Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: New driver wandering (Read 1636 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

New driver wandering

Yahoo Message Number: 95515
I bought my 2001 Allure about two months ago after a 15 year hiatus due to health problems. Back then I pulled a 29' travel trailer with a full size ford van. Hence my history.

I bought my CC from a friend of a friend who is in his 80s and is giving up camping because of his wife's health. He was a diesel mechanic who took very good care of the coach, though it sat untouched for two years because of his circumstance. He is the original owner who had the original paperwork showing his selling price of $208k. It now has 28k miles and I paid $52k for it. It is the 32' diesel pusher that is like new inside but look like it sat outside for two years.

Upon picking it up I had very little confidence in my own driving since I've never driven a motorhome. My son drove it 1 1/2 hours to my home from the buyer. In the past two months my driving consists of three driving lessons from my son as well as taking it with 10-60 miles from home for the following: Went in for detailing, new tires, and new batteries-tires were the original toyo tires it came with and the batteries were 6 yrs old

Second trip to audio shop for new stereo system and rewiring the new flat screen I put in

Third trip to Colton's truck terminal who did a fantastic job with the mechanical, except one point-the steering. The trip to Colton the coach was all over the road to such a scary experience that I almost gave up on my motorhome before I could sleep in it. It didn't take long to figure out that there were high wind warnings out and all high profile vehicles were all over the road. The problem is that it still all over. I'm about exhausted after driving turning the steering wheel to keep it in my own lane and the passing of semis scares me to death.

The Colton place loosen the steering box to correct the problem. I thought it should be tightened but actually made no difference. The new tires are the same size as the factory tires but are Good Years. I called Colton back and they said it sound like it needs alignment and I have advice of a good friend that it could be king pins.

They can't get it in until Thursday morning and promised it will be done by noon. Ironically, our maiden voyage is the Southwest Country Coachers where we are going to our very first rally. Any insight to the handling problem we have as well as some confidence building advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry for the long personal history story.

John & Carol Jones

2001 Country Coach Allure-32'
#30672

Re: New driver wandering

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95517
Colton is a excellent shop and you should have no issues. I missed the rally my wife is just recovery from knee replacement. Any my name is Jim Spivey I live in Irvine, and if I can help you just call 714-393-9498. I am a original member of SWCC, but have not attended any rallies in the last few years.

Enjoy the coach.




On Sunday, May 25, 2014 9:54 PM, "dbhsjj@... [Country-Coach-Owners]" wrote:

I bought my 2001 Allure about two months ago after a 15 year hiatus due to health problems. Back then I pulled a 29' travel trailer with a full size ford van. Hence my history.

I bought my CC from a friend of a friend who is in his 80s and is giving up camping because of his wife's health. He was a diesel mechanic who took very good care of the coach, though it sat untouched for two years because of his circumstance. He is the original owner who had the original paperwork showing his selling price of $208k. It now has 28k miles and I paid $52k for it. It is the 32' diesel pusher that is like new inside but look like it sat outside for two years.

Upon picking it up I had very little confidence in my own driving since I've never driven a motorhome. My son drove it 1 1/2 hours to my home from the buyer. In the past two months my driving consists of three driving lessons from my son as well as taking it with 10-60 miles from home for the following: Went in for detailing, new tires, and new batteries-tires were the original toyo tires it came with and the batteries were 6 yrs old

Second trip to audio shop for new stereo system and rewiring the new flat screen I put in

Third trip to Colton's truck terminal who did a fantastic job with the mechanical, except one point-the steering. The trip to Colton the coach was all over the road to such a scary experience that I almost gave up on my motorhome before I could sleep in it. It didn't take long to figure out that there were high wind warnings out and all high profile vehicles were all over the road. The problem is that it still all over. I'm about exhausted after driving turning the steering wheel to keep it in my own lane and the passing of semis scares me to death.

The Colton place loosen the steering box to correct the problem. I thought it should be tightened but actually made no difference. The new tires are the same size as the factory tires but are Good Years. I called Colton back and they said it sound like it needs alignment and I have advice of a good friend that it could be king pins.

They can't get it in until Thursday morning and promised it will be done by noon. Ironically, our maiden voyage is the Southwest Country Coachers where we are going to our very first rally. Any insight to the handling problem we have as well as some confidence building advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry for the long personal history story.

John & Carol Jones

2001 Country Coach Allure-32'
#30672

Re: New driver wandering

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95520
On 32 ft and 34 ft models its very important to keep as much weight forward as you can with out over loading the front axle. Keep the fuel tank full and store as much as you can in the front over heads and the the front storage bay. There is so much over hang in the rear the front tires don't always make adequate contact . You should also make sure your tires are all properly inflated. If the duals are too soft wind and passing large vehicles can move you all over the road. I would start out if you have 12R tires with 115 in the front and 110 to 112 on the duals. You don't need the pressure to handle the weight but to stiffen the side walls to stop flexing. Especially if you USE Goodywear 295's instead of 12R's made by others. . TWI 2004 INTRIGUE 11731

Re: New driver wandering

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95521
The Goodyears are the same as the originals which is 12R. The motorhome was not packed until this afternoon and the tank is full or at least 3/4+. I will check the tire pressure though. Thanks for the input. Jim--seems like when you reach a certain age, knee replacements are a part of life. I have two done 6 and 7 years ago. It's like a miracle. Life having my young knees back. Problem is the rest of the body didn't get to the fountain of youth like the knees did.lol. And I'm not to far from you-right down the 57. I was in your neighborhood last weekend at Tustin Cadillac to buy the SRX to pull behind my Allure.

Thanks for opinions folks. Can't wait to meet more at the rally!

John & Carol Jones

2001 Country Coach Allure-32'
#30672

Re: New driver wandering

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95522
John & Carol,

welcome! We have a 2004 33' Allure that had the same problems. Alignment helped but what helps the most is for them to set the "toe-in" especially the right front. Seems on our chassis it needs to be reset every year or 2. also one hint we learned from another rv forum is to let off the accelerator when a truck is passing you and move as far to the right as possible.
Lonny & Diane Livingston
'04 Allure #31065

Re: New driver wandering

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95523
John,

Much can be done to improve the handling of your coach. Proper tire inflation is critical based on your axle weight. Alignment if the next step I would take to improve handling. I would not think your king pins need replacing with only 28k miles. I would replace the anti sway bushings with urethane bushings from EnergySuspension. Lastly if you still have wandering issues I would install the SteerSafe system. I have done all of the above to my coach and it has made a world of difference in road handling & stability when being passed by semi trucks. Welcome & good luck, RJ 2005 Inspire #51264

Re: New driver wandering

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95525
Could certainly be alignment or any other mechanical issue... if you have it aligned, you need to have a 4 wheel thrust alignement, not just the steers... you'll have to look for a shop in your area that can do that. But my first suspicion would be the Goodyears, I have it on very good authority from more than one source, that Goodyear makes excellent load tires but lousy steers. In my own experience, my first 40' coach had Goodyears and wandered all over the place, I replaced them with toyos and the problem was gone. On my Country Coach, I had Goodyears and was not happy with the steering and replaced them with Michellin XZA2's. Problem solved... Michellin makes awesome steer tires. I immediately put new Michellin XZA2's on my new coach and it steers flawlessly. First thing I would do is lose the Gooodyears on the front.

Joseph Burkle

2010 Tiffin Allegro Bus 43QRP

43' quad slide tag axle ISL 425 HP pusher formerly:

2008 Country Coach Inspire 360 Founders Edition http://www. Wind-seeker.com/

Re: New driver wandering

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95526
John the first thing to check is how much play do you have in the steering wheel, with the engine off there should be very little play in the steering line. If you can move the wheel with out meeting resistance then it is time to have the steering looked at. If you get resistance then don't throw money at the coach. Just drive and get experience driving. Most new big vehicle drivers have trouble learning to use the right side mirror and also " over drive " the vehicle. Keep looking ahead and focus on the road ahead of you and glance at your mirrors. You are looking for the white line recognition with a glance. Don't focus on the mirror as this will lead you to overdrive the bus. Best way to gain confidence driving is to stay in the slow lane and let others pass you. A few hundred miles at 50 mph will do wonders for you self confidence. Good luck, Mike. 32 ft. Intrique 11422.

Re: New driver wandering

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95528
I own a 2003 CC /32. I am also past vp of the Swcc club. I can help you out with your problem. You can call me set 714-313-8134.

Re: New driver wandering

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95529
Toe in is sure to effect performance. We had 5/4 ton vans at work and when we changed from bias ply to radial tires we had to take the toe in out to prevent wandering. Our trucks were 26 ft long with a dual rear end, but the weight was on or behind the front axle, a different situation.. I have owned smaller vans and they, too had to have zero toe in with radials to stop over sensitivity and wandering. When I changed from Toyos to Michelins the hyper sensitivity went away with 12R's on my Intrigue. Now that am running 315 Continentals I am still free of the issue. My 98 36' Allure was sensitive to passing vehicles and 3/4 trailing crosswinds and overly crowned roads with Toyos. The issue went away when I changed from Toyos to the taller profile 275R80 Continentals. I know owners of 45' coaches that have the issue and the cure seemed to be different there also. One old boy who had driven for Greyhound bought a new 45' 06 Intrigue that wandered from Lazyboys. For him it was not only low inflation pressures, but a loose steering linkage I was told.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: New driver wandering

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95530
I just checked the play in the steering. With the engine off and my hands on the wheel, my hands move about 1 1/2". I do keep my eyes on traffic ahead and periodically check my mirrors to check the lane markers. But I am constantly moving the steering wheel to keep the coach going straight. It doesn't seem right and the last time I drove anything big was 30 years ago driving a large moving truck (Ryder) type more than 2k miles and I never has steering trouble. I do think this steering problem in my self confidence though.

John & Carol Jones

2001 Country Coach Allure-32'
#30672

Re: New driver wandering

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95531
Toe changing is "usually" from bumping curbs, and with the size rig we all drive we can scuff a curb and never feel it, big bumps or running up a curb you notice bump a scuff at the front or rear of the tire can move toe and you not feel it happen.

Ray

They say wine improves with age! As I enter my golden years, I say age improves with wine! The Born Loser

Re: New driver wandering

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 95532
One other is loosen your grip on wheel. When you are squeezing it everything on you is tight and any motion in the coach causes your hands to move the wheel making the problem worse.
Saw this from time to time with sporty motorcycles. New riders to the bike said it was twitchy or overly sensitive. Turned out they were overly tensed and causing the problem.