Does the 3051S need upgraded anti sway bar?

[13STL]

I am curious to see how many Forester owners feel the need to upgrade the suspension or anti sway bar. Thanks for your response.

[Boris]

I am currently scheduled to have a weight distribution/sway bar installed for my R-Pod 180...hoping for smoother sailing.

[KJcachers]

Originally Posted by Boris

I am currently scheduled to have a weight distribution/sway bar installed for my R-Pod 180...hoping for smoother sailing.

This has nothing to do with Sway bars on a Class C motorhome.

[wana65stang]

The jury is still out on replacing my sway bars, but I can tell you that the front alignment is a must!!

[vajeep]

Getting an alignment tomorrow on our 3171, and I'm fairly convinced I'll do sway bars and probably shocks before summer gets here. Since we got the rig in January I've done trips to Daytona and Charleston SC (from VA)- over 3k miles. The ride isn't *that* bad, but it's floaty (hoping alignment will resolve) and feels more at the mercy of wind and passing semis than Id like (sway bars). A bit more bouncy than it should be too, especially hitting bumps at speed on the interstate. (Shocks)

[benagi]

Originally Posted by vajeep

Getting an alignment tomorrow on our 3171, and I'm fairly convinced I'll do sway bars and probably shocks before summer gets here. Since we got the rig in January I've done trips to Daytona and Charleston SC (from VA)- over 3k miles. The ride isn't *that* bad, but it's floaty (hoping alignment will resolve) and feels more at the mercy of wind and passing semis than Id like (sway bars). A bit more bouncy than it should be too, especially hitting bumps at speed on the interstate. (Shocks)

X2

[Creativepart]

I'm not unhappy with the drivability on my 3051, but I do wonder if I'm missing out on something without those mods. Trouble there is no way to know without spending the money.

[KJcachers]

Originally Posted by Creativepart

I'm not unhappy with the drivability on my 3051, but I do wonder if I'm missing out on something without those mods. Trouble there is no way to know without spending the money.

x2 I'll wait until I get other priorities worked out first. Like a Toad! 😄

[mkekflyers]

I'm noticing front end floating more now that I've got the TOAD on...not too sure why, was running in Amish country on state highway that is used by countless buggy & horse combinations plus tons of semi rigs. Was attributing some of it to uneven or grooved blacktop, didn't experience it near as pronounced on the interstate a few miles later.. Bit confusing, at some points it was a handful, almost felt like tires going down, but they're fine....

[monte]

2015 3051S w/2014 Ford chassis. Have driven over 20,000 miles covering Fl, upstate NY to Colorado and beyond with no problems with ride or handling. Air bags at 70psi, rear tires at 80 front tires at 70. I would drive it for awhile before doing antisway. I have owned 2 class A and 2 class C's and this is as good as any. Just my opinion.

[BIKERMHA]

We have a new Forester 3051S with 5,000 miles.
2,500 without suspension changes.
2,500 with new sway bar, trac bar and front steering stabilizer.
The difference is night and day.
We pull a 14' enclosed aluminum cargo trailer with two Honda Gold Wings. Total weight of trailer and bikes is 4,500.
Without the suspension changes getting passed, in either direction, by semis was... let's just interesting. Lots of rock and roll.
I would say 80 - 90 percent is now eliminated.
The steering stabilizer makes it much easier to keep it going in a straight line. Very little correcting the steering wheel as you go down the road.
We travel mostly state highways which often are rather narrow. These changes makes it much more enjoyable to cruise down the road.
Hope this helps you in making your decision about improvements.

[rapiniii]

Definitely need some thing. Michigan roads are like driving a a buckboard. Shocks, something, please.

[BIKERMHA]

Originally Posted by rapiniii

Definitely need some thing. Michigan roads are like driving a a buckboard. Shocks, something, please.

The additions we made were by no means cheap....$2,200. But the improvement they made has been well worth the expense. If you are constantly fighting the steering, rocking and rolling all over the road, it soon becomes a 'task' rather than a pleasure to be driving.

[monte]

I would think that the difference in my ride and BIKERMHA is that I am towing a 2600 pound Kia Soul and he is towing a 4500 lb box. Very big difference.

[13STL]

Thanks for all of your responses. We will be picking up the 3051 very soon. I will get a feel for it driving it home to PA from Michigan. For now, it should be fine. In the future, we will be in the same position as bikermha with the 14' trailer and two Spyders....I guess we will see.

[mkekflyers]

monte - I had my bags up to about 60 & rear tires @ 80, front @ 75, empty tanks but 3/4 fuel and thought the house was gonna come off the chassis..you running heavy tanks?

[monte]

mkekflyers, I usually travel with full down to 1/4 fuel, try not to get below 1/4. Normally travel with black/gray tanks near empty and fresh water at 1/3rd. Usually at campgrounds for days at each stop so dump before travel. The set up that I have works for me pretty much through all parameters.

[13STL]

monte, I will try your set up on the way home. Thanks!

[mkekflyers]

We're heading out to local CG next weekend, will tweak pressures & put some fresh water in since I hope we're past any freezing :-) I wanted to wait for warmer weather, so I'll see what your config works like...any of you guys going to Frankenmuth & Goshen? Gotta get some Crazy Classy C's together...

[13STL]

We were too late for the rallies. They were full when we tried to register. We will definitely go next year. We will either be going to the Ohio or Maine rally in the Fall.