Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-22-2012, 01:54 AM   #1
2012 Solera
 
JamesR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Hayden Idaho
Posts: 117
Sway bar confusion

I just finished my first 600 mi trip and became aware of how much the wind can sway the Solera; Driving can be rough if its blowing. So i'm thinking a rear sway bar must be the way to go. (didn't see one on my rig?)

the trouble is I can't seem to find what fits.

I'm not sure what Mercedes Sprinter model the 2012 Solera is based on?

I see a sway bar from the Sprinter store that applies to a 3500 model sells for $700 - Yikes!

Can't tell if any other manufacture, like Hellwig, makes something that works. They refer to a 2007 - 2011 Dodge Sprinter 2500 that sells for $162, big difference!

So what sway bar goes on the 2012 Solera. or does one exist? I'm confused.

As a side light, the Mercedes site refers to a type of stabilizer that is supposed to address sway. Wonder if that is included on the Solera? if so, it's a weak solution.
JamesR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2012, 04:08 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
papap's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southwest Louisiana
Posts: 747
I know my solera is on a 3500 frame.
__________________
2016 Forester 3171DS
Work 28 and 28 around the world.
Camp every chance we get

papap is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2012, 05:34 PM   #3
2012 Solera
 
JamesR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Hayden Idaho
Posts: 117
Found one.

I got this reply from a Hellwig tech:

The 2012 sprinter 3500 sway bar part # is for the rear is 7254 1 1/2.

Thanks Kevin.

RV Sway Bars | Hellwig Products

Did a price check: 150$.
JamesR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2012, 01:37 PM   #4
2018 FR3 30DS
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 180
2011 Solera...I had an antisway bar installed at Campingworld. It is made by Roadmaster. Don't remember the part number. They had to look it up to order it and it was expensive...total cost almost 1000 $$ but worth it. The bar fits in front of the rear axle.
I am not affiliated w/Camping World...
Slow_movin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2012, 03:49 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 313
If it has dual rear wheels ist a 3500
__________________
~Andrew
99 F250 Super Cab Short Bed 7.3 Powerstroke
84 24' Yellowstone Camino (oldie)

https://rvpdi.com
Acableguy06 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2012, 11:34 AM   #6
2012 Solera
 
JamesR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Hayden Idaho
Posts: 117
Sway bar update:

Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesR View Post
I just finished my first 600 mi trip and became aware of how much the wind can sway the Solera; Driving can be rough if its blowing. So i'm thinking a rear sway bar must be the way to go. (didn't see one on my rig?)

the trouble is I can't seem to find what fits.

I'm not sure what Mercedes Sprinter model the 2012 Solera is based on?

I see a sway bar from the Sprinter store that applies to a 3500 model sells for $700 - Yikes!

Can't tell if any other manufacture, like Hellwig, makes something that works. They refer to a 2007 - 2011 Dodge Sprinter 2500 that sells for $162, big difference!

So what sway bar goes on the 2012 Solera. or does one exist? I'm confused.

As a side light, the Mercedes site refers to a type of stabilizer that is supposed to address sway. Wonder if that is included on the Solera? if so, it's a weak solution.
I have a little more clarity on my sway bar confusion; There is a sway bar on my 2012 Solera; at the back of the rear axle. I was looking fro the forward-pointing version in the front of the rear axle. I believe this is the one that previous threads were talking about. DUHHHH. Any way, I ordered a Hellwig replacement for the factory's rear sway bar that is supposed to improve the handling. This is a 4140 steel that I guess will stiffen the flex response?
I'll let you know....

Road Master #1209-131 approx: 600$
Attached Images
 
JamesR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2012, 11:46 AM   #7
2012 Solera
 
JamesR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Hayden Idaho
Posts: 117
Thanks for the input. I saw that the Sprinter Store had a auxiliary forward-point version for 2011 but not 2012. The price was around $700; The original factory sway bar is left on at the back of the rear axle. I checked on road master and did see a 2012 Dodge Sprinter 3500 Aux sway bar PN: 1209-131.
JamesR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2012, 12:13 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
papap's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southwest Louisiana
Posts: 747
I bought mine used with 4000 miles. It has a sway bar on it. I guess the guy that bought it new had it install. Not sure what brand or made it is. Going to crawl under it to see if I can find a name on it.
__________________
2016 Forester 3171DS
Work 28 and 28 around the world.
Camp every chance we get

papap is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2012, 12:33 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
papap's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southwest Louisiana
Posts: 747
Just found this one searching web. Sounds to cheap. 2008-2011 Dodge Sprinter 3500 Van - REAR Sway Bar (1 1/2 diameter) - 7254 | $149.95
__________________
2016 Forester 3171DS
Work 28 and 28 around the world.
Camp every chance we get

papap is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2012, 11:29 PM   #10
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 4
I just installed the Helwig on a 2012 today. Easy replacement of the stock one, a total of about 30 minutes to install. Drove around the neighborhood and it seemed better, but a longer trip this weekend will be a more reasonable trial. A fair amount thicker then the stock sway bar.

FlyMax is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2012, 05:51 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
papap's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southwest Louisiana
Posts: 747
Flymax. Mine sharing where you bought bars?
__________________
2016 Forester 3171DS
Work 28 and 28 around the world.
Camp every chance we get

papap is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2012, 09:56 PM   #12
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 4
I bought it at Off Road Warehouse, only after it got here did I discover it on Amazon for less-
Amazon.com: Hellwig 7254 Rear Sway Bar: Automotive
FlyMax is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-14-2012, 12:40 AM   #13
2012 Solera
 
JamesR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Hayden Idaho
Posts: 117
good info on sway bar

Pulled this info off another Sprinter forum: Sprinter - Sprinter-Forum

"While two rear sway bars does a great job controlling the vehicle from side winds or a truck passing, it has a negative effect when crossing dips or speed bumps at an angle. You will get a lot more side to side rocking.

Ideally, you want independent rear suspension. In other words, when you hit a bump with the right rear tire, it shouldn't energize the left rear suspension. But it does. The sway bar couples the suspension. In other words, it provides positive feedback to the other wheel. The stiffer the bar, the greater the coupling. As the right wheel suspension compresses (from going over a bump), the left wheel suspension expands. You're now set up for lots of rocking because the sway bar continues to provide feedback long after you passed the bump.

The resonance frequency of the suspension is about 1 Hz. That means if the second rear wheel hits the speed bump a half second later, you're energizing the suspension at its resonance. You can expect extreme rocking.

There's tradeoffs when considering the stiffness of a sway bar. There is a reason no production vehicle has 2 sway bars"
JamesR is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:51 AM.