Results for "crosswinds"

Engine Medium varies 240 👍 1

Michelin RV Tire Problems: Complete Guide & Solutions 2024

Standing in my driveway planning to tackle these serious handling issues with my new Michelin Agilis HD Z 245/70R19.5 tires on my 2018 Winnebago Vista LX 27N this Saturday — what should I check first? The RV now has 25k miles, and since switching from Goodyear tires, I'm experiencing terrible tail wag - especially when towing my 2024 Toyota Tacoma and in windy conditions.

I've tried multiple tire pressures (82 psi from door sticker, 110 psi from installer, up to 100 psi) but nothing resolves the side-to-side movement. I have several stability modifications installed (Rear Trac Bar, Aux Roadmaster Rear Swaybar, Front Roadmaster Swaybar, Koni FSD shocks), which previously helped with handling.

The movement feels like the towed truck is actually pushing the RV's rear side-to-side, making driving extremely uncomfortable. I'm within Michelin's 60-day/2500-mile buy-back period and want to understand why these tires are performing so differently from my previous set.

Could experienced RV owners help me diagnose what might be causing these handling problems? …more

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Engine Easy N/A 133 👍 0

Ford E-350 vs E-450 Chassis: RV Fuel Economy, Power & Weight Capacity

Last weekend I felt this awful engine strain and heard sluggish acceleration sounds while test-driving a 2017 Phoenix Cruiser #2351 with its E-350 chassis and V10 engine. I'll be doing extensive western touring through mountain and plains regions, which means substantial mountain grades and wind challenges. I'm comfortable driving slowly and want to understand two key things: 1) Will this E-350 chassis handle mountain grades without major issues, and 2) What's the real-world fuel consumption like? I plan to do an initial inspection this weekend, followed by a third-party mechanical review. I'm not overly concerned about fuel economy but want to understand the actual performance limitations. I'd appreciate insights from owners who have experience with similar touring conditions on an E-350 chassis. …more

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Engine Hard 4-6 hours installation 108 👍 0

SDI E-Clik vs Liquid Spring: Affordable F53 Chassis Suspension Upgrade Options

Nobody warned me that what started as minor swaying on highway trips last month would turn into white-knuckle driving every time I take my F53 chassis RV over 50mph. SDI E-Clik costs about a third of what Liquid Spring systems run, but I'm wondering what you actually get for that price difference.

Is E-Clik just electronic shock control, or does it offer more comprehensive suspension improvements? How does the ride quality compare between the two systems on F53 motorhomes? …more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Surge Protectors

4.6 (14,200 reviews)

Engine Medium 2-3 hours 100 👍 0

Ford E-450 RV Shock Absorber Upgrade Guide: Bilstein 4600 vs Koni FSD

Before spending hundreds on new tires and suspension parts for my 2023 Ford E-450 Class C motorhome, the ride quality is still absolutely brutal. The RV is about 28 feet long and weighs approximately 14,500 pounds loaded. We use it primarily for family camping trips, but I also occasionally tow a small utility trailer with dirt bikes - probably 25% of our trips involve towing that extra 2,000-3,000 pounds.

I've been researching shock absorber upgrades and have narrowed it down to two main options that seem popular in the RV community: the Bilstein 4600 series and the Koni FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) shocks. I understand both are significant improvements over stock, but I'm trying to understand the practical differences between them for my specific setup and usage patterns.

What I really need to know is which option provides the best balance of ride comfort improvement, handling stability (especially when towing), and overall value for money on the E-450 chassis. I want to make sure I'm making the right choice since this is a fairly significant investment and I don't want to have buyer's remorse later. …more

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Electrical Easy 10 min read 93 👍 0

Motorhome vs Toy Hauler Electrical Systems: Complete Comparison Guide

Walked into three dealerships with my $40k budget and they're all pushing different electrical setups — can't afford to buy wrong between motorhome vs toy hauler power systems. Currently I have a 2020 F350 diesel SRW with a Reflection 29rs toy hauler, and I'm comparing a Grand Design Lineage 31ZW Super C motorhome versus a Momentum 381MS toy hauler.

The toy hauler I'm considering comes with serious electrical upgrades - 2 heated 400Ah lithium batteries with internal BMS, dual 3,000kVA inverters, four 300W bifacial solar panels, dual 50A solar controllers, and 60A DC-DC truck charging. Currently, to transport my side-by-side (SxS), I need two trucks and two trailers, which is inefficient.

I'm weighing pros and cons like overall length (truck and toy hauler would be about 60', MH and 20' cargo trailer would be about 57'), maintenance costs of keeping two diesel trucks, and transportation flexibility. I also have an F150 that could potentially serve as a toad vehicle.

What experiences can others share about transitioning between these RV types, especially considering power management and transportation logistics? …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours 81 👍 0

Ford E-450 Motorhome Alignment: Complete Caster Adjustment Guide for RVs

After following the Ford manual's factory alignment specs on my 2019 E-450 chassis, this house-on-wheels still wanders like a drunk tourist in Vegas. I'm pretty sure it needs a caster adjustment, but I'm confused about the actual process.

Do I need cam bolts or shims to adjust the caster on an E-450? And what's the sweet spot for positive caster degrees to keep this beast tracking straight? Also heard something about toe adjustments being important after messing with caster - is that really necessary or just another way for the shop to separate me from my beer money? …more

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Engine Medium 30-45 minutes to evaluate performance 80 👍 0

Quad Shock Setup on Ford F-53 Chassis - Performance Review

Looked everywhere and my F-53 chassis is still showing 2.1 inches of body roll with quad shocks installed, but forums claim it should be under 1 inch. As a former high school auto mechanics instructor with 35 years of experience, I've carefully considered the shock design challenges in RV suspension.

I installed additional shocks after discovering that shock suppliers list a single shock design for F-53 chassis ranging from 16,000 to 26,000 lbs. I used Koni shocks ($170 each) and supplemented with Monroe shocks ($75 each) for additional dampening.

Installation required 10" bottom bolts and modified top mounting. I used hardened washers to prevent shock cover contact. Total bolt modification cost was approximately $18.

Completed a 30-mile test drive with no apparent harshness or negative handling characteristics. The suspension feels more controlled during normal driving conditions, but this limited test may not reveal the full performance picture.

What's the recommended approach for thoroughly evaluating quad shock performance on the F-53 platform? Specifically looking for guidance on testing duration, road conditions to assess, and key performance indicators to monitor during the break-in period. …more

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Exterior Medium 2-3 hours with help 74 👍 0

Fix Detached RV Awning Arm After Storm - Removal Guide

Finally discovered my RV awning arm completely detached and hanging loose after yesterday's storm - is this dangerous with kids running around the campsite? The rear arm completely detached during high winds and the whole thing partially deployed while I was driving. I managed to push it back in and tape it down temporarily, but it won't latch properly and keeps wanting to roll back out.

I've tried everything I can think of from ground level, but I can't reach high enough to see what's actually broken up there. The arm just won't stay in position no matter what I do. I'm worried about driving home with it like this - it could deploy again or cause damage to the RV.

I have help coming with ladders tomorrow, but I need to know my options. Is this something that can be secured well enough for travel, or am I looking at having to remove the entire awning assembly? I really need to get this resolved so I can get home safely! …more

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Engine Easy N/A - informational 72 👍 0

Motorhome Steering Stabilizer: Do You Really Need One? | Complete Guide to RV Handling

Replaced the steering stabilizer on my old Class A and it completely fixed the wandering — but my 2017 Coachmen Pursuit 30FW feels totally different and I'm questioning everything. The steering requires constant correction to stay straight, and I'm worried about safety on the highway. I keep reading about steering stabilizers online, but I'm also seeing mentions of something called the "Quick Fix" and basic maintenance checks.

I don't want to spend money on a stabilizer if it's just going to mask a bigger problem, but I'm also concerned about driving without addressing the steering wander. Should I install a steering stabilizer first, or am I potentially making things worse by not fixing the root cause? What's the safest approach here? …more

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Engine Medium 4-6 hours installation 71 👍 0

F53 Front Leaf Springs: 2017-2021 Compatibility for Air Lift

Between my neighbor insisting F53 front leaf springs swap between 2017-2021 models, my RV dealer claiming they don't, and YouTube mechanics throwing different part numbers at me, I'm completely lost. I successfully installed an Air Lift air bag suspension kit on my 2017 Winnebago a few years back, and now I'm looking to do the exact same setup on a 2021 Holiday Rambler Invicata. Both RVs are built on the F53 chassis, so I'm hoping the front suspension components are standardized across these years.

The Air Lift representative I spoke with believes the kits should be compatible between the 2017 and 2021 F53 chassis, but they don't have definitive documentation to confirm this. Since I already have experience with the installation process and know the kit works well, I'd prefer to use the same Air Lift setup rather than sourcing a different kit. Can anyone confirm whether the front leaf spring configuration, mounting points, and overall suspension geometry remained consistent on F53 chassis from 2017 through 2021? I want to be absolutely certain before ordering the same Air Lift kit for the newer RV. …more

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General Hard 4-8 hours plus sourcing 67 👍 0

Holiday Rambler Front Fender Replacement: Complete Parts & Repair Guide for RV Owners

Called my front fender replacement on my 2018 Holiday Rambler Vacationer XE 32A a success last month but it just detached again while driving — what did I miss? The first time happened to the previous owner, and it just happened to me again on a highway, with the fender completely disappearing. This suggests there's something fundamentally wrong with how it's mounted, not just a one-time failure.

I've contacted REV Group directly, but they told me they no longer have the molds for this specific fender design. The dimensions are quite specific - it's 56 7/8" long by 25" tall, with the wheel opening positioned 28 1/2" from the front edge rather than centered. I've looked at some aftermarket options from companies like ICON, but they require significant modification to fit properly.

Given that this fender has failed twice now, I'm wondering what my best options are for both sourcing a replacement part and addressing whatever underlying mounting issue is causing these repeated failures. Are there reliable sources for Holiday Rambler body panels when the manufacturer no longer stocks them? And what should I be looking for to prevent this from happening a third time? …more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Leveling Blocks & Jacks

4.6 (9,800 reviews)

General Easy 30 minutes 67 👍 0

Air Tabs on RVs: Do They Work? Real Owner Reviews & Better Alternatives

Noticed my neighbor's RV stays rock-steady in crosswinds while mine gets thrown around like a ragdoll every time a truck passes — are Air Tabs really the game-changer? The marketing claims sound good but I want real owner feedback before spending the money.

Do they actually work for improving stability, or are there better alternatives I should consider instead? Looking for honest reviews from people who've actually tried them. …more

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Engine Medium 6-8 hours shop time 67 👍 0

2016 F53 Chassis Bilstein Shocks & Dana Spicer 17060S Service

I tried ignoring the rough ride, but my 2016 F53 chassis is 8 years old and the Bilstein shocks and Dana Spicer 17060S are clearly wearing out — service or replace? I've got 87,000 miles on the clock and I'm honestly frustrated because I keep second-guessing myself on when to tackle these big maintenance items.

The original shocks are still working, but after 9 years should I be proactive about replacing them with Bilsteins? And what about the Dana Spicer 17060S differential - I'm overdue on time but under the mileage recommendation for a fluid change. I've been putting this off for months because I can't decide if it's really necessary yet.

I really need someone to tell me straight up - is this the right time to bite the bullet on both the shock replacement and differential service, or am I jumping the gun? The uncertainty is driving me crazy and I just want to do right by this rig. …more

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