

[hawkster-JAY]

Some good info above. I have the 18k chassis with 19.5 tires on a 31ul 2016. If you inflate the tires to 95 the fillings will come out your teeth. Try 86-90. Ford motorhome specs called for 4.6 degrees caster for my chassis. An alignment from a truck shop got me there a good improvement. If your fresh tank is behind your rear axle try to carry no fresh water while driving. Also if gas tank behind axle don't fill up. I usually run between 3/4 to 1/4 tank. Put all your heavy stuff in front compartments.

If you have time get a rear Trac bar installed. If not slow to 55 and it will drive ok.

 

[1955farm]

Big thing is it will depend on what frame and tire size you have. I was referring to our 2018 31UL which has a F53 22k frame and 22.5 tires. If you have 19.5 tires and a lighter frame disregard everything I said except get a front end alignment if one has not been done. And Jayco will pay for the first alignment along with steer tire balance IF you get prior approval from Warranty CS.

 

[Harvard]

Caster Alignment

Have your caster set to the high end of the specification.

For example a 2011 F53 caster spec is +4.63 +/- 0.75
Have the caster set to +5.38

 

[JWH-JAY]

Ok 3/4 of the way to Florida
Rv company didn’t have time to get a rear trac bar in
To install before I left
Very Very high winds Wright from Niagara Falls
Trip has been ****
Being tossed around like a cork
When I get to Florida going to have one installed
Before I go home
Will it help
JWH

 

[Vicr]

Yes, it will help!

 

[JWH-JAY]

Thank you

 

[oldmanAZ]

Have you had the tires inflated to the pressures suggested earlier? It's worth a try. A Discount Tire store will be happy to inflate them for you at no charge.

Some RV and truck dealers keep the inflation pressures low to give a softer ride. Lower inflation pressures can mean handling and wandering issues.

 

[Woldum]

Get the Weather channel app and that will be one of the MOST used travel apps you will use. Do NOT drive on windy days (anything over 9 mph winds). Even 9 mph wind days we will see how we feel driving depending on road conditions (do we have wide roads? Lots of curves? Hills?) And gauge it from there. The best thing about having an RV is anywhere can be home if needed should we need to sit put for a few days. You will be a much happier driver if there is no wind!

 

[curver900]

9mph???? so you can only drive it in the middle of a H pressure system??? do you follow the H? or wait for the next one...

That seems a bit extreme to me... and I would be hard pressed to buy one if that is the case... what if you are on a 2 lane road and a semi comes the other way??? that will exceed 9mph buffeting...

 

[Woldum]

We stay aware and ready for the inevitable push/pull of the semi's. This is just how we prefer to handle windy days, because aside from being unpleasant it can be downright dangerous.

One day we were forced to stop early, winds were over 15 mph with gusts over 20-30. We left our camper in campground and had to drive toad into our appointment over an hour away. On the way back home (it wasn't there when we drove by the first time) we saw a camper trailer in the ditch, total wreck, camper was in pieces, with debris and belongings strewn all over the side of the road. The drivers had already been taken away presumably to a hospital. We were certainly grateful we decided against driving that day.

Time of day also matters, usually calmer in the am, winds picking up afternoon, winds die down around dusk. Seriously at least for us the weather app is probably our most important travel app, we pay attention to hourly wind conditions and plan our driving around it. Better safe than sorry. It is also HUGELY more pleasant not driving in wind.

 

[RWK-JAY]

Had the Super Steer track bar put on the rear end and it helped immensely. Sumo springs all the way around were the final add to my coach and its great now.

 

[Nick M]

RWK,

I assume you are in FL now. Who did your installs and share the cost if you don't mind please.

Thanks,

 

[jwedell]

If I were mine i’d take it to a CAT scale and weigh it. You should have 60% of the weight on the rear axle and 40% of the weight on the front axle, I believe that would be the ideal ratio. If you have a 70/30 or even 80/20 that could be a problem and I would look into rearranging the load to try to get it more towards ideal. Along with the new shocks I would also look into some kind of helper springs or timbrens for the back axle to stiffen it up. Just my $.02.

 

[JesseS]

There are a 100 threads about this, the F53 is just a crap chassis for an RV body.
So, my fix will differ with yours but my Alante now rides GREAT!.
Front Safe-T-steer
rear trak (pan hard) bar
Sumo springs
CHF
And you will be good, depends on how 'good' you want it to ride.



Disclaimer: I also did Koni shocks and the Kelderman Air Ride.