RV Problem |
Symptoms |
Possible Causes |
Bottoming Out |
With this condition, the suspension will travel to the lowest point, contacting the suspension stops. |
Insufficient spring tension, Worn shock absorbers, Overloading vehicle |
Bounce |
Excessive vehicle bounce is a condition that may occur in both the front and rear of your vehicle. |
Worn or defective shock absorbers or springs |
Bump Steer |
This condition occurs when the vehicle hits a bump in the road and the steering wheel suddenly jerks to one side on its own. |
Suspension geometry incorrect. Possible issues with linkage, ride height or shock absorbers |
Delayed Steering Response |
This condition occurs when the driver moves the steering wheel to the left or right, but there is little or no immediate response. |
Linkage, suspension, rear axle side shaft, steering gear, trac bar |
Dog Tracking |
This condition occurs when the rear wheels are out of alignment (not pointing at the same angle as the front wheels), pushing the back end of the vehicle to one side or the other. |
Alignment, rear end thrust, body mounts, loose trac bar |
Harsh Ride |
This is a condition as the name implies when you have a real stiff ride feeling every crack, rut or bump in the road. |
Tire pressure, shock absorbers, ride height, excessive spring rate |
Listing |
This is a condition where the vehicle is not riding level being lower on one side than the other |
Improper weight distribution, worn springs, body mounts, spring hangers, bushings |
Porpoising |
This is a condition where the coach will make a teeter-totter movement (front-to-back) in response to a bump in the road |
Shocks, ride height, weights, motion control units |
Pull |
This is a condition where your vehicle wants to move to the left or right on its own. |
Alignment, tires, power steering, weights side to side, improperly adjusted steering controls |
Returnability |
In this condition after a turn is made, the steering does not come back to center as it should. |
Steering gear linkage, ball joints, alignment, king pins |
Road Wander |
This is a condition where your vehicle moves to the left or right even when the driver is steering straight. |
Linkage, tire wear, alignment, weight distribution, trac bars, |
Rut Tracking |
In this condition the vehicle follows ridges or grooves worn into the road |
Linkage, suspension, alignment, tires, trac bars |
Shimmy |
This condition occurs when the vehicle goes over a bump and the steering wheel then shakes or shimmies back and forth. |
Linkage, suspension, alignment, tires, steering, dampeners |
Steering Play |
This is a condition where when the driver move the steering wheel there is little or no immediate response. |
Linkage (including steering gear), bell crank, trac bar, loose or worn suspension |
Sway |
This is a condition where the vehicle sways or rocks from side-to-side. |
Sway bars, ride height, trac bars, motion control units, shock absorbers, springs |
Tail Wagging the Dog |
This is a condition where you steer the wheel back and forth and it feels like being steered from the rear of the vehicle instead of the front. |
Rear axle shift, trac bars, weight distribution |
Wind Drift |
This is a condition also known as sway where your vehicle will rock from side-to-side when from wind currents or winds created by passing vehicles |
Sway bars, ride height, trac bars, motion control units, shock absorbers, springs |