Steering stabilizer

Has any had a steering stabilizer added to there Ford chassis? PC offered one when I bought my 2400 this spring but I didn't buy one. I have a lot of steering wonder on my E350. I'm thinking about adding one.

  Lynn

I added a Roadmaster stabilizer to my steering unit on my 2910T. Made all the difference in the world. It really helped to control the steering.  JAS

We have a Safe-T-Plus on our 2007 E350 2350, installed as part of an over-all suspension upgrading package.  It all works very well together, made a huge difference.

Wouldn't be without one.  There are some horrific videos of RVs blowing tires while at interstate speeds and losing control as the vehicle immediately steered into the median and ended up on it's side or worse yet, upside down.  Part of the problem is speed, but obviously, if you blow a front tire at 60 mph or so, you run a real risk of losing control if you don't catch it quickly.

Has any had a steering stabilizer added to there Ford chassis? PC offered one when I bought my 2400 this spring but I didn't buy one. I have a lot of steering wonder on my E350. I'm thinking about adding one.

  Lynn

Exstarlifter has a VERY good point about the stabilizer adding a safety margin on a front tire blowout.

But... Wandering steering is a symptom of a problem. Possibly incorrect caster, maybe other things. The problem can be masked by adding a stabilizer, but not solved. If you have already had the alignment (4 wheel if possible..) checked and it is in spec,  and the suspension checked for any other problems.. I suppose the stabilizer is the last ditch effort to improve handling. I would be very reluctant to cover up the problem, however, unless I knew exactly what was causing the wander.
I see you have a 2018.    Were I to be in your position, I would be HOT on warranty repair of poor steering. Steering is rather important in motor vehicle operation in my opinion. Not sure who would warranty it, however... whether Ford is responsible ( I could see them declining responsibility because they have no control over what was added after manufacture at their plant...) But if PC is the responsible party I could see where they might want you to return to their preferred shop for front end work. You show Iowa as a location, not TOO bad a trip to the factory. Dunno. There is also owner responsibility.. have you weighed front and back  weight distribution when 'ready to go' loaded and see if you are in compliance? Dont know, just trying to cover the bases. Not blaming you at all for anything. 



tl/dr - Dont throw on another part to mask faults from a problem. Worn/loose/soft rear spring bushings can cause wander also... and you can add a track bar to mask that problem. Add parts to add benefit, not cover faults. 

I agree....

I would surely say it is wise to research the proper tire pressure for the front and rear axles.  I suspect her fronts will require less air than her rears.

As commonly stated by the RV community, after that would be a front wheel alignment done with the rig loaded up ready for a trip.  It would be even better to add weight behind the driver and passenger seats to represent the people who will most often travel in it.  This because the consistent extra weight on trips, influences the alignment.

After those two are addressed but the rig still wanders, then it's time for the big guns....
- heavy duty steering stabilizer
- heavy duty front and rear stabilizer bars
- heavy duty shock absorbers
- if towing, a rear trac bar.

Model 2100 is the worst with handling issues, then 2350, then 2400, and then 2351.  Model 2551 starts to stabilize, 2552 is seemingly ideal with it's length to wheel base ratio.  Comments of PC owners over the years seems to declare it so.  I do wonder, if model 2351 was built on an E450, if the wandering issue would be less.

I had it weighted, it's within 200lbs on the rear and a lot of room on the front, it probably is to light on the front. I'm use to driving a Sprinter chassis and they hold the road really well. My E350 requires a little more attention, nothing serious.

  Lynn    Thanks for the replies.

I had it weighted, it's within 200lbs on the rear and a lot of room on the front, it probably is to light on the front.

I am not surprised to read those figures.  The shorter B+ models of all brands have disproportionately so much weight behind the rear axle, and so little up front.  The rear kitchen models tend to be worst with the teeter-totter effect.  The front raises up causing the front tires to pigeon-toe inward and then the steering floats about.  Offset bushings are required in the alignment to compensate for the pigeon-toeing.  The good news is that something can be done about it.

Model 2100 is the worst with handling issues, then 2350, then 2400, and then 2351.  Model 2551 starts to stabilize, 2552 is seemingly ideal with it's length to wheel base ratio.  Comments of PC owners over the years seems to declare it so.  I do wonder, if model 2351 was built on an E450, if the wandering issue would be less.

Ron, no matter what brand of Rv one purchases this kind of information is priceless for anyone in the market. Thank you!

I had the stabilizer added to our 2910T before picking it up last year primarily as a safety feature in case of a blowout. Back in the late 70's I witnessed an accident from a left front blowout that caused the MH to drift to the center median and run off between the gap between the north south bridges on I-75 south and impact on the street below. It looked as if a bomb had exploded inside. If I remember correctly both grandparent didn't survive but the children did. After that dirt berms were added to block those overpass gaps but even if they had been in place it would still have been a horrendous accident. I still have wandering issues from vehicles passing at a higher rate of speed and wind gusts but otherwise the steering is much improved over the previous 10+ years of of class C's I have used and owned. I really don't like Ford's twin i beam front suspension because it seems more sensitive (just my opinion) to body roll but the lower overall body height of the 2910T has virtually eliminated that issue which was drastic on my last 31 ft C. (Still feels like there is a rubber band somewhere in there compared to my duramax pickup steering)  I'm basically a GM person but this 2017 E450 PC chassis with the 6 speed trans (18 in longer WB) is the best  handling and towing (with stock components) one I've used in the last 10 years. But, If one fills up the water tank more than half full the steering will be affected. I've tried it both ways. It is not as bad as my last C but just a little uncomfortable when full. A full tank is only used when we are boondocking (which is most of the time but usually the one to three day trips are a shorter distance).

George

I have the Safe-T-Plus on our rig and having driven it both with and without I can say it makes a noticeable difference in driving. 

A proper alignment done by someone who understands RV's and how to do align them is the first step but even after that I think the steering stabilizer is worth the money.