Roadmaster Sway Bars Review

[tailwind22]

So as previously noted I had done the CHF and added a Roadmaster Steering stabilizer to my new GT5 31L5. While these changes made a positive impact I still wanted a more stable ride in windy conditions and when cornering. I installed the sway bars this past weekend. Installation has been well discussed on the forum and my experience was not much different. Used the leveling jacks to raise whatever end I was working on be putting 4" blocks under the wheels (followed proper safety protocol in the process). This increase in space was very helpful. Front was a breeze, about an hour and a half process for me. The front replaces the factory sway bar and the rear adds a much beefier second sway bar to the rear. The Roadmaster bars are larger in diameter and made of a much higher quality steel. The rear installation is a bit more involved and took me about two and a half hours. A bracket that installs on the frame requires the use of the jacks to position around the leaf springs to be able to get an impact wrench on the bolts. This is part of the extra time. When I was finished I reversed the CHF on the rear since I now had the second spring.

Today I drove about 70 miles to a dealer to get the coach in for three minor warranty issues. I was very impressed with the results. Sway is pretty much eliminated and the coach corners like it is on a rail. No increase in the harshness of the ride which is pretty amazing. I am a happy driver and will log some significant miles before thinking about tweaking anything else.

I did a lot of research trying to decide between the Roadmaster bars and Sumo springs. A Forum member that had taken their coach to a RV suspension specialist had recommended the sway bar route to them and their comments to me pushed me toward the bars.

Not sure you could go wrong with the Sumos, plenty of folks are happy with them with similar results. I felt the install on the bars would be more straightforward and was another reason I went that way.

No wanting to stir up further discussion on what is best, just wanted to let folks know that the bars and steering stabilizer got me where I wanted to be.

[Fargo444]

Thanks for the information -- good post to read. I am about to do almost the same thing -- installing Roadmaster part# 1139-148 (front anti-sway bar) and part # 1139-149 (back auxiliary anti-sway bar) and an part# RSSA (steering stabilizer) next week.
Had trouble finding the part# RBK22 (mounting bracket) for the steering control it's on a Roadmaster 2 week back order but a vendor on eBay has 14 of them.
Also right now there is a 30 day back order on the the back bar. UltimateRV happened to have both in stock luckily some others claim it too but make sure they are not just planning on drop shipping from Roadmaster (LOL).
I will report to this thread on my impressions on the ride in a few weeks. If anyone is interested those four parts purchased from Roadmaster in Oregon run about $1750. I was able to reduce that cost about $350 by shopping around.

Thinking maybe next season I'll add in the Sumo springs.

[Fargo444]

Well I got side track and then into end-of-summer stuff and did not get around to these suspension upgrade until last two weeks.

I installed the Roadmaster part# 1139-140 (front anti-sway bar) and part # 1139-149 (back auxiliary anti-sway bar) and an part# RSSA (steering stabilizer). Note if you MH is over 22,000 lbs the front anti-sway bar is different and you need Roadmaster part #1139-148).

I had to shop around for the parts because they were back ordered at the factory but Ultimate RV had both in stock and they were just great to deal with too! If anyone is interested those four parts purchased from Roadmaster in Oregon run about $1750. It was good in the end because I was able to reduce that cost about $350 by shopping around.

The installation was not particularly easy especially the rear ancillary anti-sway bar but I got it done.

Now the assessment. These parts are in my opinion, ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT! The Georgetown drives like an expensive car -- well expensive big truck? Really a big improve4ment! Very stable. Set the steering wheel and there is essentially no wander at all - it just tracks the direction you set. Likewise the ride seems smoother with almost now swaying and more "graceful" too. No increase in stiffness at all as far as I can tell.

Totally pleased with this modification so far -- about 30 miles of highway and interstate driving. I am certain long road trips will be much more comfortable and less draining then before.

[AquaMan]

I did the same thing a couple months ago and have around 700 miles on it. I still have the Reflex steerling stabilizer sitting in the box, but will have it on before spring. The handling is a complete change from stock and worth the expense in my opinion.

[Fargo444]

Originally Posted by AquaMan

I did the same thing a couple months ago and have around 700 miles on it. I still have the Reflex steerling stabilizer sitting in the box, but will have it on before spring. The handling is a complete change from stock and worth the expense in my opinion.

You will be pleased I think at what the steering stabilizer adds -- more than I expected by far. I went with Roadmaster over Safe-T-Plus just because their steering stabilizer is self-adjusting. The Safe-T-Plus system requires driving then adjusting several (maybe many?) times to get it center loaded exactly so the MH does not pull to one side or the other. The Roadmaster RSSA is automatically center loaded with installation. Mine tracked straight as a pin right out of the box.

[paro4life]

Originally Posted by tailwind22

So as previously noted I had done the CHF and added a Roadmaster Steering stabilizer to my new GT5 31L5. While these changes made a positive impact I still wanted a more stable ride in windy conditions and when cornering. I installed the sway bars this past weekend. Installation has been well discussed on the forum and my experience was not much different. Used the leveling jacks to raise whatever end I was working on be putting 4" blocks under the wheels (followed proper safety protocol in the process). This increase in space was very helpful. Front was a breeze, about an hour and a half process for me. The front replaces the factory sway bar and the rear adds a much beefier second sway bar to the rear. The Roadmaster bars are larger in diameter and made of a much higher quality steel. The rear installation is a bit more involved and took me about two and a half hours. A bracket that installs on the frame requires the use of the jacks to position around the leaf springs to be able to get an impact wrench on the bolts. This is part of the extra time. When I was finished I reversed the CHF on the rear since I now had the second spring.

Today I drove about 70 miles to a dealer to get the coach in for three minor warranty issues. I was very impressed with the results. Sway is pretty much eliminated and the coach corners like it is on a rail. No increase in the harshness of the ride which is pretty amazing. I am a happy driver and will log some significant miles before thinking about tweaking anything else.

I did a lot of research trying to decide between the Roadmaster bars and Sumo springs. A Forum member that had taken their coach to a RV suspension specialist had recommended the sway bar route to them and their comments to me pushed me toward the bars.

Not sure you could go wrong with the Sumos, plenty of folks are happy with them with similar results. I felt the install on the bars would be more straightforward and was another reason I went that way.

No wanting to stir up further discussion on what is best, just wanted to let folks know that the bars and steering stabilizer got me where I wanted to be.

What was the part # for the Roadmaster Steering stabilizer? I also have a new 2018 GT5 but the 36b5 model, and I can't seem to find the correct parts application. I've tried etrailer.com, and a few other sites but nothing shows for the model I have.

[Fargo444]

Originally Posted by paro4life

What was the part # for the Roadmaster Steering stabilizer? I also have a new 2018 GT5 but the 36b5 model, and I can't seem to find the correct parts application. I've tried etrailer.com, and a few other sites but nothing shows for the model I have.

That part "number" is: RSSA. So it's not a number at all to be precise. See post #3 above. There is also a bracket which is part: RBK22 that you will probably need.

But I would call Roadmaster (800-669-9690) though becasue perhaps with new models there might be some changes? Roadmaster hours are 5 am to 7 pm PST and they do a good job on customer support.

You could also try UltimateRV -- they are on their toes too. 800-417-4559 (7am to 4 pm PST)

Good luck.

[paro4life]

Cool thanks!

[coffeegrinder]

Originally Posted by paro4life

What was the part # for the Roadmaster Steering stabilizer? I also have a new 2018 GT5 but the 36b5 model, and I can't seem to find the correct parts application. I've tried etrailer.com, and a few other sites but nothing shows for the model I have.

This is great information as I just talked to Roadmaster about the same thing and plan to move forward like you have. I have the same unit you have. How much air are you carrying in your tires and any idea on gas mileage. Thanks

[paro4life]

Since I've only had the RV for less than a month, and only driven it twice don't have much info but I was told run tires @ 90 lbs by the dealer and a few people I know.

[coffeegrinder]

Am having installed today front& rear stabilizers as well as a rear track bar and steering stabilizer. Hope this fixes sway and roll and reduces movement on side wind and 18 wheeler movement

[270S]

Originally Posted by coffeegrinder

Am having installed today front& rear stabilizers as well as a rear track bar and steering stabilizer. Hope this fixes sway and roll and reduces movement on side wind and 18 wheeler movement

I have posted this many times, no one uses search - I did all three!!

1. F&R Sumo springs $950
2. Rear Anti Sway (roll) Bar $600
3. Steering Stabilizer $600
4. Installation Labor $800-1200 or free if yourself

The only reason NOT to is $. All are needed. CHF should be relabeled CNHF. Cheap, Not Handling Fix.

It eliminated 90+% of all handling problems. Now All I need are larger front rotors & calipers!!! LOL

[ds41crane]

Installed Roadmaster steering stabilizer and SuperSteer SS-400 rear track bar in 2016 and Roadmaster front and rear anti-sway bars early 2017, am now extremely pleased with the handling.

[coffeegrinder]

Originally Posted by tailwind22

So as previously noted I had done the CHF and added a Roadmaster Steering stabilizer to my new GT5 31L5. While these changes made a positive impact I still wanted a more stable ride in windy conditions and when cornering. I installed the sway bars this past weekend. Installation has been well discussed on the forum and my experience was not much different. Used the leveling jacks to raise whatever end I was working on be putting 4" blocks under the wheels (followed proper safety protocol in the process). This increase in space was very helpful. Front was a breeze, about an hour and a half process for me. The front replaces the factory sway bar and the rear adds a much beefier second sway bar to the rear. The Roadmaster bars are larger in diameter and made of a much higher quality steel. The rear installation is a bit more involved and took me about two and a half hours. A bracket that installs on the frame requires the use of the jacks to position around the leaf springs to be able to get an impact wrench on the bolts. This is part of the extra time. When I was finished I reversed the CHF on the rear since I now had the second spring.



Today I drove about 70 miles to a dealer to get the coach in for three minor warranty issues. I was very impressed with the results. Sway is pretty much eliminated and the coach corners like it is on a rail. No increase in the harshness of the ride which is pretty amazing. I am a happy driver and will log some significant miles before thinking about tweaking anything else.



I did a lot of research trying to decide between the Roadmaster bars and Sumo springs. A Forum member that had taken their coach to a RV suspension specialist had recommended the sway bar route to them and their comments to me pushed me toward the bars.



Not sure you could go wrong with the Sumos, plenty of folks are happy with them with similar results. I felt the install on the bars would be more straightforward and was another reason I went that way.



No wanting to stir up further discussion on what is best, just wanted to let folks know that the bars and steering stabilizer got me where I wanted to be.

I did what you did to my 2017 but added a rear trac bar. I couldn’t believe the difference. Going on a road trip and will have more info later