Ford Automatic Centering ???

[EA37TS]

Ok,

I was reading Tech Talk (page 18) in Family Motor Coaching and there is a posting title Ford Steering.

The writer mentions that the Ford Class A chassis steering has an "automatic centering" feature. The writer does not mention if it is the F53 chassis or what model coach he was driving when he experienced a blowout at 65MPH.

Has anyone seen any documentation about such a feature or seen it in a Ford Chassis brochure?

[Chance]

Dave, not specifically. By any chance was he referring to the centering effect provided by caster?

All vehicles I know, including bicycles and motorcycles, have caster built into steering geometry which makes them want to go straight ahead. Caster is what makes riding a bicycle or motorcycle with hands off bar possible.

More related to RVing, caster is what allows flat towing a toad/dinghy behind a motorhome with a simple tow bar. The toads' front wheels point in direction it's being pulled. When backing up it works opposite and makes tires pivot against direction toad is moving; hence why a toad can't be backed up.

I can think of one other possibility for the "automatic centering" feature he may have been referring to. Any chance you can copy or link reference to help put it in context.

[Chance]

The other possibility I was referring to is negative scrub radius. That's a little harder concept to discuss. It may be easier to read in Wikipedia.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrub_radius

"An advantage of a negative scrub radius is that the geometry naturally compensates for split µ (mu) braking, or failure in one of the brake circuits. It also provides center point steering in the event of a tire deflation, which provides greater stability and steering control in this emergency situation."

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Chance

Dave, not specifically. By any chance was he referring to the centering effect provided by caster?

All vehicles I know, including bicycles and motorcycles, have caster built into steering geometry which makes them want to go straight ahead. Caster is what makes riding a bicycle or motorcycle with hands off bar possible.

More related to RVing, caster is what allows flat towing a toad/dinghy behind a motorhome with a simple tow bar. The toads' front wheels point in direction it's being pulled. When backing up it works opposite and makes tires pivot against direction toad is moving; hence why a toad can't be backed up.

I can think of one other possibility for the "automatic centering" feature he may have been referring to. Any chance you can copy or link reference to help put it in context.

Unfortunately I can not copy the reference without violating the copyright or my membership agreement. The context of the article was automatic steering centering during a tire blowout at 65MPH and the little effort involved in recovering from the blowout.

I tried doing a member search to get an email address because I would have liked to shot him an email and ask a few questions. Unfortunately his name and member number did not appear in the membership directory search for the state provided. That could be due to a change of location after he joined and the directory not being updated.

The reference got my interest and I may send an email to FMCA and ask that they check into it and give the issue more attention, if warranted, in a future issue.