Just left Safe-T-Plus. Install went very well. Carmen is very happy with the way the coach tracks on the road. Everyone at Safe-T-Plus was very nice and helpful. Our technician Barry was the best. I'm glad I had them install it instead of doing it on my self.
Happy customers,
Carmen and John
John. What does the safety plus system do for the coach. I'm guessing it's a steering thing and where did you get it done at ?
Safety Plus helps you with keeping the coach tracking in a straight line. Reduces driving fatigue. Also, in the event of a blowout it helps keep the coach in a straight line. If you go to the fatory, installation is free and worth it.
John M.
Safe T Plus Steering Control / RV & Truck Steering Stabilizer (http://www.safe-t-plus.com/)
John,
Do you mind share a ballpark cost?
John If I may ask what tires and pressure are you running?
Love ours. It made a noticeable difference.
It was $702 and some change out the door. If you buy it from a separate dealer you have to pay installation.
John M.
Bob,
We have the Michelin XZA3+ and run 110 psi in the front and 100 in the rears. I've been wanting to get the coach weighed so I can have a better idea of the weight distribution at every corner.
John M.
John, when you hit a major bump in the road, do you feel like the coach has bottomed out? At least hit very hard? We had that issue and spoke to Derick at MOT and they recommend 95 in the fronts and 90 across the duals. Coach rode so much better on dips and bumps after that. We still need to get the coach weighed, since we are full time and have it loaded with stuff! lol
John are your tires "g" load rated or "h"?
Joe,
We did have those pressures and it did feel better driving. Before taking off to Florida I changed the pressures using the Michelin charts and the ride feels very stiff and hard. The only difference from yours was that I had 90 in the front and 85 on the duals. Will try your pressures and see how it rides. We don't full time so we don't have it overloaded.
Thanks for the info,
John M.
John- In my opinion, good investment.
We had the Safe-T-Plus installed on our Foretravel at the FMCA rally in Minot several months ago. Install went well, the guys came up from Atlanta. Said, anytime we were passing through, stop by - they will check the unit and calibrate if needed. Free camping too.
I like the change in how the coach tracks, took about a 100 miles for muscle memory to reset, feels very stable now. I run about the same tire pressures, we have a hard ride over bumps. I need to get the coach weighed, so I can more correctly dial back tire air pressure.
I do have some issues with the Shepard Steering box as I always had to over correct, back and forth... Currently we are in Houston getting the Sheppard Steering box rebuilt by Chalk Truck Parts here. Rudy Legget set me up with a great shop, (thank you Rudy!). This should fix my underlaying steering issues.
We pick the coach up tomorrow, and expecting a much more steady tracking U320...
Jeff
Bob,
We are currently on the road. Will check when we stop. Don't know where to look on the tire.
John M.
It's on the side of the tire.
Jeff, you may have some play in the universal joints in the steering column linkage. Another place to check. Chalk did a fine job on our steering box two plus years ago. Still clean and dry.
We are very pleased with our Safe-T-Plus too, but hope to never reap the full benefit of it in a front end blow out. Our coach has always tracked well, but the safety plus has reduced the continual minor adjustments required while piloting, subsequently reducing driver fatigue. I don't regret the investment at all! Hope you enjoys yours too!
Hi Roger, The u-joint I was aware of. The best I could tell it seemed solid, no play. No leaks on the box, just a lot of play in the steering wheel. While I was at the Minot ND event, we were fortunate to meet Richard Henderson from Henderson Lineup. He and his team crawled around under the coach and his conclusion was my symptoms were likely a tired M100 steering box.
So, picked up the coach late this afternoon. We made it almost to the Louisiana border on I-10, Foretravel steers like new now! I really like the improvement, I can look at some scenery now as I'm driving... Safe-T-Plus keeps the tension on, plus the added safety benefit for a blowout, which I hope I NEVER experience!
Jeff
John that's good for being able to reduce your tire pressures for a better ride.
We are at 97 front 87 rear. You weigh less. I would reduce yours to the 97/87 we run.
You might be able to run a bit less per Michelin's chart depending on a weighing
I might need to get one.
My coach started pulling to the right while in Alaska. I drove home and my mechanic says everything looks good.
I know the tire pressures are good. I had the alignment done at FOT. The tires look good.
Next week my mechanic is going to change the rear brake pads, like he did the fronts a month ago. I'll have him check for dragging brakes (I can hear one occasionally dragging now), and I'll have him check for binding wheel bearings (Bubba at FOT did add oil to the front left).
If nothing can be found, I guess I'll add a band aid.
Tom,
If everything checks out mechanically, next (inexpensive) step is to rotate front tires (right to left/left to right. This often cures a pulling.
If doing a front end alignment, verify that caster on right side is around .75 more than left.
Tom. Is your bus the IFS version or straight axle with king pins ?
Don't think it will correct your problem. Is your coach straight front axle or IFS?
Straight axle.
Tom,
1. Did this happen all at once or over a period of time?
2. Was this done after you returned from Alaska?
Mike
I first noticed the pull when in Alaska. I'd say all at once.
Tom,
With it happening all at once have someone check the caster shims to see if one has came out or has loosened up due to the road conditions.
Mike
Here are the alignment specs as given to me over the phone by James T a few years ago, and the printout from FOT.
The caster was .11" more on the right than the left both going in and after alignment. The tow in was reduced from .28 L, .57 R (total .85) to .38 L, .28R (total .28). On the rear axle, thrust angle was .06 before alignment, .01 after.
All in all, I'd say the pull to the right is no better, possibly a bit worse after this alignment. And they apparently didn't road test.
Sounds like I wasted money having FOT do the alignment.
Tom what tires are you running?
Are you still in Tx? Might be worth a trip back to FOT since the issues isn't fixed.
How is this possible on a straight axle? Individual wheel toe in measurements? Something bent?
If you did originally have a total of .85" toe in, I'd strongly suspect odd tire wear, possibly contributing to the pull.
current model Michelin, a bit over a year old
I think the steering wheel is not centered, that is where the individual toe ins comes from.
Here is my imperfect understanding. I hope other, more knowledgeable folks will correct if I've misstated.
That's true only on IFS front ends. The straight axle is inherently self centering, in other words no matter how much or how little toe in there is it is equally distributed between the two front wheels.
If your steering wheel is not centered then the linkage between it and the steering gear is not set properly....or you might have an issue with the steering gear. Or a damaged part somewhere in the chain. You don't by any chance already have a steering stabilizer installed?
I'd suggest another visit to a big truck alignment place, and thoroughly discuss what's going on with them prior to commencing work. Might also show them the printout from last alignment. Don't feel bad....I went through two alignments as well.
I would add checking the wheel bearings in the process of elimination
And dog tracking
There are a few inputs for a pull on a straight axle bus. Swap the front tires first ... Esp if the symptom happened all at once.
Total toe should be between 1/8 and 3/8 in. The toe should not make or reduce a pull .
A off center steering wheel may get into the self center part of the steering gear. , resulting in the box trying to center itself .
A bent drag link would set the wheel off center.
A shifted axle on the trailing arms would do the same .
Tires are the most common pull input.
Swap the front tires .
A bumped rear air bag ride height valve may tip the bus enough to add camber/load and make a small pull. Is the bus level?
A shifted rear axle will off set the steering wheel and may add pull. Have some one follow you.
Drive the bus a few miles, feel both front tires, hubs,, brakes, for even heat.
Based on the alignment results, Tim fairly certain the front/rear axles are parallel to each other and the ride height is correct on each corner
I'm taking it to my mechanic on Monday, I'll show him your suggestions.
My mechanic might have found it. Both rear brakes were likely dragging. He is replacing both sides' pads and rotors. The left looks especially chewed up. I should be able to take photos when I get it back.
I know it's been a long time, but I want you to know my problem went away after my mechanic recentered the steering wheel.