How to stop the semi-sway

Eeeride · 06-19-2020, 10:03 PM

Hi all,

Looking for suggestions as to how to reduce & minimize the sway & push on the RV as semi trucks go by in the same direction in the lanes next to me. Most of the push is felt in the front end as I am towing a 2019 Jeep Cherokee which tends to keep the rear end pretty tight.

CHF is already done on both front and back.

2017 Windsport 29M.

TIA

Bob Denman · 06-19-2020, 10:26 PM

Stiffer shocks/or bigger anti-swaybars?
Since it's on the F-53 chassis: I've got to admit that I'm not familiar with what the options are...

Good luck!

jannnda · 06-19-2020, 10:28 PM

Sumo’s front and rear, steering stabilizer, rear track bar, larger sway bar front and rear. I am sure I have left some stuff off. The sumo’s on the front helped a lot. So did the steering stabilizer. I would suggest you do one upgrade at a time. I would start with the steering stabilizer, then the sumo’s. I had a lot of tail wag so added the track bar, you may not need it. I have sumo’s just on the front. Others here on the forum will suggest a different approach. Do what you feel comfortable with.

Judge · 06-19-2020, 11:36 PM

Most (not necessarily all) motorhomes over 25 feet built on a E-350 / E-450 / F53 chassis push the limits of the stock Ford suspension (springs, sway bars, shocks, steering damper, etc.). Ford does not know if a shuttle bus, motorhome, box truck or ambulance will be built on these cutaway chassis.

The motorhome manufacturers stretch them and then add more weight and height than the stock suspension can handle. As a result ride quality and handling go out the window.

As others have said, you need to do what the RV manufacturers should have done when they built them. I spent $1500 in upgraded suspension parts (Hellwig HD Sway Bars, Front and Rear Sumo Springs and a Roadmaster Steering Stabilizer) and did the work myself to get my 2018 Outlaw 29H on an E-450 to handle and ride properly..... the way it should have come from the factory so it wasn't a white-knuckle adventure driving it.

I have since moved to a Magnitude Super C on an F-550 Chassis that was designed for these types of applications and have the suspensions for it. I have not had to put a dime into the chassis and it handles and rides like a dream.

There is the CHF (Cheap Handling Fix) mentioned in several threads for the F53. It may fix some or all of your problems but I can only speak to the E-450 and what it took to correct the issues you are also experiencing.

**16ACE27** · 06-19-2020, 11:43 PM

1 - Steering Stabilizer
2 - Verify tire pressures and alignment
3 - Keep an eye on the rearview and anticipate the event; move to the right side of your lane.

Pete'sMH · 06-19-2020, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eeeride

Hi all,

Looking for suggestions as to how to reduce & minimize the sway & push on the RV as semi trucks go by in the same direction in the lanes next to me. Most of the push is felt in the front end as I am towing a 2019 Jeep Cherokee which tends to keep the rear end pretty tight.

CHF is already done on both front and back.

2017 Windsport 29M.

TIA

How long have you had it? I did a lot of work on my first Class A, less on my second and only CHF and steering stabilizer on my third. I don’t even notice the sway or push anymore. It not a car but you get used to it. There’s thousands of these driving around stock. IMO

blw2 · 06-20-2020, 12:04 AM

here's a link to a pretty good primer...
http://www.rvforum.net/miscfiles/MH_..._%20Primer.pdf

Hugh.vines@att.net · 06-20-2020, 01:53 AM

Started with alignment most important from large truck alignment co. Then I put rear track bar cured all my problems. Will never drive like a car

ArrrV · 06-20-2020, 11:22 PM

In all fairness, despite or may be in spite of our added suspension elements, the advice from a long time RVer we received back when we bought our first coach still applies--when you see an 18 wheeler approach you from behind press down on the accelerator just before the truck reaches the rear of the coach. Don't need to floor it, just a little extra gas for a few seconds as the truck overtakes and you don't get pushed around. Easy enough to try and no installation required!

Eeeride · 06-22-2020, 03:35 AM

Thank you all for your input - I may look at sway bars and sumo springs to start.

Lt Keefer · 06-22-2020, 03:51 AM

On my 29M, pressures and alignment helped. Saf t plus helped even more. Front sumo springs and now I barely notice the trucks or buses passing by.

gnach · 06-22-2020, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eeeride

Thank you all for your input - I may look at sway bars and sumo springs to start.

Alignment and pressure FIRST! The rolling houses are notoriously out of alignment from the factory. Set your foundation first. You've had good advice.

Pete'sMH · 06-22-2020, 07:32 PM

I’d suggest making the changes one at a time as you might get happy part way through. Before buying new sway bars you try the CHF. It doesn’t cost anything (or much if you have it done) and does the same thing. In reading this and other forums I have NEVER heard of anyone who has done the CHF and later reported new bars being any better. For my money I’d weigh the four corners and adjust tire pressure accordingly, then get it aligned at an independent truck shop, then do the front and rear CHF, then add a steering stabilizer and only then consider Sumo springs. Good luck.

dkoldman · 06-22-2020, 11:03 PM

I posted the below on another thread, it may apply to you as well...

before spending money on sway...

One other thing that maybe is relevant or someone can explained to me why, but when we first got the RV, the sway from every truck was killing me. I could feel them when they were coming from behind. It was white knuckle city on interstates. But over time, maybe 2 months, either I don't feel it anymore or it went away?

I did add the Safe T Plus stabilizer, but I don't think it was to fix sway? I think it is for better control to keep straight (stop wander), and safety in the event of blow out of a front tire?

It is also possibility that I drive a tad faster these days and have fewer trucks passing me? All I know is that winds from trucks don't freak me out any more, and I was at one point thinking I need to spend a lot of money to fix something.

Pete'sMH · 06-23-2020, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkoldman

I posted the below on another thread, it may apply to you as well...

before spending money on sway...

One other thing that maybe is relevant or someone can explained to me why, but when we first got the RV, the sway from every truck was killing me. I could feel them when they were coming from behind. It was white knuckle city on interstates. But over time, maybe 2 months, either I don't feel it anymore or it went away?

I did add the Safe T Plus stabilizer, but I don't think it was to fix sway? I think it is for better control to keep straight (stop wander), and safety in the event of blow out of a front tire?

It is also possibility that I drive a tad faster these days and have fewer trucks passing me? All I know is that winds from trucks don't freak me out any more, and I was at one point thinking I need to spend a lot of money to fix something.

I agree with this. Also try a lighter grip on the steering wheel and looking farther down the road. I truly don’t mean to sound patronizing but to hear people talk you’d think these things are purposely built to kill people! They DO get better with upgrades but with some practice they can be perfectly comfort to drive.

Lt Keefer · 06-23-2020, 06:40 PM

I agree with both Pete and dk. With two years of driving this coach under my belt the semi sway is hardly noticeable. I did the alignment and pressures because the coach did not track well when purchased. I did the CHF and saf t plus to improve the drive and they helped. My wife still complained about the comfort of the ride due to the impact of expansion joints, potholes and the plane old poor condition of our highway system. The front sumo springs have cushioned that a lot but I am wondering if seat time isn't the cheapest fix.

LAEN · 06-24-2020, 08:57 PM

1-Front alignment
2-Safe T Plus steering stabilizer

If more improvement is desired

Sumo front & then rear

CyRE · 06-27-2020, 07:08 PM

I have a Compass TR3. The stock rear suspension was poor, with the leaf springs nearly maxed out. Sumos didn't help. Adding an additional leaf helped tremendously, without much effect on the stiffness of the ride.

Dilley Dilley · 06-27-2020, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eeeride

Hi all,

Looking for suggestions as to how to reduce & minimize the sway & push on the RV as semi trucks go by in the same direction in the lanes next to me. Most of the push is felt in the front end as I am towing a 2019 Jeep Cherokee which tends to keep the rear end pretty tight.

CHF is already done on both front and back.

2017 Windsport 29M.

TIA

We added the Roadmaster Steering Stabilizer to the front and a heavy duty sway bar in the back. Along with the CHF in the front were good now.

gdurden188 · 06-27-2020, 08:54 PM

If you want a cheap way to eliminate this issue, click on you tube for "Vortex air tab generators. I put these on my Windsport 34m and they eliminated the semi pushing. I did the CHF which help with drivability, but these tabs exceeded my expectations. The instructions read not to place on roofing, but I did anyway and no problems yet, two years of driving.

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