Pleasureway Excel Handling

[Gimblerotor]

I’m sure this topic has been beaten to death but I am wondering if anyone has installed a Roadmaster RAS system on a Ford Pleasureway Excel.
I have a new to us 2006 Excel that is a bit of a pig in wind.
I have rear wheel spacers, a Steer Safe steering stabilizer, wheels aligned to Pleasureway specs, air bags at 50 PSI.
The alignment helped but it could handle better. I think it would wear me out on a trip.

[GallenH]

Have you had the steering box inspected for play? Read somewhere that that might be an issue with Fords. On the other hand, high winds are an issue with everyone so that might not be abnormal. Sounds like you've done most of the items people recommend.

[Gimblerotor]

Steering box play is good.

[Roadtrek Adventuous RS1]

Originally Posted by Gimblerotor

Steering box play is good.

Have you considered contacting them for advice? They can be very helpful. Look them up online.

[booster]

There is a specific rear swaybar made for the Excel. It is listed in several recent threads on this forum. Try to search for those discussions, and if you can't find them post back here and we will try to dig them out for you. The rear bar seems to be give the greatest improvement compared to other changes, based on what I have seen on here from other Excel owners.

[Frumpster]

Tire pressure on my dodge widebody, fronts,65,rear,75. I would also put the rear air bags to at least 70 psi. Not only will they control bounce, but also rear end wobble.

[Wandering Wes]

I have a 2010 Pleasureway Excel. Before buying it I had read about the handling problems of the Excels but I really wanted the wide body. It came with rear wheel spacers and air bags but it still had handling issues. Per the recommendations I read (Michelin tires and Bilstein shocks). I replace the tires with the Michelin Defenders (after 65k miles, I just replaced then with Agilis) and the handling improved but then I installed the shocks and now it handles more like a pickup truck at even at 75mph…. Also remove the steering stabilizer. It is more likely a sway problem and not a steering problem. You are probably over steering to compensate for sway. Note: You have a 2006 so you results may vary.

Wandering Wes
2010 Pleasure-way Excel TS
Never a problem, Sometimes a challenge, Always an adventure

[Gimblerotor]

Thanks Wandering Wes. I will disconnect the steering stabilizer and see what happens.
The alignment spec sheet from Pleasureway says not to install a stabilizer.
What pressure do you run your air bags at?
I have new Hankook tires. Hope that’s not the problem.

[GallenH]

Doesn't the alignment sheet from PW state to disconnect any steering stabilizer before doing the alignment?

[Wandering Wes]

The Hancook tires were the original tires that came with my unit and numerous posts suggested they had major problems. I normally run my air bags at 40-50 psi unless I am carrying my 150 lb. scooter on the rear then I raise them to 70 psi.

Wandering Wes
2010 Pleasure-way Excel TS
Never a problem, Sometimes a challenge, Always an adventure

[WayneH]

Originally Posted by Gimblerotor

I’m sure this topic has been beaten to death but I am wondering if anyone has installed a Roadmaster RAS system on a Ford Pleasureway Excel.
I have a new to us 2006 Excel that is a bit of a pig in wind.
I have rear wheel spacers, a Steer Safe steering stabilizer, wheels aligned to Pleasureway specs, air bags at 50 PSI.
The alignment helped but it could handle better. I think it would wear me out on a trip.

I have a 2001 Excel RD and the same problem, driving it wears me out. Has anyone found a fix for this??

[GallenH]

Mine: 1997 Pleasureway SWT. In what way is the steering wearing you out. IOW: what symptoms are you experiencing? I drove 3000-4000 miles on a trip this spring.

[WayneH]

Hi Gallen. It swayed and I had to constantly fight it to keep in my lane. It would go to the right then overcompensate when I tried to correct it.

[GallenH]

Are you on the Dodge 3500 chassis?

[WayneH]

Yes, the Dodge 3500.

[GallenH]

The Dodge 3500 had several issues by itself as a van. First, the distance between the front tires is greater than the rear tires. That’s the reason that some in this thread have added rear tire spacers: so that they are the same as the front and will track in line with them. Second, I’ve been told that the Dodge employs “all-time power steering” as opposed to a gradated power steering where the strength of its effect is most at low speeds and least at high speeds (making higher speeds more “manual” steering). Those design flaws are there in my RV but I don’t experience any great problems in driving even at 65-70-75MPH……..except in high winds which are an issue for everyone. Some suggestions:

1. Make sure your tires are good and properly inflated. Pleasureway recommends 60# front, 80# rear and 60# airbags. I do slightly less —57#—on fronts and airbags.
2. Proper alignment. When I asked PW about this they told me the proper alignment specs for the PW were not the same as the specs for the Dodge 3500 van and they provided me with the specs to give the alignment shop.
3. Shocks/suspension. I had a slight lean where the driver’s side of the van was about 1” lower than the other side. So I had a shop rearch the rear springs and put 4 HD shocks on. This, I believe, was my biggest gain in the handling of the RV. It no longer gave the feel of a lean when you took a corner but the whole RV felt “flat” like a car. My wife immediately noticed the difference on the highway in terms of how it rode.
4. Steering Stabilizer? I put one on before I had the suspension done. It did appear to improve the handling a bit but nothing like the suspension work.
5. Rear anti-sway bar. Others have reported that this greatly improves handling so it’s something that I might try later. I actually meant to before the 3-4k trip I mentioned but didn’t have the time.
6. Rear wheel spacers? Although others have posted that they improve the handling, I don’t think that I’m going to venture there.

[WayneH]

Wow, thanks for all of the info, Gallen! I will look into it!

[GallenH]

You are very welcome.I want to stress #2 above. Pleasureway techs warned me that some alignment shops were just going with the specs for the 3500 van which are different than optimal for the van when it becomes the Pleasureway. Email PW's tech and they will provide you with the precise specs for your year/model and give them to the person at the alignment center.

If you go with trying the steering stabilizer, send me a Private Message and I will dig up the information on the vendor. It wasn't very expensive and I was able to install it by crawling under the van without jack stands.

Last, this is a great forum. The sharing of information is amazing with a lot of people willing to spend their time helping others.

best.glenn

[WayneH]

Thanks Gallen! I appreciate all the info! I am seeing how good the forum is, the people are great & helpful.