Sun Voyager ROCKS while driving

[GERMAL04]

I was new to RVing back in 2003 when the family and I purchased a 2003 Gulf Stream 34ft Sun Voyager from a dealership in Lakewood, NJ. From day one we had had problems with the unit which had been back numerous time for repairs. To this day we regret evening purchase the unit. There has been leaks, jack problems and what I'm most concerned with... the coach rocking sometimes uncontrollably while driving.

Being new to this, I thought that because it was under 100 thousand that this was the norm. Over the past years I have learned that this rocking is not the way the vehicle should be responding when it hits an uneven surface in the road. There are times when I would have to almost slam on the breaks to bring it back under control. I do find myself wiggling the streering wheel when this happens to alleviate the rocking.

Does any know of a suspension problems with the 03 Sun Voyager or is there some suspension upgrade that I can have done.

Right now it is more of a SAFETY problem than an inconvenience

Thanks

[Cakeman]

We have a 2004 Sun Voyager and right after we purchased it we had a porpoise motion. If you got on some big bumps or railroad tracks, you would need to stop to get it settled down. I contacted Gulfstream and they replaced all four shocks and the problem went away. After 37000 miles it has not returned. Maybe this will help

[quikduk]

Our "new to us" '98 Sun Voyager Bus does this occasionally. I am certain that the orig. Bilsteins are shot. As soon as I am able, I am replacing them with Koni FSD shocks as they are supposed to be MUCH better, esp. for DP's. Online, they are about $500 for the set of four.

BTW, I have just replaced and properly adjusted my airbag leveling valves and that helped a lot. I hear that correct tire pressure for each respective tires load is better than max pressure per the sidewall.

[Retird2Golf]

I have a 2004 SunVoyager 8329. replaced the shocks with no difference,
(Bilsteins). So I had Firestone Air Ride installed. That did it !!

Have your coach "corner weighed" and adjust air pressue to match
manufacturers guide lines.

Best regards, Clyde

[AAFD]

we replaced our stock shocks with Koni shocks, it helped alot.

KC

[rob]

Originally Posted by quikduk

Our "new to us" '98 Sun Voyager Bus does this occasionally. I am certain that the orig. Bilsteins are shot. As soon as I am able, I am replacing them with Koni FSD shocks as they are supposed to be MUCH better, esp. for DP's. Online, they are about $500 for the set of four.

BTW, I have just replaced and properly adjusted my airbag leveling valves and that helped a lot. I hear that correct tire pressure for each respective tires load is better than max pressure per the sidewall.

Ken, have you ever weighed the front of your rig or the back as far as that goes.
spartan told me to weigh it and devide by two go to the michlin load chart and look up the right tire pressure for that weight.
I was wondering if you happen to have weighed yours, i am sure they should be the same unless you really carry alot of tools and heavy stuff.
thanks Bob

[quikduk]

I have weighed mine with the following:

Full fuel tank (100 gal. @ 7.15#/gal. = 715#)
Full fresh water tank (100 gal. @ 8.33#/gal. = 833#)
Full pantry and refrigerator/freezer
Full of clothes, shoes, electronics and other "stuff"
Full compartments (tools, toys, camping stuff, spare tire (no rim) etc...)
2 adults, 2 kids, 1 dog (of varying intelligence...)

I do not have the weights at hand but if I can recall this correctly...

Our tires are Goodyear G149 @ 245/75R22.5 ('G' load range) with a max inflation of 110# (single @4675# and double @ 4410#). This gives a max load on the front axle of 9350# and a max rear axle load of 17640# with a total GVWR based on tire capacity of 26990# at 110 PSI...BUT...

Our coaches max out at I think 26000# total GVWR plus a 10000 max towing capacity. I think when I weighed the above combination, I was between 8600# and 8800# on the front axle and 16400# and 16700# on the rear for a combined total between 25000# and 25500#. This puts me between the 95 PSI and 100 PSI rating and I have found that 98 PSI provides the best ride.

I need to weigh the coach again when we go out on our next trip as I still want to get a more accurate weight. I also need to find a weigh station that will weigh all four corners independently so I can get an idea on load distribution but I haven't found one locally yet.

[rob]

Thanks for all the details. My rig still wonders down the road, the tire people told me to put 100 psi all around. It sounds like it ia more critical to be exact, so i am going to lower mine to 95.
I still haven't got a quote on my damage, i am 600 miles from the factory so thinking about having them fix it. The insurance want a quote so they can settle up. I can't emagine those storage doors being that big of a problem to have made up. Like you said the fender well should be no problem.
thanks BOB