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Flat towing

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lmwsrq

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Flat towing
« on: May 16, 2016, 10:40:59 pm »
When towing my Honda crv I have a hard time controlling the steering wheel when semi trucks are passing.  When not towing 2350 handles fine.  Does anyone have a suggestion.  I don't think safe to stearate is the answer as it is probably the car that is pulling the coach.

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JJCruiser

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Re: Flat towing
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2016, 09:17:27 pm »
We tow a 2013 CRV with our 2007 2350.  We experienced the same thing as you, when not towing the RV handled fine.   When the CR-V was connected it negatively impacted the handling of the RV, especially when passed by large vehicles pushing a lot of air.  This started me down the path of doing several suspension improvements:

-  Safe-T-Plus steering damper
-  Rear sway bar (Roadmaster)
-  Rear Trac-bar
-  Front Sway Bar (Hellwig)
-  Quiet hitch (eliminates any side to side play in the tow bar/receiver connection)

All this has helped quite a lot and I am pleased with the improvements.  I don't get concerned with upcoming trucks anymore.  I don't know for a fact, but I would bet the rear trac-bar made the biggest improvement for the passing truck issue. 

I am not sure I am following your statement, "I don't think safe to stearate is the answer as it is probably the car that is pulling the coach."   Also I am curious about what chassis you have with your 2350 (E350 or E450).  I thought the more recent suspension improvements did not require all the upgrades that I made with my older 2007 E350. 

JJ

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ragoodsp

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Re: Flat towing
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2016, 08:59:40 am »
One would have to wonder if the CRV is not experiencing the exact same issue as the Cherokee in that the electric power steering pump (I assume the CRV has a similar electric activated pump) is not activated and therefore there is not any resistance on the power steering rack and the wheels are kind of in a "free state" and the suction of the trucks passing is creating a vacuum that is allowing the wheels to wobble  and that is being passed thru to the coach chassis.  Just a thought.
Ron Goodspeed

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RKS

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Re: Flat towing
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2016, 12:54:53 pm »
We have towed our 2014 CRV for 10000 plus miles and haven't noticed any handling issues. 
As discussed in an earlier posting we have run the battery down several times, particularly
when towing for more than one day. I have installed a trickle charger under the hood and now plug it in over night when we will be towing on multille days. The "Toad Charger" device looks like it's worth pursuing.
Bob and Michele
Previously owned a 2350 Sprinter

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gradygal

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Re: Flat towing
« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2016, 01:51:16 pm »
. I ran an 8 guage wire from the coach plug to the toad battery and installed a 20 Amp fuse at the battery end. The material cost all of $15 (in Key West). Our  Honda Fit battery died on the way to The Keys. Ever since, have had no problems with a dead battery.

George
Judi and George Nicholson
Punta Gorda FL

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RKS

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Re: Flat towing
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2016, 03:08:17 pm »
George,
I will have the wire and fuse on hand when we see you in August.
Bob
Bob and Michele
Previously owned a 2350 Sprinter

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ron-n-toni

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Re: Flat towing
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2016, 08:03:40 am »
I tow a 2015 Jeep Trailhawk behind a PC 2351 on a E450 chassis. It tows very well with just a hint of "tail wagging the dog" but not enough to go to track bars etc. I also do not have any front end wobble as some Cherokee owners have reported.

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lmwsrq

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Re: Flat towing
« Reply #7 on: May 27, 2016, 09:46:01 pm »
I have just installed the blue ox Trac bar and hope this at least helps my swaying with the big semis.  I leave next week for phoenix factory and then on to Michigan and Canada.  Thank you all for your thoughts.  Does anyone know if phoenix is having their fall rally in Washington  this fall?

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TomHanlon

Re: Flat towing
« Reply #8 on: May 28, 2016, 06:58:06 am »
The fall rally is at Cherry Hill Campground, College Park, Maryland, just north of Washington DC, in September. You have until June 15th to register or pay a penalty.

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lmwsrq

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Re: Flat towing
« Reply #9 on: May 30, 2016, 05:52:26 pm »
This is the first I have heard about it  can anyone supply details?  Dates registration itinerary  etc?

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TomHanlon

Re: Flat towing
« Reply #10 on: May 30, 2016, 07:05:06 pm »
http://www.intervecphoenix.org/

Download this months newsletter.

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Flat towing
« Reply #11 on: June 09, 2016, 01:47:23 am »
We tow a 2013 CRV with our 2007 2350.  We experienced the same thing as you, when not towing the RV handled fine.   When the CR-V was connected it negatively impacted the handling of the RV, especially when passed by large vehicles pushing a lot of air.  This started me down the path of doing several suspension improvements:

-  Safe-T-Plus steering damper
-  Rear sway bar (Roadmaster)
-  Rear Trac-bar
-  Front Sway Bar (Hellwig)
-  Quiet hitch (eliminates any side to side play in the tow bar/receiver connection)

All this has helped quite a lot and I am pleased with the improvements.  I don't get concerned with upcoming trucks anymore.  I don't know for a fact, but I would bet the rear trac-bar made the biggest improvement for the passing truck issue. 

I am not sure I am following your statement, "I don't think safe to stearate is the answer as it is probably the car that is pulling the coach."   Also I am curious about what chassis you have with your 2350 (E350 or E450).  I thought the more recent suspension improvements did not require all the upgrades that I made with my older 2007 E350. 

JJ
What JJ says  2o2
Ron (& Irene) Dittmer