Thank you Joanie for keeping these videos up for us. Martin was an excellent communicator and his videos are invaluable to us all. We miss him but thankful that he cared enough to show us all how to Martinize our rigs. We moved to RGV for our winter home thanks to your videos and I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to meet with you both before his passing. I wish you all the best of God’s blessings.
Martin loved helping people and he truly enjoyed making the videos. I will always keep them up so Martin can continue helping people. Welcome to RGV 👍 Maybe we will bump into each other one day. I know I'm not Martin but I love meeting up with people that watch the videos.
Martin, I know you're not with us any longer, but in spirit and TH-cam you are still one of the best, and forever will be. You are still more powerful than you know.
Brother Martin, a good friend and I installed 4 Koni FSD shocks, front Sumo Springs (blue) and a Safe T Plus (blue) steering stabilizer to my 2006 36ft Georgetown V-10 motor home. What a difference! I just got done with my road test to adjust my Safe T Plus. I used your recommended method and aced it with two adjustments. Thanks so much!!! I’m also going to install the Super Steer Rear Track Bar and adjust my sway bars. And of course I’m adding the sound dampening mat that you and your wife recommend. Also … I’m a retired fireman so I know that getting under your unit and just looking around can head off a whole lot of trouble. While doing the above mentioned work I found a nail in a new front passenger tire! I’m now going to adapt your practice and make a creeper standard equipment so in can routinely look around! Thanks for everything brother. Safe travels!👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thank you Todd 👍 I hope you're subscribed and if you'd like, I have a ton of other very helpful videos I think you like also: th-cam.com/users/RVstreetplaylists
Martin...you ARE the man! I'm picking up my first used coach tomorrow. I have a long trip coming in 2 weeks. Your videos on handling mods have given me so much vital info I can use before we leave. Thank you my man!
Martin, I came back to this video because it helped me. We bought used 2018 Jayco Alante with 4500 miles. Steering wheel was at 1:00 most of the time. On a short trip we had cross wind and was getting blown to the side 3’ sometimes. I had them take the Roadmaster unit off the steering of the trade in. I had it installed at the same time as alignment. Now straight and true. Toe in was way out. That is why it was darting sideways. Thanks for the video. Respectfully, Kevin
Martin, you and Joanie are the best, again I said! The Safe T Plus installation and steering centering adjustment instructions and comments you provided made my job a breeze. Thanks! I'm liking the results. Not been on a road trip yet. A couple journeys planned late December and January.
Adjust for the crown of the road...perfect. Never woulda thought a that. Waiting for delivery of a similar product from Roadmaster for our 1990 HR Imperial 33'. I really needed the info you provided.
Thanks for this video! I have been trying to encourage my husband to watch the videos, he says every time I watch the videos I spend money. However I got him to watch the video this time and he said it made sense to him. I have the safe-T-plus in route. My husband had already changed the shocks, we just got our 2002 34’ class A. I have been terribly hesitant, to learn how to drive it. I am quite used to our 24 foot B+ unit. I know this will give me more confidence once I get me home the wheel
Thank you Carol, Ya the Safe-T-Plus is a great piece of equipment. It really helps while driving by keeping the coach from wandering and will really help in the event of a tire failure. I hope you also have a TPMS too. In case you don't below is a video that explains why you should. I know, I know you're husband is going to say, well there goes more money 😜 😜 but having a TPMS on all tires is very important. Maybe you already have one and if you do, Kudo's to you. th-cam.com/video/2kCXRbvtoYA/w-d-xo.html Joanie has been hesitant to drive too. When we left our winter site in RGV in April heading to Maine for this summer she told me for two weeks that she wanted to drive the first leg of our trip from the southern tip of Texas up to where we get on I-10. That particular piece of hwy is very desolate, hardly no traffic-especially big trucks-and she felt it was the perfect safe place to take her first attempt to drive. When it came time to leave at the last minute she backed out. I asked her, "Oh come on, are you sure, you've been saying that you wanted to do this". She said, "I'm sure. I'm just not comfortable. I'm just to nervous". I said OK.. We both want her to know how to drive so JIC something happened to me she'd be good to go. But...until she's ready and willing it isn't going to happen and I'm not going to insist. She has driven it "a little bit" a couple of times coming into a camp ground and in a big empty parking lot, but that's it.
@@RVstreet Yeah I don’t think anyone should drive a large vehicle unless they want to. Smart man don’t mess with your wife ha ha ha ha I don’t mind driving or a little V plus it’s only 24 foot, much like the ambulance I used to drive, but say 34 foot class he just has a different feel. And I want to be confident when I get behind the wheel. I listen to one of your videos where you mentioned you used to be a millwright. Now I understand The tool of every type my husband is the same and he is a retired millwright. He didn’t fact put the safeTplus Shock on the 24 foot as well as the 34 foot. We are not full timers, with a 94-year-old mom to take care of that won’t happen. But I takeoff with the little guy, and I appreciate now that he has watched the video he wants me to be more safe. Keep up the videos I love them I have shared them with a newbie to the RV world, and that couple feelers low they have learned a lot. Enjoy your summer in Maine
Great video Martin. I’ve been watching your videos for a week now and my Motorhome “To Do” list keeps getting longer. Thank you for all the videos. Much appreciated.
Thanks, the tip to use a hammer worked perfect. At 20 lbs torque my bracket wouldn't move so I loosened the U bolts just enough that a good whack moved the bracket a 16th of an inch and it was almost perfect. The Safe-T- plus is behind the axel and my 35' pulled to the right so I whacked the bracket towards the drivers side. Be sure and mark the bracket location on the rod with a pencil or masking tape before moving it.
I am so glad that I saw this video. I just installed upgraded (Hellwig) sway bars front and back and a SAF-T-Plus. I haven't aligned the SAF-T-Plus yet. And, I'll be inspecting the tire wear for indications of need for alignment. Most appreciated.
Thanks for the details on your alignment experience. 'm interested in the same rig and look forward to learning more about what you have done to make your rig to better suit you and your wife.
Thank you for watching our video. We have made quite a few modifications to better suit our needs while traveling and we plan on having more video showing all the changes.
Thank you, again! Such helpful, concise and pleasant delivery. I am now subscribed and will review other subjects on your channel to improve our newly acquired clas A experience. Damn good!
Our 2020 Southwind was horrible from PA to FL. Don't know if I'll have time to do it before I leave for home ( MA ). But I plan to do all the mods when I get back home. Would love to do this model before I leave FL so the trip home will be better.
martin, as always , your tops , we have the roadmaster system , big difference than nothing at all, i cant believe that they dont come from ford with the f53 chassis and with measurements already set up,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but i guess im spoiled from my days at bmw
thx Daniel. You could watch this video: th-cam.com/video/0_8pBqmSVp8/w-d-xo.html Or, If you’ll go to our main YT Channel page and click PLAYLISTS, then on that page click “RV Motorhome Upgrades, Maintenance and DIY How-To’s” there’s already a wealth of information there
I’ve just started watching your videos and they are very informative... thanks. I’m planning on getting two new Michelin’s for the front of my 2014 Georgetown and I was planning to have the front end aligned right after. I might wait a bit and let the tires talk to me like you said but I’m also wondering how much an alignment should run? I’ve never had an alignment on one of my coaches.
A very good, reliable, professional, Class A coach alignment will run you anywhere's between $200-$300 IMO. We actually paid $325 in the example we posted in this vid. These guys were very thorough, awesome, very professional and gave me that personal touch on how to properly adjust our Safe-T-Plus.
Well, to be honest I'm not sure which one I used in this video. I have 3 different mic's and depending on where we are and ambient noise's like wind and other things, I'll choose the appropriate one. I plane one doing a complete video some time in the future on all our gear, how we plan our shoots, editing and so on. Please stay tuned for that but be patient. We have a lot on our plate right now. Thank you though so much for reminding me that we need to do that.
Safe-T-Plus, not Safety-T-Plus. I'm just jealous you got one. Our coach has independent front suspension and a Safe-T-Plus for ours is over $ 2000.00. Ouch.
Why would having IFS cause the price to skyrocket to $2000.00? I have IFS on my motorhome and the cost was the price of the blue Safe T Plus and drilling one hole. I would find another installer.
@@donboettcher8900 I'm guessing you don't actually have IFS. I'm not talking about twin I beam type front suspension where you have only 1 main tie rod connecting the two front wheels. That's just a variation of a solid front axle like most of the older and I imagine a lot of the newer Rvs built on the ford truck chassis. Safe-t-plus in Georgia(the manufacture) is who I spoke with, multiple times since 2016 when we purchased our 2003 Newmar Dutch Star Diesel pusher. It has two short tie rods each going from the steering box in the middle of the front suspension out to each front wheel. I'm not sure but I think it will require two special safe-t-plus cylinders to do it. It's not like on the straight axle gas and diesel coaches. It's not a matter of getting a different installer. I called a bunch of them. Other companies I also considered was True Center as I liked the idea of being able to fine tune and adjust for changing road and wind conditions or when you hit a pot hole and knock it out of center(and you will). They don't even make one that will work with our IFS. Safe travels.
It appears you have a rather unique front end on your motorhome thus the need for a one of design and install. No wonder they want $2000. By the way my Spartan chassis does have IFS not a solid I beam.
Are you familiar with the Ford F53 front sway bar adjustment known as the “cheap handling fix” and if so do you have an opinion? Lot of F53 owners have made the adjustment but I read recently that Ford does not recommend the adjustment for Motorhome’s. Thank you
OH you bet ya. Very familiar with CHF and have installed it and covered it in my Part one series, "Be prepared to go full time". You can see Part one here if you'd like. th-cam.com/video/0_8pBqmSVp8/w-d-xo.html thx Barry
I installed the Roadmaster equivalent. But have not done an alignment. I assume you did the CHF since I noticed you had Tejay plates installed on your ASB. I got them also and recently installed Sumo helper springs.
Martin why do you prefer the safe T over the road master? When I bought my coach the Safe T on there was done for. So I replaced it with a road master. I loved it. Btw CENTRAMATIC is the bomb. Smooth driving
I prefer it because it's totally incased and well protected from the elements and has a great long term track record. Ours has operated flawlessly for the last 4yrs.
@@RVstreet makes sense. I just bought me a diesel pusher class a. Yet again another Safe T plus came with the coach and it’s done for too. The coach is a 97 I doubt it’s been on there that long. Unfortunately roadmaster doesn’t make anything for a diesel pusher at 30k lbs. Btw I have an appointment next week with Josams in Orlando. I heard great things about those guys. I hope I get the tech you had. What is the name of the tech you had that worked on your coach at Josams? Lastly I love your channel bro. Best RV channel out there hands down.
Hey Martin. Question about your install of your safe T plus. Your video showed on the left side of the shock your bolt came from the bottom and your nut was on top. Could you not install the bolt from the top? Incase the nut were to work itself off your bolt wouldn’t fall out. Just checking my friend. Oh another question. If you get a newer coach like Newmar with the comfort steer is the safe T plus still needed? Thx.
*Could you not install the bolt from the top?* Yes you can do it either way. I didn't mention it in the video but I added a couple of drops of blue Loctite to both bolts so those nuts are not coming off. EDIT: As I thought about your question so more let me say this. I believe that bolt could go either way. I did this install 5 yrs. ago so I don't remember exactly what the instructions suggested but IMO I don't think it would matter or hinder the way it would operate. The Newmar with comfort drive (CD) is a DP. A totally different kind of motorhome and chassis. The jury is still out on whether a Safe-T-Plus would contribute as a safety device in the event of a blowout on a chassis equipped with CD. Some say yes, some say no. Look up Ken Sherwin who invented CD. Lots of info out there.
I know this is an old video but hope Martin or someone will be able to answer. I have the 2015 Bounder 33C. It is 34.25 ft. (411 in.) The Safe-T-Plus 41-180 White is for 31ft. - 34ft. The 41-230 Blue is for 35ft+ . I got these numbers from Amazon. On Safe-T-Plus website it does not ask for length of RV it asks for Year, Chassis make, Chassis Model and weight. What do you think i should go for ?
Martin here, thx for your question Billy 👍 I carry the correct one for your size coach in my Amazon Store in the “Tires, Engine and Chassis Car” category. You need the blue one. www.amazon.com/shop/rvstreet
Martin, I was placing and order for the STP Unit: 41-230 Kit: W-104K1.5 on Amazon and the Kit: W-104K1.5 is what Safe-T-Plus specifies for the W22 chassis, but Amazon does not appear to have it in their data base. Any suggestions? Coleman
Hi Darlene, If you read the description of the 41-230 I carry in my Amazon Store it shows the 41-230 is for the work horse chassis-among others-if that's what you have. You just may need a different mounting kit. The 41-230 Blue - Fits: Class A motorhomes: Freightliner, Spartan, Workhorse W-Series, Ford F-53 35ft+ (00-18), Roadmaster, Chevrole P-72/P-92, Magnum, Oshkosh, Tiffin PowerGlide, Toy Haulers www.amazon.com/shop/rvstreet?listId=1FUC3YMUOK6RD Could you please forward to me the make, model, year and chassis type of your RV so I can look into this ?
Yep you & I was right. you need the 41-230 STP unit and the W-104K1.5 mounting kit for your coach. I know it is a little more hassle, but you could order the STP from our Amazon store and the kit from STP website. Joanie & I would greatly appreciate it if you do. It really helps us doing these videos. www.amazon.com/shop/rvstreet In any case, the way I showed how to dial it in is the way to do it. How long have you owned your rig if I may ask and how do you like it?
@@RVstreet Awesome! Thanks for your help with the DIY videos! We have had it since April, 2019 and bought it from the local first owner. If this had been the first Class A RV, then we would have never looked at another. We really like it!! Of course, a lot of expected and un-expected catch-up maintenance and preventive maintenance had to be performed, mainly on the house portion. The chassis is in great shape and I'm am expecting only a small improvement in the handling by adding the Safe-T-Plus steering component. At this time the coach handles many times better than the previous class A's we owned (except for one Freightliner DP).
So I like your video, however I watched the safe t plus alignment demonstration and they say you loosen the nuts. Mine is currently pulling to the right after my install. Not sure which route to go.
I know they say to do that but the proof is in the pudding. As I showed and explained in the video this is the way to do it. If you loosen the bolts like they said to do-and as I did at first-you'll be chasing wind and never get it right.
@@rankinprojects599 That's correct. But just make sure you make small adjustments. Like 1/16" to 1/8" of an inch at a time. Then go drive and check it. Keep doing that until it steers straight in the right hand lane-where the crown usually is-which is where you are most of the time anyways.
@@rankinprojects599 No they didn't. Take a metal punch, a thick flat head screw driver, a brass bar....anything that you can hold with one hand and with a good size hammer, hit the top of the 1st clamp. Then do the same with the second clamp. Now move to the bottoms of the two clamps and do the same thing. What you're wanting to do is "WALK" those clamps over in the direction you want. These adjustments are small. 1/16"-1/8" at a time.
Not to criticize dude but after watching this video, four things really should be addressed. Again, no insult intended. Number one. Safe T plus , not safety T plus. The first word is safe, not safety. Number two is the alignment info you give. Just about every road anyone drives on is crowned to the right in all the lanes going in your direction. The reason for this is for water run off. If the center of the road was not crowned to each side, water would puddle and cause hydroplaning in any vehicle driving thru the water. Number 3 is that I would loosen the u bolts a little before you tapped them with a hammer. Not enough that they would slide but enough that you didn't have to whack them with a hammer hard to move them. When you see the u bolts go at an angle after the first hit, you are actually stretching the u bolts. Then when you tap the other side to straighten them, you are loosening the stretched bolts. I would never drive that vehicle before tightening those u bolts after repositioning them. Takes a minute and well worth the peace of mind knowing they aren't going to move and cause an accident. Number 4. All F53's have a solid axle in the front. If a caster shim is installed only on one side, what happens if that the springs twist because the axle is solid. One side caster can't be adjusted. It is impossible without twisting the axle and that is never done. If caster is adjusted on one side the same exact shim has to be installed in the other side too. Again, this is due to the solid front axle. It is impossible to change the caster on only one side. Anyone who tells you differently is either lying to you or doesn't know what they are talking about and shouldn't be giving you advice. I just don't want others making the same mistakes on their motorhomes and cause an accident.
Hi Tommy, Yes the Safe-T-Plus will work fine on a Class C. Here's a link to make finding the right one easier for you. www.amazon.com/shop/rvstreet?listId=1FUC3YMUOK6RD Here's another video I did concerning handling upgrades-which includes the Safe-T-Plus among other things-that you also might enjoy th-cam.com/video/PceY3hcsJSk/w-d-xo.html Out of curiosity, what year and model of Class C do you have? Do you like it?
I know right. 😜 Getting older my mouth doesn't always slow down enough to match what my brain knows what to say. Words just seem to run together sometimes. Being on camera takes practice. Lots and lots of practice. But I think folks got the point. Thanks for watching. 👍
The whole idea of hammering on a crappy bracket to slide U-bolts along the tie rod is fundamental to why I have no interest in having one of these piles of junk. You won't find an installation like that in any component designed for the chassis and provided by the chassis manufacturer.
Thank you Joanie for keeping these videos up for us. Martin was an excellent communicator and his videos are invaluable to us all. We miss him but thankful that he cared enough to show us all how to Martinize our rigs. We moved to RGV for our winter home thanks to your videos and I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to meet with you both before his passing. I wish you all the best of God’s blessings.
Martin loved helping people and he truly enjoyed making the videos. I will always keep them up so Martin can continue helping people. Welcome to RGV 👍 Maybe we will bump into each other one day. I know I'm not Martin but I love meeting up with people that watch the videos.
Martin, I know you're not with us any longer, but in spirit and TH-cam you are still one of the best, and forever will be. You are still more powerful than you know.
Thank you so much for saying this. Martin loved helping people.
I wasn't aware that we lost Martin
Brother Martin, a good friend and I installed 4 Koni FSD shocks, front Sumo Springs (blue) and a Safe T Plus (blue) steering stabilizer to my 2006 36ft Georgetown V-10 motor home. What a difference! I just got done with my road test to adjust my Safe T Plus. I used your recommended method and aced it with two adjustments. Thanks so much!!!
I’m also going to install the Super Steer Rear Track Bar and adjust my sway bars. And of course I’m adding the sound dampening mat that you and your wife recommend.
Also … I’m a retired fireman so I know that getting under your unit and just looking around can head off a whole lot of trouble. While doing the above mentioned work I found a nail in a new front passenger tire! I’m now going to adapt your practice and make a creeper standard equipment so in can routinely look around!
Thanks for everything brother. Safe travels!👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
NICE 👍
YES! Finally a presenter who explains the cause, effect and remedy, in a way it can be fully understood. Thank you.
Thank you Todd 👍
I hope you're subscribed and if you'd like, I have a ton of other very helpful videos I think you like also:
th-cam.com/users/RVstreetplaylists
Martin...you ARE the man! I'm picking up my first used coach tomorrow. I have a long trip coming in 2 weeks. Your videos on handling mods have given me so much vital info I can use before we leave. Thank you my man!
Martin, I came back to this video because it helped me. We bought used 2018 Jayco Alante with 4500 miles. Steering wheel was at 1:00 most of the time. On a short trip we had cross wind and was getting blown to the side 3’ sometimes. I had them take the Roadmaster unit off the steering of the trade in. I had it installed at the same time as alignment. Now straight and true. Toe in was way out. That is why it was darting sideways. Thanks for the video.
Respectfully, Kevin
Martin, you and Joanie are the best, again I said! The Safe T Plus installation and steering centering adjustment instructions and comments you provided made my job a breeze. Thanks! I'm liking the results. Not been on a road trip yet. A couple journeys planned late December and January.
Martin, your a life saver today….worked just like you said….hope all is well my man
Adjust for the crown of the road...perfect. Never woulda thought a that. Waiting for delivery of a similar product from Roadmaster for our 1990 HR Imperial 33'. I really needed the info you provided.
Good information
Thank you
Thanks for this video! I have been trying to encourage my husband to watch the videos, he says every time I watch the videos I spend money. However I got him to watch the video this time and he said it made sense to him. I have the safe-T-plus in route. My husband had already changed the shocks, we just got our 2002 34’ class A. I have been terribly hesitant, to learn how to drive it. I am quite used to our 24 foot B+ unit. I know this will give me more confidence once I get me home the wheel
Thank you Carol,
Ya the Safe-T-Plus is a great piece of equipment. It really helps while driving by keeping the coach from wandering and will really help in the event of a tire failure. I hope you also have a TPMS too. In case you don't below is a video that explains why you should. I know, I know you're husband is going to say, well there goes more money 😜 😜 but having a TPMS on all tires is very important. Maybe you already have one and if you do, Kudo's to you.
th-cam.com/video/2kCXRbvtoYA/w-d-xo.html
Joanie has been hesitant to drive too. When we left our winter site in RGV in April heading to Maine for this summer she told me for two weeks that she wanted to drive the first leg of our trip from the southern tip of Texas up to where we get on I-10. That particular piece of hwy is very desolate, hardly no traffic-especially big trucks-and she felt it was the perfect safe place to take her first attempt to drive. When it came time to leave at the last minute she backed out. I asked her, "Oh come on, are you sure, you've been saying that you wanted to do this". She said, "I'm sure. I'm just not comfortable. I'm just to nervous". I said OK.. We both want her to know how to drive so JIC something happened to me she'd be good to go. But...until she's ready and willing it isn't going to happen and I'm not going to insist. She has driven it "a little bit" a couple of times coming into a camp ground and in a big empty parking lot, but that's it.
@@RVstreet Yeah I don’t think anyone should drive a large vehicle unless they want to. Smart man don’t mess with your wife ha ha ha ha
I don’t mind driving or a little V plus it’s only 24 foot, much like the ambulance I used to drive, but say 34 foot class he just has a different feel. And I want to be confident when I get behind the wheel.
I listen to one of your videos where you mentioned you used to be a millwright. Now I understand
The tool of every type my husband is the same and he is a retired millwright.
He didn’t fact put the safeTplus Shock on the 24 foot as well as the 34 foot. We are not full timers, with a 94-year-old mom to take care of that won’t happen. But I takeoff with the little guy, and I appreciate now that he has watched the video he wants me to be more safe.
Keep up the videos I love them I have shared them with a newbie to the RV world, and that couple feelers low they have learned a lot. Enjoy your summer in Maine
@@carolatkin7843 😍
Great video Martin. I’ve been watching your videos for a week now and my Motorhome “To Do” list keeps getting longer. Thank you for all the videos. Much appreciated.
And getting more nicer and reliable too. haha
thx barry
Great information! Great tip on the Safe-T-Plus adjustment. I have one sitting in my garage waiting until the alignment is done.
Great video. I'm about to install mine and found this. Great help. I'm getting an alignment before I install mine.
AGAIN! Great job Martin! Very informative. Now I'll have my Steering stabilizer installed by my alignment garage as well. 👍
thx Larry 😜
Thanks, the tip to use a hammer worked perfect. At 20 lbs torque my bracket wouldn't move so I loosened the U bolts just enough that a good whack moved the bracket a 16th of an inch and it was almost perfect. The Safe-T- plus is behind the axel and my 35' pulled to the right so I whacked the bracket towards the drivers side. Be sure and mark the bracket location on the rod with a pencil or masking tape before moving it.
Really glad it helped ya my friend.
I am so glad that I saw this video. I just installed upgraded (Hellwig) sway bars front and back and a SAF-T-Plus. I haven't aligned the SAF-T-Plus yet. And, I'll be inspecting the tire wear for indications of need for alignment. Most appreciated.
Great Video....just bought a Safe T Plus for the coach and glad I watched this! Thanks and safe travels
Thanks for the details on your alignment experience. 'm interested in the same rig and look forward to learning more about what you have done to make your rig to better suit you and your wife.
Thanks so much! I’ve been doing the same as you regarding the adjustment
👍👍👍
Nice thanks
Joan
god bless and thanks for keeping. the videos going
helping all of us in our families thanks
Always!
Outstanding Video! Sounds like an alignment will necessitate another Safety T adjustment. Have one on order. Thank you👍
Installing a Safe-T-Plus stabilizer this weekend...to give my shoulders and break, nerves too!
Martin said it made a huge difference in the way it handled
Looking to ge a safety + for my peterbilt love the video 👍👍👍
Thank you for watching our video. We have made quite a few modifications to better suit our needs while traveling and we plan on having more video showing all the changes.
This feels like an add for the Safe-T-Plus
No add here. Just sharing our experience. Thanks for watching though. 👍
Thank you, again! Such helpful, concise and pleasant delivery. I am now subscribed and will review other subjects on your channel to improve our newly acquired clas A experience. Damn good!
Gosh Robert, thank YOU so much. 👍
Our 2020 Southwind was horrible from PA to FL. Don't know if I'll have time to do it before I leave for home ( MA ). But I plan to do all the mods when I get back home. Would love to do this model before I leave FL so the trip home will be better.
martin, as always , your tops , we have the roadmaster system , big difference than nothing at all, i cant believe that they dont come from ford with the f53 chassis and with measurements already set up,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but i guess im spoiled from my days at bmw
Great video! Thank you we just got a Fleetwood 35R and this is exactly what I’m looking for. Any other suspension suggestions?
thx Daniel.
You could watch this video:
th-cam.com/video/0_8pBqmSVp8/w-d-xo.html
Or, If you’ll go to our main YT Channel page and click PLAYLISTS, then on that page click “RV Motorhome Upgrades, Maintenance and DIY How-To’s” there’s already a wealth of information there
I know I am kind of randomly asking but do anyone know of a good place to watch new tv shows online ?
@Sage Conrad i would suggest flixzone. You can find it on google :)
Good advice and video. Going to get one for our 28ft class A.
I’ve just started watching your videos and they are very informative... thanks. I’m planning on getting two new Michelin’s for the front of my 2014 Georgetown and I was planning to have the front end aligned right after. I might wait a bit and let the tires talk to me like you said but I’m also wondering how much an alignment should run? I’ve never had an alignment on one of my coaches.
A very good, reliable, professional, Class A coach alignment will run you anywhere's between $200-$300 IMO. We actually paid $325 in the example we posted in this vid. These guys were very thorough, awesome, very professional and gave me that personal touch on how to properly adjust our Safe-T-Plus.
Your microphone is excellent! Really good quality! Which one is it?
Well, to be honest I'm not sure which one I used in this video. I have 3 different mic's and depending on where we are and ambient noise's like wind and other things, I'll choose the appropriate one. I plane one doing a complete video some time in the future on all our gear, how we plan our shoots, editing and so on. Please stay tuned for that but be patient. We have a lot on our plate right now. Thank you though so much for reminding me that we need to do that.
Excellent video Martin! I'm in North Houston. Can you recommend the name of the alignment shop you used? My 2021 Fortis needs an alignment. Thanks!
Jamail's Auto & Truck Services
19915 Aldine Westfield Rd, Houston, TX 77073
www.jamailsfleetservices.com/
1-281-443-8055
@@RVstreet Thank you! Keep up the great work! It is appreciated!
Safe-T-Plus, not Safety-T-Plus. I'm just jealous you got one. Our coach has independent front suspension and a Safe-T-Plus for ours is over $ 2000.00. Ouch.
Why would having IFS cause the price to skyrocket to $2000.00? I have IFS on my motorhome and the cost was the price of the blue Safe T Plus and drilling one hole. I would find another installer.
@@donboettcher8900 I'm guessing you don't actually have IFS. I'm not talking about twin I beam type front suspension where you have only 1 main tie rod connecting the two front wheels. That's just a variation of a solid front axle like most of the older and I imagine a lot of the newer Rvs built on the ford truck chassis. Safe-t-plus in Georgia(the manufacture) is who I spoke with, multiple times since 2016 when we purchased our 2003 Newmar Dutch Star Diesel pusher. It has two short tie rods each going from the steering box in the middle of the front suspension out to each front wheel. I'm not sure but I think it will require two special safe-t-plus cylinders to do it. It's not like on the straight axle gas and diesel coaches. It's not a matter of getting a different installer. I called a bunch of them. Other companies I also considered was True Center as I liked the idea of being able to fine tune and adjust for changing road and wind conditions or when you hit a pot hole and knock it out of center(and you will). They don't even make one that will work with our IFS. Safe travels.
It appears you have a rather unique front end on your motorhome thus the need for a one of design and install. No wonder they want $2000.
By the way my Spartan chassis does have IFS not a solid I beam.
Are you familiar with the Ford F53 front sway bar adjustment known as the “cheap handling fix” and if so do you have an opinion? Lot of F53 owners have made the adjustment but I read recently that Ford does not recommend the adjustment for Motorhome’s. Thank you
OH you bet ya. Very familiar with CHF and have installed it and covered it in my Part one series, "Be prepared to go full time". You can see Part one here if you'd like.
th-cam.com/video/0_8pBqmSVp8/w-d-xo.html
thx Barry
God bless
I installed the Roadmaster equivalent. But have not done an alignment. I assume you did the CHF since I noticed you had Tejay plates installed on your ASB. I got them also and recently installed Sumo helper springs.
Yep! How do you like your Sumo Springs? We absolutely luv ours that we put on the front. Big, Big difference.
Sumos definitely made it a more stable platform. I did rears too and installed a Super Steer rear trac bar.
Martin why do you prefer the safe T over the road master?
When I bought my coach the Safe T on there was done for. So I replaced it with a road master. I loved it.
Btw CENTRAMATIC is the bomb. Smooth driving
I prefer it because it's totally incased and well protected from the elements and has a great long term track record. Ours has operated flawlessly for the last 4yrs.
@@RVstreet makes sense. I just bought me a diesel pusher class a. Yet again another Safe T plus came with the coach and it’s done for too. The coach is a 97 I doubt it’s been on there that long. Unfortunately roadmaster doesn’t make anything for a diesel pusher at 30k lbs.
Btw I have an appointment next week with Josams in Orlando. I heard great things about those guys. I hope I get the tech you had. What is the name of the tech you had that worked on your coach at Josams?
Lastly I love your channel bro. Best RV channel out there hands down.
@@JahRootsRadio Thanks. I don't remember his name but he's a BIG guy. Probably 6' 4', 6'5' and probably north of 275lbs.
Hey Martin. Question about your install of your safe T plus. Your video showed on the left side of the shock your bolt came from the bottom and your nut was on top. Could you not install the bolt from the top? Incase the nut were to work itself off your bolt wouldn’t fall out. Just checking my friend. Oh another question. If you get a newer coach like Newmar with the comfort steer is the safe T plus still needed? Thx.
*Could you not install the bolt from the top?*
Yes you can do it either way. I didn't mention it in the video but I added a couple of drops of blue Loctite to both bolts so those nuts are not coming off.
EDIT: As I thought about your question so more let me say this. I believe that bolt could go either way. I did this install 5 yrs. ago so I don't remember exactly what the instructions suggested but IMO I don't think it would matter or hinder the way it would operate.
The Newmar with comfort drive (CD) is a DP. A totally different kind of motorhome and chassis. The jury is still out on whether a Safe-T-Plus would contribute as a safety device in the event of a blowout on a chassis equipped with CD. Some say yes, some say no. Look up Ken Sherwin who invented CD. Lots of info out there.
I know this is an old video but hope Martin or someone will be able to answer. I have the 2015 Bounder 33C. It is 34.25 ft. (411 in.) The Safe-T-Plus 41-180 White is for 31ft. - 34ft. The 41-230 Blue is for 35ft+ . I got these numbers from Amazon. On Safe-T-Plus website it does not ask for length of RV it asks for Year, Chassis make, Chassis Model and weight. What do you think i should go for ?
Martin here, thx for your question Billy 👍
I carry the correct one for your size coach in my Amazon Store in the “Tires, Engine and Chassis Car” category. You need the blue one. www.amazon.com/shop/rvstreet
@@RVstreet Excellent Martin . NEVER stop making videos, we all would be totally lost.
Martin, I was placing and order for the STP Unit: 41-230 Kit: W-104K1.5 on Amazon and the Kit: W-104K1.5 is what Safe-T-Plus specifies for the W22 chassis, but Amazon does not appear to have it in their data base. Any suggestions? Coleman
Hi Darlene,
If you read the description of the 41-230 I carry in my Amazon Store it shows the 41-230 is for the work horse chassis-among others-if that's what you have. You just may need a different mounting kit. The 41-230 Blue - Fits: Class A motorhomes: Freightliner, Spartan, Workhorse W-Series, Ford F-53 35ft+ (00-18), Roadmaster, Chevrole P-72/P-92, Magnum, Oshkosh, Tiffin PowerGlide, Toy Haulers
www.amazon.com/shop/rvstreet?listId=1FUC3YMUOK6RD
Could you please forward to me the make, model, year and chassis type of your RV so I can look into this ?
@@RVstreet 2005 Winnebago Adventurer 37B, W22. Thanks. I was hoping for your one stop Amz store for both items. Coleman
Yep you & I was right. you need the 41-230 STP unit and the W-104K1.5 mounting kit for your coach. I know it is a little more hassle, but you could order the STP from our Amazon store and the kit from STP website. Joanie & I would greatly appreciate it if you do. It really helps us doing these videos.
www.amazon.com/shop/rvstreet
In any case, the way I showed how to dial it in is the way to do it.
How long have you owned your rig if I may ask and how do you like it?
@@RVstreet Awesome! Thanks for your help with the DIY videos! We have had it since April, 2019 and bought it from the local first owner. If this had been the first Class A RV, then we would have never looked at another. We really like it!! Of course, a lot of expected and un-expected catch-up maintenance and preventive maintenance had to be performed, mainly on the house portion. The chassis is in great shape and I'm am expecting only a small improvement in the handling by adding the Safe-T-Plus steering component. At this time the coach handles many times better than the previous class A's we owned (except for one Freightliner DP).
@@darlenearmstrong316 That's awesome. We also really love ours too. It's been such a good coach to us.
So I like your video, however I watched the safe t plus alignment demonstration and they say you loosen the nuts. Mine is currently pulling to the right after my install. Not sure which route to go.
I know they say to do that but the proof is in the pudding. As I showed and explained in the video this is the way to do it. If you loosen the bolts like they said to do-and as I did at first-you'll be chasing wind and never get it right.
@@RVstreet ok. And pulls to passenger side move toward drivers side correct? That’s what I’ll be doing this weekend
@@rankinprojects599 That's correct. But just make sure you make small adjustments. Like 1/16" to 1/8" of an inch at a time. Then go drive and check it. Keep doing that until it steers straight in the right hand lane-where the crown usually is-which is where you are most of the time anyways.
@@RVstreet when they made the adjustment did they lift front end to take weight off the tires? Having a hard time just tapping it over
@@rankinprojects599 No they didn't. Take a metal punch, a thick flat head screw driver, a brass bar....anything that you can hold with one hand and with a good size hammer, hit the top of the 1st clamp. Then do the same with the second clamp. Now move to the bottoms of the two clamps and do the same thing. What you're wanting to do is "WALK" those clamps over in the direction you want. These adjustments are small. 1/16"-1/8" at a time.
What was the cost?
I honestly don't remember
👌 wuaooo super professional save time and money, appreciate for sharing this great video !!! now you have new subscriber and 👍
Not to criticize dude but after watching this video, four things really should be addressed. Again, no insult intended.
Number one. Safe T plus , not safety T plus. The first word is safe, not safety.
Number two is the alignment info you give. Just about every road anyone drives on is crowned to the right in all the lanes going in your direction. The reason for this is for water run off. If the center of the road was not crowned to each side, water would puddle and cause hydroplaning in any vehicle driving thru the water.
Number 3 is that I would loosen the u bolts a little before you tapped them with a hammer. Not enough that they would slide but enough that you didn't have to whack them with a hammer hard to move them. When you see the u bolts go at an angle after the first hit, you are actually stretching the u bolts. Then when you tap the other side to straighten them, you are loosening the stretched bolts. I would never drive that vehicle before tightening those u bolts after repositioning them. Takes a minute and well worth the peace of mind knowing they aren't going to move and cause an accident.
Number 4. All F53's have a solid axle in the front. If a caster shim is installed only on one side, what happens if that the springs twist because the axle is solid. One side caster can't be adjusted. It is impossible without twisting the axle and that is never done. If caster is adjusted on one side the same exact shim has to be installed in the other side too. Again, this is due to the solid front axle. It is impossible to change the caster on only one side. Anyone who tells you differently is either lying to you or doesn't know what they are talking about and shouldn't be giving you advice.
I just don't want others making the same mistakes on their motorhomes and cause an accident.
👏🏻👏🏻👌👍
Thanks Gilbert
How about a class c
Hi Tommy,
Yes the Safe-T-Plus will work fine on a Class C. Here's a link to make finding the right one easier for you.
www.amazon.com/shop/rvstreet?listId=1FUC3YMUOK6RD
Here's another video I did concerning handling upgrades-which includes the Safe-T-Plus among other things-that you also might enjoy
th-cam.com/video/PceY3hcsJSk/w-d-xo.html
Out of curiosity, what year and model of Class C do you have? Do you like it?
It's Safe-T-Plus not safety-T Plus
I know right. 😜
Getting older my mouth doesn't always slow down enough to match what my brain knows what to say. Words just seem to run together sometimes.
Being on camera takes practice. Lots and lots of practice.
But I think folks got the point.
Thanks for watching. 👍
The whole idea of hammering on a crappy bracket to slide U-bolts along the tie rod is fundamental to why I have no interest in having one of these piles of junk. You won't find an installation like that in any component designed for the chassis and provided by the chassis manufacturer.
🤷🏼♀️