Steering and suspension upgrades.

[Tampa.bankie]

I have a 2017 Hurricane 34 J and don’t have that many problems driving although probably have adjusted my driving to compensate. I am in need of an alignment which I am going to have done as well as installing a Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer, and also front and rear Bilstein shocks. I am also thinking of possibly Roadmaster front and rear sway bars and also a Roadmaster track bar. I know that at the end of the day this will be $$$ but I think for safety and peace of mind it will be worth it. What are everyone’s thoughts on this and any other advice?

[Freehood]

I installed track bar and sumu springs, then had it aligned. Night and day difference in how it drove.

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by Freehood

I installed track bar and sumu springs, then had it aligned. Night and day difference in how it drove.

Yep that all I have done, except increasing the caster to 6 degrees.

[Tampa.bankie]

Don’t know why apart from what I’ve read I’m not a big fan of sumo springs.

[Lt Keefer]

Of all the things I have done to my Hurricane, sumo springs are the one with the most improvement in ride.

[Tampa.bankie]

Maybe have to look again at the sumo springs. LT Keefer what other mods have you done?

[standerson]

Next month will be new front and rear sway bars and Bilstein shocks for our 28Z.

[Campnjoe]

I drove my Hurricane 29m around 600 miles stock as we purchased out of state. When I got it home I installed the roadmaster steering stabilizer and had it aligned. Night and day difference. I had plans for a track bar as well but decided it was good enough the way it was now. I mean I can drive one handed at this point. I would advise doing one thing at a time and seeing how it handles.

[Lt Keefer]

Originally Posted by Tampa.bankie

Maybe have to look again at the sumo springs. LT Keefer what other mods have you done?

Pretty basic stuff. Front end alignment, tire pressures for weight, CHF, safe-t-plus then front sumos. The coach is well behaved now.

[abjbrtd]

Did you do the CHF (Cheap Handling Fix?

CHP, alighnment and about 90lbs air worked wonders for our F53

[Rvdad]

We have a 2020 windsport 34j, drove from dealer in Louisiana to California and immediately added sumo springs when I got home which made a huge difference in ride quality and handling feel. Eventually added Bilstein shocks and roadmaster front and rear sway bars and had the alignment done. Each component has some impact on how the coach handles and rides, so if you have to made a decision on what to add try to first think about what problem/annoyance you're looking to solve. I am glad I did everything but the sumo springs were the most "bang for buck" in that they helped reduce multitude of different ride quality issues I had (rocking back and forth, porpoising, stability in wind, etc). They made such a difference that my wife, who is always the passenger, could feel the difference when we pulled out of our driveway and the coach didn't rock like it always did. Happy to answer any questions you may have given the coaches are similar just a couple years apart.

[Tampa.bankie]

Definitely doing an alignment as it’s needed and a safe-T- plus stabilizer, will also replace the shocks with Bilsteins G6. I have read comparisons between Koni, Bilsteins and Monroe’s and the Koni’s which are expensive come out on top on straight driving they leave a lot to be desired in other areas. After I do this upgrade I will see where I’m at and maybe go sway bars and possibly rear track bar. Still undecided on sumo springs they seem as if they are just glorified bump stops.

[Freehood]

The rear trackbar seemed to do the most difference to me. No more tail wag after trucks passed made the front end easier to handle.

[Badmanrick]

I have a 2019 Hurricane34j and I installed the Roadmaster RSSR steering stabilizer. That helped. Then I installed SUMO Springs all around and had it aligned and that made a big difference.

[71_340]

I have a 2020 ACE, it already has a Roadmaster rear sway bar and a Roadmaster Reflex steering damper and drives really well. I just received my Roadmaster front sway bar which I install this weekend (didn't want to go for the CHF). I would assume it will handle even better after the installation.

My take on Sumo springs. I had them on two Sprinter Class C RVs and, in my opinion, give you a rough ride. I wouldn't put them on another RV if I get them for free.

[Badmanrick]

I do find the Sumo Springs give a firmer ride but I do not get the sway from the wind and Semi Trucks as they pass. I’m very satisfied with them.

[CPass58]

I upgraded the Front Swaybar and added one to the Rear from Roadmaster, also added the steering stabilizer. Certainly a big improvement on drivability and eliminating 80% of the white knuckle syndrome. Considering adding Sumo's and Rear Track Bar next. I hear a lot about shocks and see quad kits for RV's, hard to feel good about replacing shocks with low miles...but better quality ride is what you hope for. I think each rig has a sweet spot pending length, chassis and how much weight you carry. Who new RVing would end up making one become a backyard mechanic/maintence tech.

[71_340]

Originally Posted by CPass58

I upgraded the Front Swaybar and added one to the Rear from Roadmaster, also added the steering stabilizer. Certainly a big improvement on drivability and eliminating 80% of the white knuckle syndrome. Considering adding Sumo's and Rear Track Bar next. I hear a lot about shocks and see quad kits for RV's, hard to feel good about replacing shocks with low miles...but better quality ride is what you hope for. I think each rig has a sweet spot pending length, chassis and how much weight you carry. Who new RVing would end up making one become a backyard mechanic/maintence tech.

I am with you on the shocks. Our ACE has 6300 miles and I believe that Ford installed Bilstein shocks which is one of the better brands.

I haven't even installed the front Roadmaster sway bar yet and the stability/handling is way better then a 2016 Holiday Rambler I test drove. That RV was actually worst the the 2006 Sightseer we used to have.

[Badmanrick]

If you are going to replace the shocks. Replace them with Koni. They are the best from what I have researched.

[Tampa.bankie]

Originally Posted by Badmanrick

If you are going to replace the shocks. Replace them with Koni. They are the best from what I have researched.

What I have researched Koni’s are not that forgiving and give you a hard ride. They are good on the straightaways but not so much on cornering.