2008 Adventurer 38J

FloridaTraveler · 12-22-2007, 02:37 AM

We have a new Adventurer 38J which is GREAT except we notice the steering seems loose compared to our traded 2004 Adventurer. The 2008 is heavier so we thought the handling would be better. Anyone out there have a 2008 with suggestions how to make this better?

FloridaTraveler · 12-22-2007, 02:37 AM

We have a new Adventurer 38J which is GREAT except we notice the steering seems loose compared to our traded 2004 Adventurer. The 2008 is heavier so we thought the handling would be better. Anyone out there have a 2008 with suggestions how to make this better?

ichn2go · 12-22-2007, 03:18 AM

This is typical of large vehicles. It is sometimes very hard to find "center".

Check out all your existing components, weight, air pressure etc and then if you are still not satisfied ther is SafeTPlus and others and perhaps a better Bell Crank...

Good Luck and a big HO HO HO to all

smlranger · 12-22-2007, 03:46 AM

Congrats on our new rig

. I agree with Jimmy....make sure all the suspension components are in order, load the coach for travel, have the alignment checked, and get it weighed. Make sure your tires are inflated for your loaded weight. Overinflated front tires will make it steer loose and wander.

If that doesn't solve the problem, there are aftermarket things. I have a Safe T Steer but know the Blue Ox Tru Center is a great device.

Good luck and wishing you many happy miles in your new coach.

LR · 12-22-2007, 02:06 PM

Ditto to smlranger's remarks. I have a 2005 Adventure 38J and did everything smlranger suggested and found I did not have add any after market devices to improve handling. Hope you enjoy your Adventure as much as we do.

Izzyblueye · 12-23-2007, 03:47 AM

Watch that HO-HO-HO stuff, remember what happened to Don Imus. Merry Christmas

Outbumn · 12-23-2007, 05:43 AM

We have a 06 38J and found that adding a rear trac bar help with the steering. I can now sit back and control the coach with one hand while driving.

Ding-a-ling · 12-24-2007, 03:12 AM

When we got our new '05 38R, Winnebago reccomended having the front end alignment checked after it was loaded for use. We also had steering issues and it was finally determined by the shop at Forest City that the Caster adjustment was set at 2 degrees. With Workhorse's OK shims were placed to bring the Caster specs up to the normal 5 degrees.

I have heard of this problem on other rigs of similar length. Cannot explain why some have this problem and most do not.

FloridaTraveler · 12-25-2007, 02:43 PM

THANKS to you all for the info posts! We are going to the dealer tomorrow with the coach and they want to take it to the chassis shop and see what the problem is. We've check all the stuff we know to look at under the coach so will see what they have to offer.

disup · 12-31-2007, 09:32 AM

I have 2005 Itasca 38J and if you ever heard the song by "Dion" called The Wanderer that was me. I went with the Davis Trac bar available at CW and most dealers and it helped my steering greatly. It is an common problem and can be resolved with aftermarket additions.

Davel · 01-01-2008, 05:03 PM

FloridaTraveler,

Hope the trip to the chassis shop helped. I had a similar handling coach that now handles very well. The first additions were the rear track bar and the Tru-Center. They made a great difference. From having to make constant corrections the coach now tracks very well. The Koni shocks then improved the smoothness of the ride while still maintaining great control of roll and pitching. The shocks are so smooth that most of the rattles over a series of bumps, such as railroads and tar strips, are almost nonexistant.
I purchased the Henderson Track Bar and it is very well made, but I wish I had made my own. Several people have and it is considerably cheaper. I'm going to add one to the front when we get home. I notice a very small push from the front when a semi passes that I think will go away with a front track bar.

Good luck,
Dave