Sway Bar for a W24 Chassis

[greg1406]

Hi All, I have a 2007, 36', Adventurer with a W24 chassis. I want to install a sway bar for the rear. I have noticed many brands that are available. Do you have any recommendations?

Thanks,
Greg

[JohnRR]

Do you have a specific problem you are trying to correct?

[TomandGloria]

Greg1406, I have the sister coach to your Adventurer and wondering what type of issues you are encountering? I have driven mine about 25,000 miles and other than 40 mile an hour winds I encountered in Texas couple of years ago I really haven't noticed a problem keeping it on the road. Could you share some the problems with us?

One thing is we tend to pack fairly light and are no where near our max weight. Not sure if that is a good thing or not!

[Tom N]

I could never understand handling problems with the W24 as long as everything is up to factory specs. My stock W24 have handled perfectly from day one.

Have you done this maintenance??

The U-bolts attaching the rear axle to the leaf springs should be checked and retightened to the specified torque after the first 500 miles of operation. Recheck the U-bolt torque each 10,000 miles thereafter. The torque specification for the U-bolt nuts is 140 lb. ft. (190 NM) for the W Series chassis-15/16 socket.

And for the front.....

The U-bolts attaching the front axle to the leaf springs should be checked and retightened to the specified torque after the first 500 miles of operation. Recheck the U-bolt torque each 10,000 miles thereafter. The torque specification for the U-bolt nuts is 140 lb. ft. (190 N•m) for the W Series chassis - 15/16 socket required.

Good luck.
-Tom

[tomwalt]

Might want to ask this question in 'RV Forums'; 'Workhorse Chassis'.

[greg1406]

I did check the u bolts and they are tight. I also replaced the shocks with Koni's big improvement. I was trying to avoid the movement by the tractor trailers when passing the rig and also when I have high winds.

[edgray]

Originally Posted by greg1406

I did check the u bolts and they are tight. I also replaced the shocks with Koni's big improvement. I was trying to avoid the movement by the tractor trailers when passing the rig and also when I have high winds.

If you still feel improvement is needed, I suggest you start with adding a rear track bar. It is a simple device that bolts to a chassis rail and to the rear axle housing. "Most" of the brands are all alike, except for the paint color. This is not generally known as a "sway bar", because those are different and generally cost a lot more. I have often said that a rear track bar will usually return the best bang for the bucks, and suggest you do just one improvement at a time to see the improvement before spending a lot of $$$ all at once.

[Penguin Cafe]

Greg,

What you’re describing is a fishtail not a sway.

A "sway" is best described as a "roll" on the longitudinal axis of the motorhome front to rear.
A "fishtail" is best described as a "yaw" centrally located on a vertical perpendicular axis.

As EdGray says, a track bar is what you need. A track bar reduces the forces that pushes on the side of the motorhome when being passed on a 2 lane by a high speed 18 wheeler.

For my 2004 Winnebago Brave W20 I added a UltraTrac II system from UltraRVProducts.com. Best $500 I’ve spent.
90% of the fishtail problem went away.

[R Carlisle]

I have a 38T on a 2007 W24 chassis.
I am a CDL truck driver that has owned 5 motorhomes over the years and have done some motorhome transport work. I bought this motorhome used with 3,500 miles on it. It was without a doubt the worst handling motorhome I had ever driven. Meaning you couldn't take your eyes off it for a minute because of its wondering. "call that what you like" I am part of a Winnebago Club and the following suspension man has fixed many motorhomes in our club. He uses sway bars, trac bars, and shocks. He is very reasonable and wont sell you things you don't need. When he was done this motorhome is like driving a different motorhome. He only does suspension work and knows what to do to fix ill handling workhorse chassis.


Rally's R Us Inc.
Chip Maddox
770-318-3117
www.rallysrus.com

[ChasA]

Yep, Chip knows suspensions.

[greg1406]

Thanks, Chip will be out the end of May to install the equipment on my coach.


Regards,
Greg

[greg1406]

Well Chip was out to work on our rig he installed the track and sway bars. All I can say is God bless that man! Today we drove to meet some friends at their campground. The rig handled so smoothly and the rolling and pitching was gone. When the tractor trailers pass, I do not even feel them. I would say it's at least a 50% improvement.
This guy is real good and I would strongly recommend him.

Thanks,
Greg

[Dsrtrider]

Do you know what brand products he installed?

[greg1406]

Yes, Titan Products go to www.rallysrus.com

[vapor3000]

Though we no longer own the Adventurer, I installed the pictured Blue Ox rear trac bar and KONI shocks. Improved the handling greatly especially when getting passed by 18 wheelers.

Best addition I made to this gasser and it worth every dime!! Blue Ox makes very good equipment.

[Stevegd007]

Installed a Roadmaster Anti-sway bar. Best addon ever. MH builders should install this item as standard equipment. Helped with the roll coming off driveways, helped with the "Big Rig" push when they pass you, helped with the handling. Glad it's there!