2014 Solera 24 R Handling

[Nats]

There are also a lot of good apps available today if you have a smartphone or a tablet, information is constantly updated so most of the time it is current.

Allstays is one that you should take a look at.

I also use an app called bubble level on my iphone for leveling. Sanidumps and Gas Buddy apps are also very useful.

[Mikegjax]

I have put nearly 5000 miles on my 24R and I find it handles very well. There is some semi push when being passed, but I expect that when driving something with sides as large as some barn doors. The heaver sway bar would probably improve the push, as some have mentioned.

[Signmom]

Thanks. Nats I suspect the Sanidumps app would be very very useful especially when dry camping a lot!

[roberto]

Love our 2013 24s ! Handles great. We did install hellwig sway bar when we first got it. Not sure we even needed it.

[Sandiegodoug]

We put that thick sway bar on and my wife complains I drive to fast around corners. The sprinterstore in Oregon has other suspension upgrades to improve handling .

[mckirby50]

We love our 24S, have nearly 12,000 miles on it, we've pulled our boat, or jeep wrangler to the mountains of Colorado and beaches of Florida from Oklahoma City. Always windy here, so we installed the sway bar. It helped, but we never thought it unsafe even before! It's a 25' box with 12' sides, not a Porsche Boxster, it's going to catch wind.

[Loefflerh]

I am amazed about that thread....driving motor homes for centuries and I am highly please about the handling characteristics of the Solera!!! No issues at all, and no - I do not see any need to install a swaybar. Got my 24R last year and drove it just shy of 10000 miles, with and without a tow.
Hans

[CaptDan]

Our 2013 Solera 24S has always handled very well when driving it when we bought new. Their was a normal noticeable pulling tendency when passing or being passed by a large truck (18 wheeler, etc.) but very controllable which has been minimized by the addition of the installed hellwig sway bar. It really is a "Joy" to drive. and

"Happy Travels!"

[hkreck]

Got back from our first trip of the season, strong driver's side wind almost the entire trip home 25 MPH with gust of 30-40 MPH. Sure was glad for the Hellwig sway bar. Just remember to concentrate on your driving and don't let things distract you from it. Even with the sway bar I got knocked around a bit.

[steveboise6]

Bill, I had the same experience with handling. Awful sway on gravel roads, driveways, safety bumps and heavy winds. I think the problem results when the Solera box is married to the Mercedes chassis. It needs an after purchase sway bar to remedy the problem.
We just installed the Roadmaster Swaybar #1209-120, recommended by my local Camping World outlet. This made an immediate improvement on handling the sway from the bumps. I have not tested it in the wind yet, but have heard from another local that it took care of the problem. Wind is a big issue here in central Idaho.

It's important to get the right part for your specific Sprinter. Do some homework with the swaybar dealer, either Helwig or Roadmaster, directly so you can be informed when working with the RV mechanic.

[lowandslow]

We have put 40,000 miles on our 2012 Solera 24S. Handling is superb. It has been in all sorts of adverse weather and road conditions. If a Solera handles as bad as some of you are describing, there is something wrong with it. Something is broken. Ours is like driving an overgrown Honda Oddessy minivan.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Forest River Forums mobile app

[Signmom]

Well I have learned so much from this Solera forum!! I posted and received answers and then some....thank you to all who have helped. We have made the decision to present our dealer with an offer on a 24S. It was the first coach I saw and fell in love with and the one that I keep ending up back at after viewing other makes & models. Now to just find the time for DH to go with me (it's his busy season). I am especially glad to have been part of this thread and will have the dealer install a sway bar since I will be driving a lot. The dealership is awesome and I hope to be able to positively contribute to this forum and maybe be able to help someone else like us. Thank you to everyone on this forum!!

[Mikegjax]

Welcome to the Solera family!

[smitty8934]

I just spoke with a salesman yesterday regarding a new Solera and he told me the new 15 was redesigned with a lower profile and wider body to prevent roll. I have not had the chance to physically see one since it's an 8 hour drive to the dealership. I told him I was aware of the complaint via a Forum and he did acknowledge that there was a roll issue. I don't know where you could actually get specs to verify these changes but I am going to start the hunt to find out as we are seriously thinking of purchasing a new unit. I can only repeat what I was told and do not know the validity of this until further researched.

[Ecopco]

I just drove a 2015 Solera 24R over 1200 mi. from Michigan to Louisiana and I can tell you the only problem was the wind. When the wind settled in the evening it was smooth sailing even when passing big rigs. Your experience may be different. I love my 2015.

[bclemens]

I have asked Mercedes on multiple occasions if we could offer the Helwig sway bar from the factory and all we get are "crickets chirping". They're pretty snooty when it comes to us doing anything to their chassis.

[Bill Sullivan]

Originally Posted by Bill Sullivan

I am taking solera to a suspension specialist .

I just had a suspension specialist look at my Solera and he put in up graded rear springs, a Hellwig 7254 rear stabliser bar .$1700.00.The improvement made the world of difference .like from driving a belair to a merecedes. My wife now feels confident driving the RV .It's real stable.

[lowandslow]

I am glad to hear the suspension upgrade helped significantly with the handling problem. Timely post there Bill. I was thinking about your issue yesterday as we just drove from Austin TX to Charlotte NC. I still have no complaints with mine but the input from all of you is quite helpful. Thanks everyone. And Bill, please give us all an update after you put several thousand miles on it and let us know what you think.

[BadBob]

This will be my first post as I just purchased a 24R from DeMartini RV in Grass Valley, CA.
I have owned two class C motorhomes in the past and knew they did not handle like a sports car. When we test drove the Solera on Monday it was very windy. I was amazed at how well the unit handled compared to my past Itasca on the f350 chassis. Maybe things will change once we have it loaded but I was sure happy with my test drive. We will be going back down to the dealer tomorrow to take delivery of our 2014 24R. Have enjoyed reading all the great suggestions and comments here on the forum.
Thank You
BadBob