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Steering

Yahoo Message Number: 6140
I have read with interest the posted notes on steering in the CC line. When I was looking for coaches in 1997, I drove Dynasty, Mountain Aire, Holiday Rambler, Sea Breeze and had owned two Winnebagos and a Tioga. I had put a hold on the Mountain Aire when a salesman at Lazy Days asked me if I had ever driven a CC. I flew to Tampa and the rest is history. In 97, the Intrigue had a solid front axle and even with that handicap, there was really no comparison.
To try and find a basis for comparison, I drove each coach on the Interstate between 50 and 70 MPH. I placed my right hand at bottom of the steering wheel. I judged the drive by how much movement occurred with my right hand. The best drive was CC with little movement and certainly NO difficulty in controlling the coach. The Mountain Aire was next best with a little more movement needed to stay straight ahead. I didn't like the Dynasty ride (it was a Signature 40'). The other coaches could not be controlled without greater steering effort.
I drove the '97 70,000 miles and our current coach 35,000 miles.
I can't imagine how some of you get down the road. The straight axle was sensitive to cross winds but I could handle this pretty well except when it was blocked by an 18 wheeler and then released back on me. With the new coach, this is no longer a problem. I agree that I like the coach better when I pull away from the fuel stop but the good feeling is not because the coach is difficult to handle when the fuel is low. On both coaches I have rotated and balanced the tires (5000 miles on the '97 and 10,000 miles on the '01), checked and adjusted alignment every 10,000 miles and on the '01 adjusted ride height to factory specs as we replaced both ride height valves when they failed.(A quick note: The ride height valves can easily be installed incorrectly by well respected shops. They will appear to work correctly but depending on load, etc, they will allow the ride height to be a little off over the road only to check okay back at the shop)

My tire pressure is maintained at 95# in Toyo tires. Tire wear is even. A recurring vibration at 67 MPH with a light load (usually a ride height problem) turned out to be an unbalanced drive shaft even though the mechanic didn't want to even check it because "the shafts are never out of balance".

Please don't accept a CC that doesn't handle like a dream. I had rather drive my coach than Peggy's Avalon on a trip. If you are having problems either go to a shop recommended by friends who like the way their coaches drive or pick a truck shop that specializes in big truck and bus alignment and tire service. In Mobile, AL, the Goodyear Truck Tires and Mobile Power Brakes have done my work. If you live near a motor home sales business, go drive some new coaches.
How do they compare?

Send me a note if I can help. One of CC's strongest features is their ride. I convinced several people to consider CC for no other reason.

Dr. Bob

2001 Intrigue 11229