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Old 10-18-2021, 03:53 PM   #1
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THOR #21123
Stabilizing Thor Aria in cross winds

Hi
I have been reading multiple posts and opinions on reducing sway and stabilizing a Thor Class A (2020) Aria due to cross winds, trucks/cars, etc. Driving on I80 and I90 this summer was not fun.
And am getting confused.

I had Saf-T-Plus installed and that has helped. Is there anything else I should do? I read about Summo Springs but not certain if that would help some more.

Thank you for your insights and experiences.

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Old 10-19-2021, 02:40 AM   #2
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I have only had one experience with our Aria in a little over 20k miles I thought was bad. Going over the Sierras on I80 was being blown all over the road. It wasn't until that evening I found out the winds were 80+ mph. I did have the coach aligned as soon as we loaded it and have weighed and adjusted the tire pressure accordingly. I have found it to be quite stable especially compared to our two previous gassers. Very comfortable to drive.

I did not see in your post which model you have and I do not know if length/weight have anything to do with it.

Mike
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Old 10-19-2021, 04:51 AM   #3
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We and our travel friends have found 35 to 45 mph reduces significantly
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Old 10-19-2021, 11:42 AM   #4
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THOR #21123
Thank you, Mike.
It is a 2020 Aria 3401.
I had a gas Jayco briefly—that was all over the road. The Aria much better but still have some impact on passers and wind. Going to start towing a Jeep Cherokee. I wonder if that will help or hurt.

Helpful suggestions. I need to get it weighed and check tire pressures. It was aligned at 5 K. Now has 11K miles. But some of the roads and bridges we have driven are horrible.

Thank you!
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Old 10-25-2021, 09:34 PM   #5
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I have heard a rear track bar helps stabilize in winds. THe rear axel will sway back and forth with sudden gusts such as when a truck passes. I have heard it is relatively inexpensive compared to other options so it might be a place to start.

I have not done it, but I did do CHF which moves the stabilizer bar bolts to tighten sway.
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Old 10-26-2021, 12:18 AM   #6
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I don't think that a steering stabilizer or a toad hanging off the hitch has anything to do with body sway in a gas class A. I didn't notice any improvements with sway when I installed my stabilizer. The CHF may have been an improvement and the sumo springs may have added a touch more. I drove across the Texas Panhandle a couple of years ago and the side winds were in the 20s with gusts in the 30s. Slowing down to 60 MPH was a big help, but I had to steer into the wind the whole time.
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Old 10-26-2021, 12:30 AM   #7
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What helps the most:
Aquiring ability and self assurance.
95%(a guess) of rv's have no suspension mods.

To steal an explanation from someone we all trust:
'You are sitting in your rv far above the position you sit within your other cars suspension.'(or thereabouts)

Go to the vehicle you wish the rv handled like, measure the bottom of the seat height from ground. Measure the height of the tire from ground.

Now do it on the RV and MULTIPLY the difference(pendulum, leverage, give me a fulcrum and I'll move the earth....).

There's a bit of time it takes for the confidences to build.
Some here will deny this.
Some here have spouses who wouldn't drive the rv to save a life.
If a spouse won't drive, that's an inability which can be overcome with time behind the wheel.

Seat time will not cure the sway.
But
It will cure your lack of ability to treat the sway just as a thing, instead of as the dread fraught thing.
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Old 10-26-2021, 01:28 AM   #8
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Different coach, but driving in West Virginia mountains last week was a chore in our 25' class C. Ducksface makes good points about "time in the seat". Regardless, strong sideways gusts make handling an un-aerodynamic box a chore.

A tip is to not tense up and "death grip" the steering wheel. There's a learned finesse - don't try to jerk the wheel to control, rather use smooth motions with a looser grip. You'll create less tension in your arms/shoulders. Also, if driving extended distances in sideways wind gusts, make more frequent stops to stretch and relax.

Unless you move up to a top-shelf diesel pusher, your driving experience will be more hectic in general. I've accepted the fact that my MH will NEVER handle/drive like my F-150. Accordingly I change my driving habits and approach when driving the MH. Yes, I'm a LOT more tired after driving the MH, but I have a comfy bed handy to rest in!!
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Old 10-26-2021, 03:02 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lt Keefer View Post
I don't think that a steering stabilizer or a toad hanging off the hitch has anything to do with body sway in a gas class A. I didn't notice any improvements with sway when I installed my stabilizer.
I agree that it won't impact sway. However, I do think it impacts your reaction to sway. Further I think it relaxes you a bit.

Personally I have been thinking about getting a rear track bar to see how it reduces the sway.
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Old 10-26-2021, 03:27 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad View Post
Different coach, but driving in West Virginia mountains last week was a chore in our 25' class C. Ducksface makes good points about "time in the seat". Regardless, strong sideways gusts make handling an un-aerodynamic box a chore.

A tip is to not tense up and "death grip" the steering wheel. There's a learned finesse - don't try to jerk the wheel to control, rather use smooth motions with a looser grip. You'll create less tension in your arms/shoulders. Also, if driving extended distances in sideways wind gusts, make more frequent stops to stretch and relax.

Unless you move up to a top-shelf diesel pusher, your driving experience will be more hectic in general. I've accepted the fact that my MH will NEVER handle/drive like my F-150. Accordingly I change my driving habits and approach when driving the MH. Yes, I'm a LOT more tired after driving the MH, but I have a comfy bed handy to rest in!!
I agree also 40 to 50 mph in wind is a sweet spot

Agree

A tip is to not tense up and "death grip" the steering wheel. There's a learned finesse - don't try to jerk the wheel to control, rather use smooth motions with a looser grip. You'll create less tension in your arms/shoulders. Also, if driving extended distances in sideways wind gusts, make more frequent stops to stretch and relax.
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Old 10-26-2021, 09:31 PM   #11
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Try looking farther down the road as well as keeping a light touch on the wheel. It can keep you busy sometimes but I’ve never felt like any of my coaches were unsafe to drive. I rather like the truck-like handling!
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Old 10-29-2021, 12:32 AM   #12
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We almost upset our 40ft Tuscany going west on i70 through Kansas when a out of nowhere cross wind hit us and I actually saw air under the right drive tires, but normally it’s ok as the airbags keep us pretty stable under normal conditions
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Old 10-30-2021, 07:39 PM   #13
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I thought that DPs are not plague by wind issues? And, no, I am not trying to be sarcastic.
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Old 10-31-2021, 12:32 AM   #14
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Yes to all of the above and buy a Trac Bar, had a 1994 34’ Bounder and it eliminated about 75% of the wind and trucks blowing me off the road. I bought a 2017 ACE and started to get the swaying action after a 3000 mile trip so I bought a Super Steer trac bar and installed it last week. Looking to add Somo springs and Koni shocks soon.
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Old 10-31-2021, 12:45 AM   #15
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82mph rv speed with a steady 40mph 10oclock cross wind...with bigger gusts.
550 miles of it Today on i90, Gillette WY to Minnesota. Relentless.
See that wheel angle? Dead straight road and a perfectly centered steering wheel.

Butt time learned.
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Old 10-31-2021, 12:52 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by simidrm View Post
We almost upset our 40ft Tuscany going west on i70 through Kansas when a out of nowhere cross wind hit us and I actually saw air under the right drive tires, but normally it’s ok as the airbags keep us pretty stable under normal conditions
I earned my "white knuckle card" driving west in Minnesota on I-90. First time pulling a trailer in heavy gusting crosswinds and dodging HORRIBLE freeway craters. Scared the **** out of me... until I figured it out... somewhat.

Like I said previously... time in the seat helps tremendously. Now with some decent experience in the MH, I'm better prepared to know what to expect, and how to control it.
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Old 10-31-2021, 02:17 PM   #17
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I-90 was tough when we were on it last month. We have the mods you see in my signature. The rear trac bar helped a lot with the sway. Now that we added the shocks and sumo springs it drives really well! We still get pushed around some with high winds, but nothing like before.

Pam
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Old 10-31-2021, 02:47 PM   #18
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Just to add to this.

We drive an east west highway that has a VERy LARge tractor shed and cedar trees for several hundred yards. When the wind is really blowing to hit the lee created by the windbreak and not react quickly, you will be in the on coming lane.

Lesson learned is, in strong cross winds watch for wind breaks that may affect your travel.
If the wind is pushing you a sudden stopping of the wind will also affect you.
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Old 10-31-2021, 03:13 PM   #19
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Hey until you try I 90 in montana and Wyoming all is good

And see Livingston montana..folks get blown off the road
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Old 11-04-2022, 09:35 PM   #20
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My .02 only...

My 37KT challenger V10 gasser was blown all over by wind and passing semis because of the lightweight vice side size. Anti-Sway bars and steering stabilizer vastly improved that situation.

My Aria 3901 isn't bothered much by it unless it gets extremely windy. The air suspension automatically adjusts, and the heavier weight also helps.

Slowing down is the best solution.

As for flat towing helping, I'm not sure it makes any difference. Haven't noticed any difference after several k miles.
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