Trac bar or not

[tinkerman]

We have a 2007 Lexington 255 gts on an e450 chassis. Have been trying to
resolve a problem of having to constantly correct steering wander. When
doing about 60 mph on a straight road I have to always make steering corrections to stay straight and true. Trying to determine whether a trac bar would help on this chassis. The following has been done.

NEW TIRES
ALIGNMENT WITH INCREASED CASTER
NEW BALL JOINTS
BILSTEIN STEERING STABILIZER
TIRE PRES. 60F 70R

any guidance would be appreciated. A Blu-Ox trac bar goes for about
$500. don't mind spending if it will help. Thanks

 

[grumpy0374]

We have a 2012 Lexi 283ts, and I have not felt the need for a trac bar. I have upgraded with adjustable camber bushings, Roadmaster steering stabilizer, Bilstein shocks, and have no steering problems at all. No wandering, no pull, tracks stright and true. The trac bar will help with the passing of larger rigs, going past you, but not with "wandering". It is made to combat the "sway" you might get at the rear end. If, after all you've done to the front suspension, and you still have loose steering, I might suggest you have someone look at the steering box. It just may be worn out.
Grumpy

 

[bob caldwell]

X2

 

[tinkerman]

Trac Bar or not

Thanks Grumpy and Bob.
We do have a challenge when trucks pass us, have learned to be aware
of them and what to expect. From what I have been reading a trac bar
would probably help with that. I just wasn't sure if it would help with the
constant steering corrections we have to make when doing 55 mph.
I will look at the steering box, however, we only have 21,000 miles on
Lexi. Is the 283 ts also on an e450 chassis? The 5 degrees positive
caster helped a lot along with the new ball joints. The Bilstein steering
dampner was just put on so I can't accurately comment as to it's
effectiveness.

 

[grumpy0374]

Yes, 283ts is on an E-450.
I might also suggest you look at how your rig is loaded for travel. Our 283ts is longer than yours, and has a longer rear overhang. If your carrying a lot of weight (full water tank, storage areas, ect) behind the rear axle, this will tend to give the front end a "light" feel, and cause you to constantly correct the steering.
Grumpy

 

[dontay]

Our last truck camper was a heavy Lance so I purchased a crew cab F-450 cab and chassis and put a dually bed on it to make it a pickup. The payload rating was higher than the weight of the camper loaded but when all was finished the steering was "light." It felt like maybe driving an overloaded dump truck. That's as close as I can get to describe "light" steering.
Although it did not droop at the rear with the camper loaded I decided to try air bags and it worked great. Not sure how it helped since the rear didn't ride any higher with the pressure I put in the air bags but it made a noticeable difference.
Our 2010 255 GTS drives good and does not wander. We never travel with more than 1/3 water tank and always have empty waste tanks. The water tank is at the very back on the driver's side and not even centered. It has a much longer rear overhang than I would like. If the rear springs start to weaken it will get air bags, too.

 

[rekwiat]

We have a 2007 Lexington 255 gts on an e450 chassis. Have been trying to
resolve a problem of having to constantly correct steering wander. When
doing about 60 mph on a straight road I have to always make steering corrections to stay straight and true. Trying to determine whether a trac bar would help on this chassis. The following has been done.

NEW TIRES
ALIGNMENT WITH INCREASED CASTER
NEW BALL JOINTS
BILSTEIN STEERING STABILIZER
TIRE PRES. 60F 70R

any guidance would be appreciated. A Blu-Ox trac bar goes for about
$500. don't mind spending if it will help. Thanks

Are you correct on your tire pressure? I run 72 front and 80 rear. With alignment at 5 caster and no problem

 

[tinkerman]

Trac Bar or not

Thanks Dontay and Rekwait.
Yes, we are running 60# in the front and 70 in the rear. Did that to soften
the ride. I wonder if the lower front tire pressure would cause a light front
end. Maybe someone can tell me if adding or reducing tire pressure would
help.

 

[bwilbur]

We have a Sunseeker 2860ds, and added a trac bar after reading an article in Motor Home magazine. Before adding the bar, driving down the road was not relaxing at all, as every passing truck required a major correction on the steering wheel to stay in my lane. Back roads were also a challenge due to the dips and ruts in the asphalt. After adding the trac bar, 90-95% of that sway was eliminated and driving is now a one handed pleasure, instead of a two handed nightmare. Just my opinion.

 

[grumpy0374]

We have a Sunseeker 2860ds, and added a trac bar after reading an article in Motor Home magazine. Before adding the bar, driving down the road was not relaxing at all, as every passing truck required a major correction on the steering wheel to stay in my lane. Back roads were also a challenge due to the dips and ruts in the asphalt. After adding the trac bar, 90-95% of that sway was eliminated and driving is now a one handed pleasure, instead of a two handed nightmare. Just my opinion.

There is a big difference between "sway" and "steering wander" .
Adding a trac bar will help with passing vehicles, both passing you and comming toward you. But on a stright, level road, with no traffic, a trac bar does nothing to correct "wandering".
That is a symptom of something wrong with the front end steering/suspension/wheels/tires, ect. Or possibly rear end overloaded taking weight off the front end, causing a "light steering" feel which would lead to constant steering correction.
Grumpy