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Old 03-20-2020, 01:26 AM   #61
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I installed a front steering stabilizer, I’m not so sure there was much of a difference in the coach.

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Old 03-20-2020, 03:20 AM   #62
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Steering Stabilizer

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Originally Posted by raffit78 View Post
I installed a front steering stabilizer, I’m not so sure there was much of a difference in the coach.
What brand on what kind of rig did you install? I know that the Saf-T-Plus I had installed on our 24.1 Thor Axis E450 made a HUGE improvement.
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Old 03-20-2020, 09:26 PM   #63
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Quote:
Originally Posted by axis earl View Post
What brand on what kind of rig did you install? I know that the Saf-T-Plus I had installed on our 24.1 Thor Axis E450 made a HUGE improvement.
I put a Safe T Plus on my E350 24.1 Vegas. There is improvement but by no means huge.
It centers nicely but a semi passing me requires about 30 degrees of initial steering wheel movement toward the semi.(consider the steering wheel a 360 degree azimuth) Then about 15 degrees of crab toward as it’s passing, about 30 degrees of opposite deflection once it clears, and then 15 degrees back to recenter the wheel.
It varies a bit with the speed of the truck passing me but even with the Safe T Plus a gust could push me into the rumble strips if I’m not paying attention.
For the price of the thing it provides far less lateral help than I’d hoped or expected.
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Old 05-04-2020, 06:45 PM   #64
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Agree on the Bilstein.

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Originally Posted by taylorbob1 View Post
Personally, I like the Helwig front & rear anti-sways. They are the best mod you can do on a Vegas/Axis.
They were about $600 for the parts on Amazon + a fairly straightforward DIY install.

SUMO’s on the front are the least expensive mod, and is a simple install
Not sure if SUMO’s are needed on the rear if you have the anti-sways.

And, I didn’t go with the Saf-T-Plus, but opted for a $100 Bilstein Steering Damper that performs much better than the whimpy stock Ford damper.

I did add Airlift 1000 air bags inside the front coils which gives me an additional 1” lift in the front end which makes a noticeable improvement as well. That was $70 + DIY.

So, about $1,000 invested in parts + DIY.
Just installed the Bilstein 5100 steering damper replacing the Ford unit that had only 2200 miles on it. Cost of the Bilstein was $111. Installation was simple, and I already had all of the tools. And, you're right, the Ford unit is wimpy with so little resistance it does almost nothing!
The steering is definitely "tighter" with less wandering between the inside and outside of the lane. I feel I got my money's worth.
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Old 05-04-2020, 06:50 PM   #65
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Originally Posted by twovillagers View Post
Just installed the Bilstein 5100 steering damper replacing the Ford unit that had only 2200 miles on it. Cost of the Bilstein was $111. Installation was simple, and I already had all of the tools. And, you're right, the Ford unit is wimpy with so little resistance it does almost nothing!
The steering is definitely "tighter" with less wandering between the inside and outside of the lane. I feel I got my money's worth.
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Old 05-06-2020, 12:21 AM   #66
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I have a 2020 vegas 27.7 and it came from the factory with a front stabilizer. You might chec to see if you already have one.
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Originally Posted by Mwiemer View Post
Try etralier.com
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Old 05-06-2020, 09:23 AM   #67
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E350/450 Steering Stabilizer

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Originally Posted by Mwiemer View Post
I have a 2020 vegas 27.7 and it came from the factory with a front stabilizer. You might chec to see if you already have one.
All motorhome chassis have an OEM steering stabilizer-basically a horizontal shock absorber. The performance of the E350/450 OEM stabilizer is not enough, in the opinion of many posters. It isn't completely ineffective, just not enough for a motorhome. Almost any aftermarket unit such as Bilstein, Fox, Safe-T-Plus, or Roadmaster, etc., should offer an improvement in steering control.
The last two also include a self-centering spring, but cost considerably more. The advantage is additional control in the event of a sudden tire blow-out.
None of these are going to turn your RV into a Ferrari, but will have incremental improvement in handling at a low cost.
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Old 05-06-2020, 11:09 AM   #68
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My 2019 Ford F53 chassis didn’t not come with a stabilizer. It had a sway bar which I tightened, both front & rear (the CHF).
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Old 05-06-2020, 01:21 PM   #69
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbo56 View Post
My 2019 Ford F53 chassis didn’t not come with a stabilizer. It had a sway bar which I tightened, both front & rear (the CHF).


Ford E series chassis have a tiny damper on the tie rod. F-53 doesn’t. It is well worth adding in my opinion. I think it makes it less tiring to drive. They tout the value in a blowout situation but I think a much more likely scenario is dropping a front tire off the edge of the pavement. Before I added my Roadmaster I was on a two lane road and a young woman coming toward me was on her cell phone and wandered into my lane. In avoiding a collision I swerved on to a shoulder (of sorts) that had a small drop off. There were a few moments of total terror while I tried to keep my machine under control. Fortunately I’ve not had to test he effectiveness of the damper in a similar situation but if it helps even a little it is worth the $400 cost.
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Old 05-06-2020, 01:29 PM   #70
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Learned something new!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbo56 View Post
My 2019 Ford F53 chassis didn’t not come with a stabilizer. It had a sway bar which I tightened, both front & rear (the CHF).
I did not know that! It's good reference if any friends ask me.
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Old 05-07-2020, 04:10 PM   #71
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Some of our mods

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Old 05-07-2020, 04:23 PM   #72
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More mods

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Old 05-08-2020, 10:42 AM   #73
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I also added a steering stabilizer, had alignment done ,loaded, and front wheels balanced. Made a world of difference. Tracks true. No longer sways when passed by trucks. Feels much more solid on 2 lane roads. Less fatigue.
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Old 08-18-2020, 03:15 PM   #74
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Anyone know what part numbers are for the 2020 E450 Vegas 24.1, are they the same as 2019? That is highest year I can find.
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Old 08-18-2020, 03:30 PM   #75
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chickon1 View Post
Anyone know what part numbers are for the 2020 E450 Vegas 24.1, are they the same as 2019? That is highest year I can find.
Just call customer service and get the correct part numbers
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Old 08-18-2020, 08:25 PM   #76
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You sure it’s a E450? I have a 2020 24.1 and the chassis is E350.
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Old 08-19-2020, 02:51 AM   #77
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I putting on a Safe-T-Plus and you still get pushed hard, you may need a beefy front and perhaps rear anti sway bar. Roadmaster makes a good one. Easy enough to install.


Make sure you have your rig weighed and adjust the tire pressure according to the tire manufactures load/pressure chart. You would be surprised on how much incorrect tire pressure will allow your rig to be pushed.
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Old 08-20-2020, 08:01 PM   #78
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Agree - my Safe-T-Plus does little to stop lateral movement. A Helwig front sway improved it a bit. Up until the point it began to fall off - nice job on that General RV...
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