[jbolty]

I got this van, class B camper, a little while ago and it runs great and drives fine but at highway speed it tends to wander. I know normally bad toe in can cause this and I plan to take it in for an alignment but my gut tells me it's something else because there is no sign of abnormal tire wear.

I did a little reading online and there is talk of air bags and add on sway bars but I would like to get more info. The behaviour is a little more noticeable while towing but does it just driving as well.

This is my first Ford. Anyone with ford experience with thoughts.

Thanks

[IndyBlueWK]

Have you thought of putting on a firestone air sping kit front and rear?

[jbolty]

Since the original posting I got the front aligned, put on heavier shocks and added a steering stabilizer. All that made a pretty big difference.

Also, I noticed it wanders less if the water tanks are empty so thinking the rear must be sagging a little. It does not really look low but it has almost certainly dropped an inch or two in 20 years.

THX

[wilson1010]

Did you increase the tire width? That will usually cause it to wander. They look a little wide in the photo. Also, if those tires are sized right, are they rated right? Sometimes, we buy tires that are the right size but not the right weight rating. Those two things (and alignment) are usually the cause of wander.

[jbolty]

Stock size and rating from the door sticker. I'll probably do either air bags or a helper spring.

[RNMedic]

not sure on the 350 but does it have radius arm front end?? if so check the bushings at the frame ends.

[jbolty]

Originally Posted by RNMedic

not sure on the 350 but does it have radius arm front end?? if so check the bushings at the frame ends.

It does, and replaced when doing the alignment.

As I mentioned earlier the wandering is a lot less with 300 pounds less weight so I'm pretty sure raising the back a little is my next step. I could put all new springs on for not a lot of money or get the air bags for about $300.

Going camping this coming weekend and I'l try it with the water tank only half full and see how it goes.

THX

[TheRyans33]

Originally Posted by jbolty

It does, and replaced when doing the alignment.

As I mentioned earlier the wandering is a lot less with 300 pounds less weight so I'm pretty sure raising the back a little is my next step. I could put all new springs on for not a lot of money or get the air bags for about $300.

Going camping this coming weekend and I'l try it with the water tank only half full and see how it goes.

THX

typically water tanks are best empty or full, so there is no sloshing around. but it sounds like you had them full before? if you plan on springs or airbags, id go airbags. i plan on eventually adding them to my 350. also, is your yj on a towbar? if so, whats the angle like on it?

[jbolty]

Originally Posted by TheRyans33

typically water tanks are best empty or full, so there is no sloshing around. but it sounds like you had them full before? if you plan on springs or airbags, id go airbags. i plan on eventually adding them to my 350. also, is your yj on a towbar? if so, whats the angle like on it?

They are always full going out and maybe 1/2 coming home ( I start with 40 gallons) Last trip out I emptied them before driving home so there was appx. 200-300 lbs less.

[wilson1010]

OK, so Intervec RV's converted a bunch or E350 cutaways. Who put the sticker on the door? Intervec? That thing has every opportunity to act like a sail with that wind fin on the top and have tail wagging from the way it hangs over the back end. So it is a "falcon" sticker on the door? 300 pounds of water aren't going to mean anything. That is anecdotal and I'd urge you to look elsewhere.

I see a flat tow in the photo. Is that involved?

I have had several E350's including a cutaway. They are not nearly as effective as their load rating would indicate. That set up looks a bit piggish to me. No offense intended but the weight of that thing may be too much for an aging E350.

[jbolty]

Originally Posted by TheRyans33

typically water tanks are best empty or full, so there is no sloshing around. but it sounds like you had them full before? if you plan on springs or airbags, id go airbags. i plan on eventually adding them to my 350. also, is your yj on a towbar? if so, whats the angle like on it?

Nice flat angle and there is virtually no tongue weight.

Originally Posted by wilson1010

OK, so Intervec RV's converted a bunch or E350 cutaways. Who put the sticker on the door? Intervec? That thing has every opportunity to act like a sail with that wind fin on the top and have tail wagging from the way it hangs over the back end. So it is a "falcon" sticker on the door? 300 pounds of water aren't going to mean anything. That is anecdotal and I'd urge you to look elsewhere.

I see a flat tow in the photo. Is that involved?

Not sure about the sticker, but the computer at costco agreed with the tire size for an E-350 van so I'm sure the size is fine. Load E.


300# should not really matter, but there was definately an imporovement without it. There is really not much weight, considering the rated capacity, but the springs are 20+ years old and who knows what the previous owner(s) did with it.

thx

[jbolty]

Update:

I got a set of firestone air bags, about $260 for the full kit shipped form Amazon.

HUGE improvement. 90% or the wandering is gone and I feel much more in control. I found that a small difference in the amount of air makes a significant difference in handling. Right now I have about 60#, which gives about a 3 inch boost but I have to experiment a little more.

Thinking the next item might be a helwig sway bar. This thing is like a big wind sail but it still seems to get pushed by passing vehicles more that it should considering it's pretty heavy.

[IndyBlueWK]

This is why I love my job, please if you have any qustions about the kit or need any help with it please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-888-0650 and ask for Tyler,,, I am not a vendor just a guy that llikes to jeep and loves his job..