All About Tires October 16, 2022, 12:10:03 pm Joan recently updated her compendium on tires. I could not resist and added my two cents worth.An article on tires was recently updated in The Companion. I call this to your attention as improperly inflated tires and worn suspension parts will cause the LD to not track straight. I read here that some have installed sway bars to correct that. Since our rig has always tracked like a train, and the several dozen LD owners I know have no problems with "sway". I suspect a sway bar masks the effect of improper inflation and/or worn suspension parts. A 20-30-year-old vehicle will have worn parts. Print the article out and read it very carefully. First, get your rig weighed and get the tires inflated to the manufacturer's specs. [See article] That is probably not the pressure the guy at the tire store thinks is right. Nor is it the pressure your neighbor thinks is correct. Yes, you will have to go to a truck stop and pay to have it weighed. You can do it!Then get the suspension inspected by someone that is not selling after-market parts.Here's the link. The Lazy Daze Companion: All About Tires 4 Likes
Re: All About Tires Reply #1 – October 16, 2022, 12:40:24 pm Quote from: Don Malpas - October 16, 2022, 12:10:03 pmThen get the suspension inspected by someone that is not selling after-market parts.I suspect that Henderson's Line-Up wouldn't qualify, they love selling suspension "enhancement" parts.Larry 1 Likes
Re: All About Tires Reply #2 – October 16, 2022, 01:35:11 pm "I suspect that Henderson's Line-Up wouldn't qualify,..."Have you actually used Henderson's service, Larry? I have on several occasions and have always found them to be straight and knowledgeable folks. Yes, they will try to get you to buy their accessories, that's what they are in business for!But if you've done your homework and are on top of the game you can not only get what you want but come away happy.I took my new 2004 LD to Henderson's for it's initial alignment. If it hadn't been for their knowledge and critical inspection I would never have known that the 'U' bolts securing the rear axle were never tightened when the frame was lengthened. Yes, even the rear axle needs alignment if necessary. 3 Likes
Re: All About Tires Reply #3 – October 17, 2022, 07:51:11 am I listened to the Henderson pitch at an LD GTG. Refused to answer a question about the plastic casters the E450 is delivered with. My opinion - Snakeoil.140,000 miles and it has always tracked straight in high winds and when a big rig passes. 1 Likes
Re: All About Tires Reply #4 – October 17, 2022, 10:49:49 am "...a question about the plastic casters the E450 is delivered with." I'm buffaloed! Just what are these 'plastic casters' 1 Likes
Re: All About Tires Reply #5 – October 17, 2022, 03:14:28 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - October 16, 2022, 01:35:11 pm"I suspect that Henderson's Line-Up wouldn't qualify,..."Have you actually used Henderson's service, Larry? I have on several occasions and have always found them to be straight and knowledgeable folks. Yes, they will try to get you to buy their accessories, that's what they are in business for!But if you've done your homework and are on top of the game you can not only get what you want but come away happy.I took my new 2004 LD to Henderson's for it's initial alignment. If it hadn't been for their knowledge and critical inspection I would never have known that the 'U' bolts securing the rear axle were never tightened when the frame was lengthened. Yes, even the rear axle needs alignment if necessary. I have visited Hendersons and seen their facilities, it's where RV owners go for suspension upgrades and alignments. Our new LD didn't need any of their products and it had already visited a truck alignment shop. Ford had provided a decent chassis, and improving the handling would just encourage me to push it harder, something I don't want to do in a motorhome. My view is Hendersons tend to oversell its products. During the years I worked on LDs, I saw many examples of new owners being sold the full boat suspension upgrade...HD shocks, front and rear HD swaybars, steering centering devices, and even a few rear axle track bars (a device used on coil spring suspension and normally not used or needed with leaf spring suspensions). As you said "if you've done your homework and are on top of the game" approach works well but most owners do not know much or anything about the steering or suspension and are open to suggestions.I suggest that new LD owners first have their rig weighed, after loading, to check for proper side-to-side and front-to-back balance and to set the correct tire pressure. Next, have the front end aligned.I was displeased with the way our new LD steered until the proper tire pressure was set, after weighing, and the front end aligned, it made a world of difference and the rig became fun to drive..Realize no matter what is done to the steering and suspension, it still has the twin-I-beam front end, along with its different steering characteristics. After driving a couple of thousand miles, the different steering will feel normal. At this point, if you feel the need for improvements, go for it but do it with your eyes open and do your homework first.The E450's rear suspension with leaf springs has its alignment "baked in" when manufactured. If the rear axle is out of alignment, this usually indicates it has been bent in an accident or the leaf springs are worn or damaged. Loose u-bolts will definitely affect the alignment until torqued to specs.It's a good idea to have your mechanic check all the critical chassis hardware periodically.Larry 2 Likes
Re: All About Tires Reply #6 – October 17, 2022, 06:20:25 pm Quote from: Don Malpas - October 17, 2022, 07:51:11 am.... My opinion - Snakeoil. ....Snake Oil Salesman perhaps?Snake oil gets an undeserved bad rap. Chinese immigrants working the railroads brought with them medicines made from the oil of Sea Snakes which do have anti inflammatory effects. SNAKE OILA lot of unscrupulous hucksters jumped on that bandwagon. 2 Likes
Topic: All About Tires (Read 256 times)
previous topic - next topic
Topic: All About Tires (Read 256 times)
previous topic - next topic