Steering Stabilizer

[jeffrim]

Have a 2021 FR3 30DS. Looking into a Roadmaster steering stabilizer to reduce some of the steering issues. Would it be helpful or did the 2021 frame and V8 upgrade include a stabilizer?
Brett??

Happy Camping,
Jeff

[SeaDog]

If you don't know if you have a steering stabilizer crawl under your rig and look it will be easy to see. JMHO

[SR0981]

Hello all,


No, my 2021 30DS with the V8 did not come with a Steering Stabilizer. I had one installed.

[ForestGump34DS]

Originally Posted by SR0981

Hello all,


No, my 2021 30DS with the V8 did not come with a Steering Stabilizer. I had one installed.

Wondering minds would like to know if the steering stabilizer made an improvement in handling ? Big change, little change or no change ?

[jeffrim]

Originally Posted by ForestGump34DS

Wondering minds would like to know if the steering stabilizer made an improvement in handling ? Big change, little change or no change ?

x2 ON DID IT HELP?? Which brand do you install?

Thanks,
Jeff

[SR0981]

Originally Posted by jeffrim

x2 ON DID IT HELP?? Which brand do you install?

Thanks,
Jeff

Hello again all,


Sorry for the delay, I am simply not on here everyday. Regardless, yes, I believe that it has improved the drivability of our rig. It reduces the "push" we get from other vehicles and seems to keep it tracking better on the highway ruts. Now, is it game changing? No it is not but it has made those log drives a bit easier for both me and the wife.


This is the one we got:


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C5SQLGC...N7FBP117BGRCZR


Hope this helps!!


Scott,

[RVwino]

Originally Posted by SR0981

yes, I believe that it has improved the drivability of our rig. It reduces the "push" we get from other vehicles and seems to keep it tracking better on the highway ruts. Now, is it game changing? No it is not but it has made those log drives a bit easier for both me and the wife.

I think Scott captured the improvement well. I went with the roadmaster and I saw a similar improvement. Not perfect, but better.

I ordered mine from e-trailer. Make sure that they know it’s for the V8 as the V10 mounting bracket rubs against steering components.

It’s a straightforward DIY project as long as you have a torque wrench. I blocked the rear wheels, used the levelers to raise the front, and then placed jack stands under the front for safety.

BTW, I also installed sumo springs front and rear. They did a really nice job of getting rid of the body roll as you drive over parking lot aprons and they further reduced the push-pull from passing rigs. The trade-off is a slightly stiffer ride. The front ones were a simple DIY install. I hired out the rears.

[jeffrim]

I tried to get the Roadmaster Reflex but vendors all stated it was backordered and won't ship until Oct. 10th!! 4 months!! Are you kidding me?
So I called Roadmaster (1-800-669-9690) and asked about the new RM Exact Center model and they have it ready for the FR3, F53 chassis, V-8, I ordered it direct from Roadmaster and it will take about 4 weeks as they are now in production.
I ordered it with the mounting brackets (RBK29) for $635. no tax, free ship.

Happy RVing,
Jeff

[jeffrim]

Got the RM Exact Center on got it installed yesterday. But wow. getting those frame bolts off was a real struggle. Then after assembly, retightening those frame bolts to 250 ft lbs spec was impossible. Rented a 250 lb torque wrench and my son and I only got to 205 ft lbs. We both busted a gut getting that far. A family connection is the local Ford dealer service manager so we will see if he will take them up to 250 for us. Hope so.

Happy RVing,
Jeff

[RVwino]

Originally Posted by jeffrim

….only got to 205 ft lbs. We both busted a gut getting that far.

I found that I had to brace my feet against one part of the frame and then pull on the torque wrench (like rowing a boat) to get to 250#.

[ForestGump34DS]

Originally Posted by jeffrim

Got the RM Exact Center on got it installed yesterday. But wow. getting those frame bolts off was a real struggle. Then after assembly, retightening those frame bolts to 250 ft lbs spec was impossible. Rented a 250 lb torque wrench and my son and I only got to 205 ft lbs. We both busted a gut getting that far. A family connection is the local Ford dealer service manager so we will see if he will take them up to 250 for us. Hope so.

Happy RVing,
Jeff

Please let us know what difference (good or bad) your stabilizer made. Thanks for the update.

[jeffrim]

Originally Posted by ForestGump34DS

Please let us know what difference (good or bad) your stabilizer made. Thanks for the update.

Will do.

[USAFE7Ret]

2020FR3 34DS. To drastically improve my driving and stop the rock and roll when Tractor Trailers pass by, I installed the following: Safe-T-Plus, Sumo Springs Front & Rear, Sway Bar Front & Rear, Roadmaster Stabilizer. Also had front-end aligned. No more white knuckle driving and comfortable and relaxing drive now.

[Vinfay]

Glad to hear you're relieved of that white knuckle driving! My knuckles are still white after a few hours so I'm wondering....of all the items you added can you estimate which one or two made the most difference to stability?
I would love to just order and install all of them at the same time but it's a decent chunk of money for me in one shot.
Any guess as to which ones to start with?
Thank you!

[RVwino]

Originally Posted by Vinfay

Any guess as to which ones to start with?

If you search for "white knuckle" on almost any forum with gas Class A's, you'll find a number of steps that you can take, depending on what model of mh you have. Here are the low- and no-cost options you could attack, first, if you haven't already.

• Weight - Distribute your load evenly front to back and don't overload your coach.
• Weigh your coach on 4 corners, look for the tire pressure chart for your tires, and set your tire pressure accordingly.
• Get a front end alignment.
• If you don't have the V8 chassis, due the "cheap handling fix".

Then, possibly, you may not need to do anything else? If you still have issues, publish your mh brand, model, and year in your message and you will get more specific replies from people who have the same unit.

[RVwino]

P.S. For me, I started with the front end alignment and saw little to no improvement. I did the steering stabilizer and noticed a positive improvement. I then installed the front sumos, more improvement. I then installed the rear sumos (more improvement, but stiffer ride). I can't say which did the most.

[USAFE7Ret]

I would say start with frontend alignment. Based on my experience after installing all the items I listed in previous posting, I still had a slight pulling and found all got better after the alignment. It may be the cheapest to start before making other upgrades. Good luck.

[mlafleur]

Hi,
On my 308DL Georgetown 2004, I had a Safe-T-Plus installed in fall 2021. We’ve driven 10,000 miles (Gatineau, QC-Palm Springs, CA return trip) last winter. It improved handling 100%. No more being pushed-pulled by big trucks when they pass me, much more stable with side winds, and boy did we get strong side winds on I-40 west-ward in early December 2021.
Will never drive a MH without it anymore.
M