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Old 07-19-2020, 11:55 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 29.2
State: California
Posts: 13
THOR #19709
Newbie ACE owner

Hello all - Picked up our first RV (2014 ACE 29.2) a couple weeks ago and just returned from a 1200 mile journey... I’m exhausted but what a blast! So of course I’m now thinking of all the fixes/upgrades/mods that I want to do... sensory overload now!!

So, this RV IS PERFECT for our family of 4, our Newfie, cockatiel and all our stuff. Love the layout and all the features but have one concern... steering feedback and front end shaking, etc. when we hit rough spots in road... feels like the steering wheel is going to come apart along with the dashboard! On smooth roads - drives great... rough roads tons of noise and rattling shaking thru steering wheel and entire dash area feels like it’s all going to come apart. Is this normal or could there be something up with steering linkage, etc?

I look forward to learning from all of you experienced road warriors... and I too will try and help others as I learn more about this rig.

Good times ahead!

V/r,
Jason

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Old 07-20-2020, 12:24 AM   #2
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Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,117
THOR #7035
Fixes/upgrades/mods are half the fun of owning an RV.

For your steering issue I would look into installing a steering stabilizer like the Roadmaster Reflex of the Safe-T-Plus. It will provide the best bang for your buck. Check your alignment and tire pressures first - make sure you are using the pressures on the label in your coach if you haven't weighed it, not the MAX pressure on the tire sidewalls. There's other things to do:
CHF
Sumo Springs
Upgraded Stabilizer Bars
Track Bars
and more.

Welcome to the forum!
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Old 07-20-2020, 02:10 AM   #3
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 29.2
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Thanks, 16ACE27! I should’ve mentioned I put the steering stabilizer on while I was on the trip. So I drove it about 600 miles over two days without the stabilizer so I could see the difference. Steering was loosey goosey but not horrible. Biggest difference coming home, after install, was the steering felt tighter and didn’t require as much steering “management” on the road. Chose the Reflex... so yea I do see a some difference but no difference in the shaking/rattling/noise coming through the steering column and dash area when hitting good bumps or bridge sections/road transitions. Something isn’t right. Thanks for your reply and suggestions... looking into the sumo mod...
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Old 07-20-2020, 02:53 AM   #4
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Welcome first, I don’t have your model but something doesn’t seem right. You said it’s a 2014. How old are the tires? If they are the originals they are due to be replaced.
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Old 07-20-2020, 02:57 AM   #5
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Go to shop and have them check your tie rods
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Old 07-20-2020, 11:29 AM   #6
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Welcome to the forum. Take it to a service center and have front end checked.
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Old 07-20-2020, 11:51 AM   #7
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Welcome to our virtual RV Park!
Here's to hoping that your Ace turns out to be a winning hand...

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Old 07-20-2020, 06:16 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elite Washington View Post
Welcome first, I don’t have your model but something doesn’t seem right. You said it’s a 2014. How old are the tires? If they are the originals they are due to be replaced.
Thanks, Elite Washington. I have a model year 2014 Thor ACE 29.2. Front tires were replaced late last year and are in pretty good shape.
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Old 07-20-2020, 06:22 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugh.vines@att.net View Post
Go to shop and have them check your tie rods
Yea, trying to setup an appointment now... thanks for the message.
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Old 07-20-2020, 06:23 PM   #10
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Thanks CoachRay - going to do just that...
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Old 07-20-2020, 07:11 PM   #11
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There's a whole list things to replace/change to improve the typically poor handling of the those Ford chassis's. It may take only one or could take all of the improvements to get to where you're confident in it's handling. So enjoy the mods & the RV experience!
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Old 07-21-2020, 12:35 AM   #12
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Talking

Quote:
Originally Posted by Travelin' Texans View Post
There's a whole list things to replace/change to improve the typically poor handling of the those Ford chassis's. It may take only one or could take all of the improvements to get to where you're confident in it's handling. So enjoy the mods & the RV experience!
Thanks Travelin’! Yes, enjoying all the “stuff” that comes along with RV experience - very similar to the boat experience I’ve enjoyed for many years! May have to get a second job to pay for all this fun!
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Old 07-21-2020, 07:45 PM   #13
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I don’t have your model but unless it’s high mileage, poorly maintained or has accident damage I’d expect it might be normal. I’ve driven a good number of gas class As and they’re all somewhat brutal on poor roads. I tried Sumo’s on my 32 ft 2016 Fleetwood and did not find them to be helpful. Certainly were not worth the $500 cost in my case and I will not be putting them on my new RV. I just slow down a mite on rough roads. Welcome to the lifestyle and good luck.
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Old 07-21-2020, 10:11 PM   #14
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Thanks, Pete'sMH. Yea, I have zero frame of reference as I have only driven a 2015 35' Fleetwood Bounder around the block once before taking off on this 1200 mile trek. This RV does ride and handle ok on decent roads/highways... but man the steering wheel shakes/rattles pretty good when I hit some rough road. Thanks for feedback on Sumo's - I'm holding off any additional suspension upgrades until I get the front end looked at. I just notice this AM that I may have leaking axle seals in the rear as there is some fluid on the inner rim and running down the tires. Let the fun begin!
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Old 07-29-2020, 01:00 AM   #15
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State: Louisiana
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Welcome to Thor Forums from Louisiana.
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