Steering Control in High Winds 2019 Forza 37T

[JimBath]

First, let me say that I am an experienced RV-er; have owned campers and RVs since 1967. I have owned 5 MH's of various makes and sizes. Largest was a Newmar 40' that I drove for 15 years, but due to age and none of the kids/grandkids wanted to go with us anymore. Sound familiar to anyone. We started downsizing. We went too small then back up. I currently own a 2019 Winnie Forza 37T and love it. Last week I had the very worst day I have ever had in all those years. Went to a FL State Park north of us that took me 268 miles on I-75. I had a 30-35 MPH port beam wind all the way. It literally whipped my 84-year-old butt. I've decided that I need to do something as I cannot stand to experience that again. Of all the other rigs I have owned I never experienced such erratic wandering as I did this time. So, my question: is has anyone had any of the steering stabilizers offered in the market to handle that problem? If so, what make and did it work. At my age I cannot crawl under the rig to do anything. I will have to have installed. Thank you for your help and Semper Fi; Jim

 

[wahoonc]

We have a 2014 Itasca Meridian 34B, the shortest wheelbase you can get, which isn't necessarily good. We installed a Saf-T-Plus steering stabilizer and 4 Koni shocks, which made a noticeable difference. We had it done at the factory in Tallapoosa, GA, it is SW of Atlanta. They have at least 2 other installation locations. The bus is still a bit twitchy in higher wind gusts, but it doesn't wander like it used to.

Aaron

 

[creativepart]

I think you'll find the number one suspension mod folks with a wandering motorhome make is to install a Steering Stabilizer. There are a number of brands that make these Safe-T-Steer, Roadmaster Steering Stablizer and I think BlueOx makes one too.

They are basically a shock absorber that goes between your frame and your steering arm. So, they take that wandering and see sawing out of the equation. They cost about $400 and then a couple of hundred for installation if you don't do it yourself. Many folks do, but I hired it out. Life is too short to climb under my motorhome.

 

[JimBath]

Thanks Guys, that helps. Been looking at them all day today. Trying to decide which is best for the money. Which ones did you all install?

 

[creativepart]

Pretty sure that Safe-T-Steer is the best seller. I put in the RSS Roadmaster Steering Stabilizer.

 

[wahoonc]

We used the Safe T Plus. If you buy it at the factory in GA, they install it for free. They have hookups, so you can spend the night on one end or the other. Great folks to deal with. If you email them, they will send you a solid quote. If the GA location is not convenient, they have a couple more. One in Red Bay, AL, and one in Belleview, FL.

 

[JimBath]

We used the Safe T Plus. If you buy it at the factory in GA, they install it for free. They have hookups, so you can spend the night on one end or the other. Great folks to deal with. If you email them, they will send you a solid quote. If the GA location is not convenient, they have a couple more. One in Red Bay, AL, and one in Belleview, FL.

Thank you sir, I'll check out the factory, worth the trip for a free install.

 

[JimBath]

Thank you sir, I'll check out the factory, worth the trip for a free install.

Did it really help the wandering, winds, truck passings?

 

[Smitty3]

First, let me say that I am an experienced RV-er; have owned campers and RVs since 1967. I have owned 5 MH's of various makes and sizes. Largest was a Newmar 40' that I drove for 15 years, but due to age and none of the kids/grandkids wanted to go with us anymore. Sound familiar to anyone. We started downsizing. We went too small then back up. I currently own a 2019 Winnie Forza 37T and love it. Last week I had the very worst day I have ever had in all those years. Went to a FL State Park north of us that took me 268 miles on I-75. I had a 30-35 MPH port beam wind all the way. It literally whipped my 84-year-old butt. I've decided that I need to do something as I cannot stand to experience that again. Of all the other rigs I have owned I never experienced such erratic wandering as I did this time. So, my question: is has anyone had any of the steering stabilizers offered in the market to handle that problem? If so, what make and did it work. At my age I cannot crawl under the rig to do anything. I will have to have installed. Thank you for your help and Semper Fi; Jim

We have a 2019 Forza 34 T, Had Safe T Plus installed in Georgia at their facility southwest of Atlanta, then we also added Bilstein shocks. Huge difference!

First, let me say that I am an experienced RV-er; have owned campers and RVs since 1967. I have owned 5 MH's of various makes and sizes. Largest was a Newmar 40' that I drove for 15 years, but due to age and none of the kids/grandkids wanted to go with us anymore. Sound familiar to anyone. We started downsizing. We went too small then back up. I currently own a 2019 Winnie Forza 37T and love it. Last week I had the very worst day I have ever had in all those years. Went to a FL State Park north of us that took me 268 miles on I-75. I had a 30-35 MPH port beam wind all the way. It literally whipped my 84-year-old butt. I've decided that I need to do something as I cannot stand to experience that again. Of all the other rigs I have owned I never experienced such erratic wandering as I did this time. So, my question: is has anyone had any of the steering stabilizers offered in the market to handle that problem? If so, what make and did it work. At my age I cannot crawl under the rig to do anything. I will have to have installed. Thank you for your help and Semper Fi; Jim

l We have a Winnebago Forza 2019 34T and went to the Safe T Plus Factory in Georgia for installation, We then added Bilstein shocks. Both made a Huge difference in handling!

 

[sonny-WO]

Road Master Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars - Road Master Steering Stabilizer and 4 Bilstein Shocks - can drive rv with 2 fingers - no wandering - no semi push - drives smooth like a van - should come from the factory this way , but money well spent - you will smile after

 

[RayIN]

Higher wind-less speed, is my motto. With a 30-35mph side wind I'd be driving about 55-60mph. If the FL speed demons don't like it, that's why interstates have a passing/inside lane.
How old are the shocks? Shocks time-out too, but gas-filled shocks don't leak oil onto the driveway.

 

[Bobn1957]

Thank you sir, I'll check out the factory, worth the trip for a free install.

I put a bunch of upgrades on my 29-foot Itasca and found the single most improvement was installing Air Tabs on the rear perimeter of my coach! They made the vehicle drive like a car in windy conditions!

 

[RayIN]

I put a bunch of upgrades on my 29-foot Itasca and found the single most improvement was installing Air Tabs on the rear perimeter of my coach! They made the vehicle drive like a car in windy conditions!

A large nationwide trucking company investigated Air Tabs. They used the Indianapolis 500 wind tunnel to determine if Air Tabs were worth the money. The wind tunnel results proved they do little if anything to improve fuel mileage or handling.

 

[JimBath]

Higher wind-less speed, is my motto. With a 30-35mph side wind I'd be driving about 55-60mph. If the FL speed demons don't like it, that's why interstates have a passing/inside lane.
How old are the shocks? Shocks time-out too, but gas-filled shocks don't leak oil onto the driveway.

Less speed is and always has been my motto; I do not drive over 60 and stay in the right lane. Only time I have a problem is when some young lady doesn't know how to merge and thinks she has the right of way and wants me to slow down 26,000 LBS so she can get on the freeway. No hurry especially when you are my age. The rig is a 2019. Drove a Newmar 40' for 15 years and never changed shocks, never had a need to

 

[Bobn1957]

A large nationwide trucking company investigated Air Tabs. They used the Indianapolis 500 wind tunnel to determine if Air Tabs were worth the money. The wind tunnel results proved they do little if anything to improve fuel mileage or handling.

All I know is there was a remarkable improvement in handling after installing Air Tabs, laboratory testing and real-world experiences can be and usually are different! They were reasonably inexpensive so I was not concerned!

 

[wahoonc]

Did it really help the wandering, winds, truck passings?

In my case it did.

Aaron

 

[Bobn1957]

A large nationwide trucking company investigated Air Tabs. They used the Indianapolis 500 wind tunnel to determine if Air Tabs were worth the money. The wind tunnel results proved they do little if anything to improve fuel mileage or handling.

A tractor trailer handles way different than a class A RV!

 

[Bobn1957]

Thanks Guys, that helps. Been looking at them all day today. Trying to decide which is best for the money. Which ones did you all install?

I installed the Safe T Steer return to center unit it helped a bit, I got the best results after installing AirTabs!

 

[Bobn1957]

I installed the Safe T Steer return to center unit it helped a bit, I got the best results after installing AirTabs!

 

[Vic Hammer]

Road Master Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars - Road Master Steering Stabilizer and 4 Bilstein Shocks - can drive rv with 2 fingers - no wandering - no semi push - drives smooth like a van - should come from the factory this way , but money well spent - you will smile after

THIS. I have installed the RoadMaster Steering Stabilizer. I did Gabriel Fleet HDs front shocks at the same time. It helped keep the steering centered.

I then had new steer tires installed along with an alignment. Handled a bit better.

BUT!! Installed front AND rear RoadMaster anti-sway bars along with the rear Gabriel Fleet HD shocks.

Holy heck.... WAY BETTER!! Can drive down a highway, even a rough one, and it tracks perfectly. Passed semis on 2 lane roads doing 60.... you get the WHOOSH and can feel the air between you but it stays perfectly upright, no more "sloshing" back and forth. I can take an on-ramp at 40 and stay perfectly in my lane. Drives like our little Class C did.

Did it cost? Yeah, it did. A fraction of the cost/value of the rig itself though and I was able to drive 2.5 hours straight and wasn't worn out after, my hands weren't sore.

TLDR: sonny-WO stated it perfectly and I probably should have just copied his write-up and said "x2"