RV Hacks Hellwig Sway Bars & SafeT Plus
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- Опубліковано 16 бер 2019
- Is a smooth ride worth $1,000 ?
We install front and rear Hellwig stabilizer bars and the Safe T Plus steering Stabilizer to find out.
Spoiler alert: YES
BE SURE ALL BOLTS ARE TIGHTENED CORRECTLY - a stripped nut can happen easily - I know of 2 people this happened to.
Great video. The front Helwig sway bar I just installed on our 2018 Ford E450 in Nov 2023 included 2 new bolts/washers to replace the smaller headed bolts. Now all 4 bolts use the same size socket.
Thank you very much for your video!!😊
Great job Joe. Thanks for your hard work on installing the equipment. Love the new ride. :).
Been thinking about doing that to our Thor axis. Our front in alignment really did help a lot. thanks!!
We just did a long drive today and it was much smoother ... but long drives are still "work" - thanks for watching
We did the front and rear Hellwig bars, front Sumo springs and the SafeTplus, wow what a difference. A pleasure to drive now.
That's what I'd like to do. What year & model is your motorcoach? Did you DIY or have it done by a suspension specialist? Are you thinking of replacing the stock shocks too?
My ‘21 Axis 27.7 modifications all done by myself (except alignment) in this order:
SafeTPlus
Sumo front
Alignment
Each made a noticeable difference, I ordered Hellwig 7180 yesterday and hope that ends the need for more. Btw my favorite upgrade was the BigFoot Quadra leveling system. I did that too.
5 years later - what are your thoughts? Noticeable improvement?
We put Safe-T-Plus on our 2022 Axis 24.1. It was a night and day difference on the road with passing semis and general handling. Had them install for us at Tallapoosa; called two days in advance, easy to schedule, no charge for labor! Went from white knuckles to relaxed driving.
Thanks for a very good video! 👍 How many adjustments on the Safe-T-Plus did you have to make to get your coach to steer straight?
Hey Guys, nice upgrades. First to comment! LOL Our Safe-T-Plus is sitting in the house until the snow melts so we can do our install. Our main reason for the Safe-T-Plus is in case of a blowout. Talking with other people, that can save your life. :)
Thanks - hope to never have a tire problem ..... a guy can hope ;-) as always thanks for watching.
a tip : watch movies on flixzone. Me and my gf have been using it for watching lots of of movies lately.
@Brody Cade yup, been using Flixzone} for since november myself =)
I have a 2018 Vegas 25.4 when I looked into these mods, the salesman stated that I should try alignment first. I did and haven't found the need for expense and hassle for little reward. Alignment makes driving simple, stable and less fatigue. IMHO
Generally you would do an alignment after all of the suspension upgrades are completed. Not an expert here but recommended by many.
We have Safe-T-Plus and Sumo Springs plus had extra positive Caster on our alignment, drives much better. The Safe-T-Plus factory in Atlanta installed our steering stabilizer and has already replaced it once and adjusted it twice at no charge. BTW, I think some of the right channel audio didn't play on your video.
Good to hear SafeTPlus has such great service. I will have to listen with headphones 🍀
Hi
Can you please share some info about the caster positive upgrade .
I am going to do it next week and i have the caster bushings for my 97 ford e350 tioga 24ft.
Right bow i have 3.2-4.2 caster
How much the caster needs to be?
What price for labor this upgrade should cost?
Thanks.
Your Video was really helpful, may I suggest driving up on a couple 2x10x2's give you a few more inches of room.
Good idea!
You still need to do the sumosprings you will be surprised with the differece in driving
We did add the sumo springs and we agree the ride is much better.
@@RVingwiththeMoracas Do the sumo springs give a softer ride on the freeway?
Yes, we noticed a difference.
Steering stabilizers are just shock absorbers.. there is no center. It just dampens the shock load from road input. Centering is done by the caster in the wheel alignment. If the shock absorber / steering stabilizer has a centering position and the caster center and the stabilizer center don't match.. you are going to have the 2 systems fighting each other, and possibly creating a pull left across the center line or right onto the shoulder. NOT good.
Yeah.. you shouldn't be having to adjust the steering stabilizer that finite. If the original shock absorber was still absorbing shocks.. not pushing itself to any position, it was probably fine. If a person didn't get the new stabilizer just right.. watch out lawsuit.
The Safe-T-Plus and Roadmaster RSSC do contain opposing springs for centering and a shock absorber each as well. One shouldn't ask either product to act as a band-aid to correct an underlying problem as it may compromise the unit when needed in a crisis (IE steer tire blowout at speed). They shouldn't do the work afforded by a proper alignment for the weight and driving characteristics of each individual MH (that particular vehicle loaded in travel mode).
Getting a "proper" alignment for Ford E-350/E-450 chassis can be obtained but absolutely needs technician that knows what he's/she's doing with proper replacement bushings to achieve the configuration of CASTER for steering & return to center & wander correction : CAMBER : and TOE-IN. Look into it (IRV2 and other web threads and those associated within their MH's brands) before paying for the everyday big bucks for the little effort service of 'TOE and go' most common today by computerized alignment jockeys relying on Ford's very liberal range of values (caster mainly) - which is necessary due to the versatile nature of the "E" chassis in all kinds of trucking/civil use configurations, hence it's popularity. Yes, "it's within Ford's specs", but not the specs the subject MH needs to drive correctly.
Once the rig is aligned correctly and driving true, then add a safety steering stabilizer unit. In a panic moment, with the extreme shocks and noises of a steer blowout, having the aid provided by one of these units, in good shape and not fatigued, could make the difference between an inconvenience and a disaster. I'm not suggesting it'll keep you upright and on the pavement by itself, but it'll give instant and additional resistance to the immediate pull towards the compromised tire's side than a shock absorber alone, and offer a split second more time for the driver to concentrate on his steering wheel to correct and control the direction of steer, accelerate a bit to get control of the vehicle's forward momentum, then direct it to a safer stop.
Nice upgrade! Safe Travels!
Have a Glamperrific Day!
👍😀🌈🤪🌈😎🌈😍
Thanks guys - it was actually fun installing that stuff - and seems to be worth it.
Hey guys... Glam Onward Bound!
Thanks for the video. Question, I have same Ford e450 for my rv. Looking at the driver side where the anti sway bar is attached to the frame. How do you get a wrench around the nuts that are on the bolts connecting the sway bar and safetplus to the frame? Nuts are inside of hollow frame. Reuse same said bolt and nut? Thanks again for the video.
Yes you can reuse nuts just be sure bolts are correct length and get torqued appropriately. If not I would have a professional look at it.
So is it safe for just anyone to install?
my opinion is if you have the tools and some experience most anyone can do it.
I going to watch this twice to figure this all out! Master Gismo You!! Peach hello! Peachy B ...❤️❤️👍👍🍑🍑🍑
Thanks 😊