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Topic: Steer Safe Stabilizers & sway bars (Read 3279 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: Steer Safe Stabilizers & sway bars
Reply #50 –
Maybe I'm crazy. Maybe I'm blind. May be  I'm mad 'bout this LD of mine

Wondering 'bout wandering I pause and I think. Have I missed my turn? Did I fall in the drink? Still diving true. Still on my course. Can't get much better could be much worse.

My rig, she drives true. No swerve and no squall. I have no trouble driving her. No not one bit at all.

She's a beauty inside and she's a sight to behold. She's stylish and clean. That'll never get old.

 When I walk down her coach from one end to the other, she's rock solid standing with not even a shudder.

I'll dance every day. I'll sing from the mountains. I'll stay up at night thinkin' and countin' all the miles that I've driven all the roads that I've traveled. Eager to drive her a million more miles.

My stalwart LD is my rock and she's steady. No complaints from this Papa of his little baby.

She's sound and she's true. She's the envy of many. Not a thing can be said that will change this old mind.

She's the best from her top from her front to her back. She's the pride of the fleet from this coast to that and that's all I will say about this or 'bout that.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Steer Safe Stabilizers & sway bars
Reply #51 –
Kent,

You've got me smiling early this morning.  ;D  :)  ;)

Cynthia
Daughter of the first Lazy Bones
Hitting the road on my own and with a friend 🚐 while reporting back to the Lazy Bones at home 🛋

2 Lazy Bones - Home
Re: Steer Safe Stabilizers & sway bars
Reply #52 –
Kent,

Well done.

I tell you, I've done so many web searches. Things like best built C class rv, highest quality rv under 28 feet and every other
way i can think of and you don't come up with much.

Certainly not people talking like Kent about there Rv.

Is there one particular size or model that seems to drive better than the others without any mods. For example, do the
shorter 24' units have less sway maybe because of the weight and maybe less rear overhang?

Re: Steer Safe Stabilizers & sway bars
Reply #53 –
I'm with you, Kent.  Zero complaints regarding the handling, or just about anything else with our 2015 TK.

Thank you, Steve Newton, for selling a quality product without awning LEDs, slides, outdoor entertainment system, tweaker inspired paint job, cardboard cabinetry, "premium TPO roof", etc.

Genze - for a morbidly entertaining experience, try searching RV forums for "punch list".

Steve
2015 TK
Re: Steer Safe Stabilizers & sway bars
Reply #54 –
Genze,

The great thing about Lazy Daze is the quality first and foremost. After that it's LDO.

When it comes to aftermarket tweaks, the fine folks here have an abundance of experience. We are a very proud group as I'm sure you have discovered.

The old adage (yeah another one)-Ask and you shall receive. Most of the corrective measures done to the LD's here, it appears, have been done to rigs that have added a few miles to their belts. Sway bars and such may be the exception.

I've driven fewer that 6,000 miles in my new RB and have no complaints whatsoever. That being said others minds may very.

To me, 27' is the perfect length. Roomy enough for several travelers but intimate enough for me and my dear wife. The rig handles like a dream. I'm never fatigued after as many as twelve hours with only short breaks in between. My sedan wears on me more after that many miles and it's a sweet ride.

Anyway that's just me. Smile a bit. Join in with us friendly folk and poke around the forum. You will soon find there are fewer complaints about LD's than you might imagine. You must be anxious to climb in one after a Spinter.

Just sayin'

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Steer Safe Stabilizers & sway bars
Reply #55 –
"Is there one particular size or model that seems to drive better than the others without any mods. For example, do the
shorter 24' units have less sway maybe because of the weight and maybe less rear overhang?"
---
My LD is a 2003 23.5', so I can't speak to the handling characteristics of the larger LDs, with or without aftermarket modifications. I have opinions (hardly a surprise!  ;) ), but I can only relate my own experiences (and reasons for initial choice) with the smallest rig in the LD line.

The 24' LD has a wheelbase of 158", and the box is pretty well-matched to the chassis; the rear overhang is well within specs, and there is very little sway or tail-wag.

The small rig (E-450, V-10) has far more NCC (or whatever the current term is) available than places to carry stuff! (The gvwr of my rig is 14050; current rigs have 14500.)  I go down the road under 12000, so the rig is far under its max.

I do have Bilsteins, a Safe-T-Plus, and heavy-duty front and rear anti-sway bars (was IPD, now Roadmaster). I did not install any aftermarket items (except the Bilsteins, which were installed before delivery) until I had driven the rig for over 5000 miles on many different roads/road conditions.

The 24' is a versatile size, ample enough for comfortable living and traveling for one person or two "compatible" people. It goes/stops/camps/parks/turns just about anywhere; almost all "fit" limitations are due to its width, not its length, and all LDs are the same in that respect. (Disclaimer: I travel solo with a medium-sized dog; it's a push on who takes up more space.)

LD makes fewer 24s than any other size/model, AFAIK, which is one reason why "newer" 24s (2003 and after E-450 V-10s) are seldom on the market.

The small rig works for me; if I were to order a new LD (not happening), I'd get another 24'.

YMMV.

Joan













2003 TK has a new home
Re: Steer Safe Stabilizers & sway bars
Reply #56 –
I called and they have a 27 mid bath on the floor to look at.

I think i will go and look and drive next week.

One of the big problems that I'm sure your all aware of is that they are very backed up with orders.

They said about 9 to 12 months till delivery. I hate to waste a year waiting to start traveling. But i'm sure
all of you that ordered new had to practice patience.

Regards
Re: Steer Safe Stabilizers & sway bars
Reply #57 –
Genze,

14 months from deposit to delivery for us. That was 2014 to 2015 and beyond. Patience? Gave me time to make friends and learn a few things.

As always, seeing is believing (another adage? Yikes!) try to see as many as you can prior to dropping the dime
'cause it's a sizable dime.

Good luck,

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Steer Safe Stabilizers & sway bars
Reply #58 –
Quote from: Ross and Beverly Taylor  - 
Many of the Class A gas rigs are offering Sumo Springs for better stabilization.  Has anyone installed these on their LD?

While reading past posts, the above topic was discussed. Unless I missed the answer, I could not find a response to this question.
Sam
Re: Steer Safe Stabilizers & sway bars
Reply #59 –
Here are links to four products which you might want to research:

SteerSafe.com

Safe T Plus Steering Control / RV & Truck Steering Stabilizer

https://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/bilstein-steering-stabilizer.cfm

SumoSprings® by SuperSprings® International, Inc.

Some owners have no aftermarket steering or "shock" installations; they are satisfied with the tracking and handling of the LD as is. Others have installed steering stabilizers and/or aftermarket shocks and/or anti-sway bars on the front and rear of their LDs. Whether to add one or more of these products is a personal decision, and making the right choices involves doing all the research.

One comment on the Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer; understand that installing this stabilizer requires removing the OEM Ford stabilizer connections. The Safe-t-Plus uses proprietary connections; as far as I know, the Ford stabilizer connections can't be retro-fitted if they are removed.

I had a Safe-T-Plus installed on my 2003 after about 5000 miles of travel on all sorts of roads because I did not like the feel of the Ford "bump steer". The product has generally worked as advertised, but it requires more frequent adjustment to maintain a "straight line" than I think it should. At the time I installed the Safe-T-Plus, the Bilstein steering stabilizer (using the Ford OEM connections) was not available; that steering stabilizer would be my choice now.

As always, YYMV.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Steer Safe Stabilizers & sway bars
Reply #60 –

Hi Joan

Is this the Bilstein Steering Stabilizer you were referring to?

Amazon.com: Bilstein 24-174534 B8 5100 Steering Damper Front B8 5100...

And do you have a specific reason that you would choose this vs. the other?

I am considering the install, and value your opinion.

Cheers!

Tony R (aka codefour)

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Tony R
2010 LD RB - Sold to another happy LD Family
Re: Steer Safe Stabilizers & sway bars
Reply #61 –
The Bilstein steering damper is the B8-5100; this is the model for my 2003 - if the original brackets were still there! Check for application for your model year. The dampers are available from Summit Racing, Rock Auto, and a few other sources in addition to Amazon. Larry W. has a Bilstein steering damper installed on his 2003 FL; maybe he will provide his experience with this damper.

More Information for BILSTEIN 24174534
2003 TK has a new home
 
Re: Steer Safe Stabilizers & sway bars
Reply #62 –
A bit of personal opinion - When my rig was new, I had Henderson Line-up evaluate it.  Weighing all 4 corners, they found that the rear wheels matched, and the front wheels were 50 lbs. heavier on the right - nearly perfect balance.  They found no need for any add-ons, nor have I ever felt the need for such.  In those early days, I had my Michelin tires set at 65 front and 70 rear, per the tire manufacturer's recommendation, however each was based on a 5 psi range, using the lower value.  There was some drift, particularly if a big rig passed me at highway speeds.  Through experimentation I found that if I raised the tire pressures to 70 and 75, that drift disappeared.

My '08 MB has been used full time since November, 2008, it has nearly 90,000 miles on it, and the only steering or suspension modification I have done was, a few years ago, I replaced the factory shocks.  I wanted Bilsteins, but they were back ordered.  I went with Koni shocks.  I did notice some improvement with the Konis, but that would be expected when replacing any worn set of shocks.

I have decided that 1) I do not know more about steering, suspension and handling that the Ford engineers, 2) the most critical factor in good handling is getting your rig balanced side to side, and 3) a well balanced, well maintained LD probably does not need any after market handling add-ons. 

I am not suggesting that adding control enhancing components such as sway bars, steering stabilizers and so on, is wrong or a bad thing.  It is a matter of personal choice.  I simply believe they are usually not necessary.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB