Rear Sway Bar

[Blue~Go]

deppstein,

My Chinook is ready for new tires this spring. I have been running Michelin M/S2, which they don't make anymore but which I've been quite happy with. Are your new Michelin "Cross Climates" the "Agilis" that is the new model light truck tire? That's what I've been thinking I'd go with, and it would be an extra bonus to know (whether) they are the ones you've been happy with.

I am writing to report on how our 2004 Premier performed on the road with the installation of a new Roadmaster front sway bar, Helwig rear sway bar, Bilstein Comfort shocks all around, new front bearings and bushings, along with a new set of Michelin Cross Climate tires with Road Force balancing. Bottom Line: They don't call our Rigs the "Sports Cars of RVs" for nothing!

That is great to hear. Nothing like a fun-to-drive RV

I did pay particular attention to "tailwag" that you mentioned, and found that I really didn't feel the need for the addition of a rear tracbar.

I found the same thing. Back when I was having all the work done, I wanted to throw anything possible at the Chinook that would make it handle the best possible. The track bar (AKA Pan hard rod), was available and I was perfectly willing to spring for it. However the fellow doing the test drive with me (this was at Henderson's Line-Up and they take your rig around about ten miles on a pre-defined route that has all the various bad features a road could have) said he just couldn't feel any need (they referred to it as a "rear wheel steer" feel). I had also never noticed anything like that.

So, after they had to practically force me NOT to get it, I didn't. I have never felt anything like that since then either, and it looks like we ended up with very similar setups (better shocks/bigger swaybars, new bushings, etc.).

That's not to say no-one would need it; but I guess at least some are good without it.

Anyway, back to my first question: Are the tires you have also known as the Michelin Agilis? (I only see those and the good old XP Rib as options now in Michelin, and the XP Ribs would I think be brutal on our lightish rigs.)

[deppstein]

Blue! Good to hear from you Buddy. I was beginning to wonder what patch of off-the-grid desert you had ended up in...thinking maybe you might be running with Francis McDormand and those other folks from the new movie Nomadland.
Yes, I am running the Agilis Cross Climates. I got them just before our last round-trip run from Boston to Colorado (managed to get both kids to agree to meet us for a self-isolated week in the mountains over Christmas--a treat!). I had all six of them Road Force Balanced and front end aligned before taking off, and, as reported, I was very happy with the results. I cruised all day at 72-75 on the Interstate on the way out, navigated some snowy dirt roads (2-4 inches) in the mountains, and hit some heavy rain through Ohio on the way home (took me down to 60, but still steady as she goes).
Again, good to hear your "virtual" voice.
David

[Blue~Go]

David,

Thanks for the welcome back.

Nomadland is not quite my style (at least from descriptions I've seen). Did do some desert hunkering though given the situation.

So good to hear your review on the tires. That seals it for me. Six Agilis coming up! Now I just need to decide.... do I spring for the Alcoa rims?

I have been chasing a vibration (65mph-up) for YEARS. I'm now thinking the very first thing I suspected was the culprit, but because I thought I'd ruled it out, I went on to pretty much eliminating everything else and it did not go away. So now I think it IS wheel or tire related, but the professional (?) I had do that first thing did not catch something. The symptoms totally point to wheels or tires, and everything else it could be has been replaced (sometimes for reason of other improvement, so not all a bad thing).

I've put up with it by going under 65mph, but now that I'm ready for 6 new tires, I'm going to be SURE that's not it (my guess is it IS tire or wheel related).

Thanks again for your review. And great that you were able to do some isolated family time. Also, man, aren't you glad we already have RV's? What a pain trying to buy one now.

[deppstein]

Blue, I can't tell you how many times my wife and I have said exactly the same thing about having our Rig in the Time of COVID! Don't ge me wrong, we have been enjoying "Turtle" for years now...but during COVID--a game changer that has given us a freedom our friends can only dream about. Two cross-country runs to see granddaughter, three extended trips up into Maine, NH, and VT, and countless day trips to bike and hike, and picnic (have kitchen and toilet will travel). To celebrate our completed vaccinations and the coming of Spring, we are headed to the Smokies for two weeks at the end of April...can't wait!
As for your vibration...it feels at times to me more like an Art than a Science. In my case, it took me to stabilizer, to shocks, to wheels and tires, and finally THE ROAD FORCE BALANCE. I would say I feel like I am as near perfect as can be up to 70 mph, and then, depending on the contractor who paved the interstate (not all interstates are created equal, that's for sure), I might feel an ever-so-slight vibration. I can comfortably live with that, given that I am driving 5 1/4 Tons instead of my trusty Outback...but quietly I think to myself...hmmm, I wonder if the vibration is due to the fact that I had to cut out some rear wheel simulator metal to make room for the Duelly Valve Stems??? I don't think they can Road Force Balance with the Simulators, so maybe I should try running without the wheel simulators to see what happens. If I do that, I'll let you know the results. ...oh the things we find to occupy our minds!
David