Common RV Problems

Over the years, we've identified common problems that our customers have with their vehicles. If any of these describe your vehicle, make a note of them and contact us for an RPA or Service Appointment.

Bottoming Out: When the suspension travels to its lowest limit and makes contact with the suspension stops. Possible causes: Insufficient spring tension, worn shock absorbers, overloading.
Bounce: Bouncing may occur in the front of the coach, the rear, or both. Possible causes: Worn or insufficient shock absorbers
Bump Steer: Occurs when the coach hits a bump and the steering wheel suddenly jerks to one side or the other on its own. Usually caused by improper suspension geometry.
Dog Tracking: When the rear wheels of the vehicle do not follow or line up with the front wheels. Typically caused by rear axle misalignment.
Harsh Ride: The vehicle rides stiff. You can feel every crack rut, or bump in the road. Possible causes: Excessive tire pressure, excessive spring rate, improper shock absorbers.
Listing: The vehicle is lower one side than the other. Possible causes: Improper weight distribution, worn or weak springs, spring hangers, body mounts or bushings.
Porpoising: The coach will teeter-totter in a front-to-back movement after encountering a bump in the road--most common on short (20-30 foot) motorhomes. Can usually be resolved with better shocks and/or springs.
Pull: Your vehicle consistently wants to pull to the right or left. Possible causes: Alignment, tires, weight distribution, improperly adjusted steering components.
Returnability: After a turn is made, the steering wheel should come back to center. If it does not, it often requires constant correction to stay in your lane. Possible causes: Sticky steering gear, improper alignment.
Ride Height: Determined by chassis type and is measured accordingly. Example: On a P32 chassis, it is measured from the top of the bump stop to the bottom of the striker plate.
Road Wander: The coach wants to move left or right even if the driver is steering straight. Typically caused by excessive play in one or more steering components.
Rut Tracking: The coach follows the grooves worn into the road or ridges that have been created where an asphalt surface meets a concrete road surface. Possible causes: Insufficient front end weight, type of tire used.
Shimmy: Occurs when the coach hits a bump and the steering wheel “shimmies” or shakes back and forth. Possible causes: One or more loose steering components, excessive camber.
Side Play: The excessive unilateral movement in any component in the steering or suspension systems.
Steering Play: When the driver moves the steering wheel to the left or right, there is little or no immediate response. Typically caused by one or more loose or worn steering components.
Sway: The coach leans, sways or rocks in a side-to-side motion. Typically caused by weak springs and/or lack of an anti-sway bar.
Tail Wagging the Dog: Typically caused by excessive lateral motion of the rear axle.
Wind Drift: The coach is being pushed off its centerline of travel due to cross winds or passing vehicles. Can usually be solved with a steering control product.