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Topic: Safe-T-Plus installation (Read 903 times) previous topic - next topic

Safe-T-Plus installation

I received my Safe-T-Plus stabilizer and the appropriate attachment kit but have found the diagram in the instructions to be less than helpful.  Has anyone installed this on their U320 themselves?  I searched the topic, but could not find anything but a lot of discussion, weighing the pros and cons, which isn't  helpful to me at this point.
If anyone has it on their rig (regardless of who installed it), I would really appreciate any photos of the anchor end as well as the steering arm attachment.  Hopefully your coach is similar to my 2000.
I installed this on my old Safari and found it to be a simple job, keeping in mind that there is a difference between "simple" and "easy".

I may end up calling the company, but in the past, I've found members more helpful with these things.
Thanks for any help.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Safe-T-Plus installation

Reply #1 –
The bracket mounts to the axle and the bolt through the small end of the safety plus goes in the hole in the right side arm that the drag link attaches to.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Safe-T-Plus installation

Reply #2 –
I am not sure this picture will help or not, it is from May of 2017, when I had the front brakes inspected, greased the caliper pins with clay based grease, added new pin springs, repacked, replaced front wheel bearings, and aligned front end. 

Picture of my Safe-T-Plus.
Shared album - John Lewis - Google Photos

All was done at Parts | Kaiser Brake Alignment 

97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Safe-T-Plus installation

Reply #3 –
Sven here are som pics of my install
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Safe-T-Plus installation

Reply #4 –
Thanks Chris, this was exactly what I needed and more than I expected.  It should be fairly simple.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Safe-T-Plus installation

Reply #5 –
Sven, the easiest way to set the safety steer once installed is to find a large parking lot or if you have a long straight driveway.
It may take a couple of try's.  Once you are traveling in straight line, stop air up front, block up, then loosen the axle mounting and let the steer shock find center, re-tighten then try again!
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Safe-T-Plus installation

Reply #6 –
Thanks again Chris.  I did the installation today, but had to get ready for the kids (T or T) with candy stand so didn't have a chance to road test.  I did it with my Safari on a long straight away in our neighborhood.  It will be more of a challenge with this coach - the ends of those four bolts are not easy to get at (insets), not to mention the process you related.  I recall having to do it about 3 times with the Safari.  Silver Sharpie will help.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Safe-T-Plus installation

Reply #7 –
Yup, a piece of tape you can put marks on so you can make small adjustments is a big help in doing the final centering.
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: Safe-T-Plus installation

Reply #8 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Yup, a piece of tape you can put marks on so you can make small adjustments is a big help in doing the final centering.
I was thinking about the axle beam for the Sharpie, but tape on the steering wheel and dash will help.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Safe-T-Plus installation

Reply #9 –
I did my install this morning. A couple hours, pretty straight forward (this is my 3rd time putting one on) Chris has good pic's of the install so I won't bother duplicating that but I did a tool lay out and a floor mockup layout. Also pics of my 1/4" wall aluminum safety blocks, they are 12 1/4", could have got away with 12 1/2" but this is plenty.
Tools I used:
1 1/8" wrench, 1 1/18" socket/ratchet
9/16", 5/8",11/16" wrenches
9/16" , 5/8", 11/16" socket/ratchet
brass mallet
wire brushes
You better eat your wheaties...those 3/4" crimped lock-nuts are no joke..
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison

Re: Safe-T-Plus installation

Reply #10 –
I ended up using my Earthquake XT to tighten the bolt with tapered sleeve (couldn't use the black one).  No torque value was given for it.  Have you done the road test and adjustments yet?
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8
 

Re: Safe-T-Plus installation

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Sven and Kristi –
I ended up using my Earthquake XT to tighten the bolt with tapered sleeve (couldn't use the black one).  No torque value was given for it.  Have you done the road test and adjustments yet?

Not yet, but last week when I parked it I worked back and forth a few times to really center it up good and today when I installed it I made sure it was completely unloaded as I tightened it up...if any adjustment is needed it will be small.  I've had problems with thread galling on these crimped locknuts when I use an impact so I did it by hand. We're going on a local beach camping trip the week after next and there will be a couple of good 20mile straight hwy runs to evaluate/tune it.  It's supposed to rain this weekend and I don't feel like pulling the cover off then putting it right back on for just that..
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison