First trip

[Reddog15]

Hello all. My wife and I and the two dogs did our first trip this weekend to Point of Rocks in Prescott AZ with our recently purchased used Sunseeker 2450. The trip went well but of course had a few small observations/problems about which I have some questions.

Is it normal for an RV to be rather floaty feeling and wandering on the road a fair amount? Nothing dangerous but it took some work to keep it reigned in.

Most of the exterior plastic bits are weather aged and cracking/broken. I assume that this is a normal consequence of being out in the elements. Are these parts relatively easy to find?

Thanks for any advice!

[Terier]

Originally Posted by Reddog15

Hello all. My wife and I and the two dogs did our first trip this weekend to Point of Rocks in Prescott AZ with our recently purchased used Sunseeker 2450. The trip went well but of course had a few small observations/problems about which I have some questions.

Is it normal for an RV to be rather floaty feeling and wandering on the road a fair amount? Nothing dangerous but it took some work to keep it reigned in.

Most of the exterior plastic bits are weather aged and cracking/broken. I assume that this is a normal consequence of being out in the elements. Are these parts relatively easy to find?

Thanks for any advice!

When towing I don't even feel the trailer behind me. We would need to know more about your setup.

I did replace some of the plastic pieces when mine became yellowed from the sun like the door window frame and storage bay door clips. Which pieces are you referring to?

[Reddog15]

It's a class C sunseeker 2450. The plastic pieces are things like a little turn lock latch for the water heater hatch and the door holder and the exterior grab handle. After some research these pieces look commonly available. Sorry, total camper noob here...

[DaGrinch]

Originally Posted by Reddog15

Is it normal for an RV to be rather floaty feeling and wandering on the road a fair amount? Nothing dangerous but it took some work to keep it reigned in.

Thanks for any advice!

Did you have anything on the back of the Sunseeker - like bikes or a platform carrier? If you had that "floaty" feeling, sounds to me like the weight distribution in the Class C had more weight behind the rear axle. Maybe full black/gray tanks?

[Reddog15]

Perhaps floaty feeling was a bad choice of words. I think what I felt was probably normal for a vehicle of such size as well as driving in some considerable wind...We had nothing attached to the back and the tanks were empty except maybe some in the fresh water tank.

[jst3]

Check your tire pressures. They may be a little low. That will cause the floaty or wandering feeling you are describing.

The other possible cure for that problem is a front end alignment.

These are big units and do tend to wander a little so it's hard to say how bad it really is without comparing to another. You might go test drive another one from a dealer lot to compare.

[Mike & Molly]

Try this on your next trip.
Front tires inflated to 75 lbs. (cold)
Rear tires inflated to 80 lbs. (cold)
Rear air bags inflated to 60 - 80 lbs. ( I use 70lbs.)
Many rigs can use front & or rear stabilizer bars installed if the ride is really bad. Also - how old are the shocks? If more than 50,000 miles on them they are probably worn out.
Good Luck.

[Reddog15]

Originally Posted by Mike & Molly

Try this on your next trip.
Front tires inflated to 75 lbs. (cold)
Rear tires inflated to 80 lbs. (cold)
Rear air bags inflated to 60 - 80 lbs. ( I use 70lbs.)
Many rigs can use front & or rear stabilizer bars installed if the ride is really bad. Also - how old are the shocks? If more than 50,000 miles on them they are probably worn out.
Good Luck.

Thanks for the advice, I'll try that out. The MH has just 13K miles.

[MrJoe]

Mike & Molly's suggestion is how I have mine setup. I found that mine drifts around in the wind, too. I doubt there is much of a fix because of it's height and being a "sail". Normally mine handles great, but it's a different story in 30+ mph side winds.

[MikeRP]

Mine handles great with the exact setup mentioned above.

[Reddog15]

Originally Posted by MikeRP

Mine handles great with the exact setup mentioned above.

Can't wait for the next trip to try that setup out.

[Reddog15]

Second trip completed and with the tires inflated as suggested the rig drove much better! It was actually a joy to drive this time. Thanks for all of the helpful hints.

[LittlePM]

Don't forget there is also what they call the sweet spot for your speed as well, ours handles the best about 65 mph.

[Reddog15]

Originally Posted by LittlePM

Don't forget there is also what they call the sweet spot for your speed as well, ours handles the best about 65 mph.

I also have found 65 to be a good speed.

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[Garrette]

Search this site for alignment. Your unit probably needs a front end alignment to the specs posted by Bclemans.

[Reddog15]

Garrette, it actually seems to track really well with the correct tire pressures, hands off on a smooth road.

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[Garrette]

That is great my 3170 is getting a little drifty. 6000k. Will have the alignment checked soon. Happy travels

[martsunseeker]

My 2450s had the same uncomfortable floaty feeling specially with crosswind. I've installed a safe-t-plus (steering control) http://www.safe-t-plus.com.

It's now drives much more straight and firmly, I find it more easy to drive and I don't fell the effect of crosswind or semi truck passing me.

For me it was day and night in terms driving experienced. Also my unit was new (2014) it needed to be realigned.

Martin

[Reddog15]

Originally Posted by martsunseeker

My 2450s had the same uncomfortable floaty feeling specially with crosswind. I've installed a safe-t-plus (steering control) The Steering Control Specialists | Safe-T-Plus Blog | Helping motorists' vehicles steer safer, less, and with peace of mind..

It's now drives much more straight and firmly, I find it more easy to drive and I don't fell the effect of crosswind or semi truck passing me.

For me it was day and night in terms driving experienced. Also my unit was new (2014) it needed to be realigned.

Martin

Is this installed in addition to the stock steering stabilizer or is it a replacement?

Thanks.

[martsunseeker]

In addition, it's a simple installation, you can find several video on you- tube