Diagnosing Rear Vibration and Tire Issues on E450 Sunseeker

[Colorado Mike]

I’ve got a Sunseeker 3050s on a E450 Ford Chassis. Experiencing vibration issues traveling anytime I exceed 70 mph. I just installed new tires all around. I experienced blowouts on the inside rear tires on our last trip. They were new in 2019. Tire rep got rid of my valve extenders thinking they were slowly leaking . I have air suspension bags installed, pressured to 60psi. Researching vibration lists out of round tires/wheel, drive line balance, brake drum balance as causes of vibration. I don’t have a shimmy in the front end, vibration appears from the rear. Shocks appear original with 43,000 miles on them. To me the vibration feels like wheel hop. Where do I start? Or am I tempting fate by driving faster than 70? Thanks!

 

[kenandterry]

I’m assuming you have no problems driving below 70 mph?

I’ll watch the feedback, but most people find the sweet spot for motorhome cruising is 60-65 mph max. This gives the best gas mileage, and almost all those that have a “toad” will mention speed limits always well below 70.
Emergency stopping a motorhome at 70 is going to be an experience.

BTW….what are your tires speed rated for?

 

[Aquahoictom]

Vibration on my 2027 was the front drive shaft out of balance.

 

[Aquahoictom]

2017 not 2027

 

[Sunseeker16]

Sure sounds like a tire or two out of balance

 

[kenandterry]

Vibration on my 2027 was the front drive shaft out of balance.

What type of motorhome do you have on what brand of chassis?

 

[Colorado Mike]

I’m assuming you have no problems driving below 70 mph?

I’ll watch the feedback, but most people find the sweet spot for motorhome cruising is 60-65 mph max. This gives the best gas mileage, and almost all those that have a “toad” will mention speed limits always well below 70.
Emergency stopping a motorhome at 70 is going to be an experience.

BTW….what are your tires speed rated for?

S rated tires

 

[Colorado Mike]

Sure sounds like a tire or two out of balance

Brand new tires and balanced. 1000 miles max on them.

 

[Colorado Mike]

Vibration on my 2027 was the front drive shaft out of balance.

I’ll check that out. Thanks.

 

[Colorado Mike]

S rated tires. Yes stopping from 70 could be an experience. Some but not much vibration below 70.

 

[RedLdr1]

I moved this post to the Sunseeker / Forester sub forum as this issue has been discussed here in the past. Please take a look at the "sticky" post at the top of the sub forum on handling issues.

 

[Colorado Mike]

I moved this post to the Sunseeker / Forester sub forum as this issue has been discussed here in the past. Please take a look at the "sticky" post at the top of the sub forum on handling issues.

Thank you!

 

[Larry-NC]

Brand new tires and balanced. 1000 miles max on them.

Back to the place that balanced them and ask them to re-balance them. It happens. I had to have a front tire re-balanced last fall. Just wasn't done right the first time.

I started to tell the story to the young lady at the desk and she stopped me and said "We'll rebalance it right now--no charge." I've inferred that it's not unusual to need a re-balance.

 

[Colorado Mike]

Back to the place that balanced them and ask them to re-balance them. It happens. I had to have a front tire re-balanced last fall. Just wasn't done right the first time.

I started to tell the story to the young lady at the desk and she stopped me and said "We'll rebalance it right now--no charge." I've inferred that it's not unusual to need a re-balance.

Thanks I will do that too!

 

[Dp26]

If it persists, strap/tape a phone and light to video the drive line. If not the drive line, do the same for each wheel position. I would use the horn to sort of clock the video at the desired speeds and/or when you feel the shake.

 

[Larry-NC]

Deleted

 

[Colorado Mike]

If it persists, strap/tape a phone and light to video the drive line. If not the drive line, do the same for each wheel position. I would use the horn to sort of clock the video at the desired speeds and/or when you feel the shake.

Interesting idea. Thanks!

 

[Outbackwack]

I have a 3011 on the E450 and it took 4 alignments to get things right (and it was a Tirecraft in Claresholm, Canada that finally fixed it RIGHT). I had a worn passenger front tire ONLY on the inside 2" from the alignment issue. They installed my spare and rotated the tires, so the worn one is now my spare. Before that, I had the vibration right around 68mph. Now I can do 75 (only when going downhill) without ANY issues. It is now (almost) a JOY to drive.

 

[Colorado Mike]

I appreciate all the input. Looks like I have a bent rim. Next week is the test drive!!