Do you have a question related to alignment, steering, handling, braking, fuel economy, tires, safety and maintenance of your RV? Robert Henderson, the president of Henderson’s Line-Up Brake and RV and SuperSteer/SuperStop products in Grants Pass, Oregon, is available to answer questions from readers. You may send your questions by e-mail to editor@rvlife.com.

Question:
I have had handling problems with my Great West Van RV from the first day I bought it second hand. Firstly the drivers side torsion bar arm was not installed properly, nuts were on the wrong side of the washers and therefore pulled through. Secondly the tire pressure was only 32 psi on 15 inch tires.Thirdly the shock absorbers are Monroe gas-matic. Also the leaf springs were at their old age( 22 years old) and needed help.
Solutions: I replaced the torsion bar arm. I replaced the tires and rims with 16-inch rims and heavy duty tires at 50 psi. Two new leaf springs were added to each side to bring the back end up 1 inch and level with the front.

I am contemplating replaceing the Monroe shocks with Bilstein shocks. These camperized vans were only designed as vans and were top heavy and often overweight and under designed for handling at highway speeds. Will new shocks increase the handling and increase the ride and comfort of this 6400 kgm van?

Regards,
Tom Gray

Answer:
Hello Tom,

It sounds like you have made some positive changes. The 16" wheels allows a much greater selection of tires including a full steel casing.  They have better load carrying and handling characteristics than a polyester sidewall, which will rot before the tread wears out on a
vehicle that does not get driven a lot.  I would recommend installing sway bars as well to reduce sway.  If you have bars already, you may be able to Increase the bar's diameter to reduce sway.

You don't say what chassis your coach is built on. You mention the springs need help. If springs are weak or overloaded that will also cause sway.  Are they coil springs?  If so, I believe you may be calling the radius rod or strut rod the torsion arm. If that's the case, it may be Dodge or Ford twin I beam suspension. How much does it weigh, front axle vs. rear axle?  What is the factory GVW front and rear? I am assuming that this a Class B type vehicle (van conversion).

You may want to come down for a Road Performance Assessment at Henderson's Line-Up or at one of our authorized centers. I will look forward to finding out a little more about your rig.

Wishing you Safer & Happier Driving! —Robert