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Topic: Degree of Wheel Cut? - U225 or U240 (Read 1144 times) previous topic - next topic

Degree of Wheel Cut? - U225 or U240

Does anyone happen to know the Degree of Wheel Cut for a '94 U225?  Would think the U240 would be the same.  45, 50, or higher?
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Degree of Wheel Cut? - U225 or U240

Reply #1 –
Pat,

Never seen a published spec on that.  My guess would be approximately 40 degrees.

And I have seen several where the cut angles were NOT set to the maximum.  Maximum is dictated by there still being a small clearance between the knuckle and the axle stop.  It is adjusted with the two small screws top and bottom on the Sheppard M100 box.

Crawl under and have someone else turn the steering hard over in each direction while you look to see if you have clearance.  You will need to download the axle manual for your Rockwell axle from Meritor who bought Rockwell as well as the Sheppard manual on the steering box. 

This is not a high-tech procedure, but clearance to the stop is critical.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Degree of Wheel Cut? - U225 or U240

Reply #2 –
The LazyDays RV Driver Confidence Course: Part 5 - Better RVing is the reason for asking.  Seems that I can handle a tractor trailer with a 45 foot, 102 wide tanker behind me going around corners just  fine, even in the intercity enviroment (Grant St. in the downtown area of Buffalo, if anyone know the area).  But a motorhome is another thing.  Completely different, and I find myself driving it like I have never driven anything big before.  Now I have not ran over anything yet, but I look like I just heard  Red Sovine singing that song,  "GIVE ME 40 ACRES (TO TURN THIS RIG AROUND)".  Been driving since 1962 or 63, and this makes me feel like a newbie driver :o!  I'd rather pull around a set of Michigan flat bed doubles, cause they will follow you anywhere.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Degree of Wheel Cut? - U225 or U240

Reply #3 –
Quote from: PatC

Does anyone happen to know the Degree of Wheel Cut for a '94 U225? Would think the U240 would be the same. 45, 50, or higher?

55 degrees on my 2003 but I think it is the same for most Foretravels Chassis excluding IFS models. It's a BIG turning radius.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Degree of Wheel Cut? - U225 or U240

Reply #4 –
According to Foretravel in their Monthly Newsletter of January 2011 coaches equipped with solid front axle and four air bags is 38 degrees and with Independent Front Suspension (IFS), and two air bags, it is 54 degree turning radius.
Jon Ohman
2001 U320 36'
Build #5809

Re: Degree of Wheel Cut? - U225 or U240

Reply #5 –
Quote from: sam7 –
According to Foretravel in their Monthly Newsletter of January 2011 coaches equipped with solid front axle and four air bags is 38 degrees and with Independent Front Suspension (IFS), and two air bags, it is 54 degree turning radius.

oops,
38 degrees is what mine is.
I read the protractor incorrect. :o
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Degree of Wheel Cut? - U225 or U240

Reply #6 –
Wow.  54 degrees sounds great, but I'd much rather have the two extra air bags.  We've made it this far with a 38 degree turning radius.  One time when our Garmin got us lost I did a U-turn on a lonely 4-lane highway and I almost ran out of pavement.  Whew.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Degree of Wheel Cut? - U225 or U240

Reply #7 –
Vehicles with tag axles don't do well with extreme wheel cut angles...too much stress on the tag axle and severe scrubbing if the tag axle tires.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Degree of Wheel Cut? - U225 or U240

Reply #8 –
Quote
Vehicles with tag axles don't do well with extreme wheel cut angles...too much stress on the tag axle and severe scrubbing if the tag axle tires.
That's exactly why they make lifting tag axles.  Not all manufactures add this important feature.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho
 

Re: Degree of Wheel Cut? - U225 or U240

Reply #9 –
George,
Although there are two air bags and two shocks on the IFS the shocks are noticeably larger, the bolt nuts are 1 1/2" instead of 1 1/8", and the HWH, series 680, is a "Active Air System" that is to significantly duplicate the ride and handling of a solid front axle. So says Foretravel.
I've have only driven one Foretravel. Mine. I would like to drive a solid axle one for comparison and see for myself. So if I see you on the rode maybe we could swap.
Jon Ohman
2001 U320 36'
Build #5809