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Old 04-27-2015, 03:58 PM   #21
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Model: Hurricane 34E
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THOR #937
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Originally Posted by FW28z View Post
....
Air Tabs are also supposedly helpful in windy conditions as well as passing semis. They are supposed to also improve gas mileage as they reduce drag..
You cannot seriously install these without bright blue LED lightstrips under the wheel wells and chassis, and fuzzy dingle balls around the driver's/passenger's windows and windshield.

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Old 06-19-2015, 05:44 PM   #22
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Model: Four Winds 26A
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We just had the Safety plus stabilizer installed on our new 2015 Thor Four Winds Class C - 26A two weeks ago in Florida. It helped a great deal with the lack of control and swaying of the Ford E350 Chasis. Also - Has anyone had any experience with getting Thor to reimburse customers for any suspension problems? We had our new 2015 aligned at our cost AND had the Safe-T-Plus Stabilizer installed...
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Old 06-19-2015, 06:57 PM   #23
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I look forward to hearing your results of the safe t plus.

I have just been doing some research on this.
and I recently had my alignment done. Splurged and took it all the way to orlando to a truck alignment specialist shop, Josam. Supposed to be the "experts"

there are different problems, and different solutions.
It seems that mine isn't so much sway. I don't sense a rolling so much
and not so much rut tracking or "road steer"
My issue seems mostly to be what the tech at Josam called stickiness..... or lack of center in the steering system. The wheel doesn't return to center when coming out of a turn.

Reading elsewhere, it seems that more + caster is really the answer. Like 5 degrees + is needed on these E chassis....But it seems that since its a common eccentric bushing that adjusts caster and camber, that it's a trade off between those two specs.....
so sadly Josam didn't set my caster angle that high....

even still, I would say that my issue is much better than it was (& it wasn't really bad before)
But they said if I wasn't happy I might want to look into the safe t plus.
They said sway bars would do me no good.

But in my research, these steering centering devices....safe t plus, safe steer, and roadmasters external spring version.... these all apparently mask the real problem by forcing the system to center. (so I've been told by those more expert than me)

It seems that a panhard rod (track bar, such as super steer) to stabilize the leaf spring system is probably the real fix......

But I'm interested in these spring devices because of the added benefit, perhaps only perceived, but still a benefit of better control under blowouts or other situations....

So, my plan is to tweak in my steer axle tire pressures a bit better based on the tire load/pressure chart and see what that does, then I'm considering a supersteer.... or maybe a safe t plus..... I still can't make up my mind which makes more sense....
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Old 06-19-2015, 07:00 PM   #24
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.....I have not yet decided on the Safe-T-Plus damper, as there is already a factory damper in there; albeit likely a less capable one. And it is one of the more expensive fixes, so it was not my first choice. But if they help, then it's worth it.......
I'll add this comment....
from what I have been able to determine, the Ford dampener is only a dampener
while the safe-t-plus is a spring loaded device intended to help force steering to center
two different things
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Old 06-19-2015, 07:17 PM   #25
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Originally Posted by ski-bunny View Post
We just had the Safety plus stabilizer installed on our new 2015 Thor Four Winds Class C - 26A two weeks ago in Florida. It helped a great deal with the lack of control and swaying of the Ford E350 Chasis. Also - Has anyone had any experience with getting Thor to reimburse customers for any suspension problems? We had our new 2015 aligned at our cost AND had the Safe-T-Plus Stabilizer installed...
A little tip I was given by a Ford Service Writer about 7 years ago is before the first 12 months or 12,000 miles take the vehicle in for service and mention that it wanders or you believe the tire are wearing unevenly. Ford at that time must provide 1 alignment service under warranty. I have purchased 4 vehicles and my prior Class C since then and it worked in all cases. This no longer applies if you elect to have an alignment performed at your cost prior to the 12/12K time.

Ford is responsible for the chassis on the motor home. Although they may spring for the cost of an alignment (operative word may) they have no responsibility for suspension related issues.

The question I would ask everyone is:

If you test drove the vehicle and then made a purchase offer based on the handling characteristics at that time why would it be anyone's responsibility, other than your own, to perform suspension upgrades? It is after all you that elected to purchase the vehicle the way it handled during the test drive.
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Old 06-19-2015, 08:01 PM   #26
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There are a couple of different strategies you can take. Safe-T-Plus is one strategy, but have you also considered upgraded sway bars?....
Sway Bars will do nothing in the event of a tire blowout.

Handling improvement, (centering), gained by installing a Safe-T-Plus is secondary to it's main purpose of providing safety in the event of a tier blowout.

For those that have installed the Safe-T-Plus, how much more effort have you noticed in the steering off the highway, when turning and maneuvering through small towns and not just going straight?

I'm leaning towards the BlueOx TruCenter device, just because I like the ability to re-center at will.
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Old 06-19-2015, 09:08 PM   #27
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I am so far impressed I can feel the difference. I have not gone on a long trip yet, but will be out for 6 weeks in September, that will be better test.
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Old 06-30-2015, 01:04 AM   #28
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Originally Posted by dstankov View Post
A little tip I was given by a Ford Service Writer about 7 years ago is before the first 12 months or 12,000 miles take the vehicle in for service and mention that it wanders or you believe the tire are wearing unevenly. Ford at that time must provide 1 alignment service under warranty. I have purchased 4 vehicles and my prior Class C since then and it worked in all cases. This no longer applies if you elect to have an alignment performed at your cost prior to the 12/12K time.

Ford is responsible for the chassis on the motor home. Although they may spring for the cost of an alignment (operative word may) they have no responsibility for suspension related issues.

The question I would ask everyone is:

If you test drove the vehicle and then made a purchase offer based on the handling characteristics at that time why would it be anyone's responsibility, other than your own, to perform suspension upgrades? It is after all you that elected to purchase the vehicle the way it handled during the test drive.
Unfortunately, when we purchased our new Thor Class C, the only 'test drive' we took was on side roads near the dealer - we didn't know enough to put it to the test of thruway driving. We are learning!
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Old 07-03-2015, 10:57 PM   #29
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I bought my 2015 Thor Windsport 34F at the end of April. This was my first Class A ever. I'm a complete newbie. When driving it for the first time, I noticed the entire coach felt floaty. It was just so... all over the road.

I had the Safe-T-Plus installed in the front and it made a big difference. I could drive single handed and it handled better, but the rear was still all over the place.

So I had the Blue Ox Trak Bar Installed, in the rear. Both of them combined, and my RV handles like my SUV. It handles great. It no longer shakes, rattles and rolls all over the place. The front and rear stay perfectly rigid and it is a dream to drive.

It was about $1600 for both, total, to have them installed at Camping World, but I am very glad that I did.
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Old 07-03-2015, 11:51 PM   #30
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To answer Beacher, I have had no problem steering with the Saf t Plus and it helped a lot I am pleased with it
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Old 07-09-2015, 04:29 PM   #31
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Finally got HD suspension parts installed and the Vegas handles more like a heavy pickup truck now rather than a coach. Added one part at the time;
1st. Safe-T-Plus. Helped a little on centering-wander, but got it mostly to help in case of blown tire on front.
2nd. Added rear Hellwig sway bar. Helped with the sway, rocking and cornering.
3nd. Added front Hellwig sway bar. This install made significant difference in handling combined with the rear sway bar. Not sure how the front would have improved the handling without the rear bar. It also helped with the wander. Should have noticed, but did not, any trucks passing and their effect if much, although that never seemed to be a problem. Most times even with strong cross winds, trucks passing etc. were not much more than a light push.
All considered, the upgrades were worth the time and $$ spent.
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Old 07-09-2015, 05:35 PM   #32
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So you upgraded everything but a panhard rod to stabilize the leaf springs!
Glad that it worked for you. I might do some of that some day.....
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Old 07-09-2015, 07:31 PM   #33
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Yes, the rod would have been my next addition if the handling had not improved to my satisfaction, and I guess handling is subjective to each individual. After reading about RV suspensions, especially the E350, it seems that there are a considerable number of areas that can improve the handling. To bad that the factory does not install the heavy duty suspension parts as standard out the door.
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Old 07-09-2015, 09:21 PM   #34
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THOR #1469
Have you considered air bags or air helper springs for the rear suspension?

On my Forest River Class C (E450) all I had to do to adjust the handling was to adjust the air pressure in the air bags (Firestone Ride Rite system). It is amazing how much handling improves when you shift weight from the rear to the front or from one side to the other.

On that class C all I needed to improve handling was an air gauge and compressor. For example, when I was towing the initial pressure was set to 70 PSI per bag. When I wasn't towing the pressure was dropped to 65 PSI.
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Old 07-10-2015, 11:39 AM   #35
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There could be some air bags in the future or some HD gas shocks when the stock ones get a little age on them. If I had a toad, those would for sure improve the handling as would a track bar.
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Old 07-11-2015, 10:30 PM   #36
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I just ordered my Safe-T-Plus unit with bracket from PPL motorhomes
in Texas yesterday, they are having a sale this month.

I figure I saved $$$ over other websites I checked.

If your in the market I would say it is worth checking out.
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Old 07-13-2015, 03:18 PM   #37
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I just ordered my Safe-T-Plus unit with bracket from PPL motorhomes
in Texas yesterday, they are having a sale this month.

I figure I saved $$$ over other websites I checked.

If your in the market I would say it is worth checking out.
Thanks for the referral Phi. I did price shopping and confirmed PPL was the least expensive, though I do not think they cary the custom brackets. I had to email Safe-T-Plus as their web site did not list a 2015 Thor Axis. The Vegas they did list was 2014 and probably the same. Got a quick response back from Safe-T-Plus and they asked a bunch of questions about the unit... surprising it was not an SOP order. Anyway once I confirm it should be a 31-140 with a E-353K14 mounting bracket, my order goes in as well.
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Old 07-13-2015, 03:53 PM   #38
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I hope you don't have as tough a time removing the stock steering damper as I did. The base mtg. bracket for the dampener had so much loctite on it that I was concerned about breaking the bolts off, so I applied some heat to make them give up and loosen. Other than that glitch, it is very easy to install and adjust.

FWIW, I made a pointer from a file folder taped onto the instrument hood that reached out to the front of the steering wheel. When it tracked straight (finding a level hwy was not easy), I put a piece of tape on the wheel. Pulled into a level parking lot large enough for centering. Had my wife hold the wheel on the pointer, and adjusted the bracket on the arm. Somewhat like the inst. and video.
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Old 07-13-2015, 04:16 PM   #39
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Hmmm.. thanks... since my post, Safe T Plus responded and confirmed my product #'s. They sent instruction video's, etc.. I am thinking now that I might have Ford do the install when they do a front end alignment (recommended by Thor which I am liable for). Already have chassis warrantee issues with bad windshield washer pump, non-working cruise control and a steering wheel not being centered when the tires are tracking directly forward... I know, welcome to the world of RV's. This is my first NEW one.. how naive i was to think all would work out of the box.
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Old 07-13-2015, 05:24 PM   #40
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I think most of us Axis-Vegas owners had a few glitches to deal with at first, some more so than others, but once you get them fixed, you will enjoy your coach. The upside of it is that you become familiar with your systems etc.
It is good that you are dealing with them before heading out camping. I keep a running to do list especially when on the road of things that need to be done, and things that I would like to do. I still have one from the first coach I had that was never completed.

If you have basic mech. knowledge- skills, I would not be concerned about installing it yourself and saving a few bucks. Being a 73 yr. geezer, it was easy for me once I got the bolts loose.

The front end alignment will straighten up your wheel and any pulling one way or another. Mine pulled hard right when first driving. I bought mine used-new, as is, special price-circumstances and had no dealer support, so I worked out some of the "finishing", as one member here put it, myself.
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