Do You Suffer One Of These 17 Common RV Driving Problems?
Motorhomes and heavier vehicles often show these symptoms. Some
are dangerous.
Most malfunctions trace to one or two causes. The trick is knowing which one or two. That’s why SuperSteer® recommends a thorough RPA® (Road Performance Assessment) diagnosis first. When your dealer finds the cause, he knows the specialized adjustment or equipment to fix it.
The RPA® is a nationally registered method in which you can pinpoint the good, the bad, & the ugly - everything that’s right — plus the problems and safety hazards in your Motorhome or 5th Wheel.
Check here to see if your vehicle
exhibits any of these symptoms:
17 Common Problems
Steering Free Play. Not anything like playtime at school. In this case, there’s so much “free play” in the steering wheel when you attempt a turn, you tend to continue in the same direction. Could mean any of these fixable problems: Linkage*, coupler, bell crank, steering gears, trac bar, loose or worn suspension.
Returnability. When you turn, does your vehicle naturally return to center? If not, it could be steering gear, linkage, king pins, ball joints, alignment, steering controls, or steering stabilizers.
Pull. Your vehicle drifts to right or left. Possible causes: Power steering, tires, alignment, weight distribution, or improperly adjusted steering controls.
Road Wander. With this condition, your vehicle takes on a “mind of its own.” It wants to move left or right, although you’re driving straight. When you hit a rut, it goes its own way. Some culprits: Linkage*, suspension, tires, alignment, weight distribution, trac bars, wind or steering controls.
Rut Tracking. With this problem, your vehicle tries to follow grooves worn in the road (the ones 18-wheelers make) – or where asphalt meets concrete to make ridges. Continual correction exhausts you (it can get scary too). SuperSteer® techs suspect: Linkage*, suspension, alignment, tires, trac bars, steering controls.
Sway. Not good for passengers with weak stomachs. Your vehicle sort of leans, sways or rocks side-to-side. You feel it during quick lane changes, cornering or in driveways. Could be sway bars (or lack of them), trac bars, shocks or springs.
Porpoising. Think of that fish jumping so gracefully, but there’s no grace here. Your vehicle teeter-totters front-to-back. Cause: Ride height, shocks, weight distribution, excessive overhang, wheelbase or weights.
Harsh Ride. Your vehicle rides stiff as an oak board. You feel every crack, rut or bump in the road. You need your chiropractor at day’s end. Could be tires and pressures, shocks, ride height, or you’re light on weight.
Vibration. Look for one of two kinds: steady or pulsating. The key to this fix is determining the source. Henderson’s looks first at tires, drive train, wheel run-out, ride height, & driveline angles.
Tail-Wagging-The-Dog. Funny name for an unfunny problem. The rear end of your coach sways to one side or the other. You feel like you’re losing control. Might be rear axle shift, trac bars, excessive overhand, or improper weight distribution.
Shimmy. Your vehicle hits a bump and your steering wheel “shimmies” or shakes. Possible causes: Linkage*, suspension, alignment, tires, steering, steering stabilizers.
Bump Steer. You’ll know this one when you hit a bump and your steering wheel jerks to one side all on its own. A relative of the “shimmy”. SuperSteer® looks first at your linkage*, suspension, ride height, shocks and weight distribution.
Delayed Steering Response. Slow gear ratio produces slow steering response. Also caused by bad linkage*, suspension, shocks, weight distribution problems, rear axle sideshift, or bad bushings in your trac bar.
Bounce. You may feel this in either the front or rear of your vehicle. SuperSteer® techs usually trace it to bad shocks, but springs or wrong ride height can also be your undoing.
Noise. Name your noise: rattles, clunks, tinny sounds, solid galumphs. When do they happen – driving over small bumps or large potholes? Your SuperSteer® tech asks many questions – then works to eliminate those noises.
Leaning Low/Low On One Side. You exhibit a “little list to starboard” (or port). Your technician looks for improper weight distribution, springs, ride height, body mounts, spring hangers and bad bushings.
Dog Tracking. We’re not sure where this term came from. But, ever see a coon dog with one leg shorter than the other? His whole gait’s out-of-kilter. With RV’s, your rear wheels don’t line up or follow the fronts. It appears to “sidle” down the road. Might be alignment, rear end thrust, body mounts . . . or a loose or improperly adjusted trac-bar.
*Linkage refers to all steering related items such as steering gear, coupler, bell cranks, arms, tie rod ends, and links.
Now that you’ve identified the possible problem(s), see your SuperSteer® Dealer or a SuperSteer® RPA® Center to learn how to correct them.
Contact SuperSteer® here –
SuperSteer®
Division of Henderson's Line-Up
458 Redwood Highway
Grants Pass, OR 97527
- Phone us at: 541-955-0769
- “800″ Phone: Toll-free - 888-898-3281
- Fax us at: 541-476-3851
- SuperSteer Tech Line: 541-955-0769
- SuperSteer Order Line: Toll-free - 888-898-3281
- Office Hours: (PST) 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mon-Fri; Closed Noon
to 1 p.m. If you call after hours, we'll call you back. If you’re driving & unfamiliar with the area, see a map here
E-mail us and tell us what you need at:
Monday - Friday 8 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Closed Noon to 1 P.M.
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