Dick,
I noticed what you are talking about ; how some owners feel their coaches
handle good and others say not so good.
As you point out this is subjective stuff and each of us has different
standards but I am inclined to think there are indeed some differences in
how our coaches do handle.
For instance, other than running gear condition, a factor to consider is how
the weight varies from unit to unit and even more important, how that
weight is distributed within each individual coach.
Our GMCMH has 24,000 miles. While it is not the brand new machine you
mention, our front end and bogies still feel tight. Most of that mileage
was accumulated on long interstate trips.
After purchasing it last winter, I drove about 500 miles to analyze
handling. Handling was deemed not bad but I felt it could be improved.
(much more pleasant than towing our 31' Airstream with a Suburban)
I added Alcoa's, Bilstein's and new tires. This helped ride quality, but
handling seems essentially unchanged.
Now, right or wrong, I decided it needs a serious weight reduction with
emphasis on transferring more weight to the front wheels. By this I mean,
increasing the proportion of total weight carried by the front wheels, while
at the same time not increasing the total pounds on the front wheels.
As I studied it's weight and where the heavy items are located several
things became apparent :
1. Two A/C units and a big box full of "stuff" on the roof raise the center
of gravity and have a negative effect on handling.
2. The genset, trailer hitch, spare wheel, rear A/C, fresh water tank,
propane tank, rear battery and rear flexsteel furniture ARE ALL HEAVY ITEMS
LOCATED BEHIND THE REAR WHEELS. This adds up to a lot of weight back there.
>From a handling stand point this is especially bad. Not only does it take
weight off the front wheels, it tends to swing around back there and make
steering more difficult. (Tail wagging the dog effect)
To enhance handling, automobile, boat and airplane designers move weight
out of the ends and closer to the center of the vehicle. I think the same
applies to RV's .
3. Although it can obviously handle the present weight, the stock running
gear, brakes, and drive train would all benefit and perform better with less
weight.
We bought our GMCMH with plans to remodel it, so this weight factor is one
more consideration to include with all the others as we refurbish it. So
far we are well over 1,000 lb lighter.
BTW, excluding the cockpit seats, our flexsteel furniture weighed about 600
lbs. That stuff is heavy.
Once I finish remodeling I will see how much, if any, after market
suspension gear will be needed to get it to where we both feel comfortable
driving it.
Don
- -Original Message-----
From: Dick Kennedy
Date: Thursday, August 06, 1998 12:08
Subject: Re: GMC: Steering problem
>Mine also had this problem, It turned out to be the rubber bushings in the
>sway bar had deteriorated enough that it was loose. Apparently as the
>vehicle swayed the sway bar could shift just enough to change the front end
>geometry slightly. I also put on new shocks, tightened the steering box and
>checked the rear bushings in this same time frame. The shocks made a huge
>improvement in ride quality but the handling improvement came when I
>replaced those rubber bushings.
>
>The wandering and then the resulting over correction was bad enough that
the
>wife complained about being whipped around in back. It's much better now
but
>still not what I would call great handling. My last RV was a 23' mini on
>GMC chassis. It felt very top heavy but generally felt much more stable
>than the GMC.
>
>Sometimes when I'm on uneven ground, like maneuvering in and out of a gas
>station, I'll feel the front wheels move in a way that doesn't feel quite
>right. Other times I thing I've felt the rear boggies crabbing as I turn.
>This is very subjective stuff and it's difficult to describe. It would be
>great if we had a brand new machine to use as a reference but what I'm
>talking about may not be apparent on just a short test ride.
>
>>From what I've learned watching the comments here some of the people think
>they have great handling and others don't think so. I can't tell how much
>of this is the difference in the machines or the expectations of the
people.
>I don't think I've seen any comments that question the value of heavier
sway
>bars. This indicates to me that most people thing the suspension is on the
>light side.
>
>I'm still learnin' here too so everybody keep talkin'
>
>Dick
>
>
>>>Had the same problem with the coarch wandering, constantly steering like
>>----snip----
>>Aha! So this is not unusual then!
>>
>>>Had Buskirk's replace the steering gear and "U" joint. Wandering
stopped,
>>----snip----
>>How much did that set you back, ballpark?
>>
>>>I recommend that you change the steering gear
>>assembly before some drastic thing happens on the road.
>>
>>Thanks a bunch for the info, Bob. Kinda short on money right now after
all
>>the other recent expenses for the coach, so it will have to wait. Nest
>>pension check is going for property taxes. After that, the Marion, NC
>>rally (hopefully). If there are any adjustments I can make while the
>>steering gear is in place to improve it even a little, I would surely
>>appreciate knowing about it. Or if someone would be so kind as to scan
>>the relevant pages from the maintenance manual & email 'em out to me as
>>attachments..... ;->
>>
>>
>>As always, best regards.
>>
>>~ Ritch & Betty Hwang ~ mailto:rhwang
>>~ =^..^= Trinket ~ the shy Persian kitty
>>~ 76 GMC Birchaven ~ RVClub 00930 ICQ# 6408591
>>(B}>
>>
>>
>
