Common Problems
“Do you suffer one of these 17 common RV driving problems?”
Learn what you can do to solve them at the end of this page
Most malfunctions trace to one or two causes. The trick is knowing which one or two. That’s why Henderson’s & SuperSteer® recommend a thorough RPA® (Road Performance Assessment) diagnosis first. When we find it, we know exactly the specialized adjustment or equipment to fix it.
Now to those Common Problems. Does your vehicle
sport any of these symptoms?
17 Common Problems
Steering Free Play. Not anything like playtime at school. In this case, there’s so much “free play” in the steering wheel when you attempt a turn, you tend to continue in the same direction. Could mean any of these fixable problems: Linkage*, coupler, bell crank, steering gears, trac bar, loose or worn suspension.
Returnability. When you turn, does your steering wheel naturally return to center? If not, it could be steering gear, linkage, king pins, ball joints, alignment, steering controls, or steering stabilizers.
Pull. Your vehicle drifts to right or left. Possible causes: Power steering, tires, alignment, weight distribution or improperly adjusted steering controls.
Road Wander. With this condition, your vehicle takes on a “mind of its own.” It wants to move left or right, although you’re driving straight. When you hit a rut, it goes its own way. Some culprits: Linkage*, suspension, tires, alignment, weight distribution, trac bars, wind, or steering controls.
Rut Tracking. With this little jewel, your vehicle tries to follow grooves worn in the road (the ones 18-wheelers make) – or where asphalt meets concrete to make ridges. Continual correction exhausts you (it can get scary too). SuperSteer® techs suspect: Linkage*, suspension, alignment, tires, trac bars, steering controls.
Sway. Not good for passengers with weak stomachs. Your vehicle sort of leans, sways or rocks side-to-side. You feel it during quick lane changes, cornering or in driveways. Could be sway bars (or lack of them), trac bars, shocks or springs.
Porpoising. Think of that fish jumping so gracefully, but there’s no grace here. Your vehicle teeter-totters front-to-back. Cause: Ride height, shocks, weight distribution, excessive overhang, wheelbase or weights.
Harsh Ride. Your vehicle rides stiff as an oak board. You feel every crack, rut or bump in the road. You need your chiropractor at day’s end. Could be tires and pressures, shocks, ride height, or you’re light on weight.
Find your favorite symptom already? Click here to find out what to do about it. If not, keep reading. Yours is in here somewhere . . .
Vibration. Look for one of two kinds: steady or pulsating. The key to this fix is determining the source. Our technicians look first at tires, drive train, wheel run-out, ride height, or driveline angles.
Tail-Wagging-The-Dog. Funny name for an unfunny problem. The rear end of your coach sways to one side or the other. You feel like you’re losing control. Might be rear axle shift, trac bars, excessive overhang, or improper weight distribution.
Shimmy. Your vehicle hits a bump and your steering wheel “shimmies” or shakes. Possible causes: Linkage*, suspension, alignment, tires, steering, steering stabilizers.
Bump Steer. You’ll know this one when you hit a bump and your steering wheel jerks to one side all on its own. A relative of the “shimmy”. Henderson’s looks first at your linkage*, suspension, ride height, shocks and weight distribution.
Delayed Steering Response. Slow gear ratio produces slow steering response. Also caused by bad linkage*, suspension, shocks, weight distribution problems, rear axle sideshift, or bad bushings in your trac bar.
Bounce. You may feel this in either the front or rear of your vehicle. SuperSteer® techs usually trace it to bad shocks, but springs or wrong ride height can also be your undoing.
Noise. Name your noise: rattles, clunks, tinny sounds, solid galumphs. When do they happen – driving over small bumps or large potholes? Your SuperSteer® tech asks many questions – then isolates and works on eliminating those noises.
Leaning Low/Low On One Side. You exhibit a “little list to starboard” (or port), Your technician looks for improper weight distribution, springs, ride height, body mounts, spring hangers and bushings.
Dog Tracking. We’re not sure where this term came from. But, ever see a coon dog with one leg shorter than the other? His whole gait’s out-of-kilter. With RV’s, your rear wheels don’t line up or follow the fronts. It appears to “sidle” down the road. Might be alignment, rear end thrust, body mounts . . . or a loose or improperly adjusted trac-bar.
*Linkage refers to all steering related items such as steering gear, coupler, bell cranks, arms, tie rod ends, and links.
Now that you’ve identified the problem(s), just do any of the following things to learn how to correct them:
Make note of your problems out of the 17. Then, go to the bottom of this page, E-mail us, and tell us about the following things:
● What brand & year of vehicle, whether coach, 5th wheel, trailer, Truck, SUV or 4×4.
● Describe the problem.
● If you think your warranty may be involved, tell us. We’ll start paperwork ahead of time so you won’t be held up.
● If you’d like us to call you, give us your phone number as well as your E-mail address. With that information, we can work through what it may take to fix your problem.If you’re too far away to get to Henderson’s (the parent company for SuperSteer® in Grants Pass, Oregon), click here to find a nearby SuperSteer® RPA® Center. They’re fully trained in the RPA® (Road Performance Assessment).
If you’re half our great country away from Henderson’s & SuperSteer®, give us a call at 541-955-0769. (7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday, Pacific Time). OR E-mail us at the bottom of this page. We’ll help.
If you’re a Do-It-Yourselfer, click here to get to Henderson’s SuperSteer® RV Owners’ Online Store. At the store, you can buy parts that solve the 17 common problems. Install yourself or have your dealer do it.
Go to any local RV or Truck repair center. Tell him you’d like to see what the SuperSteer® specialists recommend to fix the problem. Just ask him to phone us on the SuperSteer® Tech line, 888-898-3281, Ext. 311 (7 a.m to 4 p.m. Pacific Time) or ask him to get online at the SuperSteer® Dealers Website:
www.ssdealers.com. We’ll help.Go to any local RV or Truck repair center. Tell him you’d like to see what the SuperSteer® specialists recommend to fix the problem. Just ask him to phone us on the SuperSteer® Tech line, (541) 955-0769, Ext. 311, or ask him to get online at the SuperSteer website: www.ssdealers.com. We’ll help.
P.S. You can print this list and take it with you. Just hit the print button in the middle of this page directly below the E-mail form at the bottom of this page.
SuperSteer® Manufacturing & Distribution is a division of Henderson’s Line-Up, Brake &
RV, Inc.
SuperSteer®
Division of Henderson's Line-Up
458 Redwood Highway
Grants Pass, OR 97527
- Phone us at: 541-955-0769
- “800″ Phone: Toll-free - 888-898-3281
- Fax us at: 541-476-3851
- SuperSteer Tech Line: 541-955-0769
- SuperSteer Order Line: Toll-free - 888-898-3281
- Office Hours: (PST) 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mon-Fri; Closed Noon
to 1 p.m. If you call after hours, we'll call you back. If you’re driving & unfamiliar with the Grants Pass area, see a map here
E-mail us and tell us what you need at:
Monday - Friday 7 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Closed Noon to 1 P.M.
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