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08-08-2017, 07:40 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: A.C.E. 30.2 Bunkhouse
State: Kentucky
Posts: 145
THOR #8259
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Suspension Question
Need some advice: on my ACE 30.2, should I do Roadmaster rear anti sway bar, or Sumo springs, or both? Definitely going with Safe-T-Plus stabilizer for front. What say you? Thanks!
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I'm blessed with a SPECTACULAR ability to tear stuff up...and lose a golf ball.
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08-08-2017, 08:13 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2015 ACE 30.2
State: Florida
Posts: 262
THOR #1287
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ACE 30.2 suspension
We have a 2015 ACE 30.2. Added the SafeTPlus, a Henderson Track Bar, Cheap Handling Fix, and did an alignment all within days of purchase. DH said it handled fine. Until he hit a day of sustained 35 mph winds with gusts and 4 hours driving in it. It was not pleasant!
I asked my DH if he wanted Sumo's, as he never would manually adjust the airbags I had installed on our last MH. He said sure, I had them put on front and rear. On our last camping weekend we ran into a monster storm with winds and high gusts and torrential rains, and we never left the lane. Felt the wind, but were not pushed around. So the Sumo's really helped.
Now all done with suspension upgrades. Rides as good as a house on wheels is going to get.
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08-08-2017, 08:49 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Renegade Valencia 38RB
State: California
Posts: 3,497
THOR #3156
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LockChuck92
Need some advice: on my ACE 30.2, should I do Roadmaster rear anti sway bar, or Sumo springs, or both? Definitely going with Safe-T-Plus stabilizer for front. What say you? Thanks!
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Have you had a front end alignment yet??? After that do the chf front and rear, then get a rear track bar. Imo its money better spent than rear sway bar
Jerry
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08-08-2017, 09:11 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: A.C.E. 30.2 Bunkhouse
State: Kentucky
Posts: 145
THOR #8259
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Thanks guys (and gal!) for the reply. I've researched quite a bit, and I suppose a better question might be: do the sumos remove/replace the need for sway bars and or trac bars? Also, since I'm new to motorhome ownership, what is the cheap handling fix? Thanks so much for your help and advice!
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I'm blessed with a SPECTACULAR ability to tear stuff up...and lose a golf ball.
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08-08-2017, 09:22 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Windsport 29M
State: Indiana
Posts: 3,692
THOR #5196
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CHF is a free modification you can do to your swaybars front and rear to stiffen them up and reduce side to side sway and the effects of semi's. Go to YouTube and search: F53 chf, there are several videos that show what is involved. Takes about an hour and a half to do front and rear, with common tools. Makes a huge difference!!! Jerry is correct about being the most cost effective, chf is free, new swaybar is big bucks!
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08-08-2017, 10:02 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1 KC's Big Box
State: Kansas
Posts: 2,171
THOR #3510
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LockChuck92
Thanks guys (and gal!) for the reply. I've researched quite a bit, and I suppose a better question might be: do the sumos remove/replace the need for sway bars and or trac bars? Also, since I'm new to motorhome ownership, what is the cheap handling fix? Thanks so much for your help and advice!
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Ron installed Sumos front and rear ... they replace the bump stops which are worthless. This improved our ride a lot. May still get the Safety Plus or Roadmaster... However, we travel in strong side winds, in KS, a lot and the improvement was very noticeable.
You are on a different chassis, so the Sumo application on the rear is different from the E450 application.
The Sumo website is a good information source.
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Ron & Kay n KC too !
2001 Scamp 13'
'KC's Little Box'
Jeep Wrangler TJ
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08-08-2017, 10:47 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.2
State: Idaho
Posts: 533
THOR #1944
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When listening to advice ... keep a logical head ... Ground opinions and claims with real mechanical operation
Sumo's are bump stop replacements that help increase spring rate at the critical point where bump stop contact would have otherwise occurred. This mechanical function is quite different than how a swaybar works to transfer spring rate from one side to the other.
The CHF simply reduces the leverage length to increase torque transfer characteristics. Very cool that the F53 chassis has a bar with the extra holes from the factory, too bad they don't also supply an optimal frame mount location for corrected angles.
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Axis 24.2 "was" tug'n a JK
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08-11-2017, 12:03 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2015 ACE 30.2
State: Florida
Posts: 262
THOR #1287
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Ace 30.2
Quote:
Originally Posted by LockChuck92
Thanks guys (and gal!) for the reply. I've researched quite a bit, and I suppose a better question might be: do the sumos remove/replace the need for sway bars and or trac bars? Also, since I'm new to motorhome ownership, what is the cheap handling fix? Thanks so much for your help and advice!
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For our motorhome the track bar keeps the rear wheels in the same line as the front wheels. The sumos help with sway, but where they really help, and what you really notice, is that the coach is not pushed by trucks on highways (even tandem trucks) and holds its lane in high winds. With such high sidewalls, our motorhome has a large "windage" surface area. When steady wind or gusts hit the coach broadside you can be pushed right out of your lane, even with CHF, track bars, SafeTPlus, and alignment. Just ask anyone who has driven across Kansas, Oklahoma, or Nebraska!!!
So sumos do something different than the track bar we installed.
I realize others may answer differently, but not all coaches behave the same way. What works great on a 27 footer, or a different chasis may not be enough for a bigger coach. So read all these responses keeping an eye on what they are driving, and decide what you want to fix/change about your coaches handling.
Good luck!!!!
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08-11-2017, 01:08 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 22FE
State: Washington
Posts: 270
THOR #8606
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I see this a lot, but what is CHF?
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08-11-2017, 01:12 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 22FE
State: Washington
Posts: 270
THOR #8606
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steve76
I see this a lot, but what is CHF?
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Ah, figured it out, cheap handling fix. What exactly is this about and how's it done?
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08-12-2017, 12:31 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Gemini 23TR
State: California
Posts: 981
THOR #6701
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Do these steering mods and suspension mod creat insurance our warrant issues?
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2017 Gemini 23TR Ford chassis w/ power stroke 3.2
DW, Daughter and 2 dogs, Sofie (black lab/boxer) and Phoebe (schnoodle)
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08-12-2017, 12:56 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: A.C.E. 30.2 Bunkhouse
State: Kentucky
Posts: 145
THOR #8259
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steve76
Ah, figured it out, cheap handling fix. What exactly is this about and how's it done?
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Here's a decent video from YouTube about the CHF for a motor home on a F53 chassis. I pick up my ACE 30.2 in two weeks (FINALLY!!) and it'll be the first thing I do when I get her home. Hopefully this helps!
https://youtu.be/MozieIP58PY
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08-12-2017, 01:08 AM
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#13
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,393
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mountainsam
Do these steering mods and suspension mod creat insurance our warrant issues?
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No, it makes the coach safer and has no affect on warranty.
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08-12-2017, 03:27 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: compass 23tw
State: California
Posts: 229
THOR #7466
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sumo
Quote:
Originally Posted by mountainsam
Do these steering mods and suspension mod creat insurance our warrant issues?
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mountainsam, are u thinking of putting them on you mh
Mike
Bakersfield.ca
2017 Gemini 23TR
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08-12-2017, 11:24 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.2
State: Massachusetts
Posts: 441
THOR #8180
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I just completed the CHF on the front of my 30.2. It is a GIANT pita laying on your back under the coach. Here's why: the lower tie rod ends bolts attaching the sway bar are in line with the spring. Probably because I had the coach on levelers in the back yard. Had to remove the entire tie rod upper and lower but needed to loosen the sway bar brackets. Moving the sway bar up to align the other holes was the feat of 2 men and a boy even with the sway bar brackets loose. Then I could remove the lower tie rod bolt. Reassembling; Getting the upper rubber bushing with the 2 washers in to the bracket was another pita. Had to work a drift pin in to align it all to get the bolt back in. 1 hr and 30 min later I had everything tightened back. Tomorrow I'll tackle the rear sway bar.
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USN - RETIRED NUKE
Taunton, MA
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08-12-2017, 11:33 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Windsport 29M
State: Indiana
Posts: 3,692
THOR #5196
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yvonnemarc
I just completed the CHF on the front of my 30.2. It is a GIANT pita laying on your back under the coach. Here's why: the lower tie rod ends bolts attaching the sway bar are in line with the spring. Probably because I had the coach on levelers in the back yard. Had to remove the entire tie rod upper and lower but needed to loosen the sway bar brackets. Moving the sway bar up to align the other holes was the feat of 2 men and a boy even with the sway bar brackets loose. Then I could remove the lower tie rod bolt. Reassembling; Getting the upper rubber bushing with the 2 washers in to the bracket was another pita. Had to work a drift pin in to align it all to get the bolt back in. 1 hr and 30 min later I had everything tightened back. Tomorrow I'll tackle the rear sway bar.
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If you use a small bottle jack or scissor jack the bar is much easier to align. While you're at it you should lube the swaybar poly bushings. The rear bar has had a problem with the bushing brackets being loose, be sure to check those while you're under there.
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08-13-2017, 12:00 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Gemini 23TR
State: California
Posts: 981
THOR #6701
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Quote:
Originally Posted by safari
mountainsam, are u thinking of putting them on you mh
Mike
Bakersfield.ca
2017 Gemini 23TR
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I am thinking about it. I would like to hear from someone that has it on the Transit 350.
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2017 Gemini 23TR Ford chassis w/ power stroke 3.2
DW, Daughter and 2 dogs, Sofie (black lab/boxer) and Phoebe (schnoodle)
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08-13-2017, 01:26 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Gemini 23TR
State: California
Posts: 981
THOR #6701
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Quote:
Originally Posted by safari
mountainsam, are u thinking of putting them on you mh
Mike
Bakersfield.ca
2017 Gemini 23TR
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Mike, after getting my old tired and worn out body down under the front far enough to see what there was there, I dont believe there is a stabilizer for it and no way to install. I have had it in some pretty windy conditions and it was ok so I will just forget this until I should hear differently.
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2017 Gemini 23TR Ford chassis w/ power stroke 3.2
DW, Daughter and 2 dogs, Sofie (black lab/boxer) and Phoebe (schnoodle)
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08-13-2017, 01:48 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.2
State: Massachusetts
Posts: 441
THOR #8180
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperD
If you use a small bottle jack or scissor jack the bar is much easier to align. While you're at it you should lube the swaybar poly bushings. The rear bar has had a problem with the bushing brackets being loose, be sure to check those while you're under there.
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Thanks, with any luck the rear is easier than the front. I'll be sure and put a wrench on the bracket bolts as well.
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USN - RETIRED NUKE
Taunton, MA
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08-13-2017, 02:47 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: compass 23tw
State: California
Posts: 229
THOR #7466
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mountainsam
Mike, after getting my old tired and worn out body down under the front far enough to see what there was there, I dont believe there is a stabilizer for it and no way to install. I have had it in some pretty windy conditions and it was ok so I will just forget this until I should hear differently.
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idk,but is sounds like ours handle better than the LTV on the sprinter
mike
bakersfield,ca
2017 gemini 23tr
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