"wandering" or loose steering

[ialwaysneedaroadtrip]

Anyone have this problem: A "wandering" or "loose" steering wheel on their Class Cs with a Ford V-10 Triton E-350 engine?

I've been reading a lot about this on all different forums...some say "You just have to get used to it." Others say it could be anything from uneven loads to mismatched tire pressure to alignment problems, to much more costly issues.

When I took MINE! up to Flag last month, she appeared to have really loose steering...my hands got pretty fatigued. But That was only 6 - 700 miles total. Some say you need to drive it a lot farther to get the real feel of the rig.

They put brand new tires on her at the dealer before delivery...thus would have to align it right afterward...yes? Or only automatic balancing would be done...not necessarily an automatic alignment?

[Bethers]

Do not figure they did an alignment. My Class C is also an E350 and has never had loose steering. Drove a friends truck (which she used to pull her tt) and I was exhausted after only a few miles. She didn't think it was anything. I could never do that.

So, I'd make them find what's causing it and fix it. And I wouldn't accept any of those folks who tell you to "get used to it". I'd never want to drive this if it fatigued me to drive it on beautiful non-windy days. Couldn't imagine if it did and then I had to add wind, etc on other days.

[retiredhappy]

My very first 1989 Ford Falcon class B had loose steering. I was told that was age related and nothing could be done and it was exhausting to drive. First, I check out the alignment and the tire balancing. If that doesn't fix the problem not sure what would.

[mnladyus]

When you buy new tires, they don't do an automatic alignment, or balancing. That's usually something to have to ask for. Sounds like the tires are toed out instead of straight. I would take it in and get it aligned. Your hands shouldn't be tired from driving. You should be able to take your hands off the wheel and have it go straight. ( On a straight road of course). If it's an older camper, you may need some new parts such as ball joints.

[JudyJB]

I have an E450 and have never had loose steering. (I did have that in an old car that was given to us many years ago, and it was terrifying because you never felt like you really had control. We finally trashed that car.)

If the alignment does not correct this, take it to a Ford dealer and have them check the steering and things like the ball joints that were mentioned. There are lots of things that could cause this and some of them are dangerous.

This is really not something you should have to get used to. Don't let anyone dismiss you as a woman who is imagining something.

[Cougarfan]

When I had my B+ I also experienced loose steering. I was advised that the chassis is aligned at the factory and needs to be aligned again after the coach is installed on the chassis. If an alignment doesn't help, you can get a steering stabilizer that should help out a little more.

Laura

[ialwaysneedaroadtrip]

Thanks for all the replies, everyone!

I've been back from my 2 week trip a couple of days now, and have put more than 3000 miles on the rig thus far...so I am "used to it," but now realize the gist of what's happening with this steer/swaying problem.

Interestingly she drove better with the "Tow/Haul" on (we were towing my car after all), and descending down a grade. The worst times was when semis passed us, and when we were in gusty winds. My daughter was "white knuckling" more than me, and could only handle driving around 200 miles at a time. But I was grateful for at least those breaks.

The rig is now at Ford for another problem; the header gasket needed replacing...we took the entire trip with an exhaust manifold leak, because they couldn't work on it in time for our trip...but it was not as bad as we thought it would be. No exhaust ever built up inside...she got us to the Ozarks/STL and back fine. And since we were aware of the potential for that happening we took precautions, anyway.

So while she is at Ford I've asked them to look at this steering-swaying problem. And yes, it IS more common than not...my service guy was familiar with the problem even before I got the entire explanation out of my mouth, and there's huge threads on other RV forums about just this subject. Funny thing is that I found that the rig already has a steering damper on it...but makes no difference at all.

There is a number of things that people do in this case; heavier shocks, heavy anti-sway bars in back (since it sometimes feels as if the back is steering the front), heavy duty nitrogen (not hydraulic, which is the one it has) stabilizers...etc.

I will probably start with one item at a time that will have a better chance of fixing it. To get all those items together will run into over $4000. Not gonna happen...so I'll see what Ford can do while it's still under warranty. After that I'm on my own.

[sharon]

I hope you realize that the girls are talking front end alignment and not tire balance.....just sayin'.

[ialwaysneedaroadtrip]

Yeah...I do...thanks.

She didn't pull at all in either direction, so I don't think it needs aligning...but they'll probably check it at Ford anyway.

[JudyJB]

Nearly all motorhomes sway in the wind or when they are passed by a truck, but when you talk about loose steering, that usually means you can turn the steering wheel a few degrees with the vehicle not turning, or that the vehicle wanders off on its own one way or another even though you haven't turned the wheel.

It is OK to get used to the swaying and being blown about by the wind, but the loose steering if that is truly what it is needs to be checked. Things like tie rod ends could be worn if you are driving an older vehicle. If they fail or break while you are driving, you could have an accident. Ditto for things like front axles.

Is your rig new? ANd is this the first time you have ever driven it? You might ask the Ford dealer to check it out and drive it to make sure it is only your being new at driving this and not some safety issue.

Also, 200 miles is about right for one day. These vehicles do take more concentration while driving, so it is more tiring. I am worn out from 200 miles, so try to make that my limit.

[ialwaysneedaroadtrip]

Thanks Judy.
No, the rig is a 2010.
I've put 3700 (driven 2700 myself) miles on it since July; bought it in June.
Yes, wheel can be turned without actually turning the rig.
The first day of the trip when I'm fresh, I can go 3 - 400 miles. After that I get tired after 200.
It's at Ford right now getting a new head gasket. Once that's done they'll check the steering.
However, the warranty I bought won't cover any new items needing to be added, only current items going bad....whether those items actually fix the problem or not. ...like the steering damper already on there, which is useless. So I have to be careful, and not spend $ on stuff that doesn't actually fix the problem. The research I've done shows people have spent as much as $4000 on the problem.

[sharon]

My coach was wandering so badly when I bought it I was ready to take it back and get my old one back. Had the front end aligned and all was wonderful. It didn't pull, it just wandered. Look like a drunk going down the road.

[mitch5252]

...Look like a drunk going down the road.

..
Don't you know better than to drink and drive?
Especially that behemoth you drive!
..

[JudyJB]

The important thing is to be safe, and it sounds as if you are having it all checked. Hope it improves with the alignment.