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Countryboy59 · 09-08-2018, 05:45 AM

Haven’t had any wobble (my 350 is at 122,000 miles) but we inspect the suspension regularly and noticed one loose lower tie rod end, so replaced all 3. Touched up the alignment (toe) while under there and we rotate tires regularly. Looseness in suspension components is easy to miss so I check it often.

switz · 09-08-2018, 07:40 AM

Harleys with the batwing fairings can do that as well.

Many police have been injured or killed in high speed chases as the the total loss of control is quick.

I experienced that tank slapping of the handle bars on my 2005 Classic in the middle of a turn in the mountains. A laundry generating experience!

I spent lots of money on fancy shocks and frame stabilizers and that did not cure the issue. The fairing is the root cause in my opinion. The fixed fairing model and my GoldWings never exhibited this thriller.

Put Harley wobble into a search engine.

Mollysdad · 09-08-2018, 08:09 AM

On a motorcycle it's called a tank slapper. It's caused by the steering geometry and the weight distribution.
Want an example? Put a large case of water on end in the front of your empty grocery cart and you almost can't push it.
It's not the total load but the front wheels go crazy.

fordmct · 09-12-2018, 09:31 AM

Google Death Wobble and you will be amazed at the number of trucks this happens to. I have a 2011 F250 Diesel with this problem last year. If you get it, there is no mistake. Usually starts an oscillation when you hit a rough spot in the road doing over 60 MPH. It is VIOLENT! Stops when yo hit the brakes and reduce speed below 50 mph. After spending $2600 in parts and labor at the Ford Dealership, I still had the Death Wobble. They acted like they had never heard of this problem before and told me I had tie rods, etc worn out (I had less than 70,000 miles on the truck). I ended up replacing the two front tires (they ended up being cupped) and it went away. Seems to be prevalent in Ford, Dodge and Jeep heavy duty trucks.

polarlyse · 09-12-2018, 10:13 AM

I think I'd avoid any dealership that says they've never heard of it. It's been around for many years and not limited to any specific brand but I do think it's specific to 4x4 with solid front axels. That eliminates GM products. I've had it in older Jeeps as well as pickup's but the '15 F-350 is the first one I've seen it happen with only 30k miles. In my experience it was, until now, always with older well worn suspensions with lots of play in them. I'm hoping to have eliminated it in my truck but only time will tell. The only part that ford replaced was the ball joint on the track bar. Very slight movement was noted
and could be easily overlooked. Along with this, new tires, alignment and twin steering stabilizer set-up added. I have 66k miles now, still way to soon to expect death wobble due to worn out suspension.

Jekerrville · 09-12-2018, 10:15 AM

I find it interesting in the video offered, the carry all has a Tommy Lift for a tailgate, (~900 lbs) and was stright and stable until the front left tire went onto the fog fence after crossing a bridge with uneven approaches.

In the oil patch before the “Split I Beam” designed front end was discontinued, you could cause the death wobble at will flying down a service road going over burm in the road.

So bad in fact, the service company installed a 18” length of 5/8” dia. steel cable around and thru the yokes on each side of the front end to stop the problem.

When the load of equipment in the back was changed up, the problem went away.

Ask some of the folks that carry a generator set and a bunch of bycycles on the tail of their Airstream how things handle going across a long bouncing bridge.

Ride’um Cowboy!!

Safe travels.

craigdowdy · 09-12-2018, 10:26 AM

I’m surprised to hear about doors and drawers opening and things working loose during travel. We have a 1994, 30 ft, Classic. We have owned it since 2003, and are the third owners.
We bought the Airstream because we didn’t want to be stopping and picking up loose parts. We have found this to be true.
Our twenty four year old Airstream is very sound. All original cabinets and fixtures. The only things we have replaced in the fifteen years we have owned the trailer, is the fridge and the furnace. We replaced a perfectly good cook stove because the rv service center said they couldn’t longer get the necessary part.
I hate to say it, but I feel that even Airstreams aren’t built like they used to be.
I would not hesitate to take off cross country today.