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Old 05-12-2021, 03:34 PM   #1
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Suspension-Need help please.

Thank you in advance for trying to help me.
I am very frustrated. My first RV, an FR3, 25DS, 2014.

I am overall pleased with this RV, with a huge caveat. My first trip starting 3 days ago, Grass Valley, Ca to Grand Canyon. Driving on the highway was nearly impossible. Even small ruts shook the living daylights out of the RV and also me.


I knew this to be somewhat of a problem, so first thing I did when I bought last fall was:

1. New tires. Inflated to 90 PSI. Aligned front end, balanced all 4 tires.
2. Sumo springs, all 4 quarters.
3. New Koni shocks. (Replaced the new Bilsteins I put on as they did not help)
4. Cheap fix to the front end.

The RV has RoadMaster steering stabilizer, and also sway bars front and rear.

I thought I have done all I can. But the problem still persists. Not only the violent shaking from any and all ruts, but also wind and passing trucks causing the rig to quickly move to right or left.

I am perplexed as to why I am having this issue; and also exhausted from driving the past 3 days. I really dont think this should be the case.

Thank you all for your help.
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Old 05-13-2021, 12:00 AM   #2
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WE have a 2016 fr3 30ds and have done a lot of things to correct the steering problems. New front roadmaster sway bar, new roadmaster rear sway bar, Koni front shocks, Rear track bar, steering control, sumo springs all 4 corners. The trac bar made a huge difference in the handling when a truck passes. The tire pressure we use is 82 psi front and 85 psi rear. The factory tire pressure is 82 psi front and rear. Check the tire Mfg inflation charts for your tire brand. We have 45000 miles on ours now and it handles very well now.
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Old 05-13-2021, 12:03 AM   #3
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I have the 28DS and didn’t do nearly as much as you. What I did do was an alignment and that helped a lot. If big rigs pass I do feel movement but not like you explain. As I live in So. Cal the wind is inevitable especially with an RV. What is do is slow down and if need be stop. It’s not worth an accident. I’m sorry you are struggling.
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Old 05-13-2021, 10:10 AM   #4
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I own a 2019 33DS
Rear track bar, steering control, sumo springs all 4 corners. The tire pressure we use is 82 psi front and 85 psi rear as well, Ive had good success.
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Old 05-13-2021, 10:40 AM   #5
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Suspension

Hello, my Blue Ox track bar I installed helped a lot with the side movement. I would do the cheap fix on the rear sway bar first, and see if that helps a little. Probably a good time to check the sway bar bolts anyways. The mounting bracket bolts tend to loosen after awhile.
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Old 05-13-2021, 08:29 PM   #6
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Thank you all for your help.
I am going to try to lower the tire pressure but I cant imagine that will help substantially.
Any other thoughts on the shake when hitting small ruts/expansion joints on freeways?
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Old 05-14-2021, 12:10 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spuds View Post
Thank you all for your help.
I am going to try to lower the tire pressure but I cant imagine that will help substantially.
Any other thoughts on the shake when hitting small ruts/expansion joints on freeways?
You bought new tires, but what brand & size? I have noticed the make up of a tire can cause some to ride harsher than others...

I know too late to change a tire.. more curiousity..to see if that may be an issue?
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Old 05-14-2021, 07:02 PM   #8
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If experiencing shaking when encountering bumps and ruts its possibly there are some loose chassis parts.

Might be a good idea to have a shop check.

Depending on vehicle, steering components (like ball joints/kingpins, ter rod ends, drag link ends, and idler arms) are often the cause of what is described. Also mounting bushings on springs, etc.

Some shops will just jack up suspension and ONE mechanic will shake wheel. If he thinks it's good he moves on.

It's best when TWO people check steering looseness. One sits in driver's seat with vehicle sitting on floor of shop (or paved parking lot), other scoots around underneath and observes every mouning point or joint.

This reveals all kinds of things like loose spring to frame mounts, loose spring bushings, etc

You're stressing the suspension components almost as they are driving down the road and you'd be surprised at what can be seen this way.
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Old 05-14-2021, 10:55 PM   #9
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Thank you, to all.
The tires are Uniroyal RS20, 245 70 19.5, G rated. They call for 110 PSI, maximum.
As I stated I will try to lower PSI to low 80'S to see if that will help. Also a shop told me today even though I have a Roadmaster Steering damper, after 40K miles and 7 years, they suggested that I replace it with another one of good quality.
So that's where I stand now.
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Old 05-15-2021, 04:54 AM   #10
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My Opinion

I have made 3, 2,000 mile trips in 2 different MH with the Ford F-53 chassis underneath and never again. How they keep selling these things is beyond me. Every mile is pure torture, wither you are driving, in the right seat, or any other kidney shaking seat. A fifth wheel and decent TV is pure heaven compared to one of those torture machines.

This is my experience and opinion, yours may be completely different.
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Old 05-15-2021, 10:14 AM   #11
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You have a loose steering component for sure!!!
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Old 05-15-2021, 06:07 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spuds View Post
Thank you, to all.
The tires are Uniroyal RS20, 245 70 19.5, G rated. They call for 110 PSI, maximum.
As I stated I will try to lower PSI to low 80'S to see if that will help. Also a shop told me today even though I have a Roadmaster Steering damper, after 40K miles and 7 years, they suggested that I replace it with another one of good quality.
So that's where I stand now.
I would call Roadmaster before replacing it.

I don't have a problem driving my FR3 28DS. I have driven it over 12,00 miles. I have driven 65 mph on a two lane highway with semi-trucks passing in opposite direction in the rain. The FR3 did not sway but the windshield wipers rattled whenever a semi-truck would pass.

I installed the Blue Ox TruCenter Steering Control. If I have a strong crosswind, I can recenter it with a push of the button. Blue Ox discontinued the TruCenter TC35160 for the F53 in 2018.

I only did the CHF & Blue Ox TruCenter when it was new April 2017. I also found using the recommended 82 psi tire pressure helped. I tried 90 psi but I could feel every bump in the road.

I installed Koni shocks & Sumo Springs in 2019, because my wife wanted a smoother ride. I think the Koni shocks are smoother than the OEM. The Sumo Springs stopped the metal on metal that I felt whenever we hit a big pot-hole or bump in the road.


The FR3 28DS has the same 190" wheelbase as the 29DS & 30DS.
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Old 05-17-2021, 05:19 PM   #13
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In my quest for a smoother/quieter ride, the first change I made, based upon reviews in this forum, was to replace the factory shocks with Koni FSD's. To me, there was no improvement at all.

I next tried Sumo Springs, and it was a very noticeable improvement. It definitely helped with large bumps and potholes.

The final touch was replacing the factory Goodyear tires with Yokohama 104ZR's, which eliminated the sharp jolt from concrete expansion joints. I no longer feel anything transmitted through the steering wheel.
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Old 05-24-2021, 09:24 AM   #14
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If I tell you you will get used to it, you might believe me after you have driven the RV 3500 miles or so, unless of course something is broken or worn out.
Our FR3 is completely stock - and we have gotten used to it, and we motor along.
2400 miles this year alone.
Perhaps get a second opinion on the drivability?
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Old 05-24-2021, 11:19 AM   #15
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RK06382, I tried airing down to low 80's PSI, and it seemed that the RV had less stability, so I aired back up to about 90. Harsher ride but more stability.

Several people have told me to remove the sumo's on the front end so the Koni Shocks can do their job. Does this make any sense?

Does anyone have any experience with the Uniroyal RS20 that I put on. Are they particularly rough riding?
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Old 05-24-2021, 11:41 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spuds View Post
RK06382, I tried airing down to low 80's PSI, and it seemed that the RV had less stability, so I aired back up to about 90. Harsher ride but more stability.

Several people have told me to remove the sumo's on the front end so the Koni Shocks can do their job. Does this make any sense?

Does anyone have any experience with the Uniroyal RS20 that I put on. Are they particularly rough riding?
have you tied 85 PSI?
I have Sumo's on all 4 corners, Goodyear 670 and while not perfect it is my sweet spot (85PSI)

One other thing I think was mentioned earlier, make sure you grease all the point on the front. You can do this yourself




I have no experience with RS20, but I do know tire brands do make a big difference.

IMHO - keep the Sumo's try to dial in the Air Pressure until you find what you like.

If all else fails -
Id only remove the fronts SUMO to test the theory that others suggested
if you can afford deinstall & reinstall them yourself at a later time.
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Old 05-26-2021, 11:36 AM   #17
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I also have the 2014 FR3 25DS but haven't had any problems with the original suspension, tires, or steering. I generally run with a quarter tank of fresh water, empty gray/black tanks, and try not to carry too much cargo when traveling. Made a short run from LA to Glendale AZ & back this week without any of the issues you've stated. Sorry to hear about your problems. may want to check your load/weight.
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