You can spend a lot of money throwing hardware at this sort of thing and the sales people at Camping World will gladly help you do it. Most of them are not particularly expert at handling problems - they just know what the catalog says to sell for handling complaints.

If there are no indications the alignment is off in normal (not high winds) conditions, I'd go with a track bar first, either front or rear. If that doesn't do it, upgrade the existing antisway bar to a larger size (or add one of it doesn't already have such a thing).

I personally feel that steering stabilizers like the Safe-T-Plus are a waste of money for handling problems. (Yes, I've owned one). They are intended to help keep the steering wheel centered and nothing else. The problem in the wind is that you have to continuously steer off-center to counteract the wind forces that are pushing your RV sideways on its suspension. That means you will be fighting both the wind and the Sate-T-Plus in this situation. It does, however, make the steering feel stiffer.

Shocks are not indicated - their purpose is to control rebound of the springs after hitting a bump or pothole. They are not stiffeners.

When we first bought our motorhome, I had great difficulty when it was windy or when large trucks passed by. Consequently, I had a Safe-T-Plus stabilizer installed and cannot overstate the improvement. Now, moderate winds and passing trucks have minimal impact. Issues like tire pressure and weight distribution are crucial to good handling but there are limits to these influences. At that point, products like steering stabilizers and track bars should be considered Best of luck.

Jack

If you are out west anyway why not take it to Redland's I have heard nothing but good about them and they have helped me via email on several occasions.

Gary

Thank's for all the advice. Here's my current game plan. First install a Supersteer Rear Track Bar and evaluate it's effect on handling. Second step would be to install Supersteer Bell cranks on Front End and re-aline. Third if needed would be a front Track bar either a Davis or Supersteer unit.
I'm thinking about installing the rear Track bar myself if the U bolts don't need to be replaced it looks pretty straight foreward and I have the tools to do it. The bell Cranks I would most likely have done probably at Campers World. I'm not comfortable messing with steering components the saving is not worth the risk. Again any advice or critiques of this plan are welcome. Our Fiesta is built on a Workhouse P32 chasis and appears to have a factory rear antisway bar maybe 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter.

Again I can't tell you all how helpful your advice has been we are very grateful .

Best Regards
Dave

Hi Dave,
Your plan is a good one. Do one thing at a time and that may allow you to stop before installing additional components. Supersteer is a great company with great products. If you install their steering stablizer, get the model that allows you to re-center the steering from the driver's seat. This is critical when fighting side winds.

Sounds like a plan, except that I believe your 2003 Workhorse chassis already has an improved bell crank. Workhorse re-engineered it to get rid of the sloppy old Chevy bell crank in the P32.

The Workhorse chassis is based on 4 sets of leaf springs. Leaf springs do not do well at keeping the chassis centered over the wheels.

The best thing you can do for sidewinds is to install track bars, mine became acceptable with only the front track bar.

The steering stabilizer would be the last thing I would do. Though it can help.

Evaluation and upgrade list (test drives occur between each step):

1) Weigh the vehicle, all four corners, and adjust weight distribution as needed.
2) Determine correct tire pressure and apply.
3) Have the alignment checked and corrected.
4) How is the ride? Consider shocks.
5) Do you have problems with rutted roads, cross winds, passing vehicles or the toad pushing you around? Install a front or rear track bar.
6) Did the track bar help? Is it still a problem? Install the other track bar.
7) Does the vehicle lean too much in a corner, does it sway a lot when entering/exiting a driveway? Install anti-sway bars (both ends).
8) Still want more stability in the steering wheel? Install a steering stabilizer. This is last because the other items will have more effect. A steering stabilizer before track bars only hides the root problem.

IMHO, I don't believe any upgrades will have a real affect on severe cross winds. You just need some steady nerves, strong arms and patience. And hope the winds settle down tomorrow.

The next time it's real windy out, grab a 4'x8' sheet of ply wood and stand outside, now imagine 10 of the standing on their ends going down the road, WOW that's one big sail, 40' long. Can you imagine the force you poor Motorhome is taking. I'm impressed they stay on the road at all. Practice your driving skills and take your time.

Again, Only MHO

Steve,
I'm sorry you do not believe. For years, I have installed and use quite a few after market chassis improvement products, on different coaches. Each make the improvement it was designed for. For cross winds, the best two products I have used are the SuperSteer Motion Control Units and a steering stablizer that allows the driver to recenter the steering to compensate for cross winds. Steve, these products work outstaningly. Better than their advertisments.

I don't know if your opinion is from real use experience or not. If it is from real use experience, would you share with us the product and why you were disappointed. For me, the handling of the coach improved dramatically with each product's installation. At this time, my coach handles like my SUV.

Gary, I did install the the SS MCUs but not with cross winds in mind. I don't believe there is a single upgrade available that claims to counter act cross winds, nor do they make the claim. I have had discussions with the various Manufacturers, and not a single one will state their product will cure, or for that matter even improve cross wind performance. We must remember here that cross winds are not a suspension related condition. It is incredible side forces working on your coach. I believe if you ask the big truck operators they will tell you the only solution is, good counter steer skills and quick reflexes.
However, I am open to any proven cures to help make my traveling safer and more enjoyable