Steer Safe March 31, 2021, 08:31:26 am Anyone out there that have installed Steer Safe stabilizing system? Have seen many forums with good reviews on these. Looking forward to Fall adventure and would like to drive without white knuckling and fatigue after being on the road or should I saw trying to stay on the road. Have had alignment and make sure tires are right pressures. I like the videos of installation. These are made in Deming, NM. Pricey but if it makes the rig safer and more comfortable to drive, I'm really considering the purchase. Robin
Re: Steer Safe Reply #1 – March 31, 2021, 09:04:42 am Here is some discussion from a few months agoSteer safeRich
Re: Steer Safe Reply #2 – March 31, 2021, 12:01:02 pm Thank you Rich for the resource. Very helpful going forward.Robin
Re: Steer Safe Reply #3 – March 31, 2021, 12:07:53 pm Thank you Rich for the resource. Very helpful going forward.Robin
Re: Steer Safe Reply #4 – March 31, 2021, 12:29:26 pm Just an opinion: You might want to consider a Bilstein steering stabilizer (replaces the OEM Ford stabilizer) before making a radical change to a Steer-Safe or a Safe-T-Plus. (The link shown is for a 2003 E450; plug in the model year of your chassis for the product listing.)https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/steering-stabilizers/product-line/bilstein-b8-5100-series-steering-stabilizers/year/2003/make/ford/model/e-450-super-dutyI have a Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer; at the time that it was installed (2004), I didn't realize that the product required a proprietary bracket. This required removing the OEM Ford bracket and welding the Safe-T-Plus bracket into place. I haven't looked at the installation of the Steer Safe, but if it requires permanent changes to the mounting hardware, or requires adjustments that may be difficult to do, I'd consider the installation very carefully before committing.The Bilstein stabilizer is relatively inexpensive, particularly compared to a Safe-T-Plus or a Steer Safe, it uses the OEM Ford bracket, and, from reports, performs essentially the same functions as the safe-T-Plus or the Steer Safe. The Safe-T-Plus on my 2003 still works OK, but it requires too-frequent adjustment to keep it centered, and because of the proprietary bracket, there are no 'do overs'. The only solution (for my rig) is a new Safe-T-Plus. I suggest carefully vetting all of the currently-available products before making a decision.YMMV, as always. 4 Likes
Re: Steer Safe Reply #5 – April 01, 2021, 11:33:26 am Hi Robin,I sent you a pm regarding the steer safeLarry
Re: Steer Safe Reply #6 – April 01, 2021, 02:01:06 pm Our 2003 LD has 126,000 miles on it and I have never felt a need to add an aftermarket steering centering device, the power steering is very powerful.Ford's design works fine as far as I'm concerned. I do agree with Joan's suggestion to run the Bilstein steering stabilizer when the stock stabilized is worn. Factory stabilizers are usually done by 50,000 miles or sooner.Working on LDs as long as I did, many of the centering devices I inspected were either loose, broken or out of adjustment, they do not have the strength or longevity of parts designed by Ford. With a new rig, have the front end aligned once you have it loaded and a few thousand miles on it, you may be amazed at the difference n the steering. I was.Larry 3 Likes
Re: Steer Safe Reply #7 – April 01, 2021, 02:35:25 pm Like Larry, I have found no need for steering enhancements for my '08 MB. It does not pull and could be steered with 2 fingers. I note that some steering enhancements are basically a shock absorber. Others use springs to help hold the steering in a neutral position. You could not pay me to have one of those on my rig. If they get slightly out of adjustment, your rig will always be pulling to one side or the other. If they are in adjustment and you are on a relatively straight road, they would not be a problem, but if you are on a tightly winding mountain road (my favorite) the unit will be fighting every turn of the wheel away from dead center.I will stay with the Ford stabilizer.Ken F in NM 1 Likes
Re: Steer Safe Reply #8 – April 01, 2021, 02:38:44 pm I am with Larry on this. ...would like to drive without white-knuckling and fatigue after being on the road or should I saw trying to stay on the road.I do wonder what makes you and many others feel this way. What is it you are doing or not doing while I have the feeling of complete control, no wandering, etc? I wonder what an over-the-road truck driving instructor would observe? 2 Likes
Re: Steer Safe Reply #9 – April 01, 2021, 05:56:28 pm Our 2003 TK is the sweetest driving rig we’ve owned. So well balanced and easy to drive. I just don’t think I would feel the need to “upgrade” suspension components in the future. I’ll replace with stock components as needed.Now our 21 foot class B chevy liked to wonder. I always thought that was strange since I think the Chevy front wishbone suspension may be technically superior in handling but not near as rugged as the E450
Re: Steer Safe Reply #10 – April 01, 2021, 06:17:09 pm Robin: We put a Steer Safe on our 2002 LD and had it installed at the factory in Deming. We drove that motorhome for another 3 years before selling it. Yes, the Steer Safe helps, but not enough to justify the $400+ cost. I would not do it again. I would install Safe-T-Plus. Hope this helps. Gale
Re: Steer Safe Reply #11 – April 01, 2021, 10:52:54 pm Quote from: galelynn2 - April 01, 2021, 06:17:09 pmRobin: We put a Steer Safe on our 2002 LD and had it installed at the factory in Deming. We drove that motorhome for another 3 years before selling it. Yes, the Steer Safe helps, but not enough to justify the $400+ cost. I would not do it again. I would install Safe-T-Plus. Hope this helps. GaleThis thread reminds me of on going discussions about coffee circa 2001. Personally I favor steering stability built into my German cars thus I elected for Safe-T-Plus on my 2002 MB. Not only does it significantly reduce bump steer, it reduces cross wind correction and 18 wheeler push. If you elect to have one installed ensure that the installer knows how to center the stabilizer and consider having the front end aligned at the same time.
Re: Steer Safe Reply #12 – April 02, 2021, 01:39:07 am Many handling problems are caused by improper alignment, it can make a huge difference.It has been found that setting the caster to the 5 1/2+ range can help settle down a wandering rig.Adjustable alignment cams allow dialing the caster and caster in exactly to the desire specifications.CarParts.com – Right Parts, Guaranteed[model]=E-450_Super_Duty&vehicle[make]=Ford&vehicle[year]=2003CarParts.com – Right Parts, GuaranteedWhen our LD was new, I wasn't very happy with how it handled. It wandered a lot. Inspecting the front end, everything was tight, as a new vehicle should be.When it was first aligned, it required a 50 miles drive to the alignment shop,it wandered the entire way. The drive home was a world of difference, getting the toe-in and caster set made a big difference.The E450 chassis, used by LD, is set to a generic alignment specification by Ford since they have no idea how much weight will be carried by either the front or rear axles. After construction of the coach, and loading by the new owner, an alignment is needed to bring everything back into specifications.If your rig doesn't handle well, it may have worn steering and suspension parts, and/or the alignment is not right.One thing to understand, the steering will never drive like a modern passenger car, in return for the very tough Twin-I-Beam suspension, the steering links will never perfectly track with axle travel and this causes bump steer or a very slight wandering. Larry 2 Likes
Re: Steer Safe Reply #13 – April 02, 2021, 08:48:46 am "Adjustable alignment cams allow dialing the caster and caster in exactly to the desired specifications"---I had the shop replace the OEM cams on my 2003 TK with the Moog adjustable cams sometime back; they do make a difference in the ease and accuracy of setting the camber and caster.
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