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Steering Play?

Yahoo Message Number: 96415
I purchased my 2001 Allure (32') in April of this year. It was owned by a diesel mechanic who only put 28k miles on it (original owner). The tires were the originals-13 years old and the batteries were 6 years old. The one hour drive home was done by my son-I had never driven a motorhome before. My first drive was a 15 minute drive to get batteries and tires. After getting it back I noticed the tendency to drift and I was very busy with the steering wheel. I thought that after 13 years with the original TOYO Tires, that perhaps it needed alignment or something else that might have been affected by the new tires. Having been in the shop 4 times (Colton Truck Terminal) and having a variety of steering play from extreme (it felt like a suicide mission, once I got on the freeway) to subtle (now) to where I'm still busy with steering, but not nearly as bad as it was. My son said the steering was fine on that first trip home. Here is what has been done in three months:

1. The Replacement tires are Good Year 12R 22.5 G661
2. 2 axle alignment- adjust caster on rt side--Toe was towed out .08
3. Adjusted Steering box in and out with test drives each time
4. Ride Height--Front 17 3/4" shock eye to eye/Rear 10 10/16" Bag Ht
5. Checked front end (Tie rods/bearings/shocks/sway bar/bushings)

My wife & I love camping in this coach, but I do NOT enjoy driving and would describe it as stressfull. I have talked to many Country Coach owners at meets and campgrounds who love driving their coach. What is the problem? I'm thinking it is the replacement tires, but if it is, what can be done now after shelling out nearly $4k for them?
I've also been told it was because it is a short coach, but have met others with the same coach who have no problems.
Any ideas??

John & Carol Jones
2001 Allure-32'
#30672

Re: Steering Play?

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 96417
We have a 2004 33' Allure and when we purchased it in 2005 it also "wandered" - we replaced the Toyo tires with B F Goodrich ST230's load range H and had the toe-in adjusted. Mostly fixed the problem. I think you will get used to driving it. We have our toe-in on the right front checked every 2 years. It always needs adjusting. We had ours laser aligned when the tires were changed. It was checked this year and is still in alignment.

Lonny & Diane Livingston
Tampa, FL

'04 Allure #31065

Re: Steering Play?

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 96423
Have your son drive it again with the new tires and let him tell you if it is the coach or not.
A lot of folks new to driving larger vehicles tend to over steer when driving. If this the case some practice and a couple of lessons from a truck driving school may help.

Mikee

Re: Steering Play?

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 96424
IF your son is not available maybe someone at Colton Truck will drive it for you

Mikee

Re: Steering Play?

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 96425
We installed steer safe on our wandering 36' Allure. Helped us considerably and cheap insurance on a blowout.

Nate

98 Allure

Re: Steering Play?

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 96428
I first thought it could be the fact that I'm a new driver with the motorhome. I don't think that anymore. Colton is an hour from my home times four trips, plus three camping trips that were two hour drives each. My son has driven the coach since the tires were replaced and he believes it is related to the tires. He too, has the steering problem and says prior to the new tires it steered fine.

John & Carol Jones

2001 Country Coach Allure-32'
#30672

Re: Steering Play?

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 96429
Have you weighed the coach yet loaded the way you use it? Then used the tire manufacurer's recommended pressure. Over inflated tires, especially if load capacity is high for load will give rough ride and possibly "loose" handling feel. Under inflation can give bad handling also. These could be a real possibility since problem showed up with new tires and you changed brand and model of tire.

Ray

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

Re: Steering Play?

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 96442
replace the two frt tires with michlen and save the other s for spares


On Friday, July 18, 2014 9:53 AM, "'CNR' cnrllc@... [Country-Coach-Owners]" wrote:

Have you weighed the coach yet loaded the way you use it? Then used the tire manufacurer's recommended pressure. Over inflated tires, especially if load capacity is high for load will give rough ride and possibly "loose" handling feel. Under inflation can give bad handling also. These could be a real possibility since problem showed up with new tires and you changed brand and model of tire.

Ray

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

Re: Steering Play?

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 96474
After doing the diligence with tires, weight, loading, tire pressure, alignment my Inspire still had to be "herded" down the road. The new tires and alignment did help some, not nearly enough. I finally added some more toe-in to the front tire alignment and things got appreciably better, then I added a little more and now it is enjoyable to drive. No more constant adjusting the steering wheel going down the road. JUstg a few thousand miles since the adjustment, not noticing any significant tire wear at this point though.

Dale C.

05 Inspire #51447
Dale Collier
05 Inspire 53477

Re: Steering Play?

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 96475
I seem to be having problems with this format but will try again. I picked my coach up with empty waste tanks, 1/2 tank fresh water, and full propane. We loaded enough stuff for 4 day trip then filled it with fuel. I ran it over a scale and was shocked to find I was 220 lbs over on the rear axle (20220)! The coach did not drive well requiring constant correction and I couldn't shake the feeling that the back end was moving side to side causing the front to move opposite. My tire pressures were 100 front and 90 in the rear. Yesterday I upped the rears to 105 psi and left the front alone. Night & day difference-no more wandering. I do plan on getting the front end checked and both front and rear alignment because it's new to me. The improvement was dramatic. You might be heavy on the rear as well.

Re: Steering Play?

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 96476
Toe in should be no less than 1/8 and no more than 1/4" at rest. As you drive the tires tend to toe out so any play in the steering will decrease toe in.

Mikee

Re: Steering Play?

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 96477
Dale,

How far out of spec did you finally go with the toe-in to get the good results? Daron Hairabedian, 98 Allure 30226

Re: Steering Play?

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 96478
I stopped in at the tire dealer on Friday. Their opinion, after showing them everything I've done to remedy the problem, is that more than likely it is the tire pattern. I was told to bring it in Monday morning and the manager will try to resolve it. I'm hopeful, but have been there before. I will tread carefully. I am hoping to get out for another week long trip on Tuesday or Wednesday. This will be trip number four since getting the rig in April. I'm also looking forward to my new 3-camera backup camera, that is replacing my black and white CC camera. At the same time I added a ten tire monitor system for the coach and toad. I'm just trying to get caught up with you guys who got it all as part of your CC. I also bought a DVD changer with web capability. I'm not sure if that will get installed before the trip.

Thanks for all the replies for my steering problem.
I have been vigilant about 120 in the front and 110 in the front. Hence why the addition of the monitor that gives pressure and temperature on all 10 tires.

John & Carol Jones

2001 Country Coach Allure-32'
#30672

Re: Steering Play?

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 96481
Dale,

I do not know the name of the equipment that solved the problem but call me in a couple days. l have a 2005 41406 that had the same problem, but it has been completely solved.

Stan 2005 Inspire 51406

619-929-1533

Re: Steering Play?

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 96483
Daron,

I started with a half a turn on each tie rod and went to 3/4 of a turn on the second adjustment. At the time I knew what toe that resulted in, I think I have it in logged in the manual but that's not handy at this time. It is certainly way less than the 1/4" max mentioned above, I believe it is still less than 0.1" if memory serves.

Dale C.
05 Inspire
Dale Collier
05 Inspire 53477