Question Can't look away.

[Too Little Too Late]

If I take my eyes off the road for a second, I might find myself upside down in a bean field. When I bought the coach the front wheel bearing nuts were over four turns too loose. (How does this happen?) Took them off, checked the bearings, and put them back RIGHT, with fresh gear lube. Made a huge difference, but still I can't look away for a second. I watched Ernest Borgnine on YouTube looking around and carrying on conversations with everyone in the coach. He even made a remark saying it was like driving a really big station wagon. I've been to three alignment shops. Watched YouTube videos about adding caster to make the wheels want to center. Some one asked why the shims on the spring perches are facing opposite directions. Hmm, I don't know, maybe something to do with road crown. So I already know about the add on stuff. I just think this coach should drive a little more like a really big station wagon. In about 300 days we plan on being full timers. Any Ideas before we hit the road? . . . ahh leave?

 

[Holdmybeer]

If I take my eyes off the road for a second, I might find myself upside down in a bean field. When I bought the coach the front wheel bearing nuts were over four turns too loose. (How does this happen?) Took them off, checked the bearings, and put them back RIGHT, with fresh gear lube. Made a huge difference, but still I can't look away for a second. I watched Ernest Borgnine on YouTube looking around and carrying on conversations with everyone in the coach. He even made a remark saying it was like driving a really big station wagon. I've been to three alignment shops. Watched YouTube videos about adding caster to make the wheels want to center. Some one asked why the shims on the spring perches are facing opposite directions. Hmm, I don't know, maybe something to do with road crown. So I already know about the add on stuff. I just think this coach should drive a little more like a really big station wagon. In about 300 days we plan on being full timers. Any Ideas before we hit the road? . . . ahh leave?

I can tell you that on mine, if I put more pressure on the front end with the rear air bags the steering gets some better. Lowering the front tire pressure to the manufacturers recommended load inflation psi helps as well.

 

[Too Little Too Late]

I can tell you that on mine, if I put more pressure on the front end with the rear air bags the steering gets some better. Lowering the front tire pressure to the manufacturers recommended load inflation psi helps as well.

Thanks for the ideas. The tag for the front says 115 and I run them at 110, because when I hit a pot hole it's like an explosion. The tag for the rear says 95 and I run them at 90 for the same reason.

 

[Holdmybeer]

Thanks for the ideas. The tag for the front says 115 and I run them at 110, because when I hit a pot hole it's like an explosion. The tag for the rear says 95 and I run them at 90 for the same reason.

You could get it weighed, then consult your tire manufacturer's load inflation tables. The data plate recommendations are ordinarily based on the coaches gvwr, not your actual weight. The tires are perfectly fine at those pressures, but I'm guessing your front tires are 20-25 lbs. over what your load inflation table would list as necessary. That will both make the ride harsh and steering a bit squirrely. Just be sure to make psi changes with cold tires.

 

[Sand-dog]

I’m running my XL all six at 100 psi. I have adjusted from 90 up to 105 over the years and 100 seems to be the answer. I don’t carry a lot of extra dead weight, tools and camping gear along with the usual stuff inside. I’d like to run my front Michelin‘s at 95 or less, but I’m afraid it might put extra wear on the tires.

 

[DennisT]

As stated previously, getting the coach weighed will give you the best info. Once we got ours weight I was able to lower the pressures 5 lbs from the sticker.

 

[Holdmybeer]

I’m running my XL all six at 100 psi. I have adjusted from 90 up to 105 over the years and 100 seems to be the answer. I don’t carry a lot of extra dead weight, tools and camping gear along with the usual stuff inside. I’d like to run my front Michelin‘s at 95 or less, but I’m afraid it might put extra wear on the tires.

The wear you’re concerned about is from the area of tire patch. If your tires are inflated in accordance with your tire mfg’ers load inflation table the tire patch ( the area of the tire in contact with the surface) will be usual.

 

[Sand-dog]

The wear you’re concerned about is from the area of tire patch. If your tires are inflated in accordance with your tire mfg’ers load inflation table the tire patch ( the area of the tire in contact with the surface) will be usual.

Yep my rigs weight is around 34,000 pounds and weighed in at the factory. I’m assuming that includes the refrigerator,stove, wash and dryer and so on. I probably only load it with about 1500 pounds. According to the Michelin tire guide it says 110 psi for max load psi. I think I’m pretty close to the max for all six tires. I need to get four corners weight unfortunately have no way of doing that where I live. 100 psi seems about right for the comfort. I keep an eye on the temperature while driving.

 

[Holdmybeer]

Four corner weighing is not permitted at Cat Scales and is otherwise imo unnecessary. Get a front and rear axle(s) weight and don’t be afraid to adjust the psi accordingly. Most MH operators are running around with tires inflated to pressures in excess of what is necessary for the load.

 

[Too Little Too Late]

I’m running my XL all six at 100 psi. I have adjusted from 90 up to 105 over the years and 100 seems to be the answer. I don’t carry a lot of extra dead weight, tools and camping gear along with the usual stuff inside. I’d like to run my front Michelin‘s at 95 or less, but I’m afraid it might put extra wear on the tires.

Thanks for the info. It's good to know what others are doing to make this a better experience. We usually load the coach, no scratch that. We usually overload the coach because we are the hub that all the children and grandchildren hover around. Twenty trips from the stationary kitchen to the rolling kitchen before we go is not unheard of. We feed them all. Anyway I'm gonna play around with the tire pressure. Someone else suggested I get it weighed, and check the tire specs. Maybe when it's loaded with stuff would be good. My friend drives a truck with a 40 foot trailer and he is relaxed while driving. My time behind the wheel is like hovering a helicopter, except the helicopter is easier.

 

[Too Little Too Late]

Four corner weighing is not permitted at Cat Scales and is otherwise imo unnecessary. Get a front and rear axle(s) weight and don’t be afraid to adjust the psi accordingly. Most MH operators are running around with tires inflated to pressures in excess of what is necessary for the load.

An excellent idea. I'm thinking about steering geometry, when it might simply be tire inflation.

 

[Sand-dog]

Four corner weighing is not permitted at Cat Scales and is otherwise imo unnecessary. Get a front and rear axle(s) weight and don’t be afraid to adjust the psi accordingly. Most MH operators are running around with tires inflated to pressures in excess of what is necessary for the load.

Agree I constantly read people running max tire pressures usually 110 and that’s crazy

 

[Too Little Too Late]

Agree I constantly read people running max tire pressures usually 110 and that’s crazy

Then call me crazy AND uninformed. On my cars I inflate to what the door sticker says, and I have no complaints whatsoever. The sticker behind the drivers seat on this land yacht says 115 front and 95 rear. I will be finding a place to weigh this rig, and then come up with some NEW inflation numbers. Our next adventure is not till January, but I will be back here to update my new driving experience. Holy cow, could this really be the answer to ALL of the drivability issues with this coach? I'm gonna print some load inflation tables for these tires and put them on the dash today. Thank you to all who responded and changed my focus. In about a year we plan to be full time in the RV, and this could make a world of difference. I really hope this is the answer.