Body Roll

Winnie · 10-09-2021, 09:24 PM

We love our 2016 Vegas 24.1, but I need some advice on reducing body roll on 2 lane highways that have a lot of dips that cause body rolls. It has steering stabilizers on the front, so that's not an issue. Has 14,000 miles so I don't think it needs shock absorbers, so wondering if sumo springs might be the answer. Any help would be appreciated. Driving on some of these Ozark highways can be a little hairy!

MJC62 · 10-10-2021, 12:13 AM

SUMO springs may do the job for you. Also might consider an upgraded front sway bar. Roadmaster & Hellwig are a couple that make an upgrade for your vehicle.
Myself I would start by having the front end aligned and rotate the tires. Then make sure I was running correct tire PSI for the weight of the vehicle (take it to the nearest CAT scale) before I started throwing money into aftermarket parts. By aligning front end, rotating to get the best tires up front and the proper tire pressure you can drive it and determine if it still needs help knowing the coach is at proper specs

JamieGeek · 10-10-2021, 12:20 AM

Sumo springs helped us (after an alignment).

They are relatively inexpensive and simple to install--at least the fronts.

waynetaylor55 · 10-10-2021, 12:41 AM

On our Class C, an alignment made a HUGE difference. We had a +5 caster adjustment made. I then put on a Roadmaster front sway bar and that helped even more. Before I was leery going faster than 60mph. Now 70 - 75 is no problem.

twovillagers · 10-10-2021, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winnie

We love our 2016 Vegas 24.1, but I need some advice on reducing body roll on 2 lane highways that have a lot of dips that cause body rolls. It has steering stabilizers on the front, so that's not an issue. Has 14,000 miles so I don't think it needs shock absorbers, so wondering if sumo springs might be the answer. Any help would be appreciated. Driving on some of these Ozark highways can be a little hairy!

We have a Vegas 24.1 and the front Sumo's made a major difference in body roll, especially on turns. I went with the lower capacity version (blue, as I recall) and noticed no big difference in ride quality.

They are easy to install, but you will need a jack with enough capacity to raise the frame by a few inches. I used a 6 ton bottle jack and did one side at a time.

Chance · 10-10-2021, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winnie

We love our 2016 Vegas 24.1, but I need some advice on reducing body roll on 2 lane highways that have a lot of dips that cause body rolls. .....cut....

For clarity, are you describing a side-to-side motion of the motorhome at the top? Like it sways side to side?

When you used word “dips” I normally think of depressions in the direction of travel, as shown in picture below. That can often cause a feeling of porpoising, or front to back rocking motion.

I suppose that if road has depressions on only one side of lane (say passenger side only), it can cause motorhome to sway side to side. Is that what you are describing, or something else?
.

Jimbo56 · 10-10-2021, 11:40 AM

There are tons of previous threads on this forum addressing this issue. Use the search feature. You’ll find a lot good info. Without having to wait for replies on your thread.

Bob Denman · 10-10-2021, 12:22 PM

Sumo Springs help a whole lot...
But have you also considered slowing down just a little bit?

Winnie · 10-10-2021, 01:35 PM

"I suppose that if road has depressions on only one side of lane (say passenger side only), it can cause motorhome to sway side to side. Is that what you are describing, or something else?"

Chance, this is exactly what I'm referring to. It's not porpoising. The outside edge may dip a little that causes the motorhome to sway side to side. The scary part is the steering wheels want to steer into the sway. Unlike the interstates with nice shoulders. a lot of our state highways don't. White knuckle driving!

And yes, I slow down.

taylorbob1 · 10-10-2021, 02:35 PM

Lots of info in this long thread…

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f2...son-23628.html

71_340 · 10-17-2021, 01:56 PM

Install a front and rear Roadmaster sway bar, I have them on my Class A along with a Roadmaster Reflex steering stabilizer and my coach drives/handles great (for a gas Class A anyways).
I had Sumo springs on my Class C and I didn't like them because they give you a jarring ride vs, sway bars that only work when needed (cornering or changing lanes).
I guess you try the CHF first for a free alternative and see what it does for your coach.

woodbender · 10-17-2021, 03:42 PM

Google Cheap Handling Fix, or CHF.

Your suspension is adjustable. You can do this in a couple of hours if that.

HUGE improvement for body roll. Free. Costs you NOTHING!

Scubawise · 10-17-2021, 06:30 PM

Seriously going slower around turns is the way to go..or slowing down on bad roads..my wife is a retired H.S. math teacher and principal..she showed we save maybe 10 minutes speeding

sportcoupe · 10-17-2021, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodbender

Google Cheap Handling Fix, or CHF.

Your suspension is adjustable. You can do this in a couple of hours if that.

HUGE improvement for body roll. Free. Costs you NOTHING!

No CHF on the E350 chassis

71_340 · 10-17-2021, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scubawise

Seriously going slower around turns is the way to go..or slowing down on bad roads..my wife is a retired H.S. math teacher and principal..she showed we save maybe 10 minutes speeding

Well said! With my suspension upgrades and setting the cruise on 63 mph I can stay mostly in the right lane and feel that is a safe and comfortable speed.

I stopped getting in a hurry when I retired.

Scubawise · 10-17-2021, 07:16 PM

What this cheap fix really does is pre-load the bar too much, and it reduces the range in movement of the bar. This setup more often than not results in breaking the link(s), rendering the sway bar useless.

https://supersteerparts.com/why-you-...your-motorhome

Beau388 · 10-17-2021, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71_340

Well said! With my suspension upgrades and setting the cruise on 63 mph I can stay mostly in the right lane and feel that is a safe and comfortable speed.

I stopped getting in a hurry when I retired.

I find that doesn't work well going east on US-129/NC-28 from Cover Hill, TN to Fontana Village CG, NC. <https://tailofthedragon.com/>. For the less adventurous, I recommend the Cherohala Skyway from Tellico Plains, TN to Robbinsville, NC. If you are 32 feet or less, I recommend the Cherokee Boundary CG, NC (closed from mid Nov to mid Mar after all it is at 5,100' elev). <https://cherohala.com/>

woodbender · 10-17-2021, 08:11 PM

sportcoup, winnie, isn't the 2016 Vegas 24.1 a class A on an F-53 chassis? If so, the CHF applies.

Scubawise, please note the sponsor of that video. I'll invite you to check out the thread with details on the CHF

**16ACE27** · 10-17-2021, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodbender

sportcoup, winnie, isn't the 2016 Vegas 24.1 a class A on an F-53 chassis? If so, the CHF applies.

Scubawise, please note the sponsor of that video. I'll invite you to check out the thread with details on the CHF

No, no Axis or Vegas is on an F53 chassis - they are on E350/E450 chassis, so CHF DOES NOT APPLY. And yes, SW's link has been discussed before with the obvious conclusion it is a sales video and contradicts the experience of 10s of thousands of F53 chassis owners. It is rare that any damage is caused by the CHF.

Winnie · 10-17-2021, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

No, no Axis or Vegas is on an F53 chassis - they are on E350/E450 chassis, so CHF DOES NOT APPLY. And yes, SW's link has been discussed before with the obvious conclusion it is a sales video and contradicts the experience of 10s of thousands of F53 chassis owners. It is rare that any damage is caused by the CHF.

After crawling under our Vegas, 24.1, there appears to have a ford part m3h5k, stabilizer bar in front with a steering stabilizer set up. Rear also has a stabilizer bar attached as well, so this may be all I can do right now. I believer the bars were made by Hellwig and are 1 3/8" steel.

I think the one thing I can do is install heavier shocks when they're needed, but for right now, I'll settle for what I have and enjoy our Vegas. Next item we're going to do is purchase, ether a twin axle car hauler, or dolly for upcoming trips next year. Thank you for all the comments and advice.

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