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Howie Goes to Henderson’s

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 07:28:34 GMT

A Good Start

The evening is fading to black. We are ensconced in Howie, seven paces from the edge of a 50-foot cliff high above a sandy beach. Off-shore rocky outcroppings give picture-postcard grandeur to an already- grand scenario. The gentle, but insistent, surf forms the backdrop for our night’s reverie – - we are only 250 miles from home, yet a universe away from only two days ago.

Yesterday, we trudged out of the Bay Area, up the monotony of SR880, across the zip-line of the San Rafael Bridge, and into the beatific beauty of the Mendocino coast. Although it’s only a half-dozen travel hours from our front door, it might as well be another planet.

Last night, we stayed at Caspar RV Park, a pleasant but snug little place just across the street from a sandy beach. Our $40 fee got us power, water, commercial-laden cable TV, laundry, and restrooms – - none of which we had any need for. But we also got a guaranteed parking site in a strange locale, which is a highly desirable commodity when traveling with a 55- foot Howie-and-Ralph conglomeration.We arrived at Caspar a couple of hours before dark, and took the opportunity to un-hook Ralph and quickly explore the coast. Our pre-trip research had shown that Westport-Union State Beach (north of Fort Bragg) was an appealing possibility, and in fact it’s proven a great place to stay, with sites right above the surf-line atop (hopefully stable) cliffs.

Dinner was delightful, a seafood Friday at a Fort Bragg restaurant in the harbor. Our third-story perch looked out through ocean-side glass over the estuary, with the evening sunset giving way to star-lit waters.

Night was restful, and coffee in the morning was sipped along the shoreline. To get a good camp-spot for Saturday night, we launched immediately up to Westport-Union, and nabbed a sweet location above the pristine beach. By 11AM, we were munching brunch and marveling at the incredible colors and textures of this gorgeous section of a gorgeous coast.

We spent the day walking, reading, relaxing, and commenting to each other on how our lives are changing. After nearly a year in which each and every day of our lives was driven by circumstances well beyond our control, we now experience a totally different perspective on traveling. Almost every hour of the day produces a feeling of mixed guilt or anxiousness – - are we doing what needs to be done? As the saying goes, “Old habits are hard to break”.

Despite the emotional background- travail, we have a truly excellent day. Evening brings a lovely sunset, two nicely blended margaritas (if I do say so myself), a toasty fire, and a surprisingly tasty gluten-free pizza (from Whole Foods) baked in our little RV oven. Tomorrow, we will have a low-key morning, maybe a short beach walk, and then take off to Grant’s Pass.

Life is good.

24 November

Westport to Grant’s Pass

The morning introduces yet another day of spectacular weather – - cool but clear, nearly windless, and the deep, lonely beauty of the north coast. We have to travel today, but a morning stroll is still in order. Our walk takes us past a small band of turkey buzzards, warming themselves in the rays of the rising sun by spreading their dark wings.

It’s an odd, and ironically charming sight. These birds are usually only associated with the dead, rotten things they eat and the sad mortality of it all. Their appearance is always somewhat macabre, an airborne grim reaper that sits on a fencepost waiting for the last twitch of life to abate. Yet here they are, frail and vulnerable like the rest of us, trying to salvage some feeble warmth on a chill Fall morning before beginning their (grisly) work of the day. Okay, if it’s not exactly charming, at least it’s not so darkly predatory. Karin and I are charmed anyway – - but we’re pushovers.

We spend a long, leisurely day covering the 280 miles to Grant’s Pass, and have a pleasant if not spectacular dinner at the Taprock restaurant just a stone’s throw from Henderson’s Line-Up. This is where we will spend the next few days getting TLC for Howie. [Newsletter newcomers: Howie is our motorhome (House On Wheels In Excess), and Ranger Ralph is our Ford 4x4 pickup.]

We need to get to sleep early tonight, for camping at Henderson’s is unlike other camp site situations. Whereas a normal camp site will typically have residents and workers who honor your “space” and privacy, the Henderson camp is more pragmatic. Service is expected, and delivered, on-time. So around 8:15 or 8:30, sleepy RV-ers can expect a rap on the door and/or a pneumatic impact driver on a wheel lug, whichever comes first. In short, we need to be up-and-around by 7:30 or so, or pay the price.

Why Four Shocks Are Better Than Two

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 06:36:03 GMT

Robert had been suggesting a quad-shock installation for quite a long time, and I was admittedly reluctant. My coach has always been a “rough rider”, and adding shock absorbers seemed to be a sure way to transmit more road bumps up through the suspension to my long-suffering box of rattles.

However, the lure of better handling overcame my reservations, and I decided to go for the mod. My risk was small… Except for the expense of the installation, any “damage” could easily be un-done by simply removing the extra shock absorbers.

Although straightforward, the installation requires some sophisticated mechanical skills. Among other things, special brackets need to be fitted, formed, and welded; tapered washers must be installed and rotated to correct positions; all bolts need to be fitted, spaced, seated, and properly torqued. In short, although I’m really good mechanically, I’m very glad I let the experts do this one.

Clearances checked, welds inspected, bare metal painted? A-OK. Let’s go for a test ride.

Amazing. The performance difference was not subtle, it was absolutely blatant from the first bump in the road. Contrary to our worries, the extra shocks actually reduced road rattles. The noise level in my RV dropped so significantly that even my wife commented, and she is not given to noticing small differences in handling.

The overall effect was a sense of smoothness and suppleness, resilience in the suspension. My engineering brain has since analyzed this as an improved suppression of wheel bounce (which I didn’t even know that I had). Rather than transmit road roughness through the shock, the new setup caused a smoothing of wheel travel that substantially improved the ride (and sound level) in my RV. I’m very curious how it will handle the next dirt-road washboard experience.

This all should really come as no surprise; after all, the off-road crowd has been running quad shocks for decades, and guess what? They too have large, heavy wheels and tires that need extra damping for proper performance.

So now I’m wondering what those REAR wheels might profit from; Robert and I are talking about this — stay tuned.

Howie Leaves Henderson’s (After Thanksgiving Dinner Of Course)

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 06:35:43 GMT

Thanksgiving

Yesterday ended successfully, with all vehicles finished and running like champs. Although late-ish in the evening, everybody went home happy for the holiday weekend.

Today, Robert and Barbara Henderson (of Lineup fame) have graciously invited us for a Thanksgiving get- together, and we’re looking forward to a pleasant afternoon.

The weather forecast for this coming week is stormy across the entire western seaboard, from Seattle to San Diego.

We’re not excited about getting caught out in snow country and sub-freezing nights, so our plans are to head back to the coast, tomorrow (Friday). It will still be stormy, but warmer. And watching heavy weather along a coastline is a marvelous experience in itself (with proper precautions of course).

After we’ve taken enough pounding, we’ll head east-bound toward the Sacramento area and touch base with friends/family there. The quad shocks we had installed are performing beautifully. The suspension is finely tuned and we’re ready to roll!

29 November

In Motion

Yesterday proved a charming time, with a wonderful dinner spent with warm, hospitable friends.

It’s always a bit of a gamble going to friends’ for the first meal, because we never know what style of eating we’re going to encounter. Yesterday was great good fortune, for Robert and Barbara are as health-conscious as we are, and they prepared a varied, sumptuous, and wonderfully healthy meal. I even got a slice of gluten-free pie!!

With anything and everything to talk about, the afternoon sped by before we knew it. Late in the day, Karin and Barbara took Robert’s mom Ann home, and Robert and I went for a quick bike ride in the crisp air. He had a Bike Friday Tickit that I wanted to try out, so off we went.

The Tickit is a pretty impressive ride for a 16” tire bike, and we spun around the neighborhood at a good clip for a few minutes.

Sadly, the cold air was a bit much, and after one sharp jolt, one of my frozen ears (the left) cracked and broke off completely.

The little pink disk hit the ground rolling, and before I could stop it almost went down a sewer drain. But fortunately, I captured it whole, and with a little duct tape and super-glue got the little booger stuck back in place.

I had to sleep on my right side last night, but after I peeled off the tape this morning, I could hardly see the glue joint. I’m optimistic for a full recovery. :o)

We’re heading back to the coast today, no Internet for a while. Seeya.

Does a new RV mean a better handling RV?

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:45:04 GMT

RV TRAVEL IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH

This year sure has seen a huge surge in people interested in the RVing lifestyle. We have felt this at our company due to the record number of steering and suspension part sales.

It seems due to the air travel restrictions people may have just decided to hit the road and explore this great country of ours instead of traveling internationally. A big question on the minds of many is:

"Do I buy a New RV or Fix up an older one?"

While buying new definitely has its benefits, it doesn't always mean the coach will handle better going down the road. Take the owner of a brand New Ford 2021 E450 in the video above for example. He came into our shop after spending over $100,000 on a new RV. He was not at all satisfied with the driving experience. He ended putting on several upgrades to get the driving experience he desired.

One important note to all new 2021 Ford E450 owners. Ford made some changes to the rear end and you now need a different Trac Bar than previous years. Due to the relocation on the brake lines, the SS450 Rear Trac bar will NOT fit the 2021 Chassis. Please look for our new design, the SS451 by clicking here.

In case you are wondering, a trac bar is a stabilizing bar that works to improve your steering and handling capabilities while you are out on the road. As you might imagine, RVs are prone to less than responsive handling if the proper parts are not in place. Because most RV are so large, they are more difficult to control.

For these reasons, trac bars are an incredibly important part of any safe, dependable RV. When you are driving an RV, you probably want to ensure that your trip goes as smoothly as possible. Trac bars help you achieve a safe ride, regardless of where you are headed.

The choice to buy new or fix up an older one is yours. Just keep in mind that no matter what you decide we can help have a safer and happier driving experience.

Watch the interview with the customer here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16qRDC2oXYE&t=1s

Instant Pot Cooking for Your Family

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:45:03 GMT

Welcome to March and Spring (March the 20th)! We hope wherever your roaming, the winter season was kind, and you're heading into Spring with optimism!

Many families start their spring cleaning rituals in March to clear out the clutter and their RVs fresh and new again. If you are doing this kind of laborious effort, we hope you and your family have an Instant Pot on hand.

If you don't know about Instant Pots, they are the best way of cooking in an RV yet conceived. The food all goes into one cooking pot, so you don't have to manage several stove eyes at once. Just set the timer and start within the time of your dinner plans.

We wanted to share five of our favorite Instant Pot meals you can make on the run from many various sources:

A Spicy Perspective has a delicious prawn recipe, " Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta "!

The Creative Bite presents a Thai Peanut Chicken & Noodles dish that is sure to please!

Number 2 Pencil comes out swinging with Chicken Enchiladas by way of Instant Pot !

For something much more robust than a warmed up jar of spaghetti sauce, try Good Housekeeping's 30-Minute Tuscan Ragu Pasta recipe!

And for a Sunday meal extravaganza, consider Mama Cheaps' Instant Pot Pot Roast !

If you're just getting started with an Instant Pot or have never had one before, here's an excellent resource for the new Instant Pot fan!

If you perfect a recipe for Beef Wellington on your Instant Pot on your travels, be sure to bring that back our way at Henderson's Line-Up! If you need to make an appointment with us, please use this scheduler . We're located at 417 SW Henderson Lane, Grants Pass, OR 97527, and we're open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Making A Functional Office for your RV

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:45:02 GMT

If you find yourself needing to work at the same time you are also taking your family on the road, you’ll know that the premium of space afforded by an RV will become even dearer when you try to add an office to it.

Fortunately, some products can help you conserve space and organize your work effectively. Look at some of these products if you’re considering an upgrade to working at the dinner table.

Laptop - Apple or PC, if you’re going for long periods, a desktop computer makes little sense in an RV, as the CPU housing takes up space, it tends to draw more power and requires a monitor to view. Laptops make great sense. There are many great models to choose from, depending on if you want a touchscreen or a model that converts to a tablet. And some models even come with shock absorption for accidents and slips on your travels. For PC fans, we can recommend a Toughbook!

USB mouse and mouse pad - If space is a premium, get rid of cords when and where you can. If Bluetooth is too much of a pain, short-distance transmitter USB mice can do a great job. The Logitech M510 is an excellent little mouse for average use and paired with a standard ergonomic mouse pad. You can trust the mouse to be where you left it when you get up.

Office Caddy - If you want a space to put all of your office items, such as a stapler, pens, and organizing supplies, consider the Uplift Mobile Storage Caddy.

Laptop fan - These devices run off your USB ports and will help your laptop keep cool, as well as help keep it in position if the RV is lurching. We’ve found a model that is quiet, too, to cut down on the noise around you as you work.

Mounted stands - If you need to work standing, there are options for that where you can mount both your laptop and a mousepad!

These products are the ones we’d pick, but are not necessarily the best priced on the market. If you find a more useful product along the way, let us know at Henderson’s Line-Up!

What Is Boondocking And Why Is It So Popular?

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:59 GMT

If you’re a longtime RV enthusiast, you’ve probably already heard about the practice of boondocking. For some of the newer enthusiasts, we thought we’d share a little bit of a primer on what it is and how to manage it well.

Boondocking is using your skills with an RV to live off the grid for up to months. The two main determining factors are where you take your RV and how you camp there. It means going to a remote location without water or electric hookups for rental. You are entirely dependent on your reserves-- and your resourcefulness-- to get by comfortably.

While this kind of nomadic living may require permits in some parts, one place that doesn’t require a permit is Arizona. In Arizona, you may live free in the desert for 14 days. Then you must move-- a minimum of 500 feet. Then, the 14 day timer can start again. With a nearby water source and solar panels (and a very thrifty use of eclectic power), a boondocker can live for months in the Arizona desert, with no need for a check-in.

There is a big week-long show RV show in Quartzsite, AZ called the Quartzsite Sports & RV Show, running from January 16th to the 24th, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closing at 3:00 p.m. on the 24th). As it's taking place out in the desert, almost all the attendees are boondocking, using their solar panels. Communities of Boondockers form camps to share their resources and keep their reserves rationed. It’s a big gathering, and they have a monstrous tent with lots of vendors. We will be at this show doing safety assessments there, so come see us if you’re planning on going. For more info, visit our site here https://supersteerparts.com/get-an-inspection.

If this was enough to make you want to gas up the RV and point south for a few months, we hope you’ll stop by Hernderson’s Line-Up before heading out on your adventure!. To make an appointment, schedule an appointment, or call us directly. We’re located at 417 SW Henderson Lane, Grants Pass, OR 97527, and we’re open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Snowbird Living: Is An RV Lifestyle The Best Fit For Your Needs?

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:59 GMT

December has arrived! It’s the time of the year that the birds migrate south, looking for warmer climates to nest. Some people do, too, once the holidays end and January begins. Many U.S. and Canadian citizens migrate down to Florida and Arizona around this time, seeing their own cozy nest to ride out the harsh winter.

For retirees, this lifestyle can be a godsend. Warm climates, tropical ocean views, dry warmth can literally save lives over cold, damp, snowy mountains or plains. Brittle cold can damage skin and bones, as well as exacerbate respiratory problems. Snowbirds, as they are called, get the best of both worlds.

But having two homes in two locations can be a lot to manage. A home in the north takes damage in the winter when you’ve left it. A home in Florida, for instance, runs the risk of flooding, tornadoes, and hurricanes in the sweltering summer. The expense of two homes can make Snowbird living hard on a retirement budget.

But that’s where recreational vehicles can make a major difference. There are many virtues to being an RV Snowbird, but the biggest is the freedom not to be tied to a second home. There’s less risk and expense to leaving your home to face winter damage than the summer damage that comes with volatile weather. With proper arrangements in advance, you can live for months out of your RV before returning to your home to arrange repairs. And taking your home-away-from-home with you all the way means it never gets forgotten as you go about your life.

There’s a lot of organizing that must be done to get the most out of being a Snowbird. MotorHome.com has a very good guide to the lifestyle with tips. Here are some of the best tips on managing a Snowbird double life:

Pick a Place. If you don’t have a dream destination in mind, why not tour and try out several? Your RV is perfect for finding a location suited to your needs. Consider sports events, arts, but also medical attention and facilities, too.
Claim your Spot. Reservations for RV docking are so in demand (especially in Florida) that you may need to request yours up to a year in advance.
Refueling. Figure out how to get restocked, either by transportation you bring with you or through delivery services in the area you are staying in.
Protect your Castle. Make certain your home is looked after. Mail can only be held for 30 days, so you might need to have a friend (or a hired service) drop in on your home a few times a month to stash the mail and make certain all is well.
Manage Maintenance. Make certain that, wherever you’re going, there’s a shop capable of keeping your RV looked after and prepped for the return home.

If you decide to divide your time between Grants Pass and someplace warm for the winter, we hope you’ll come in to talk to us about your RV’s needs before leaving. To make an appointment call us directly. We’re located at 417 SW Henderson Lane, Grants Pass, OR 97527, and we’re open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Traveling Throughout The Holidays: How To Prepare Your RV

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:58 GMT

As November arrives and the holidays drawn nearer, many RV owners consider making long trips to see family in the RV, or just taking their holidays completely on the road. Traveling through the holidays has extra considerations. Fatigue, danger, weather-- these are all issues to a holiday RVer.

But RVing through your holidays has amazing perks, too. You carry with you personal space and a door you can shut, which can be such a blessing when visiting your extended family and in-laws. And with a little decorating and work, you can make this space a safe haven of Christmas for just your family. And it’s such a binding experience for the whole family.

A huge part of the fun of such a trip is the planning of it, and gearing up, stocking the RV, and working out where you’ll visit along the way. As you plan a holiday RVing adventure, there are some fundamental things to consider:

Know the roads. When you are planning on adventuring in your RV for some Holiday trips, be sure to research how roads can be affected in severe weather or snowdrift, if you’ve never driven that route before. Research some stops you can make along the way if you have issues with your RV or the roads themselves are inhospitable.
Know what you’re getting yourself into. When travelling in winter, everything is harder, takes longer, and takes more of your energy. For most dedicated RVers, that’s less of a warning than a promise of a challenge. Just be aware that big holidays outside of home can be great, especially when there’s been grief in the past year, and it can also be hard for kids, when they lose their routine and the joy they associate with the holiday traditions at home.
Know your emotional limits. The holidays can be stressful. So can RVing in bad weather conditions, Put those things together and it can be worse, and can put undue strain on your family. A journey that leaves you constantly packing and unpacking is not much of a journey. Try to plan to stay in one location for a bit longer than you might otherwise, to give yourself and your family time to stop and just rest, and enjoy your stay,
Know your RV. If you have yet to do a lot of traveling in your RV, you’re already doing the right thing by consulting guides and asking for advice. But also get to know where your RV is in its current state. Get an inspection on the fitness of the engine and the suspension. Check the tires and make sure you have all of your emergency kit in place and updated.

There are some great guides and opinions on the Internet to consider when planning a holiday trip in your RV. This guide was pulled from two very good articles we’d like to share with you now:

A great source for ideas on making a holiday trek fun is RV Share, Their Ultimate Guide to Holiday RV is both funny and a complete look at RVing through the holidays, including advice on cooking a full Thanksgiving roast turkey in your RV! They also get into some really great holiday destinations if you are avoiding family get-togethers in 2020, both for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

YouTube channel Mountain Modern Life has a fun and festive guide to celebrating Christmas in the RV, showing how they make their campsite and RV more Christmas-y.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/H6v6vUjdbTU

If you’ve not done much Winter RV camping, we can recommend YouTube channel Keep Your Daydream’s Guide to Winter RV camping for setting up a layman’s guide to the highs and lows of winter adventure in an RV with your family.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/2sORrlTH2hM

Before you head out on a winter holiday in your RV, come to Henderson’s Line-Up in Grants Pass this month for an inspection… we’ll make sure she’s roadworthy and up to the challenge of what you have planned, and might even be able to offer some advice on your trip. To make an appointment, click on this embedded link, or call us directly. We’re located at 417 SW Henderson Lane, Grants Pass, OR 97527, and we’re open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Give Those Kids A Brake: Why October Is One Of The Best Months For Brake Repair

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:56 GMT

Even though the month of July is actually the annual National Brake Month, at Henderson’s Line-Up, we think October is the month you should be thinking about brake repair the most. We don’t really need to tell you how important your brakes are to your RV. We know you understand that you need stopping power with a vehicle as large and heavy as yours. So we’re offering you three specific reasons why you should get your brakes inspected in October.

For starters? Halloween is coming up, and kids will likely be out in great numbers trick-or-treating this year. Short drives through your neighborhood can find kids running across your path. A large recreational vehicle needs stopping power to keep the kids in your community safe!

With the holiday season fast approaching, getting your brakes inspected in October means you can rest easy in the coming months that your RV will be safer to drive in cold weather driving conditions, such as icy roads and snow drifts. If a problem begins to present itself in late November, getting service for your brakes may be a bit more difficult for you to arrange than in October. With a quick inspection, you can know for sure.

Finally, kids are back at school, albeit to a lesser degree in this COVID climate. They are leaving the house more and more. An inspection of your brakes will help keep them safe in an emergency stop.

Which brings us to another idea: what if your RV could help solve some of the safety issues we have right now with kids returning to schools and contaminating each other?

With many schools splitting their population in half to reduce the risk of contamination, one increasingly good option is to form pods. Facebook user J Li described the practice in a July 17th 2020 status update:

“These are clusters of 3-6 families with similar aged (and sometimes same-school) children co-quarantined with each other, who hire one tutor for in-person support for their kids. Sometimes the tutor in question is full time and sometimes part time / outdoor classes, depending on the age of kids and individual circumstances.”

We think this is a great idea, and we’d like to point out how great it could be to lend out your RV as a pod classroom for road trips to a pod.

First, your RV can be sanitized easier than a house or work space can. The interiors of an RV are meant to be wiped down and sterilized, whereas home furniture often isn’t as forgiving with chemical cleaners.

Secondly, RVs give you the freedom to homeschool your kids, now that a lot of families are choosing independent study for their children. With an RV, you can take kids to outdoor settings and let them learn out in nature at national parks and historic landmarks.

If you have a pod active within your own family, you can turn a field trip into a family vacation-- exploring the country, giving your kids an education. If you join an RV association, you can have access to 1500 golf courses and wineries around the country and you can stay for free for one night in a nice place rather than a shopping center parking lot. The vineyards and golf courses are a great way to spend quality time with the family.

Bring your RV in to Henderson’s Line-Up in Grants Pass this month for an inspection… stay ahead of troubles and consider giving those kids a ‘break’ of a working/learning holiday, if you can afford the time to adventure… to make an appointment, click on this embedded link, or call us directly. We’re located at 417 SW Henderson Lane, Grants Pass, OR 97527, and we’re open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Why COVID Has Been Beneficial To The RV Industry

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:55 GMT

Did you know that there has been an unexpected silver lining in the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic? Some longtime RV Industry experts agree that surging demand is rapidly transforming and it has been beneficial to everyone who touches the RV Lifestyle.

Before COVID-19, RV sales remained steady, but the industry has certainly had its challenges. When gas prices are high, people tend to shy away from buying motor coaches. But when gas prices are lower, real estate prices are too high for most first-time buyers, and people are itching to travel more, RV sales show a steady incline.

Sales for all types of recreational vehicles have gone up across the United States. Many people who love to travel are uncomfortable flying on planes or cruising the high seas during the pandemic. But RV sales are going up for other reasons, too. For example, RV sales have gone up in Minneapolis, Minnesota because more people express a desire to leave the city to get away from riots and questionable urban locations. These first-time recreational vehicle owners say they prefer to move into the suburban and rural areas.

Other people are abandoning the idea of owning their homes. They prefer, instead, to treat their RV, coach, or camper as a tiny home and seek out travel to wide-open spaces. Full time RVing is a thing, especially since gas prices are low. An extra bonus about traveling with an RV is that in times of COVID-19 shutdowns when public restrooms are no longer open to the public, you are driving around the comfort of your own washroom facilities. It gives huge peace of mind to those of us with smaller bladders without need to leave your tiny, traveling home.

The RV Lifestyle is skyrocketing throughout 2020, and it’s amazing to see. Not only are RV sales increasing, but RV rentals have increased over 1000% since 2019! Here is a video about the renewed interest among Americans of all ages and demographics. If you are interested in living the RV Lifestyle, this video packs a lot of helpful information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx3eElgY9aE

There are so many benefits to the RV Lifestyle. An RV allows you to live in a tiny home with lots of amenities, but you can still travel. It’s affordable living. People want to change their lives and their impact on the environment. With an RV, you can spend more time outdoors and enjoy nature. It truly is a wonderful benefit that has emerged during the global pandemic.

If you purchase a recreational vehicle that requires maintenance service, our team at Henderson’s Line-Up and Super Steer Parts can take care of what goes on under the hood. Your motorhome, trailer, and dingy vehicle work extra hard when you travel, and they can all use a little extra TLC. Make your appointment with Henderson’s Line-Up and Super Steer Parts today. See you soon!

P.S. If you would like to see the first chapter of Robert Henderson’s new book, Living Life One Mile At A Time, click here.

The Pros and Cons Of Towing A Dinghy Vehicle

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:54 GMT

Have you seen all the vehicles that are towed behind a motorhome as you’re rolling down the highway? For those of us living the #RVLifestyle, we call those dinghy vehicles or towed vehicles.

There are many pros to towing a dinghy vehicle, but there are several cons as well. The team at Henderson’s Line-Up and SuperSteer wants to share some of these pros and cons of towing a dinghy vehicle so you can be fully aware of your towing options.

Pros to towing a dinghy vehicle

When you feel like taking a quick trip to the store or want to navigate a narrow road, having a towed vehicle is a great choice. You can just hop in and go!

Also, a towed vehicle allows you to drive through town without exposing your recreational vehicle. Not all small towns have streets wide enough that you can comfortably navigate your RV.

When you tow your own vehicle, you don’t have to worry about renting a car, calling a taxi, or hiring a Lyft driver.

In an emergency situation where you break down, you have a second vehicle to go get help or find parts.

Cons to towing a dinghy vehicle

When you tow a dinghy vehicle, the cost of fuel goes up because your RV will be pulling more weight and consuming more gas.

Your whole rig, coach and car combined, will be heavier and harder to maneuver as well. If you are unaccustomed to towing a vehicle, you may need to practice first before you can drive confidently. Luckily, SuperSteer offers stabilizing components that reduce sway and lower the risk of accidents caused by the towed vehicle “wagging the dog”.

In order to tow a smaller personal vehicle behind your motorhome, you will need a towing rig that will properly fit and accommodate your coach and car combo.

You will always need to know your RV’s pull limit so you can purchase the properly rated hitch setup.

If you are planning a trip and you are unsure how to set up the towing configuration, we invite you to rely on our #RVLifestyle expertise.

At Henderson’s Line-Up and SuperSteer, we are experts in RV repair and modifying your motor home or trailer to enhance driving safety. If you are looking to configure and install a dinghy vehicle towing system and would like recommendations, the team at Henderson's Line-Up in Grants Pass, Oregon, would love to help. We want you to have a safe and enjoyable trip. We are here to consult, offer an RV inspection, or take care of any repairs for you. We invite you to book an appointment with us today, and remember, Jesus loves you!

P.S. If you would like to see the first chapter of Robert Henderson’s new book, Living Life One Mile At A Time, click here.

What To Do When Bad Weather Strikes Your RV

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:53 GMT

Have you ever been traveling in your RV and you’ve hit bad weather? It can be scary and dangerous, can’t it? At Henderson’s Line-Up, we have some helpful ideas to keep you, your RV, and all of your travel companions safe when bad weather strikes your RV.

Monitor the weather. Anytime you drive a motor home or trailer, you should get a daily weather report. Utilize the NOAA weather app on your phone to keep track of weather patterns along your route. Be sure to keep your phone charged so you don’t miss out on important updates.

Tornadoes. In the event of a tornado, you will need to take action immediately. Develop a disaster plan for you and your family. Never try to outrun a tornado. Know where to go in case a tornado strikes. Identify safe places to take shelter, like truck stops, convenience stores, restaurants, and even walk-in coolers. Once you are inside, go to the basement, a cellar, or a hallway or room without windows in the center of the house. If caught outside when a tornado hits, lie down on the ground, remain as flat as possible, and cover your head to protect yourself from flying debris. If you can find an underground shelter, that’s your best option.

Know your location. We know it’s easy to let your mind wander and not pay full attention to the name of the city you are driving through. However, you should know your whereabouts at all times. Why? So you can get accurate weather and travel information. Or, if you need to call 911 for help, they’ll need to know where you are so they can find you.

Avoid flooded roads. It may seem that your RV is tough and can handle anything, but that’s not completely true. No RV is waterproof and it only takes two feet of water for it to float. That is why you should avoid flooded roads at all costs.

Respect Mother Nature’s wrath. Be mindful and aware when a severe thunderstorm approaches. Winds can reach up to a whopping 100 mph to 150 miles per hour, and that can rip your RV apart. Take shelter immediately.

Lightning strikes. When you see a flash of lightning, you can hear how close it is by listening for the thunder. When the timing between lightning and thunder is less than 30 seconds, you need to take shelter quickly.

Trust us, since we have been living the RV Lifestyle, we have grown a deep respect for the weather and the damage it can cause. That’s why we hope these tips help keep you and your family out of danger.

The good news is that Henderson’s Line-Up and Super Steer Parts helps RV owners protect their vehicles and the occupants from hazardous winds. To learn more about how we can protect your RV from the hazards of driving in strong winds, contact us.

If your recreational vehicle requires maintenance service, our team at Henderson’s Line-Up and Super Steer Parts can take care of what goes on under the hood. Your motor home, trailer, and dingy vehicle work extra hard during the warmer months and can use a little extra TLC. Make your appointment with Henderson’s Line-Up and Super Steer Parts today. See you soon!

P.S. If you would like to see the first chapter of Robert Henderson’s new book, Living Life One Mile At A Time, click here .

Space Saving Ideas to Have the Perfectly Organized RV

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:51 GMT

Are you ready to prep your RV for the season? When you begin moving into your RV and remember the clutter that got to you, it is time to think about what you can do differently this year. If you don't want to make the same organizational mistakes as last year, it is essential to start by sitting down to make an inventory list of items you have. Once you see what is in your RV, you can take a hard look at quantities. Pairing down is one of the best ways to create extra space. Do you really need 12 drinking cups on board?

Take a good look at your layout and decide on a home for everything. Creating a home spot for all things small and large will help you maintain organization, even things like your fly swatter, and your keys need a designated home spot.

Developing a routine is imperative to keeping things clean, organized, and in its place. Setting up a weekly deep cleaning and a light daily cleaning routine will keep your space feeling fresh, and everything will make its way back to its home spot, reducing clutter and giving you that feeling of zen.

Installing a free-standing drawer unit in a cupboard creates organization in a cabinet space, will maximize and utilize all the vertical space in there. When underway, use a bungee cord to secure the pullouts, or, if you have the extra money, spring for the RV version. Investing in a door-mounted RV trash can is a key space-saver. Storage bins are likely one of the most important organization items you will use in your cupboards. You can use dozens of these in your drawers and cabinets as well as in the outside storage compartments.

Investing in stackable nesting mixing bowls, and dish cradles. It is worth the extra money to have the added real estate in your cupboards; it will save a ton of space in your RV. If you can find the perfect spot for a hanging basket for your fruits and veggies, that will also clear your countertops. If not, then mini hammocks for your fruits and vegetables can work too. If you have space to install pegboard to hang your pots and pans from, it will open up a LOT of storage space, and a roll-up sink rack is another key item to invest in.

A couple of nifty items that are awesome and efficient are a paper plate dispenser and a fold-out spice rack. These items will save you a TON of storage space and hassle. Other clever DIY ideas are screwing mason jar lids to your ceiling and storing items in the jar. Just tighten the lid, and your jar will hang from the ceiling! Wall-mounted magnetic strips are fantastic for knives & small jars of things you want to keep handy and can't sacrifice space in your cupboards. You can even modify your cutting board by adding magnets and tucking up under your cabinet! Small tension rods designed for curtains can be used vertically to store items efficiently.

Square storage canisters work well in an RV to maximize space in your cupboards. It is worth the investment to replace your round ones! In your fridge, a little lazy susan to hold your condiments is handy. It is easy to access everything in the back with a simple rotation. Finding divided organizers is a fantastic way to save space. You can even create your own with cardboard to save on costs.

Here are a few more nifty thrifty ideas for you. Use a magazine rack to store your canned goods. It will keep things from rolling around. Shower caddies make nice produce racks when hung on a hook. Install a paper towel holder for your garbage bag roll. Hang your baggie boxes on the inside of your cabinet doors with a thumbtack. Shoe organizers hung in your closet is an excellent way to store your towels.

We hope these space-saving ideas will help you this spring when sorting out your RV. Our team at Henderson’s Line-Up and Super Steer Parts can take care of what goes on under the hood. Your vehicle works extra hard during the warmer months and can use a little extra TLC. Make your appointment with Henderson’s Line-Up and Super Steer Parts today. See you soon!

P.S. If you would like to see the first chapter of Robert Henderson’s new book, Living Life One Mile At A Time, click here.

TPMS & Your Motorhome: What You Should Know

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:50 GMT

In a regular car or truck with only four tires, it is pretty easy to know that you have a flat. With tires on your RV, a visual inspection can be deceiving. You can take a look at all of your tires during your motorhome walk around and not know there is a problem with your tire's air pressure. It is even easier to take off on your trip, not knowing that your tire has a slow leak and end up with a dangerous flat while underway.

Did you know that under-inflated tires are the number one way to ruin a tire? Your RV weighs a lot, and with low pressure in your tire, the side-walls on your tire become over-stressed, and they are not designed to withstand such flexing. This over-flexing can cause the tire to overheat and eventually cause a blow-out. Do you tow a car behind your motorhome? This is the most common reason a low tire is not noticed until complete failure occurs.

Installing a TPMS or Tire Pressure Monitoring System is an excellent choice if you plan to travel in an RV or motorhome. By choosing to have a TPMS sensing system in your vehicle, you are able to ensure that your RV has good tires, properly inflated, and you are as safe as possible when underway.

If you are shopping for a sound TPMS monitoring system, here is a list of things to look at before buying one:

Easy to Read Display

If the display has a large clear LED screen, you are more likely to be able to quickly read the screen, even when you are wearing sunglasses. LCD screens are much harder to read, especially when wearing polarized sunglasses.

Battery-Free

If the monitor requires batteries, you may want to consider an alternative item. It can be challenging to stay on top of all of your systems in a motorhome, and one more thing to tend to maybe the reason you end up with a low tire without knowing it. By choosing a unit with a hard-wired system means that you will never have to replace or monitor the battery charge in your display unit.

Sensors with Antenna

Ensuring your sensors themselves are battery-free, you know that your sensors are 100% sealed from foreign objects and water. Having sensors on each tire means mud, grime, guck, and hazards are everywhere nearby. If your sensors on each tire require batteries, you have to tend to them, check, and replace them regularly. If this is the case, each sensor will need to be taken apart. By choosing a sealed version with an antenna system, you know that the unit on your tire is sealed, which means it is watertight and more resistant to foreign objects getting into it.

Supporting Local

You are buying at least six sensors or more when shopping for a TPMS system to install. Where you spend your money, is who you choose to support. We encourage you to consider buying a product made in the USA.

If you are looking to install a TPMS system and would like recommendations, the team at Henderson's Line-Up in Grants Pass, Oregon, knows you love your RV. We want you to have a safe and enjoyable trip. We are here to consult, offer an RV inspection, or take care of any repairs for you. We invite you to book an appointment with us today, and remember, Jesus loves you!

P.S. If you would like to see the first chapter of Robert Henderson’s new book, Living Life One Mile At A Time, click here.

Best RV Parks in OregonBest RV Parks in Oregon

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:49 GMT

When it comes to the best RV parks in Oregon, here is a list that we pray you will genuinely enjoy. Oregon is known for its vast and varied landscapes. With scenery ranging from rolling hills, beaches, and farmland to forests and mountains, you are sure to have an eyeful of awe while you travel along in your RV. It is hard to choose our very favorite because there are so many beautiful places to spend time.

If you love hot springs, then the Grande Hot Springs RV Resort is a destination for you. This resort is not far from La Grande, which offers beautiful biking trails along Wallowa Lake and also Hot Lake Springs in addition to the Hilgard Junction State Park. Located at the bottom of Craig Mountain, this hot lake is known to have healing properties. It is a great place to park for a while and enjoy exploring the area while soaking in its healing waters.

A very family-friendly RV park is Sunny Valley RV park and campground and is not far from I-5 and is also located near many RV dealerships. Nearby is the Applegate Trail Interpretive Center and the gorgeous Wolf Creek Park. This RV park has a beautiful swimming pool, and a lovely playground, library, and sports activities everyone can enjoy. There is a well-stocked welcome center that will keep your kiddos wanting to snack and go on mini outings to the store, so be warned. Thank the Lord that everyone is sure to have an excellent family-friendly time at this lovely RV park. If you are looking to stay close to the freeway and are looking for a fantastic experience, the Sunny Valley RV Park and Campground is for you!

Wallowa Lake State Park is in North-east Oregon and is not far from the city of Joseph. Surrounded by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, you will have stunning views from the lake of snow-capped mountains and wildflowers near and far. At the park, you will find many amenities and boat launching, perfect for that fishing trip you planned with your father-in-law. Wallowa Lake State Park is teeming with hiking trails, wildlife, and places to bicycle, swim, or picnic. There is so much beauty here that everyone is bound to have a wonderful time.

Crater Lake RV Park is a private escape and get away with many nearby attractions for you to enjoy. Everything from the waterfalls of Mill Creek, to Red Rock Canyon and the Joseph Steward State Recreation area, will have you in awe with the majestic beauty our good Lord has blessed us with.

The team at Henderson's Line-Up in Grants Pass, Oregon, knows you love your RV. We want you to have a safe and enjoyable trip. We are here to consult, offer an RV inspection, or take care of any repairs for you. We invite you to book an appointment with us today, and remember, Jesus loves you!

P.S. If you would like to see the first chapter of Robert Henderson’s new book, Living Life One Mile At A Time, click here.

How To Avoid A Crash While Driving Your RV

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:47 GMT

We, at Henderson's Line-up, came up with a list of safety tips to help you feel confident and secure when traveling in your motorhome. When we practice and prepare ahead of time by keeping these tips in mind, there is no fearful hanging onto the steering wheel with white knuckles when driving in your big rig. Feeling safe when driving in your RV is vital to driving safely and will help you avoid a crash.

Know Your Tail Swing

You are sure to have heard the term Rear Overhang and Tail Swing when talking up RV'ers. The Family Motor Coach Association defines tail swing as "the distance that the body of the coach behind the pivot point moves in the opposite direction of the front when you turn." Keeping your rear overhang and the tail swing your RV makes in mind when pulling into a parking lot, or making a turn can make the difference between safe travels and an insurance claim.

Know How Tall Your RV Is

Most RV's are between 11- and 13-feet overall height. It is vital to measure your RV to make sure you can fit under that overpass, tunnel, or bridge before braving the attempt. The cost to repair the state highway can be astronomical, not to mention having to turn in a claim to your insurance company. Knowing your overall height will put your mind to ease when approaching that tunnel.

Adjust Those Mirrors

RV's are large. We recommend taking the time to adjust your mirrors and look then readjust if needed. It isn't easy to see what is behind or beside you, having every advantage with your mirrors will help.

Keep an Eye on The Weather

Your RV can act like a sail in a big windstorm and blow you around, or even worse, a big gust of wind could blow you over. Most of us have seen the video of a big semi-truck towing a container blowing over. That is a real concern in a big vehicle and one we all want to avoid. Check the weather for wind, snow, and rain. Avoid driving in poor visibility such as fog, ice, and hail, if at all possible. Driving your RV should be a pleasurable experience, so avoid a tight timeline when traveling and allow yourself the liberty of a weather window.

Stay Alert

Feeling drowsy? Take the time to pull over and take a little snooze before powering down the road again. Driving an RV takes your full attention; it is essential to be alert to your surroundings and road conditions at all times. Let's play it safe and take it easy on yourself, you have a nice bed waiting for you, so take a little siesta and enjoy your motorhome!

Be Courteous

Many car and truck drivers are in a big hurry to get from point A to point B. They don't have the luxury of traveling in their home, so give them a break and help them out by staying to the right, and use your blinker early. Staying to the right is helpful for several reasons; you are already close to the shoulder if any issue arises, you can see better from your driver's mirror knowing there is no traffic on your right-hand side.

Magic number 63

Go slow, the magic number when driving an RV is generally known to be 63 MPH. This speed offers you enough power to get up that mountain pass, allow other traffic to pass safely, and gives you the ability to slow to a stop in a reasonable amount of time.

Know When to Brake

Stopping in an RV takes much longer than in a car. Plan your stop well in advance and keep a clear path in front of you. A good rule of thumb is to keep 6 seconds of space in front of you to allow plenty of time to stop. Keep 400 to 500 feet of distance between you and the car ahead of you; you will be glad that you did!

P.S. If you would like to see the first chapter of Robert Henderson’s new book, Living Life One Mile At A Time, click here.

Headlights & RV Lighting: How To Keep The Dark Away After The Sun Sets

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:46 GMT

How to Keep the Dark Away After the Sun Sets

Nighttime driving can be tricky in an RV, especially with poor lighting. RV’s often weigh well over 7,500 lbs; The last thing any driver of a large RV needs at night is poor lighting showing the way. In addition to asking the Lord to guide our way, it is best to take the time to head into your local RV repair shop before leaving on a trip, as they are an excellent resource for common lighting issues, spare lamps, and more.

Burned out light bulbs can happen to anyone at any time. With your daily driver, you can usually head down to any auto parts store to pick up an in-stock lamp. They are relatively easy to install in a short amount of time. With a motorhome, this experience can be quite different. Replacement lamps may not be readily available or as easy to install. It is best to order and keep on hand a couple of back up lamps just-in-case. If it is challenging tracking down the right type of lamp for your RV, you can also find many headlights online here ; offering every kind of fog light, blinker, taillight, and signal that you may need.

You can find most instructions for replacing your lamp in your owner’s manual. If you don’t have one, or it doesn’t have the instructions, you can usually find a tutorial on Google to help. Be sure to be specific with your year, make, model, and chassis type, and type in headlamp replacement before using the tutorial to guide into tearing into your RV. The last thing anyone needs is to get elbow deep to find out you have the wrong guide pulled up.

Properly aligned headlamps can dramatically improve road visibility as well as the shoulder; it can also prevent blinding oncoming traffic. Luckily aligning headlamps can be an easy task. Some headlights have bubble levels right in them with a screw to adjust to set them. If aligning your lights is something you want to do yourself, here is an excellent article on how to align your headlamps yourself.

Electrical issues become more and more common as your RV ages. One common problem is lower voltage to the headlights when underway. It is essential when identifying voltage drop to measure when your lights are under load. Losing 2-4 volts can reduce your headlight brightness by nearly half! Relay switches or bad fuses can be an issue as well as broken, burned, or frayed wires. Again, a thorough Google search can help pull up an accurate wiring diagram and help you better understand your wiring.

Cloudy Lenses become an issue over time, especially with older motorhomes. The composite material gets small scratches and becomes cloudy. Over time this reduces light output and can become a hazard since it diminishes lumen output, which compromises your ability to see the road well. The good news is that this is a relatively simple fix. Toothpaste and a rag with a bit of elbow grease can usually clear up the lens. This will buff out tiny cracks which make your headlights cloudy. Once the buffing is complete, rinse and wipe off all residue, you should have a nice bright headlamp once again. You may need to do this more than once to clear them up, depending on how oxidized they are.

It is essential not to compromise when it comes to your headlights. We care about you and others and want you to stay safe on the road. Please ensure you have good quality bulbs and that they are in top working condition.

The team at Henderson’s Line-Up in Grants Pass, Oregon, would love to consult, offer an RV inspection or repairs for you. We invite you to book an appointment with us today, and remember, Jesus loves you!

P.S. If you would like to see the first chapter of Robert Henderson’s new book, Living Life One Mile At A Time, click here.

Top Things You Can Learn From An RV Rally

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:46 GMT

RV rallies are a great place to learn all sorts of skills that make the RVing experience all the better. Rallies offer many opportunities to learn the ins and outs of RVing as well as provide access to vendors and the newest products and advancements available on the market.

Seminars:

Most large RV rallies will present on RV related topics such as driving, safety, cleaning, cooking, maintenance, resorts, and much more. These are especially helpful if new to the RV community or even for the casual RVer. When attending a seminar you’ll want to check and be sure that it isn’t a product demo (infomercial). Do your research and spend your time wisely!

Maintenance:

RV maintenance is often offered by RV manufacturers and related companies at most rallies. RV companies bring technicians and basic replacement parts to rallies as a complementary service to bring in more event-goers. Depending on the rally, RV Technicians will perform basic maintenance and repairs free of charge or for a minimal fee. However, if you’ve got a significant issue that needs addressing, you shouldn’t expect to get it fixed at a RV rally. Major repairs won’t be available, and you’ll want to schedule an appointment with a trusted auto repair shop. But if you have some routine maintenance needing taking care of on your RV, make sure to sign up for this service early!

Vendors:

Rallies are the best places to really compare specs and prices if you’re in the market for a new RV or RV related product. You can take advantage of the fact that many company representatives are available to speak with in person to answer any questions you might have. In addition, should you be looking for renovations or repairs on your RV, those same representatives can then quote you on potential services they have available. You won’t know unless you ask, so don’t be afraid to engage with the vendors and exhibitors in attendance.

Safety Education:

Most rallies offer a Safe Driving Course, usually presented by insurance companies. This may be very helpful if you have not had any training in driving an RV. Some RV insurance providers even offer an insurance discount for drivers who have completed this training, though this is subject to your individual insurance company’s policies. You can also learn how to get your RV weighed, which helps you determine your tire and hauling needs going forward and keep you safe on the road.

These are just a few of the things you can learn while at an RV rally, and for the RV enthusiasts, they can turn out to be just plain fun to attend. Spending some time with the people and vendors within the RV industry can be invaluable, and the connections and friends within the RV community you’ll make will last you a lifetime.

For more information on any of your RV needs or maintenance and repairs, contact the team at Henderson’s Line-Up in Grants Pass, Oregon to book an appointment. You won’t regret it!

P.S. If you would like to see the first chapter of Robert Henderson’s new book, Living Life One Mile At A Time, click here.

How To Winterize and Maintain Your RV

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:45 GMT

It’s December, and for many of us living the RV lifestyle, you’re probably getting ready to park it for the Winter season. This begs the question: How do you winterize and maintain your RV?

If you are new to owning a motor home or fifth wheel, there are many steps you need to take to winterize and maintain your vehicle so it’ll be in good shape by the time we reach Spring. Here is a shortlist of the items you need to take care of for proper storage maintenance:

You need to blow the lines out to get rid of all the water.
Drain the water out of the water heater.
Get an annual inspection because water leaks can cause a lot of damage.
Put antifreeze in there so your lines don’t freeze.
Prep the exterior and make sure your roof is well sealed to prevent water leaks.
If possible, store your camper inside in a climate-controlled building. Or, you should cover it with a tarp if outside.
Wherever you store it, make sure the area is safe and has good lighting.
Critter-proof your vehicle, but please don’t use too many mothballs. The poison from the mothballs could cause respiratory complications for you and your loved ones. Trust us, for we lost a friend who overdid the mothballs and it took months to figure out why this healthy guy passed away in a short period. The poison permeated everything in the RV and they couldn’t sell it after his death.
Add fuel stabilizer.
Protect your tires. Pro Tip: If you can park over wood planks and not on concrete, for the concrete chemically reacts with the petroleum in your tires and wears them out quicker.
If you leave the heat on the gas furnace at a low temperature, it will heat up the water tank and keep it from freezing.

If you have questions about any of these winterization tips, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Henderson’s Line-Up in Grants Pass, Oregon. We are always happy to help and clarify anything that might be confusing.

But what if you plan to travel in your RV throughout the Winter season? We have advice on that, too. We often go to an RV park when the weather is good during the winter months.

If driving your RV during the winter months, follow these steps:

Make sure the batteries, brakes, fluids, and chargers (for the chassis battery and the house battery) are in good shape.
Check your water level in the batteries, too.
Double-check that the RV’s tires are in good shape, plus the tires on your dinghy vehicle and on the snowmobiles. :-)
Generators need maintenance attention, too.
Test the fluid on the generator, as well.
Have someone check your hoses carefully so you don’t have any issues.
Check your lighting to make sure all the lights are working. Lighting includes clearance lights, marker lights, and LED lights.
Pro Tip: You can help your batteries last longer by switching over to LED lights.
Get a Road Performance Assessment (RPA) if possible and a good inspection.
Pro Tip: If you’re buying a used RV, motor home, fifth-wheel, coach, camper, or trailer, get it inspected first before purchasing. Most folks get a homeowner inspection by law or by bank requirements when purchasing a home. Do yourself a favor and remember if something seems too good to be true, there might be a reason.

Lucky for you, our team of mechanics can help you with all of these items, whether you’re parking it in storage or taking it out to warmer climates. All you have to do is ask and our team of experts is here to assist you.

If you want the team at Henderson’s Line-Up in Grants Pass, Oregon to do the Road Performance Assessment inspection and repairs for you, for example, we would love to be of service. We invite you to book an appointment and watch the video we created to prepare the RV for a thorough inspection.

P.S. If you would like to see the first chapter of Robert Henderson’s new book, Living Life One Mile At A Time, click here

Things To Know Before Buying A Used Coach: Will It Be A Dream Or A Nightmare?

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:44 GMT

“Pay me now or pay me later” -- Mr. Goodwrench

I asked people, “If you were going to buy a house on the side of a mountain, would you want to know what the foundation was?”

Purchasing an R.V. can be likely the most expensive purchase you make outside of your house.

Quite often I ask folks if they paid more money for their R.V. than their first house? Hands shoot up everywhere. So, I ask about the second house, the third house; again, hands go up.

The point is made that purchasing an R.V. is a substantial investment.

I ask people “How many of you test drove your motorhome, pulled your 5th wheel or hauled your camper?” Maybe a quarter of the hands go up and that is a generous estimate! If they did drive or pull it, it was on a nice preselected route by the salesman. It was most likely not with truck passing, road construction, windy conditions, truck ruts and various bumps, bridge transitions, etc. these are real-world conditions you are guaranteed to experience once you get out on the road!

One thing I’ve learned over the years is almost any motorhome or RV will drive fine, on a smooth road without real-world ruts, bumps and passing trucks in windy conditions.

The bottom line is people fall in love with the floor plan and all the nice features, which is only natural.

Recently, I had some friends sell their coach that we had completed a lot of upgrades on, which they loved. But they really wanted a diesel coach. They were able to sell their coach for their asking price and purchase a used diesel. When I next saw them at a rally where we were working, I found out about their new coach, a used Beaver Patriot.

It sounds good, right? Beaver had a name that was synonymous with quality. To this day I tell some folks if they own a Beaver Coach they may want to consider keeping it and fixing anything to keep it on the road.

The only problem with my friends’ purchase, it was a very early model. When I first looked at this motorhome, it was beautiful inside and out. We never put it over a pit since we were at a rally, so I did not have the advantage of inspecting it from that angle.

My friend did a lot of work on the Beaver, he spent several days putting all-new airbags on it. I did a visual inspection on the front end as I lay on the ground, everything appeared good other than I recommended a blueprinted steering gear and shocks, M.C.U.’s (Motion Control Units) and Safe-T-Plus steering control.

We said, “See you later!” he headed east on his first long trip with this rig and we headed out on an airplane the next day to an FMCA rally.

We were hoping to see them in a few weeks, as they could stop at our shop on their way home. We heard from them, all right! We got a text saying they were broke down in a little town in Central Oregon, Chemult. My friend said a trac bar had come loose. That sounded like an easy fix, right? I tried finding a welder to go up there to repair it. I was not having much success with that plan.

When I saw the first photos, I was horrified! Someone had had their trac bar come loose before and done a horrible patch job on it!

I had a friend who owns a wrecker service and a repair shop in Medford, OR. He said he would go all the way up there, even though it was Sunday, and get that disabled coach down to the Rogue Valley.

He got them to our shop alright! He reached them in Chemult around 5:00 PM Sunday and after a lot of work and “MacGyvering” arrived at our shop at 4:00 AM Monday morning.

I had two expert welders look at the situation, one of them had a $25,000 minimum. The other one was about 15,000.

The first magnum chassis was built by folks who were just getting started in the chassis business. The cost of an RPA is $306 for a complete test drive before and after plus the weights on all four corners seems like a bargain and a detailed evaluation of all the steering and ride characteristics.

I know our experienced techs, Eric Beck of 26 years, would have seen what I missed just giving it a quick glance at an RV Park!

I really felt awful that I had not seen it. However, in all my years, this was a new one on me. When they first started making the Magnum Chassis, they may have only made 5 or less of a certain model.

Lesson learned: Make sure and find out the idiosyncrasies of a certain chassis BEFORE you buy.

The same thing is true for the rest of the coach. Find out about the roof, look for signs of water damage, slide mechanism problems, etc.

His towing insurance would not send a tow truck for him with a low boy. I am so grateful for my friend who went above and beyond the call to help this brother and his wife as they were stranded. Ed did an amazing job chaining up that rear suspension, so he could move them from their host’s front yard in Chemult.

Yes, the insurance miraculously covered the repair, probably because the rest of the coach was in great shape as well as the prayers that God answered because the repairs were about what he paid for the coach and they were looking at totaling it out.

So, before you decide on that used coach, motorhome, camper, trailer, or 5th wheel, be sure to get a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted RV repair mechanic. You could save yourself from a lot of headaches and be thankful an expert pair of eyes are looking out for you.

If you want the team at Henderson’s Line-Up in Grants Pass, Oregon to do the RV inspection and repairs for you, we would love to be of service. We invite you to book an appointment and watch the video we created to prepare the RV for a thorough inspection.

P.S. If you would like to see the first chapter of Robert Henderson’s new book, Living Life One Mile At A Time, click here.

Getting to point "A" to point "B"

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:42 GMT

No matter how long you have owned your RV one question always coming up: “How will I get this thing from point A to point B?”

Driving a motorhome can be a daunting task, especially if you normally drive a small, four-door sedan! So if your new to driving a motorhome here are 2 tips for you to keep in mind.

Make the Right Adjustments before you take off.

I know it sounds simple but you’d be amazing at the amount of people who skip this. This is the first and most basic instructions are the same with both cars and RVs: adjust for comfort and safety.

*** Mirrors: Check your side mirrors and learn how to use your rear camera, if your rig has one.

Seat: Adjust your seat so that you can clearly see in every direction necessary. Move forward, backward, and play with the tilt to avoid making a lot of adjustments while driving an unfamiliar vehicle.

*** Know Your Size: More than likely, every car you've driven before is standard size, meaning it fits below bridges and is allowed on every road. However, the height and weight of RV's make it a little different.

*** Height: General bridge height is 13 feet 6 inches. However, some states differ so check your driving route in advance to make sure your RV will fit.

*** Width: Any motorhome wider than 8.5 feet requires an oversized load permit. Check with your salesperson before making your purchase or signing a rental agreement.

More: RV Checklist: What to Pack for the Trip

2. Learn how to Park the beast!

Practice, practice, practice. Parking an RV is very different from a truck or small vehicle. A few basic parking tips to keep in mind, include:

*** Rely on your mirrors: You can't look over your shoulder or through the back window. Adjust and test them before heading out.

*** Always have clear vision of the spot you're pulling into.

*** Avoid parking near other cars, if possible. However, practice tight parking in case you have no other option.

3. Install Quality Steering parts!

It’s been said that the most demanding part of driving an RV is the steering and handling of the rig itself. It is heavy, not always well balanced, and a challenge to keep control of in windy conditions, or even when a truck passes you by.

While most manufacturers focus on creature comforts you can enjoy once you get to your destination, at SuperSteer, we focus on making your trip to the destination a pleasurable experience as well. We have designed and built the very best aftermarket products that affect steering and handling of your coach. We are able to greatly reduce sway, porpoising and tail wagging, while dramatically improving the day-to-day experience of sitting behind the wheel of your home on wheels as you cruise comfortably towards your favorite destination. With that in mind… check out our site at: https://supersteerparts.com/

Worth the Weight

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:41 GMT

The weight of a motorhome, or perhaps more importantly, how it is distributed, is something a lot of RVers don’t think about. We know that motorhomes are large and heavy, and drive much differently from the passenger cars and trucks we’re more accustomed to. But there’s more to consider. Virtually no two motorhomes built on the same chassis have the same weight distribution, and may be loaded differently. We see a lot of side to side discrepancies due to slide outs, washer/driers, generator placement, and other factors.

I can recall many times weight ratios have been off. When we first got started at Henderson’s Line-Up, I remember working on a GM P32 chassis that drove great and the customer was happy. The next day, we worked on the same chassis for a well and pump service company, and it didn’t turn out so well. We wondered, why? Two of the exact same chassis, yet each had different results. We hate unmet expectations! And that’s when we really started paying attention to the front to rear axle weight ratios. We found that the magic number was 50% for most Class A motorhomes.

On Class C (van chassis) motorhomes, we found the number was closer to 45%. However, I have gotten many coaches that were Class C to handle and drive very well with a front-to-rear axle weight of 40% or less without having to add weight. I speculate the reason why is because a Class C doesn’t have the large cab on the front, which in addition to lighter weight, makes it less likely to be influenced by high winds that can affect steering.

But even when we started working on Workhorse chassis using the 50% rule of thumb, we were still not happy with the results. The motorhome still blew around in the wind and steering could be affected by road ruts. What we discovered was that the front axle was so far forward on the Workhorse chassis that we had to use a 55% ratio to help keep the front axle firmly planted. On diesel pushers, especially those with a short wheelbase and that big diesel in the rear, it was like a big kid and a little kid on a teeter-totter. The big kid overpowers the little one.

When we checked it out one of these coaches, we discovered the front axle was 1,000 pounds too light! To offset this imbalance, we added 800 lbs of steel to the front end, which is perfectly fine as long as the front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) isn’t exceeded. To our surprise, when we weighed the coach again, 200 pounds had been shifted off the rear axle. We added Koni shock absorbers, our Motion Control Units (MCUs) and a Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer. That was more than 10 years ago and that customer is still driving that short little Beaver Patriot and is very happy with it.

On coaches with a lot of rear overhang, which caused the rear suspension to sag, we figured if we raised it, we would shift more weight to the front. In cases where that actually worked, it was only a slight amount—one or maybe two hundred pounds if that. All it really did was raise the rear back up, which isn’t a bad thing, but it didn’t significantly change the front-to-rear axle weight ratio, unfortunately.

Overhang ratios versus wheel base have a lot in common. I know that the average gas coach is about a 66% overhang ratio. The average diesel pusher is 50% and they usually have a lot more overhang in the front as well. in other words, the more rear overhang, the lighter the front end.

Another thing we discovered is, on a coach with a low rear corner, adding spacers or springs on the low side will transfer a lot of weight to the opposite front corner. We were once involved in a factory recall of a certain motorhome that was experiencing blowouts on the front tires due to improper ride height valve installation. To solve that problem, we relocated the ride height valves and put higher load range tires on the front.

If a vehicle is too heavy on left front, for example, we’ve seen it has a tendency to drift the opposite way. We saw this on the old Oshkosh chassis that was later bought out by Freightliner Custom Chassis, which is used in many motorhomes today.

In any case, the bottom line is this: If the front/rear weight ratio isn’t correct, it will cause lane wander in high winds or when being passed by trucks, and also when driving over rutted roads. This is one of the many reasons we always recommend performing our Road Performance Assessment, or RPA. This way the technician and coach owner can experience what the coach is doing over a variety of road conditions. It truly is a “real world” way to determine the handling characteristics of the motorhome, and learn what changes would be effective.

There are a variety of other instances where weight can have an adverse affect on handling. At a recent Heartland RV rally, we found that some of their fifth wheels can be as much as 1,000 pounds heavier on one side than the other. While this may not affect handling, specifically, it can cause the brakes on the lighter side to lock up more easily on a wet or loose road surface—and that can definitely cause stability problems in an emergency stop. Weighing fifth wheel trailers properly with individual wheel scales requires us to first make up a “dummy” scale the same thickness as the actual scale, or we’ll get inaccurate numbers—sometimes as much as 2,000 pounds off on the pin weight of a large fifth wheel.

On bigger motorhomes, tag axle weight is also very important. Most tag axle motorhomes have a feature that allows you to adjust the amount of load on the tag. I can remember a time when I was performing an RPA on a 42-foot Freightliner Custom Chassis motorhome. I went around some corners after stop signs and noticed a wisp of smoke and some noise coming from the rear. I can actually say that I’ve smoked the tires on a diesel pusher! As it turns out, the tag axle had too much load on it, so it was unloading the drive axle tires. This can also shift weight forward, putting too much load on the front axle.

There are so many other examples I could give about how weight can affect a motorhome or trailer. But the ones above just underscore how important it is to have your coach/trailer weighed and to perform an RPA to see how weight affects your rig.

Motorhome or trailer?

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:40 GMT

It’s a question that faces many RVers at one time or another: Truck and fifth wheel or motorhome and dinghy vehicle? Each has its advantages and liabilities, which we’ll explore in detail here.

The first and most important question is, how do you travel? If you like to keep moving, spending only a night or two at each location, a motorhome/dinghy is probably the best solution. Generally speaking, motorhomes have a larger, more comfortable cockpit than pick-up trucks, and usually ride more comfortably, too (Class A motorhomes in particular). This is an important consideration if you plan to do more touring than camping/park living. Motorhomes are also better for traveling families, as the kids are not confined to the back seat of the truck and can watch TV, snack and use the bathroom conveniently while on the road. Once at your chosen destination, you can pull into your site, deploy the leveling jacks/slides (if equipped), hookup and you’re pretty much done—you don’t even have to detach the dinghy vehicle if you don’t plan to use it the next day or so.

On the other hand, if you like to stay for several days (or weeks, or months) at a given location, then a truck and fifth wheel may be the way to go. You’ll probably have to sacrifice some space and comfort while driving, you won’t have immediate access to the bathroom or kitchen, and you’ll have to deal with unhitching/hitching–but there are some very real benefits as well. For one thing, fifth wheels generally “live” better once they are at the destination. You can’t beat two living room slide outs, high ceilings and an island kitchen to make you feel at home–and fifth wheels usually have a big rear window that admits lots of light. Another big benefit is that, once you’ve unhooked you’ve got your pick-up truck to drive around in, and can use it on a daily basis when you’re at home if you (and your significant other) feel comfortable driving/parking a ¾ ton or one ton pick-up.

PLANNING AHEAD

Whichever you choose, planning your purchase(s) ahead of time will save you the most money and trouble. Consider that most motorhome owners pull a “dinghy” or towed vehicle behind them during travel so they can park the motorhome at their destination and enjoy the convenience of driving around in a car. But this requires some homework first. Not all cars are designed to be towed with all four wheels down behind a motorhome–some vehicle manufacturers will void the vehicle warranty if you attempt to do so. MotorHome magazine (www.motorhome.com) publishes an annual Dinghy Towing Guide that lists vehicles that can be towed, and even has archives for previous years. By in large it is accurate, but you should always check with the vehicle owner’s manual to make sure the vehicle is approved for towing, and what procedures are required before towing. Some cars require only a few simple steps, while others require removing fuses, disconnecting the battery and other steps that make towing inconvenient.

Then there’s the matter of fitting the vehicle with a base plate (so that it can be towed from the front) a tow bar and an auxiliary braking system. We like Roadmaster (roadmasterinc.com) for base plates and its wide selection of tow bars. For brakes, we use SMI (smibrake.com) because we like the ease installation and operation–but Roadmaster and other companies offer braking solutions as well. You may also need to wire the car so that its brake lights, turn signals, etc. coincide with the motorhome, and there are a variety of kits designed for this purpose. We generally use a Roadmaster universal wiring kit, but there are vehicle-specific kits available as well. Finally, most motorhomes are designed to tow–but the ratings may vary. Make sure that the motorhome you are considering is rated to tow the weight of the dinghy vehicle.

With a truck and fifth wheel, it’s even more important to choose the two together. We’ve come across many people–both customers and friends–who want a trailer that is too heavy for their existing truck, and want to know if there’s a way they can make it work. Sometimes it may be possible with a gear ratio change, different tires/wheels and suspension upgrades, but just remember there’s only so much weight a vehicle can tow safely and reliably. So, if you’ve already got a truck and you want to keep it, it’s best to choose a trailer that is well within its towing capacity. The easiest way to do this is choose a trailer whose gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is lower than the truck’s tow rating. This way, you’ll know that, even when the trailer is loaded to capacity, it’s not too heavy for the truck. The same is true if you already own a trailer and are looking for a new truck; make sure the truck can tow more than (or at least the same) as the GVWR of your trailer. If you’re buying both new, choose the trailer first, then buy a truck that can easily handle its weight–and remember, there’s no such thing as too much tow vehicle.

There’s a variety of aftermarket upgrades you can add to your tow vehicle to optimize the suspension if you find it rides too rough. We will soon be testing an Auto Flex air suspension on our 2007 Chevy Duramax 2500HD pick-up (www.autoflexsuspensions.com). The system has shown great potential for improving ride quality when towing and can help keep the truck at a level ride height (the company also offers a system for trailers called Trailer Flex). We will post the results of that installation here as soon as it is completed.

BE PREPARED

Before you hit the road, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with your chosen setup and get it checked out before your first long road trip. Henderson’s Line-Up offers a Road Performance Assessment (RPA) that uncovers any shortcomings in the motorhome, be it new or used. This includes rough ride, loose steering, insufficient brakes or other handling/safety concerns. At the test’s conclusion, we'll perform a detailed inspection of more than 50 points on your coach. These include your air ride suspension (if equipped), tire wear, steering gear, disc brake rotors and pads, shock absorbers, tie rods, idler arms, kingpins, ball joints, bushings and much more. We then weigh the coach at all four corners with individual wheel scales to determine correct weight distribution. You can download a coupon for $100 off your RPA here: https://www.hendersonslineup.com/coupons/

If you have a truck and trailer, it’s still a good idea to have an RPA performed; even new trailers can have bad alignment that can cause handling issues and blowouts. Most trailers don’t have balanced tires and many don’t have shock absorbers–so just these simple modifications can make a huge difference in reliable travel. Our parts division, SuperSteer parts (www.supersteerparts.com) offers a variety of products designed for Safer and Happier driving, including several suspension upgrades to improve the ride and handling of your fifth wheel.

One final thing: Always, ALWAYS be sure to check your tire pressures every day when traveling. There are a variety of tire pressure monitoring systems available on the market, but it’s still a good idea to visually inspect the tires for nails, sidewall damage, etc. Plus, it gets you in the habit of inspecting your tires on a regular basis.

By considering your lifestyle, planning your purchase(s) ahead of time and being prepared for the road ahead, you can enjoy the wonders of our country safely and reliably–whichever set up you choose.

SS701 Rear Trac Bar for 3500 Sprinter

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:39 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Mike Demith

Marketing Manager

541-955-0769

mike@hendersonslineup.com

SUPERSTEER RELEASES NEW TRAC BAR FOR SPRINTER CHASSIS

The Mercedes Benz Sprinter is one of the most popular and versatile commercial vehicles on the market today, and is widely used in the RV industry for everything from Class B van conversions to luxury Class C models and beyond. SuperSteer, a division of Henderson’s Line-Up, recently introduced a new Trac Bar for the Sprinter chassis (part #SS701) that dramatically reduces sway and improves steering control by positively centering the rear axle. The bar bolts on easily in about 90 minutes with no drilling or welding required, and comes with all necessary hardware and instructions. MSRP is $583 plus shipping. For more information on this and other SuperSteer suspension products, contact SuperSteer at 888-898-3281 or visit www.supersteerparts.com

SuperSteer, a division of Henderson’s Line-Up, specializes in suspension, steering and brake components that solve common handling issues in trucks, vans, SUVs and motorhomes. Based in Grant’s Pass, Oregon, SuperSteer products are direct result of the ongoing research and development at Henderson’s Line-Up—the recognized authority in vehicle dynamics since 1961.

Newmar RECALL Steering Gear Mounting Bracket may Crack

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:38 GMT

Report Receipt Date: DEC 09, 2015

NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V829000

Component(s): STEERING

Potential Number of Units Affected: 1,920

All Products Associated with this Recall

SUMMARY:

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 1997-2005 Dutch Star and Mountain Aire, 1998-1999 London Aire, 2004 Essex and 1997-1998 Kountry Aire motorhomes. The affected vehicles have a steering gear mounting bracket that may crack, causing a loss of steering ability.

CONSEQUENCE:

A loss of steering increases the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:

Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan dealers will replace the steering gear mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 5, 2016. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277. Newmar's number for this recall is 15V 633.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

For Source Click HERE

If you recieve a letter in the mail about this recall, feel free to give us at Henderson's Line-Up to schedual an appointment.

Operation Christmas Child - It's SHOEBOX TIME Again!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:36 GMT

Since 1999, Robert & Barbara Henderson have volunteered their time and resources to help Operation Christmas Child share God’s love in a tangible way with gift-filled shoeboxes for needy children around the world.

Their first year they worked with local churches and businesses to collect around 350 shoeboxes, filled with gifts of love, packed by families and sent off with prayers that each box would end up in the right hands.

Last year, they managed to get 1,800 shoeboxes collected despite the fact that there are more collection centers now, which means more choices for people to drop off their boxes.

This year the goal is 2,000 shoeboxes. Will you consider being involved? Just last week we received this email from a nine-year-old girl in Southern Oregon. She writes…

Hi Everyone!

I’m very happy with how this year has gone! Only one more month and I stop collecting! Can you believe it? I have 77 boxes! My goal is 85, so we will see what the Lord is going to do!

This month, I started writing my letters to put in the boxes! It’s a lot of letters so please be praying for me to get them all done! I also have started praying over each and every box!

Also this month my family and I went to the packing party at the Evangelical Free Church! And guess what! They donated all of their extra supplies to our church so we could use them for our packing party that we will be having in our children’s ministry on the 9th of November! How sweet!

I hope that you all have been doing well with packing your own boxes! If you have any questions you can always call me!

Well…the next time I see you, all of my packing will have been completed! Thank you so much for doing this with me! May the Lord bless you all!

It’s absolutely thrilling to see the lives that are being touched on this end where the gifts are lovingly crafted, packed and prayed over. We can only imagine what it’s like for the approximately 10,000,000 children of the world that are expected to receive a shoebox gift this year from Samaritan’s Purse.

For more information about this remarkable ministry that not only demonstrates God’s love to the weakest among us, but then also makes sure there is a clear and simple presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, please contact Operation Christmas Child or visit stop by our showroom. We’d love to visit with you!

You Know You're Doing Something Right When...

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:35 GMT

We know how challenging it can be to drive your RV thousands of miles in wind, weather and road conditions that range from pleasant to horrific - even on the same day!

Recently we heard from one of our customers who was having difficulty keeping the coach on the road. It swayed a lot (sound familiar?) and wandered incessantly! We installed our SuperSteer trac bar, a custom sway bar built by Roadmaster to our specifications, a set of SUMO Springs and Safe-T-Plus steering control.

Here’s what our customer had to say…

I do business with a lot of people and companies. It is pretty rare that I am as happy as I was with what I got from you. I do want to tell you just how much at home we were made to feel by Don and all of your guys.

We got into town late in the evening, and were concerned that just “setting up house” outside your shop might look a little funny, but we settled in and enjoyed a good evening’s rest. The next morning, Don got us in and got the work under way the very first thing.

Eric and Adam were really good about keeping me informed on what they were finding and their progress, and did a great job on everything that we had requested. Even our little traveling dog was welcome and happy to be around your shop! And compare notes with some of your other very satisfied customers.

On our second day there, all of the various service that we had scheduled was completed, and we were able to get back on the road for the remainder of our road trip.

Our trip home…

By the time we returned home, I had driven almost another 4000 miles since leaving your business. Let me tell you, those miles were the best I have driven in our rig. All of the suspension work that you recommended for us has been absolutely the best investment we could have made, as the RV drives like a completely different vehicle.

There was a day coming down from Canmore AB, into the US, when the weather for the whole day was 50 to 60 mph crosswinds. While that was still terrifying driving, I cannot imagine how bad it would have been prior to all of the upgrades. I was saying good things about Henderson’s the whole way!

Fuel economy increase…

One of the things that we had done at your shop was to have the performance tuning done to our engine along with having the tuned exhaust system added. I cannot brag enough about the improvement in performance we realized with just this single upgrade!

On the trip out to California, I had to do a lot of mountain driving through Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California. I felt like the engine was struggling a lot just to get up the mountains, and found myself being the “slow moving vehicle” many times. I was only getting about 6 miles per gallon in the mountains and about 8 mpg on the flats.

After the tuning, I could easily climb hills at 65 mph, and my mileage went up to about 8 mpg in the mountains, and between 10 - 11 mpg on the open highway! 2 mpg may not seem like much, but it was almost 20%, and I am EXTREMELY pleased with the improvement.

Back at our dealership…

To illustrate to you just how significant the difference is after Henderson-izing my RV, I have a little story for you. On our return from our trip, I had to take the RV in to our dealership to get the oil changed and to have the slide-topper replaced. Just for grins, I had our salesman take it out for a test drive.

His reactions were worth the price of admission! He first noticed the difference in sound of the engine: “That sounds meaner!” Then I had him really step on it to enter the highway (I-70), “ Holy cow, it is still accelerating, even going up hill! ” Then he said, “ This isn’t normal, even new ones don’t drive like this. ”

And when we went around some pretty bumpy curves, he said “ you won’t believe it when I say this, but it drives more like riding a motorcycle. ” When I told him about the Safety Plus and all the suspension upgrades, even he said, “ You really got your money’s worth! I won’t be able to sell you a new vehicle now.”

In conclusion…

To say that Jayne and I are happy with the outcome of your service would be a severe understatement. Your Road Performance Assessment revealed exactly what we needed, and we feel like we have gone from a run-of-the-mill used coach, to an RV that drives like a dream, all at a very reasonable cost to us.

The experience of dealing with you AND your incredible shop team has been exceptional, just first rate. I mean this sincerely; you have a world-class team who provide GREAT service. I will be a very vocal supporter of yours for a long time to come.

The values shown by you and your team are just one of many reasons to patronize Henderson’s Line-up. I only regret that there really is nothing more that you can do for us!

We do hope that we can cross your path again. We wish you and your whole crew nothing but the very best, and may the greatest success come to you, as you have earned it!

Sincerely yours,

Bill and Jayne Barstow

How to Get Better Fuel Efficiency Without Spending More Money

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:34 GMT

In our last blog, we discussed how to improve gas mileage by improving airflow as it mixes with your fuel. This effect is accomplished through the “Ultra Power Performance Tuning” we offer that can increase mileage by 1 – 3 mpg, and some customers claim even more.

Today, I want to share a few things that are easily overlooked but can also improve mileage and they won’t cost you any money.

Air pressure in your tires: Under inflated tires increase friction and slow you down but according to the Energy Department, properly inflated tires can increase fuel efficiency by 3%. That may not seem like much but if you figure on $4 / gallon for gas, that’s like saving 12 cents per gallon every time you fill up. That’s better than a kick in the rear with a frozen boot in February!

Change your oil regularly: Oil is for lubrication. The reason we change it is because it gets dirty. The dirt causes friction and thus wears on your engine and causes fatigue. Keep your oil fresh and use high quality synthetic oil for best results. It is your engine that drives everything, so the less friction and better quality oil you use, the smoother and more efficient your engine runs.

Eliminate excessive idling: If you travel around waterways that utilize draw bridges, you can find yourself waiting 10 minutes or more for traffic flow to resume. Shut your engine down. Same is true if you get stuck waiting for that mile long train to pass in front of you. Whenever you are going to be stuck in one spot for more than a couple minutes, give your engine and your fuel consumption a break. Zero miles per gallon is as bad as it gets! And here’s a thought, when you are in rush traffic, it feels like you’re not moving but you really are. However your mileage may drop to 1 – 2 miles per gallon, so it is best to plan your trips to avoid big city rush hours.

In our next blog, we will take another look at how technology on a budget can add more miles to your gallon. Until then, we wish you safer, happier driving!

How Technology Can Boost Motorhome Fuel Efficiency

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:33 GMT

How would you like to add 50 – 60 Horsepower or more to your rear wheels while INCREASING your MILEAGE by 1 – 3 MPG? Sound unlikely? Well listen closely… The air you breathe is a gas and when injected properly into your engine acts as a fuel. It needs to be mixed with standard fuel but when done with some of the new technology now available, it can make a big difference on fuel economy.

Your engine needs good airflow and when that is increased, it delivers a measurable boost of horsepower to your rear wheels. Who hasn’t wanted that while trying to cross the continental divide?

One of the ways you can get significant increase in performance and mileage is through something called, “UltraPower Performance Tuning”. On your 5.4L through 6.8L V10 Ford engines (including PowerStroke) this innovative engine tuning can increase mileage by 0.5 to 1.5 MPG, while adding up to 45 Horsepower and 50 ft. lbs. torque increase by itself! That’s huge!

On 4.3L through 8.1L GM engines (including 6.6L Duramax) you can look for 1 – 3 MPG, and an increase of 60 HP and 70 ft. lbs. torque increase! Not only can you save money because you of increased fuel mileage, but will never have to use premium gas again.

For many RV owners, an increase of 2 miles per gallon is a 33% increase in overall mileage. Couple that with being able to use regular gas instead of premium and you can save thousands of dollars by taking advantage of this high tech performance tuning.

To find out what can be done for your coach during the off season, give us a call. We will be glad to talk it over with you.

Balance Like A Duck

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:32 GMT

Maintaining your balance while cruising down the road is not something to take for granted. This duck makes it look easy, but when it comes to your RV, you’re going to want to take some precautionary action. Let me explain…

A set of tires for your RV can be a sizeable investment so making sure they don’t wear down prematurely can be a balancing act involving the weight and shape of the wheel paired with the weight and shape of the tire. Given that the tires and wheels were manufactured at two different times in two different places and possibly in two different countries, it is not reasonable to assume they will be in perfect balance from the get go. The odds of this combination having perfect and precise weight distribution about its radial and lateral centers is virtually impossible. The amount of uneven weight distribution it takes to cause a vibration you can feel is less than ½ an ounce.

Wheel balance is typically checked on a wheel-balancing machine that can sense as little as 1/4 ounce difference in weight around the wheel. Doesn’t seem like much does it? But the problem is that this tiny weight is rotating around the axle at a very high speed, literally hundreds of times a minute and it can create enough momentum to cause serious vibration. When you multiply that by 6 or 8 wheels carrying a combined weight of tens of thousands of pounds, that can turn into not only unnecessary wear on the tire, but also a heightened and completely avoidable level of risk as well.

There are two types of imbalance to be aware of. The first is known as static imbalance, which is a result of having a heavy or light spot in the tire itself that makes it impossible for the tire to roll evenly. When that happens, the tire and wheel experience an involuntary up-and-down motion, like a hop. The second type is called a dynamic imbalance, where there is inequitable weight distribution to one or both sides of the tire/wheel assembly’s lateral centerline, which results in a side-to-side motion, also known as a wheel shimmy.

When tires are out of balance, not only do they wear but also they put strain on the entire suspension system and wheel bearings. So for safety sake, get your tires balanced on a regular basis. Every trip through a rough construction zone, or too much speed across a speed bump or nicking a curb pulling in or out of Wal-Mart can lead to your tires getting out of balance again. It makes sense to have them balanced about every 5000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first.

So for safer driving, keep your tires balanced and for happier driving, take time to watch the ducks, (especially if you’re from Oregon)!

Top 10 Reasons Your RV is Vibrating – Part 2

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:31 GMT

In Friday’s blog, we talked about 5 of the top 10 reasons your RV could be vibrating. Today, we will talk about five more possible reasons. Remember, that vibrations are a signal to tell you something is wrong. Ignore them at your peril. In this video entitled, “Vibration: See the Unseen”, you will see what a vibration really looks like when a drumstick hits a cymbal. The message here is that while vibrations can be heard and felt, what is happening in the unseen realm is more dramatic. Take a look…

6. Alignment: Excess camber can also cause it. You should take your coach to a qualified alignment shop as soon as possible, because something may be coming loose. Interestingly, people often think that their coach is out of alignment because it’s shaking, but that’s usually a tire/wheel problem.

7. A bad U-joint: The U-joints all have to be lined up so they are in phase. Part of the “phasing” procedure includes making sure that the center lines of the transmission and the rear axle drive shaft are parallel. If the axis of the pinion gear is parallel with the ground, then the tail shaft of the transmission must also be parallel to the ground. It can be higher or lower but it MUST be parallel. If the technician knows what he’s doing, he can look and see that the U-joints are properly phased. If they are not properly phased, you will likely experience vibration.

8. A bad CV joint: Basically, a CV joint allows a vehicle to maintain continuous power along turns, without which, front-wheel drive would not work effectively. The symptoms of a defective or worn out CV joint usually occur when driving at highway speeds (55 – 75 mph). This is something you might notice when driving at that speed, if you turn the wheel slightly to one side or the other and the vibration gets worse (or better if it’s an inner CV joint problem). Once you turn the wheel straight again, everything’s fine. That’s a clue that you may be dealing with an inner CV joint problem.

9. Out of line drive shaft: A driveshaft can also be out of round, so you should check it for run-out with a dial indicator and see if that is the problem. If you’ve had your u-joints replaced, that throws the driveshaft out of round, which causes a vibration, so if you need to address both components not just one.

10. Low transmission fluid level: With an automatic transmission, you can start by checking the fluid level and condition. If the fluid is low, top it off and recheck for the vibration. If it’s gone, consider yourself fortunate and try to find where the fluid went.

Like anything else, finding and solving vibration requires a systematic approach. Everything is connected and affects the performance of everything else over time. When checking for vibration, don’t stop checking when you find just one of these issues. You could easily have multiple factors compounding the situation. Treat you coach like the complex system it is and it will serve you well for many years.

Top 10 Reasons Your RV is Vibrating – Part 1

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:30 GMT

That vibration you feel when driving down the road can be more than a little annoying. It can be downright dangerous. That’s because it means something is out of whack, out of proper alignment, not in sync with the original intended design. Just for fun, this short video called “Vibration: See the Unseen” films a puppy at 1000 frames per second shaking “vibrating” the water off its body.

When vibration occurs, something in your vehicle is experiencing excessive wear, that was not intended by the manufacturer. Left unattended, it can mean failure of a vital part at a crucial time with unspeakable consequences. Think about it… you may be driving an RV weighing 7 – 15 tons, at a speed of 55 – 75 miles per hour and something is out of synch badly enough that you can feel it in your comfortable captains chair, while sipping your coffee and talking with your companion.

The most common causes for vibrations in your coach are:

1.Out of balance tires: Generally speaking, with out of balance tires, the faster you go, the worse it shakes. Out of balance tires ruin bearings, joints and shake screws and bolts loose, as well as fatigue metal faster than anything else you could do. Do you really want to be driving a 10 ton rig down the road with bolts loosening as you go?

2.Out of round tires: Generally speaking, with out of round tires, it will usually shake worse at a certain speed, and then you can eventually drive through it… but it could be a very high speed before it goes away. But as with out of balance tires, vibration will cause parts of the front end and suspension to wear out more quickly and will cause parts throughout the RV to become loose. You might begin to hear squeaks and rattles that will drive you crazy. It can also cause metal fatigue which will weaken the structure of your coach.

3.Bad wheels: If the wheel isn’t round, it’s going to affect the tire and how it works. An alloy wheel like an Alcoa is more concentric than a stamped steel wheel. You may have noticed that with more expensive cars, they tend to have alloy wheels, and this is not just for looks. It’s a rounder wheel, so there are fewer problems with out of round conditions, and less road harshness.

4.Front suspension: I think it’s important at this point to make the distinction between vibration and what we call “shimmy”. If you hit a bump and the steering wheel begins shaking in your hands (sometimes violently) then goes away when you apply the brakes, that’s shimmy, and it’s not a wheel or tire issue. It means something in the front suspension isn’t right—there’s a loose tie rod end, drag link or a worn-out steering damper.

5.Driveline problems: Driveline problems usually come from the center of the vehicle, and there are several things you can do to determine if it’s driveline related or not. For instance, if it happens on acceleration or deceleration, it’s usually caused by incorrect driveline angle. Driveline vibration can also be caused by a drive shaft that was installed, or re-installed incorrectly.

If a customer comes in with what he thinks is driveline vibration, at Henderson’s Line-Up, we simply put it in Park and bring the engine up to speed. If there’s vibration, we know it’s absolutely not the tires or the driveshaft; it’s the flywheel, harmonic damper, torque converter, or maybe the engine itself. If there’s no vibration in Park, we can take the wheels off completely, put the coach on a lift, and run it up to 60-70 mph. If we don’t get any vibration there, we know the problem is with the wheels and/or tires.

Come back tomorrow for Part 2.

Cold Weather Can Ruin More Than Your Vacation!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:29 GMT

With the incredibly cold weather many of our customers experience, it seemed like a good time to warn those of you heading to warmer temperatures to be mindful of the simple things that can be devastating as you make your way south. In this video you’re going to see what happens when a toilet pedal malfunctioned. As I watched this video by the good folks at rvtravel.com , I realized this could have just as easily happened if your pipes froze up.

We want you to enjoy safer, happier driving in your RV so be sure to check this out and save yourself a super sized headache.

Great Time to Buy an RV

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:28 GMT

If you want to head south for the winter to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of the RV lifestyle, now might be a great time to invest in a used motorhome. There are a lot of folks who took their turn using theirs in the summer and now they want to avoid storage and maintenance costs over the long winter season.

Taking advantage of this opportunity can be a good deal for you. Typically an RV has been depreciated about 50% in the first 36 months. After that, depreciation slows down considerably. Want some good advice on RV ownership? Here are a few suggestions you might find useful.

1. Determine your needs

Make a list of the features you will need to comfortably spend weeks on end in a relatively confined space. Is the bed big enough? How about the shower? What do you need in a kitchen? How about additional beds? Storage? TV? Satellite dish? Once you’ve gone through the list of creature comforts, you need to think about drivability. How big a rig will you be comfortable driving? How about your partner? What about mileage expectations? Will you be driving far? If so, steering and handling becomes a very big factor.

2. Research

Visit popular forums like www.irv2.com where you can post questions and read about the experiences of others. Visit an RV park and meet some RV owners. Ask them how they like their rig, what they would change if they could and any other advice they could offer a first time buyer. You can also go to www.rv.net to find a directory that includes your area. They have a lot of great tools and listings of used RV’s to give you some comparison.

Use the NADA guide for RV’s by going to www.NADAGuides.com for getting up to date, realistic pricing for the year, make and model you are considering. Compare what you find there with what you will find on websites like Craigslist where you may find a seller with terrific pricing on their unit. Before you purchase the rig, spend $25 to get a vehicle history report from www.rvchecks.com. Make sure you have the VIN number to get started.

3. Road Performance Assessment

You are buying what will be your home on wheels for possibly several years or several seasons to come. Once you feel you have the unit you will be proud to own, make sure you have a professional road performance assessment (RPA) done. Many RV owners report driver fatigue and travel dissatisfaction due to the “white knuckle syndrome” that occurs when roads are narrow, winding or bumpy, or when traffic is thick or when passing through construction zones or facing windy, rainy or slippery conditions.

These conditions will occur. How well your new coach handles them can be determined in advance. Getting an RPA is like going to the doctor for a physical and having a “stress test”. It helps you know just how your new rig will perform in a variety of conditions that will inevitably come your way. Does it tail wag, porpoise or wander? Does it have steering play or safety devices that will keep your rig going straight in the event of a blowout? Would you buy a home without a home inspection?

That’s why we recommend our Road Performance Assessment (RPA®). Developed by Henderson’s Line-Up, the RPA is a systematic, diagnostic 15-mile road test that reveals steering and suspension problems over a variety of road surfaces. You’ll ride alongside our technician as your prospective coach drives over highways, curved and narrow roads, sharp turns, even bumps and ruts – they’re all included in the RPA to reproduce the very symptoms you want to check for and have eliminated before purchase.

At the test’s conclusion, we’ll perform a detailed inspection of more than 50 points on your coach. These include your air ride suspension (if equipped), tire wear, steering gear, disc brake rotors and pads, shock absorbers, tie rods, idler arms, king pins, ball joints, bushings and much more.

At the very least, an RPA will give you peace and mind upon gaining ownership. At best, it will reveal work that needs to be done and give you an appropriate point of leverage for negotiating a fair price based on the true condition of the coach.

Flight Of The Pelican

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:27 GMT

In this article, guest blogger Greg Illes masterfully shares his keen observations of the incredibly deft way a pelican navigates the bumps and ripples of wind currents, turning them into a smooth, precision ride for the pelican. At Henderson’s Line-Up, we like to think of our SuperSteer line of products (bell cranks, sway bars, motion control units, Koni shocks and Safe-T-Plus steering control units, etc) as helping RV owners achieve “glide like” ride quality as their coach skillfully navigates rough or narrow roads, windy or harsh conditions. Enjoy the read and enjoy your ride…

RV travels take us to a diversity of places, sights, and sounds. There are so many special scenes to be found when RVing around the world. For me, Pelicans are one of the most unique. It’s mid-November, and the Brown Pelicans are everywhere along the California coast. This is just a small representation of course; these large birds populate virtually the entire range of North America and South America coastlines.

Pelicans are my favorite bird, I think largely because they are such a study in contrasts. At least one writer used the term “comically elegant”. Big and clumsy on land, they are grand ships-of-state in the air, and master aviators. The huge, ungainly beak and floppy gullet sack, almost ridiculously ugly with the bird standing on the ground, all settle back in regal pose on the body in flight, perfectly positioned for streamlined travel.

Pelicans are gregarious, and almost always seen in groups of a half-dozen to twenty or more. Their aviation skills are without peer, offering by far the most beautiful, and long-lasting, flight “performances”. Pelicans are big and heavy, and this means they have to be very efficient in flight. They accomplish this efficiency by finding every nuance of air current that works to their advantage. The most reliable areas are the rims of beach-side cliffs, and the lips of shoreline waves. These obstructions to the wind cause ripples and eddies in the air, and the pelicans masterfully maneuver along the unseen whorls. I’ve watched a large flight of birds gliding against the prevailing wind simply by making artful use of the up-drafts along a seaside bluff.

When they’re down on the water, they again glide in “ground effect”, that fabulous place where the air is compressed slightly under a wing and increases its lift significantly. These birds with seven-foot wingspans will glide no more than 10-15 inches above the water, zipping along at 30mph and finding every hint of wave-air-assistance along the way.

And when they’re on the attack for food, another transformation takes place. The smooth, graceful, streamlined traveling vessel suddenly upends itself, wings akimbo, and drops precipitously toward the water in a hurtling suicide dive. Just before impact, all the “stuff” sticking out folds quickly back, and the plummeting wad of bird becomes a lance-like missile. The beak and bird and now-sweptback wings enter the water with hardly a splash, and the unlucky fish beneath the surface finds itself instantaneously engulfed by the beak and sack.

Pelicans tend to be where and when you find them, but certainly the migration seasons in Spring and Fall will tend to be more productive. Coastlines with cliffs afford some of the closest opportunities, and it’s not unusual to get within 20 feet of these wild creatures on-the-fly. Just watch your step.

Pelicans can live for up to 25 years in the wild. It’s nice to know this, somehow lending substance to the sense of sagacity suggested by their resting countenance. An old, wise bird with perhaps something to teach us. Just an imaginary reality, but a fun one to contemplate.

I can, and will, watch these magicians for hours on end. They are truly a wondrous link to a wondrous world.

Howie Arrives at Henderson’s Line-Up in Grants Pass

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:24 GMT

Greg Illes is a terrific writer, adventurer and happy customer of Henderson’s Line-Up. In this series of posts, Greg gives a humorous but serious account of his journey to Grants Pass and why he came to Henderson’s. We serve thousands of coaches each year from all over North America and would love to hear your story and hopefully select it for our travel blog. If you have a story to share and some good pictures as well, we’d love to pass them along to our readers. Please send them to Robert@Henderson’sLineup.com and you just might see your story featured here. Now, here’s Greg…

25 November

Unlike most RV-service shops, Henderson’s is so courteously RV-oriented that they provide free overnight facilities for visiting customers.

These facilities consist of a parking spot, and (next to the shop) 30A service. You (we) can literally live in your/our RV while it is being serviced. There is also a nice warm waiting area, a wifi-café, and a lovely showroom where (something) that I don’t yet own is sure to be hanging on the wall.

One of the things I didn’t yet own was a set of quad shocks on the front suspension. Yep, now I own them – that’s the kit and the installation in the photos. Yet another worthwhile improvement.

Handling is definitely more “snug”, and the front end is once again even better behaved.This whole “camping” scenario is VERY nice for drop-by service, those of us on our way from somewhere to somewhere else. However, as previously commented upon, camping at Henderson’s is not necessarily like other forms of camping. Let me elaborate:

There are some caveats — if your RV is being serviced up on a rack, you must use a ladder to enter/exit. Most times, the rack can be lowered during the evening so that you don’t have to perform this death- defying activity in the dark. If your RV requires service that occupies multiple days, you may well find that it will not be able to start or drive during this interval. You’ll need sufficient food and water on-hand to sustain such an interruption. Or a toad. (But watch out, the toad also may require service and be taken out of commission.)

The security night-lights at Henderson’s Lineup are approximately equivalent to the full moon in concert with a 2- megawatt arc-welder; wear a sleeping mask or you will have dreams about lying on your back in the Sahara at noon-time. At exactly 5:35AM, all residents of Grant’s Pass are required by law to drive their cars and trucks on Highway 199 past

Henderson Lane, in second gear at 37 mph. Every 13th vehicle is required to either rev its engine or exercise its diesel exhaust brake. The resultant traffic noise will provide a valuable and insistent warning of the imminent 8:15AM occurrence (previously annotated) of workers coming to dismantle your vehicle.

In short, it’s convenient, cheap, and friendly – - but hardly idyllic. No place for a campfire (but I have previously barbequed, and in the rain to boot!). Last year, there were four of us “camped out”, sharing morning bleary-eyed coffee and tales of various repairs, upgrades, travels, places, and other facets of RV life. In all truth, it’s actually pretty cool.

The actual service performed at Henderson’s is a fascinating combination of planned maintenance, surprise repairs, and unexpected dire need-of-upgrades. That last one, only husbands comprehend, never wives. You must understand – - There are things (maintenance) that just should be done; there are things (surprise repairs) that suddenly need to be done; and there are things (dire upgrades) that, if not done, will subtract from RV welfare, owner manliness, and the overall well-being of all humankind. The sum of labor for all these things will occupy an interval of time that exceeds any planned such interval. Such is the way of all things RV (and manly).

26 November

Service Week Activities

Some folks who come to Henderson’s will be the type to drop their vehicles off and go about their business, coming back to settle up and drive on. Others, such as myself, get deeply involved in the inspection, diagnosis, and repair/upgrade process. Consequently, I spend probably 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 of each day in consultation or observation of what’s going on. This week, both Howie and Ralph are on the operating table, so to speak – - so there’s plenty to think about.

That said, Karin and I still find time to have some meals, do some shopping, and take a lovely walk down along the Rogue River which runs through town.

The Rogue, at this point, has traded its northern rough-and-tumble character for one of stolid substance. The river is wide, deep, and pretty much rapid-free. But it still retains the wild nature of its beginnings, and it’s easy to get the sense of this river being not fully tamed.

Along the banks, summer’s wild, lush greenery has faded and gone. What remains is a more somber wildness, a harsher presence framed with leafless trees and slate-blue skies. These skies never see the sun rise very high in its daily march, and even mid-day light is at a low, subdued angle.

The air is cool, crisp, and breath-steamy. On the opposite bank are two guys fishing. They are not obviously enthusiastic about it, but what do I know. For me, fishing is slightly less exciting than watching paint dry – - so we move right along. We pass some occasional folks out walking their dogs, but we pretty much have the river to ourselves at 3 in the afternoon.

We walk away from the path and stand at the water’s edge. The surface of the river darkens early as the sun angles down behind high thin clouds. Here and there, the smooth-flowing water occasionally forms V-shaped wavelets and undulations, quiet testimony to secret obstacles projecting off the bottom. There is no wind, and the water runs authoritatively but quietly by. For a time, it’s just us, the woods, and the river.

Life is good.

I have always been (pleasantly) surprised at the detail, rigor, precision, and sheer conscientiousness of every single employee at Henderson’s. This year is no exception, and my vehicles and I are again benefitting from the experience and diligence of this fine crew.

Tomorrow is the last working day before the Thanksgiving shutdown. There is still plenty of work to do on both Ralph and Howie, so we have our fingers crossed that it can all be caught up by end-of-day.

Pack a Shoebox Jack!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:23 GMT

Henderson’s Line-up has joined with good folks like Uncle Si from Duck Dynasty to help Samaritans Purse send God’s love in tangible form to children in need from all over the world.

For years it has been a tradition at Henderson’s Line-Up and SuperSteer products here in Grants Pass, Oregon to work with Operation Christmas Child and the local community to pack up thousands of shoeboxes full of toys, gifts, personal items, etc that children are excited to receive.

November 23rd and 24th is the last weekend to get these boxes in. We will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 1:00 to receive the last minute gift boxes that will make a difference in the lives of so many children.

If you haven’t already, be sure to drop off your shoebox gift at 458 Redwood Highway here in Grants Pass no later than the last weekend before Thanksgiving. Thank you!

Are You Brave Enough to do an RPA?

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:22 GMT

When I first heard about the Road Performance Assessment, I dismissed it as just another fancy marketing gimmick, like the old gag of calling janitors “sanitation engineers”. All hat, no boots, so to speak. It’s a test drive, right?

I was in for a surprise….

At that time, I barely knew Robert Henderson. A lean, unassuming middle-aged guy smiled at me and confidently took the helm of my precious RV, “Howie”. We pulled out of the shop and onto SR199 in gloomy Oregon Fall weather and headed out of town.

Robert’s self-assigned task was deceptively simple: drive my RV and analyze its handling characteristics. Determine if it had any worn or misadjusted chassis components, and identify opportunities for after-market improvements. My job was even simpler: shut up and try not to scream.

You see, Robert has been doing “RV stuff” for decades, and his driving and road-savvy abilities far exceed anything that you or I are ever likely to achieve. Furthermore, he drives a vast variety of RV’s every day of his life, and can easily jump from a diminutive class-B van into a monster 44-foot diesel pusher, without even breaking stride. So the wet streets and my twitchy steering problem simply didn’t phase him. I just held on for the ride.

I don’t mean to make this sound like an amusement park roller-coaster (albeit there are superficial parallels). Robert’s moves are precisely calculated to assess the chassis’ condition and capabilities, and he never ever exceeds them. That said, some maneuvers are definitely attention-getting.

We’re rolling down a straight stretch of SR199. Robert checks all mirrors, looks over at me and says “Ready?”. “Sure…” I respond with what I hope is an air of confidence.

Whoosh-whoosh, wobble, zzzip. Howie moves over a full lane in half a heartbeat. Good gravy, I didn’t think Howie had it in him. I’m about to wet myself, but Robert is calm and methodical. “Yes, there’s some steering play we’ll have to look at”, he comments thoughtfully.

After the lane change, there’s a long, snappy serpentine country roadway that doesn’t seem too intimidating. Just an occasional sharp intake of breath. And the rolling whoop-de-do surfaces (to check suspension response) are relatively tame and nothing actually flies completely out of my pockets.

In 20-30 minutes of firmly-applied driving, Robert has garnered a solid understanding of what’s right and wrong with Howie’s chassis and suspension. We head to the shop for some much-needed adjustments and some carefully selected upgrades.

The assessment is spot-on. Loose steering linkages and even a loosened chassis cross-member have been contributing to some squirrely handling. And the overall steering feedback and self-centering indicate the need for a Safe-T-Plus type of upgrade. When all the fixes and changes have been made, it’s truly like driving a different motorhome. Howie hasn’t become a sports car, but I no longer have to tense up and grit my teeth when we travel down a twisty mountain road.

Later, I learn that the RPA is not some mystical art-form skill understood only by a single guru. Robert has been able to structure and compartmentalize his umpteen-odd years of experience, and encapsulate it into an educational course. RPA’s can now be performed by any service facility willing to invest in the RPA training.

When we drive our RV’s, we get used to them, including their bad habits. When I went in for the RPA, I had a vague feeling that Howie was somewhat ill-mannered, but no real sense of how things should be. Robert’s objective analysis was invaluable in getting a high level of safety and performance from my RV.

I’ve used some humor (and a bit of writer’s license) to make fun of what is actually a very serious, but safe, process. Robert has never had any accident or incident in all his years of performance assessments, and despite the startling nature of some of the maneuvers, there is no excessive risk involved. That said – - pop a Valium before you leave.

Why I Bought a Safe-T-Plus – TWICE

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:21 GMT

When I bought my new-to-me motorhome, it was truly a “foreign object”. We immediately named it “House On Wheels In Excess”, or Howie for short. The 27-foot class-A was the biggest thing I had ever driven, and I was deeply focused on how to manage the size and handling from the moment I drove Howie off the lot.

One of the most challenging aspects was the steering response, or rather lack of it. The power steering on the Workhorse chassis was — powerful. So powerful, in fact, that there was almost no force required to turn the wheel. Howie was nearly effortless to maneuver, clearly a benefit. Maybe. The problem was that there was no feedback, that subtle sense of what the coach was doing. It was almost like operating a video game, where you turn the wheel and the picture moves.

Another more insidious fault with the steering was its lack of self-centering. The very nature of the fingertip steering forces meant that there was not enough “urge” from the steering gear to make the tires point straight ahead again. Coming out of a turn, the first portion of straightening out would happen in a lackluster fashion, and the last quarter-turn of the steering wheel would have to be input manually. Again like the video game, you leave the wheel turned and the picture keeps revolving.

Well, I quickly learned to deal with this, and it wasn’t particularly dangerous. But it was annoying, and it turned out to be also somewhat tiring over a long drive of several hours. In addition, the same non-centering characteristic meant that the coach would have a tendency to wander slightly back and forth when traveling in a straight line. This too was tiring after a while, requiring constant attention and adjustment for every 100 yards traveled.

It became obvious that Howie’s factory steering needed some help. I later learned that the huge Saginaw box on this model chassis was over-designed for the suspension geometry. Tough and reliable, but not easily back-driven by road forces. A centering device was required, and I found that there were several on the market.

I was not interested in the somewhat clunky design of external springs hanging down from the steering components. While they would certainly work to some extent, they had no damping components, and they looked like they’d be finicky to adjust, and susceptible to rock-knocking. I also didn’t think I wanted the adjustable on-the-fly capability, supposedly useful in crosswinds. My personal experience with cross-winds is that they vary a lot, so a fixed offset didn’t appeal to me.

After a lot of research and discussions, I settled on the Safe-T-Plus, an integrated dual spring and damper (shock) design that’s sleek, compact, and stays nestled up among the steering gear and out of harm’s way. Once in place and properly adjusted, it’s a “set it and forget it” product with zero maintenance requirements.

The difference in driving was significant and very pleasant to experience. Road wander was greatly reduced. In a turn, the coach would gently and docilely exit the curve with almost hands-off response and head straight down the road. Highly pleased for such a modest investment, I drove Howie for more than a year in this configuration.

During my 2012 RPA with Robert Henderson, we discussed that the steering was still not aggressively centering, and perhaps we should consider installing a second Safe-T-Plus. This was something that had never crossed my mind, but it was intriguing. Robert had a custom bracket designed to (once again) tuck the unit safely up above the chassis rails. With Robert’s positive prior experience, I was convinced to try it, and I must say it was, once again, a coach-changing modification.

Everything that the first Safe-T-Plus accomplished , the second unit embellished, in spades. The steering became absolutely rock-solid. Road wander simply disappeared forever. Coming out of a turn was a no-brainer, and Howie acted as if he was running on rails. In short, truly a magical conversion.

A year later, I began to pull a toad, and another additional benefit of the assertive self-centering appeared. The tendency of a toad to “wag” the tail of the towing vehicle was significantly reduced by the Safe-T-Plus installation. Even with Howie’s long rear overhang and short wheelbase, the toad, while noticeable, is not problematic.

Bottom line is that these types of coaches really need this kind of upgrade (sometimes even two of them). After observing the metamorphosis, I can’t imagine driving without this upgrade. The changes in handling and comfort are ample reward for the investment.

A Great Retirement Option

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:20 GMT

The biggest flux of Americans into retirement status is well upon us as baby boomers born 1945 – 1955 lay aside their careers and businesses and settle into their golden years.

For many, that not only means a change in their daily routine, but also a change in the way they live and where they live. Many are exchanging their now oversized, pricey homes for a comfortable home on wheels. Overall there are about 35 million RV enthusiasts in America and a growing number are the baby boomers as they near or enter retirement.

One of the reasons for its growing popularity is that it combines the potential for life simplification with elegance. A retired couple can live very comfortably in a quality RV with the significant advantage of being able to change scenery on a whim. You can wake up to a glorious sunrise in the Arizona desert and bed down with the sound of the gently crashing waves of the Pacific in a Southern California RV park.

Not only is a change of scenery a simple decision away, but also it is a great way to change your season once you have had enough of it. RV owners by the tens of thousands migrate every year from colder, winter climates to the sunshine and warmth of Arizona, Florida and states in between. Many RV owners who live in the South, flee the hot summers for the cooler mountain states or explore the beauty of our very friendly neighbor, Canada, with its radiant beauty from coast to coast.

With nearly 15,000 RV parks or campgrounds in America and countless more idyllic locations where one can rest for the night without the need for an electrical hookup, the options for RV owners are too numerous and too alluring to pass up. As a result, a growing number of retirees are entering the ranks of freedom seeking, sight seeing, easy paced, full time vacationers, meeting and making friends with other like-minded seniors.

While many are buying new, luxurious RV’s, a new trend is emerging where seniors are getting good bargains on previously owned RV’s. They are choosing to improve the operating performance of their coach by investing in safety features like Safe-T-Plus which keeps your vehicle safe in the event of a blowout, or improved steering control to make the journey as enjoyable as the destination.

The best way to know what improvements will make your coach safer and more enjoyable to drive, is with a Road Performance Assessment (RPA) which is available from Henderson’s Lineup in Grants Pass, Oregon or through a growing network of RPA centers across America. For more information or to schedule one, call us. It may well be the best investment you make on your RV.

Last Training Class of the Year – Don’t Miss Out.

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:19 GMT

All RV technicians, service writers and company owners are invited to attend this two-day training. Attendees will drive a Class-A motorhome and will learn how to conduct the Road Performance Assessment. They will also learn product knowledge and installation techniques from manufacturers.

“The most valuable part of the training, I feel, is the drive test,” said Eric Beck, a Henderson’s Line-Up shop foreman and technician. “It’s good for any tech to learn the drive portion of the Road Performance Assessment, as he will know what to look for and what to feel for while driving an RV. You have to drive a coach to figure out what’s going on with a coach’s steering and suspension, to then know what problems need to be addressed.”

Wayne Wells of Roadmaster Inc., said, “I think it’s great for anyone who sells suspension related products to attend this training, because it’s going to give them the tools to be able to sell and install the products efficiently.”

“Learning the RPA will help technicians expose steering, handling, and suspension issues to their customers,” said Robert Henderson, owner of Henderson’s Line-Up and SuperSteer products. “Our goal is to make it as easy and profitable for RV repair facilities to solve their customer’s steering, suspension and handling problems. We strive to help our dealers better serve their customers and are excited to have a new building ready for MSSi, which offers an even better classroom environment.”

The two-day training includes lunch, the use of a Class A motorhome for training, manuals and training materials. The cost is $550 and several discounts are available.

Quiet Hurricane Season Means Lower Fuel Costs

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:18 GMT

With a quieter than normal hurricane season we have not experienced any disruption in fuel supplies. Additionally, refineries are switching to their less expensive blend of winter fuel. When you combine that good news from refineries with the fact that summer has officially ended and fuel demand has dropped off, you can expect a price drop at the pump of between 10 and 25 cents.

With President Obama easing off the military threat to Syria, you can look to prices falling to around the $3 per gallon price or lower by Thanksgiving. In fact, in Florida, prices have already dropped an average of 12 cents per gallon according to Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for AAA. They should know as they survey more than 120,000 gas stations nationwide and have their finger on the pulse of American fuel prices.

Jenkins added, “All the elements are in place to continue falling,” but doubted they would fall below $3 a gallon. All bets are off if we have a late hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico or a military conflict affecting the Middle East’s oil producing region.

Of course, once Thanksgiving comes around, demand will likely increase as people begin holiday driving again and the weather turns cooler, motivating folks to fire up their furnaces, especially in the North.

A Heart Breaking Tragedy That Could Have Been Easily Avoided

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:17 GMT

This week near Danridge Tennessee, it was reported that a tire blew out on a church bus causing the driver to lose control and careen into a tractor-trailer and SUV. The resulting crash claimed the lives of eight people and injured 14 others.

No words can adequately speak to this tragedy nor can they find a way to make sense out of it. We simply grieve with those who grieve. For those of you who drive or own a bus, RV or motorhome, PLEASE watch this video . It could save your life.

For more information on how you can protect your vehicle from disaster in the event of a tire blowout, please contact us

Congratulations Eric on 20 years at Henderson’s Line Up!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:16 GMT

Congratulations Eric on 20 years at Henderson’s Line-Up, Brake & RV!

Eric brings a wealth of experience to Henderson’s Line-Up Service Department. He spent 2 years at Rogue Community College learning diesel and heavy equipment repair. He then worked for Detroit Diesel/Allison Transmission before coming the Henderson’s Line-Up. Eric has pursued additional training through the years, including his ASE Certification as an Automobile Technician, with expertise in brakes, suspension, steering and medium/heavy duty trucks. He is certified by Hunter Engineering in Wheel Alignment and Advanced Troubleshooting, and is one of the most experienced Technicians performing the Road Performance Assessment.

Thank you Eric for the many happy and satisfied customers you have served through the years — for “safer & happier driving!”

Congrats Motorhome Steering & Suspension Institute Grads!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:15 GMT

Congratulations to all Spring 2013 Motorhome Steering and Suspension Institute graduates from Evergreen Collision, Gross & Stevens, Inc, RnR RV Center, and Uhlmann RV. Thank you Roadmaster representative Richard Jackson for adding to the training! We look forward to how you implement this training on the (1) Road Performance Assessment and (2) the parts training to better serve your customers!

Nearly 3,000 RVs Recalled Due to Chassis

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:14 GMT

By: RV PRO Staff

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

New safety recalls by Thor Motor Coach, Winnebago Industries, and Newmar Corp. have been announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Each safety notice is similar in identifying the Freightliner brand chassis as the root cause of the recall, according to NHTSA. For more, please go to http://rv-pro.com/news/nearly-3000-rvs-recalled-due-to-chassis.

2043 Christmas Boxes gathered in Josephine County!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:12 GMT

The shoe boxes gathered at Henderson’s Line-Up and SuperSteer were all delivered to Central Point, Oregon and then off to Southern California, where they will then be shipped all over the world. “It is neat to see people excited about participating in the shoe boxes year after year,” said Les Scherrer, parts assembler at SuperSteer Parts. “It was great to see the number of shoe boxes that came in, even in the midst of these difficult economic times.” “I found out that my boxes last year went to Mongolia–I like that you can sign-up online to track your boxes and see which country they go to!” said Bryan Thompson of SuperSteer and Henderson’s Line-Up.

Operation Christmas Child 2013 is underway!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:12 GMT

Operation Christmas Child boxes can be picked-up at Henderson’s Line-Up/SuperSteer! We will collect the boxes from the 12-18th of November. Change a child’s life ‘one box at a time!”

Suspension System Customer Review: SuperSteer Trac Bar

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:11 GMT

We love to share the”Thank You” notes we receive! Here is the most recent, from a customer in Virginina:

To Whom it May Concern:

I purchased this SS302TB for my 40′ Winnebago Adventurer motorhome with 262″ wheelbase. Found it (SuperSteer Trac Bar) very easy to install. Performance of Trac Bar was way beyond my expectations. Took 90% of sway out of back end of the coach. Extremely happy with the product and was worth the cost of it.

Sincerely,

Ronald Petti

Chincoteague, VA

Why use Koni shocks on an RV?

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:09 GMT

Here at Henderson’s Line-Up and SuperSteer Parts, we have often been asked “Why should I use Koni shocks on my RV?” To answer that question, SuperSteer’s Bryan Thompson met up with Jim Ryan on Koni in Indianapolis, Indiana. Of all suspension parts to add to your RV, you will definitely find that Koni shocks are an essential part of any suspension system for superior ride handling and comfort.

How to adjust KONI adjustable shock

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:07 GMT

Join Koni’s Jim Ryan and SuperSteer’s Bryan Thompson to learn how to easily adjust your KONI adjustable shock. Depending upon your coach chassis type, you will find that either the KONI FSD or KONI adjustable shock is an essential ingredient to your coach’s suspension system.

KONI FSD and KONI adjustable shocks discussed

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:06 GMT

KONI Frequency Selective Dampening and KONI adjustable shocks are the perfect fit to your coach’s suspension system. Jim Ryan of Koni discusses some of the advantages to running your coach on a KONI shock — whether you have an I-Beam or Independent Front Suspension motorhome chassis. Call SuperSteer to find the specific shock application for your motorhome!

MSSi Oct 25th-26th at Henderson’s Line-Up (Motorhome Steering & Suspension Institute

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:05 GMT

RV technicians from across the United States will receive expert training in diagnosing and solving RV steering, handling and suspension problems.

Grants Pass, OR, August 6, 2012: Henderson’s Line-Up, a family-owned business for over 50 years which specializes in RV steering and suspension, will be hosting the Motorhome Steering and Suspension Institute on Thursday, October 25th and Friday, October 26th, 2012. All RV technicians, service writers and company owners are invited to attend this two day training. Attendees will drive a Class-A motorhome and will learn how to conduct the Road Performance Assessment, as well as gain valuable product knowledge and installation techniques from manufacturers.

“The most valuable part of the training, I feel, is the drive test,” says Henderson’s Line-Up shop foreman and technician Eric Beck. “It’s good for any tech to learn the drive portion of the Road Performance Assessment, as he will know what to look for and what to feel for while driving an RV. You have to drive a coach to figure out what’s going on with a coach’s steering and suspension, to then know what problems need to be addressed.”

Manufacturers will be present to discuss solutions to the various needs that coach owner’s experience with the steering, handling and suspension of their motorhome. Installation tips and product insight is another highlight of this 2 day training. Wayne Wells of Roadmaster, Inc. commented, “I think it’s great for anyone who sells suspension related products to attend this training, because it’s going to give them the tools to be able to sell and install the products efficiently.”

“Learning the RPA will help technicians expose steering, handling, and suspension issues to their customers,” says Robert Henderson, owner of Henderson’s Line-Up and SuperSteer products. “Our goal is to make it as easy and profitable for RV repair facilities to solve their customer’s steering, suspension and handling problems. We strive to help our dealers better serve their customers and are excited to have a new building ready for MSSi, which offers an even better classroom environment.

The two day training includes lunch, the use of a Class A motorhome for training, manuals and training materials. The cost is $550 and several discounts are available. An “early-bird” discount continues through September 1, 2012. For more information, please call us or email bryan@hendersonslineup.com.

Grants Pass recreation, adventure & BEAR HUNTING!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:05 GMT

Located in beautiful Grants Pass, Oregon, Henderson’s Line Up and SuperSteer offers suspension packages to improve your motorhome or truck suspension and handling. Our customers love Grants Pass and the surrounding area for all the year-’round recreational opportunities. If you come to HLU for service before Labor Day, be sure to enjoy the bears downtown! Click on the above bear and enjoy the BEAR HUNT!

Monaco Cayman gets Rear Sway Bar and Motion Control Units

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:02 GMT

Thank you for sending the video. I can’t say enough good things about Henderson’s. Our 2007 Monaco Cayman 34 used to be a handful to drive. I was looking for a break after about two hours of driving because of the fatigue from trying to keep it going straight down the road. The coach always felt top heavy. Road bumps transferred motion from side to side, causing lots of sway and corresponding wheel correction. Going in and out of a driveway was like riding a pendulum as the coach rocked back and forth. Going around a turn you had to slow to below the posted speed to keep the coach from feeling like it was going to roll over.

ALL of these BAD handling characteristics are now gone. I drove for four hours from Grants Pass to Red Bluff, CA where we had overnight reservations at Durango RV Resort. I could have kept going because the ride is VASTLY improved thanks to the sway bar and motion control valves. The ride is now like a high quality luxury sedan. The new Michelin XRZ tires installed at Henderson’s are also a much better tire than the original Goodyear G670 tires. Thanks to Henderson’s for installing the tires and coordinating with Les Schwab for supplying the tires.

My sincere compliments to you, Robert, Jim, Pete, and all of your staff who made my wife and I and our two dogs feel welcome.

New Building Progress!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:02 GMT

A little write-up from The Daily Courier that we wanted to relay:

EXPANSION. A year after celebrating their 50th anniversary in business, Henderson’s Line-Up, a recreation vehicle repair shop and designers of SuperSteer products, is expanding. Owner Robert Henderson purchased the building next to Dan’l Boone’s Trading Post at 480 Redwood Highway.

The 3,200-square-foot building will serve as an enhanced waiting area and showroom for the SuperSteer product line.

“A lot of people who come in are full-time RVers,” said Bryan Thompson, who’s in charge of marketing and video production for the business. “It will have a real home environment.”

The building, which is adjacent to Henderson’s other business locations, will be equipped with wireless Internet and laundry services among other amenities. It will also provide space for the business’ Motorhome Steering and Suspension Institute, which brings in technicians from across the country for education and training. In the past, the business has traveled to other areas to host classes.

For more, call us.

Bryan’s Note: We are very pleased at the progress of our new building! Cliff’s Custom Flooring of Grants Pass is putting in the finishing touches on the floor, and thank you to Cecil for his work on the wall prep & painting!

MSSi 25,26 Oct 2012 — Motorhome Steering & Suspension Institute

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:01 GMT

Attention all technicians, service managers and anyone wanting to know more about RV suspension and suspension kits — the next Motorhome Steering and Suspension Institute (MSSi) will be on 25, 26 October 2012! With 2 full days of training, you will come to know why the Road Performance Assessment is critical to understanding a customer’s coach handling. Additionally, you will then know how to fix problems with your customer’s steering and suspension components. Call John, Gina or Bryan at (541) 955-0769 to sign-up today, or for more information!

Dodge Front-End Shimmy SOLVED

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:58 GMT

Dodge Front-End Shimmy Solved

FOUR DAY SEMINAR RESULTS IN BETTER DEALING WITH CONFLICT

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:58 GMT

FOUR DAY SEMINAR RESULTS IN BETTER DEALING WITH CONFLICT

Conflicts and confrontations are a common part of life. For most of us, however, handling a conflict or confrontation “well” is, unfortunately, uncommon. Learning new skills that will result in a positive outcome–for all those involved in a conflict or confrontation–is therefore advantageous to all of us.

To effectively learn how to handle conflicts and confrontations, 20 staff and residents of the Gospel Rescue Mission had the rare and valuable opportunity to receive 16 hours of training that spanned over a 4 day period in February. This amazing opportunity was graciously and freely provided by Robert and Barbara Henderson, owners of Henderson’s Lineup. Robert and Barbara are new trainers for the acclaimed program by VitalSmarts called Crucial Confrontations. This training is used by over 500 major businesses, companies and medical facilities.

Robert and Barbara presented the Crucial Confrontations skills and tools through an array of challenging, helpful truths. They used DVDs, workbooks and group exercises to re-enforce these new skills. We were challenged not to tell ourselves ugly stories (that is, see a situation in the worst possible way or assume the most negative motives to those in conflict with us). Also taught was the absolute necessity to establish a climate that allows the person you are confronting to feel safe in discussing the issue with you. One important lesson was to distinguish between “motivation and ability”—to know if someone is simply not motivated to complete a task or that person does not have the ability.

Statements such as “An ounce of insight is worth a pound of power” taught us that change is more easily and effectively brought about by clearly explaining and showing the reasons for the change as opposed to just demanding it. For example, there is wisdom for the parent to first try to show the good reasons for the child to do what the parent asks rather than saying “Do it because I said so!” Explaining the natural consequences–both good and bad–is much more influential and healthy than making threats. Much of the material was set in the corporate world but reflected many basic principle of God’s truth.

A monthly review with the Hendersons will help us maintain and improve our abilities to manage conflict. For the residents, it will enable them to work well in their future employment and in their personal relationships. We rejoice that such a program was made available to us here at the Mission. Thanks Robert and Barbara!

Brian Brawdy Gets Road Performance Assessment from Henderson’s Line Up!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:57 GMT

The SuperSteer team met up with Brian Brady in Quartzsite, Arizona and performed an “in-the-field” Road Performance Assessment to evaluate the steering and handling concerns for his F350 “Green RV”. After a thorough examination, Robert Henderson recommended the SuperSteer Trac Bar to solve the issue of rear-end side-play and recommended the SuperSteer Motion Control Units for his Ford F350′s low-speed rocking while coming in and out of driveways. Brian Brawdy shares his thoughts on the improvements in this video!

Brian Brawdy visits SuperSteer in Quartzsite AZ (90 Second Video)

Brian Brawdy with SuperSteer in Quartzsite, AZ (4 minute VERSION)

2012 Winnebago Adventurer customer review

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:56 GMT

Please consider the following to share with others who may be considering similar work on their motorhome. In late September 2011, we took delivery of a 2012 Winnebago Adventurer on the Ford F53 Chassis. During the test drive prior to purchase and the subsequent drive home, the motorhome behaved as expected but there was no wind and we were still on our honeymoon with this new motorhome. About 2 weeks later on a drive home from Salem with lots of wind and rain with heavy traffic, the Adventurer was almost not safe to drive…not by me anyway. Something had to be done with the swaying and constant steering inputs counteracting the sway. It was as if the driver’s seat was sitting on a bowling ball! Found Henderson’s Line Up on the internet and made an appointment for the road performance assessment (RPA). Once there, we loaded into the Winnebago and off we went with a professional behind the wheel. There is a checklist the crew goes by with a subjective score given to each test on the checklist. The one with the most dramatic results for us was the emergency lane change. This maneuver brought out the worst in this motorhome setting atop this chassis and convinced us immediately the result was not acceptable. Once back at the shop, the list of suggested upgrades was provided and we agreed with their suggestions. They installed a Safe-T-Plus steering control, 4 Koni FSD Shocks, SuperSteer Trac Bar, Roadmaster Anti-Sway Bars front and rear. After the recent purchase of this motorhome, we were not mentally nor financially ready for such an outlay of funds for these upgrades. Having said that, we couldn’t drive this motorhome the way it handled either and we had the upgrades installed. The motorhome now drives like it should. We have driven it about 1,000 miles after the upgrade and truly enjoy this motorhome now. I would drive this unit anywhere and look forward to the trip. We thank Mr. and Mrs. Henderson and their entire crew who worked on our motorhome for their professionalism and courtesy. They made the experience pleasant. Roger and Ellen Williams 2012 Winnebago Adventurer Medford, Oregon

2,108 Operation Christmas Child Boxes!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:54 GMT

Our final count is 2, 108 boxes! Awesome job, Josephine County! We are up from 1,966 last year. That’s 2,108 lives changed! Congratulations and HAPPY THANKSGIVING! (From the SuperSteer and Henderson’s Line-Up crew).

1020 OCC Boxes and Counting! (Go Josephine County!)

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:53 GMT

The boxes are flooding in for Operation Christmas Child and we are pleased that the trailers from Henderson’s Line-Up are FILLING UP! Boxes can still be dropped off at 458 Redwood Hwy and on Sunday we bring the boxed to Roseburg, Oregon. Thank you to everyone in Josephine County who has contributed so far and may you have a blessed Christmas & Happy New Year!

Roadmaster Factory Training Dec 8th!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:52 GMT

Back by popular demand for all Roadmaster dealers, their parts personnel, installers, service writers, service managers, and sales staff — ROADMASTER FACTORY TRAINING Dec 8th! SuperSteer Rep’s will be present to share about SuperSteer and Roadmaster suspension solutions. For more information, please contact Barry Redman at (800) 699-9690 x 171 or register online at roadmasterinc.com/dealers/train_dealer.html and fill out the form.

More information for SuperSteer dealers is available on the dealer page. Hope to see you at the training!

Wheelin’ It to…Henderson’s Line-Up?

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:51 GMT

It’s always fun to meet full-timers from all over the United States, hear of their perpetual adventures, and to get their feedback from their visit to our shop! We definitely enjoy hearing from our customers. If you have something you’d like to share as well, just write! Thank you! — Bryan@hendersonslineup.com

—————————–

The following story comes to us from Wheeling It : “Living the RV Dream with 12 Paws, 40 Feet and the Open Road.”

—————————–

Written by Nina Fussing

I’d heard about Henderson’s ages ago. Actually our very first week in the RV an old-timer in a Monaco told us that if ever we wanted to thoroughly trick-out our ride Henderson’s Line-Up in Grants Pass was the spot to do it. Since then I’ve seen their name on forums and a bunch of other spots. These guys are THE place to check, analyze and upgrade your RV ride whether it be a motorhome, truck or a trailer. In fact they’re the guys that train the other guys on how to do it, and they’d been on our “wish list” for quite some time.

TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE…

Motion Control Unit Feedback

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:50 GMT

We had Super Steer Motion Control units installed on our 2000 Beaver in Gillette. We drove it for the first time yesterday. The ride improvement is incredible. Not only is the low-speed wallow gone, but the high-speed ride is more stable and easier to control. We are very satisfied customers!

Joel Weiss

Roadmaster Factory Training Dec 8th!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:49 GMT

More information for SuperSteer dealers is available on the dealer page. Hope to see you at the training!

Operation Christmas Child is in FULL SWING!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:48 GMT

Operation Christmas Child is now in FULL SWING! Come by SuperSteer to pick up a box or visit http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/occ for more information!

Gillette, Wyoming Escapade Feedback

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:47 GMT

Robert, Just wanted to let you know about the performance of the equipment you installed for us. Following is a post I posted on RV.NET Open Roads Forum 2010 and 2011 Winnebago Vista 30W. “Last week we attended Escapees Escapade Rally in Gillette, WY. There we met Robert Henderson of Henderson’s Line-Up and SuperSteer. We had them do their Road Performance Assessment, driving our coach, assessing the ride and handling, then making their reccomendations. We were concerned with the handling of the unit, paricularly in wind and road grooves, plus the harsh ride, especially the front end. We ended up with them installing a Safe-T-Plus steering control, 4 Koni FSD Shocks, SuperSteer Trac Bar, Roadmaster Anti-Sway Bars front and rear. It was a large investment, but the results are amazing. After more than 650 miles since installation, we have driven in high cross-winds, and all types of roads. The coach rides much smoother, stands up much straighter cornering and there is no more “tail waging the dog”. We are very happy with the results.” I believe this sums up our feelings and results. We appreciated meeting you, Mrs. Henderson and the Crew, and the job you did for us. Thanks!

Bob and Pat Grey

Motion Control Unit Feedback

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:45 GMT

Joel Weiss

“The ride to Rapid City, SD”

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:44 GMT

I just wanted to drop you a line and thank you for your service on that Friday before the 4th of July. The motor home handled really well on our trip to Rapid City. Interstate 90 is very rough going thru Idaho and Montana, we would of never made it if we wouldn’t of had it worked on by your shop.

Thanks again for going beyond what was required of you to do.

In Christ,

Tim Treick

(2003 F53 Motorhome)

Hendersons Line-Up — featured on “Rollin On TV!”

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:44 GMT

Watch as Henderson’s Line-Up technicians Kenny Perry and Eric Beck install a Firestone air bag kit on a Chevy Duramax truck. Robert Henderson then takes the truck on the road to review the results–all documented by Rollin On TV! Enjoy!

Rollin On TV featuring Henderson’s Line Up

“IN THE NEWS!” 50th Feature By Daily Courier

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:43 GMT

Henderson’s Line-Up truck and RV shop celebrates 50 years

(Daily Courier: Business Buzz. Story by Linsay Cathey, Business Reporter, The Daily Courier).

Robert Henderson wants people who own recreational vehicles to have the proper balance of safety and handling when operating their coach.

The owner of Henderson’s Line-Up, Brake and RV, a family-owned truck and RV repair and maintenance shop in Grants Pass celebrating 50 years in business, even visits other dealerships across the nation to share his knowledge.

KEVIN LAUNIUS/Daily Courier – John Henderson, left, Barbara Henderson and Robert Henderson are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Henderson’s Line-Up Brake and RV.

“Rather than hoard the knowledge, the best thing to do for the industry is to teach and train people,” said Henderson, who has worked with nearly 100 technicians nationwide that he either visited or taught at the shop’s Motorhome Steering and Suspension Institution.

The local shop first entered the family when Floyd Henderson, Robert Henderson’s father, purchased the “The Line-Up Shop” in 1961. The shop was attached to their home.

“I often say my mother fed me with a brake spoon,” joked Henderson. “As a young man, I would clean tools, run errands and help my dad with whatever he wanted.”

Floyd retired from the shop in 1977. Its original location was on Sixth Street across from Les Schwab in north Grants Pass.

It moved several times before landing at its current location at 417 Henderson Lane, off Redwood Highway near Bi-Mart.

“He retired in his late 50s to do some RV traveling himself,” Henderson said. Floyd died two years ago at the age of 90.

“He’d still be down here helping today if he could,” Henderson added.

Because there were limited products to solve problems customers were experiencing, Henderson and his brother, John, began SuperSteer, a parts manufacturing business, in 1990.

SuperSteer offers a number of parts and products, mostly made in the United States, that enhance the steering and stability of pickups, motor homes and large trucks.

“We have a unique coil spring line that’s specific to the weight of the coach,” Henderson said. “The biggest part of our business is outside sales, in addition to the service center.”

Throughout the years, Henderson developed tools such as the Road Performance Assessment and Seven Common Denominators of Good Motor Coach Handling.

“We like to know what the coach is going to do before an emergency happens,” Henderson said. “The RPA assessment allows customers to make informed decisions and know what to expect out of their coach and what to improve.”

Henderson has nearly 35 videos on the shop’s website that show their products, installation, and the RPA test.

“We are definitely taking advantage of the Internet opportunity,” Henderson said, adding that many of his customers have portable computers they use when they travel, and can utilize the resources.

Henderson, who owns Henderson’s Line-Up, Brake and RV with his wife, Barbara, admitted the shop could be busier in a larger city, but they simply enjoy Grants Pass.

“When customers come in, they get a welcome packet that features great things to do,” Henderson said. “We want to make it a real experience for customers and let them experience the fun and beauty around here.”

For more, call us or visit www.hendersonslineup.com.

SuperSteer Fabrication Review

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:41 GMT

SUPERSTEER,

YOU PEOPLE DID AN EXCELLENT JOB DESIGNING AND BUILDING THE TRAC BAR FOR MY FORD E450.

IT FIT PERFECTLY AND THE WORKMANSHIP WAS FLAWLESS.

GIVE THE DESIGNER AND THE GUYS IN THE SHOP A PAT ON THE BACK FOR ME!

– KENT WILLIAMS

Hesperia, CA

KENT ADDED: I have a 2006 Lazy Daze Class “C” motorhome . I use it to pull an ’06 Jeep Wrangler and had terrible problems with the rear end of the coach wondering, especially when the Jeep was attached. The trac bar definitely keeps the back end of the motorhome from moving around like it did. Thank you!

Geocaching FUN for the 50th!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:41 GMT

In celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Henderson’s Line Up, we’ve come up with some “hi-tech” fun incentives to benefit RV owners – GEOCACHING!

If you’re new to Geocaching — its like hi-tech treasure hunting. Many RVers are adding this activity to their travel fun. Simply use a GPS and register at the Geocaching website, grab some cache coordinates and away you go! We have RV travel bugs distributed around the United States that want to make it “home” to Henderson’s Line Up. Anyone who brings a travel bug “home” to Henderson’s Line Up will receive a prize in return! Sound like fun? We thought so. And the prizes are good, too! There is a “RV BUG HOTEL” located on the property of Henderson’s Line Up in Grants Pass, Oregon and we’ve enjoyed the visits from many. We look forward to a busy summer of RV travelers visiting this cache!

Customer Review after RPA and RV improvements

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:40 GMT

Dear Friends,

Sue and I want to thank you for the great work you did on our motorhome (Allegro Tiffen — Workhorse Chassis) . On the drive back to Crescent City, it was hard to imagine that we were in our own rig . The difference in the ride and handling was very noticeable. I have told people that if you can drive on Highway 199 between Crescent City and Grants Pass, you can drive anywhere in the country . It was raining on our way home and we were able to get home faster and with a greater level of safety that any of our trips across that road in the past.

Please tell all of the people that worked on the rig thank you for us. We were treated well and are grateful for all the hard work you did. I have told everyone who will listen about your great work and my new Motorhome.

We also want to thank you for the love that you have for the Lord. It is so comforting to know that our well-being was in the hands of those that put their hands in the hands of the Living Savior.

Thank you,

Bob & Sue Bliesner

Crescent City, CA

Bob additionally commented: “The Road Performance Assessment was truly needed and without the RPA we wouldn’t have known what to do with our coach. I mean, motorhomes handle differently than anything else, and I thought ours handled just like any other motorhome. I found during the RPA that out our coach actually had a number of issues, which we solved by making the improvements that Henderson’s Line-Up suggested. After the improvements were made, it is just amazing what we now experience. It really is. It’s a night and day difference.”

SuperSteer Products: Consumer Review

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:38 GMT

SuperSteer Products

Dear John,

I had the opportunity to take our motorhome on a couple of trips since the installation of the parts (Koni shocks, front and rear trac bars, front and rear sway bars and the steering stabilizer) we purchased from you. It really is amazing the difference in the ride and handling of the vehicle.

Prior to the installation of your products, I was seriously considering trading in my coach. Although I purchased it new last year … the ride and handling of the vehicle was poor at best. I suppose I am probably not the best candidate, as I come from a background of racing off road motorcycles , where suspension and handling can literally be the difference between life and death . I have a very high standard and I am happy to say that your products have transformed my coach .

Additionally, the parts were very easy to install and the project went very smoothly without any problems. I also wanted to mention that during the installation process it became apparent that the original front end settings on the coach were wrong. I ended up having to re-shim the straight axle and re-align the front end. I would not have found these errors until much later, had I not installed your products.

Thank you very much for all your time and support during my research. You have been a great help and ultimately have save me an enormous amount of time and money.

Sincerely,

Bennett White

SuperSteer Rear Sway Bar INSTALL by Tommy Henderson

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:37 GMT

Want some tips on how to install a rear sway bar? Let Tommy Henderson help you! Watch the following video and you’ll gain a few pointers to help ease the installation process.

SuperSteer Anti Sway Bar Install

Couple endure front tire blowout & share their story.

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:36 GMT

What would happen to your coach in the event of a front tire blowout? This couple installed a Safety Plus + Trim unit…and, after enduring what could have been a tragic accident, share their story.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Thomas Edison

SS401 Rear Trac Bar Installation video posted!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:36 GMT

Gain a few pointers (and help ease your own installation project!) by watching John Henderson install the SS401 Rear Trac Bar. SuperSteer’s Rear Trac bars help eliminate side play, tail wag, oversteering, push from trucks passing, road wonder, delayed steering response, and sway.

SuperSteer has an array of Rear Trac bars for various motorhome chassis’. The SS401 works for the Ford F53 chassis. NOTE: The actual installation process of the SS401 is quite similar to that of the SS302, the SS501 and the SS519 rear trac bars.

SuperSteer coming to San Jose for RPA®’s at Leale’s RV and Truck Center!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:10 GMT

Do you live in or near San Jose, CA and want a Road Performance Assessment® (RPA®)? Sign up TODAY to schedule a Road Performance Assessment®! The RPA®’s will take place on the 28th, 29th and 30th of March at Leale’s RV and Truck Center in San Jose, CA.

NOTE: If you KNOW you want something installed and want to save on freight, call Leale’s RV at (408) 286-5353 today, or SuperSteer at (888) 898-3281! We’ll have the product waiting for you, and we’ll cover the freight!

Robert Henderson of SuperSteer and Jim at Leale’s RV and Truck Center are working together to bring you the RPA®–a thorough analysis of your steering and suspension “for safer and happier driving.” Call Leale’s RV today at (408) 286-5353 and talk with Rich or Leslie–in their Service Department–to schedule an appointment today!

Leale’s RV and Truck Center

2070 S. 7th St. A

San Jose, CA 95112

(408) 286-5353

Super Steer

458 Redwood Highway

Grants Pass, OR 97527-5408

(541) 955-0769

RPA’s after Perry, GA FMCA rally at Apalachee RV Center!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:10 GMT

Sign up TODAY to schedule a Road Performance Assessment® (RPA®)! The RPA®’s will take place from the 21st to 23rd of March at Apalachee RV Center in Auburn, Georgia–just after the Perry, Georgia FMCA Rally. Robert Henderson of SuperSteer and Dave of Apalachee RV (and his team of technicians!) are working together to bring you the RPA®–a thorough analysis of your steering and suspension “for safer and happier driving.” Call Apalachee RV Center at (770) 868-0999 to schedule an appointment. Also, stop by the SuperSteer booth at the Perry, GA FMCA Rally and receive a $50 discount flier for your RPA®.

Apalachee RV Center

1364 Duncan Lane

Auburn, GA 30011-3808

(770) 868-0999

Super Steer

458 Redwood Highway

Grants Pass, OR 97527-5408

(541) 955-0769

Bell Cranks and Bell Crank/Idler Arms

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:09 GMT

There are several different components that contribute to good steering in your coach. There’s the steering wheel, coupler, two-three universal couplings, steering gear, sector shaft splines, the pitman arm, drag link, bell crank, tie rod ends and the tie rod end sleeves. But one part that is often overlooked is the bell crank arm itself, also known as an idler arm. The bell crank/idler arm attaches to the bottom of the bell crank and to the steering center link on Chevrolet/Workhorse P32 motorhome chassis. All of the pressure from the steering gear box is transmitted through the bell crank/idler arm joint on the driver’s side, which causes premature wear and contributes to excessive steering play and loose steering feel. The SuperSteer bell crank/idler arm is precision built to handle higher steering forces than its OEM counterpart. The driver’s side bell crank/idler arm utilizes tapered roller bearings top and bottom, and can be adjusted for correct end play. The passenger side bell crank/idler arm uses a ball and socket arrangement, and is built to our specifications using tighter tolerances than stock. Both bell crank/idler arms are greaseable for long life and are made right here in the USA. By the way, we no longer have a core charge on the passenger side bell crank/idler arm assemblies, as these are all new instead of rebuilt.

Here’s some interesting information about where the term “bell crank” came from. The history of the bell crank goes back to the days of large houses and plantations. It was originally developed to operate the servant’s bell. The crank would change the vertical pull on a rope to a horizontal pull on the striker of the bell. Hence, the name bell crank.

Today, bell cranks are used in many different industries. Most notably, you will find bell cranks in aircraft control systems and automotive applications. They operate in a limited space which is the big advantage to using a bell crank in mechanical systems.

In aircraft, bell cranks are commonly found in control rods, which help change the direction of the aircraft. They are often used in push-pull tube systems to decrease the length of the individual tubes, and thus the rigidity of the system.

In the automotive industry, bell cranks are used in linkage connecting systems. These different bell cranks can be used for throttle control, brake control and steering.

Of course, the most popular type of bell crank is one that is made by SuperSteer for trucks and motorhomes. It is designed to replace worn factory idle assemblies that cause excessive side-to-side movement, free play and road wander. The Super Steer bell crank will provide tighter, better steering response in your motorhome.

How To Identify Your Chassis

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:08 GMT

Our products are designed for specific chassis, and we realize that not all of our customers know what type of chassis they have–so here are some simple tips to follow.

The first and easiest way is to look at the steering wheel on your motorhome–it will usually have the Ford logo, or say “Workhorse” “Spartan” or some other brand. If there is no label, your motorhome registration will have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that will tell us what chassis your coach rides on. We have information on Workhorse, Ford and Chevy chassis to draw from, and we’ve also found that vinquery.com is a great resource to determine what chassis you have. Simply enter the VIN number, and it will come back with basic information on your coach. The only time we run into problems is with Country Coach motorhomes, because the VIN number doesn’t tell you the type of chassis. With these coaches, we’ll usually advise the customer to take the coach to a shop that can find the suspension tag on the front cross member of the chassis, or a part number on one of the shock absorbers. We can also tell the customer where to find the suspension tag or shock code on their coach if they’re comfortable crawling underneath.

Knowing what chassis you have will make it easier to find products for Safer and Happier Driving. God bless!

SuperSteer Idler Arm Support featured in 8 Lug HD Truck Mag!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:06 GMT

SuperSteer’s Idler Arm Support was featured in the February edition of 8 Lug HD Truck magazine. To see the article simply click here! Improve steering response & reduce component wear on your ’93-Current GM truck, van or SUV with the SuperSteer Idler Arm Support!

New Installation Videos Posted!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:05 GMT

The first of a series of SuperSteer product installation videos are now featured on our website! We have the SS100 bell crank, the P30 /P32 bell crank and the SuperSteer SuperTrack Wheel Spacers (for your truck or RV) installation videos now online.

Thank you, Michael Q. Pink (author & speaker) for a wonderful seminar!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:03 GMT

Thank you, Michael Pink, for a wonderful “Super Natural Selling 2011″ seminar! And a huge “thank you!” to C12 and the following local businesses: Martin’s Printing, Henderson’s Line Up, KAJO/KLDR, Alpine Air, Brookie’s Cookies, SuperSteer, The Guild Hall, Greyback Forestry, Northridge Center, A to Z Tree Service, Sears in Scappoose, Cary’s of Oregon and KDOV! The complimentary seminar was enjoyed by so many–we thank you all so very much!

Please visit www.michaelpink.com for more information.

Source Engineering Trailing Arm Replacement for Monaco Trailing Arms

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:02 GMT

If you are interested in Source Engineerings’ trailing arms (and a ride enhancement kit) to replace your recalled Monaco trailing arms–you will definitely want to watch the following video! The recall essentially includes any R4R or RR4R Monaco Roadmaster chassis produced after the 2002 model year. This change was made as a running change and it is possible that some very late 2002 models could be effected.

Monaco Knight 2002 – 2004

Monaco Cayman 2002 – 2009

Holiday Rambler Ambassador 2002 – 2004

Holiday Rambler Neptune 2002 – 2009

Safari Cheetah 2002 – 2007

Safari Simba RD All Years

Safari Zanzibar 2002 -2005

2002, 2003 and some 2004 Monaco Knight, Cayman, HR Ambassador, Neptune, Safari Cheetah, Sahara and Zanzibar.

Road Performance Assessment, Safe-T-Plus, and MCU’s feedback

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:43:01 GMT

ome & watch as the Henderson’s Line Up crew head down to Mesa, Arizona for the RVing Women Annual Convention! Enjoy the footage from Road Performance Assessments as well as customer comments after having Safe-T-Plus and Motion Control Units installed.

What’s Stopping You?

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:59 GMT

BRAKES. Although going the distance is great–stopping in time with the tremendous amount of inertia from the weight of your coach in motion–often around 22,000 pounds at 55 miles an hour–is critical. So, what’s stopping you? Consider an upgrade from stock rotors and pads! Charles O’Rourke–featured in the attached video– wanted to upgrade his rotors and pads while he was replacing his calipers, as it was an opportune time.

“Henderson’s Line Up began using Performance Friction products in the early 90′s. With the recent brake recall, we wanted to offer our customers enhancement options to maximize their coach’s performance. We were delighted to find that Performance Friction offered a heavy duty, high performance disc-brake rotor to meet our customer’s needs,” said Robert Henderson, owner of Henderson’s Line-Up. “Superior cooling, heat dissipation and excellent metallurgy are all characteristics of the new Performance Friction rotor.

Chris Fiehweg of Performance Friction quotes, “One of the strong-points over our competition is that all our products are manufactured “in-house” and we control the quality. Many OE suppliers often outsource to other manufacturers. We believe we have a more consistent, reliable product. We control everything from the raw materials coming into our plant to the products leaving.

“Additionally,” says Chris, “Performance Friction is an engineering company that sells high quality products. Most companies put 12% into marketing, and we put 12% into Research and Development, which is a very high industry percentage. We test for noise, performance, and sheer strength, as well as longevity of our products. We want to see even friction distribution and heat dissipation on the pad and inspect all our materials to ensure this happens.”

“Brakes have always been an integral part of Henderson’s Line Up,” says Robert Henderson. “Not only is good handling important to us, but also braking–which is why it’s incorporated into our full name of ‘Henderson’s Line Up, Brake and RV, Inc.”

“At Henderson’s Line-Up and SuperSteer, we constantly strive to provide the best products and services for our customers. The following video was the result of much research and Charles’ quest for the best ride, handling, and braking for his motorhome. The brakes on Charles’ coach were subject to the recent brake recall. Yet instead of simply putting stock brake pads and rotors back on his coach, Charles opted to upgrade to PERFORMANCE FRICTION brake pads and rotors.

For those who demand the best brake system for their motorhome, Henderson’s Line Up and SuperSteer are proud to carry quality brake upgrade packages, including PERFORMANCE FRICTION and other types of braking solutions! PERFORMANCE FRICTION rotors are designed by those who know NASCAR brakes and performance braking, Their superior rotor design promotes cooling and helps eliminate cracked rotors. Watch and learn from Charles’ experience! Charles decided rather other than original equipment rotors and pads all the way around while changing the calipers, which were under warranty.”

“The pads and rotors will never be easier to change than when it’s all torn apart!” added Robert Henderson. “Best wishes for ‘safer and happier driving!” — Robert

Customer Comment: Richard Sanders

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:58 GMT

After bringing my coach home Nov. 3 from all the install and recall with Workhorse, I have never had an enjoyable ride in my coach until now. The Safe-T-Steering Control was outstanding, it gave me full control when steering. The TruTrac bar along with Roadmaster Anti Sway Bar gave me full control when going around curves. When Robert took me out for a test drive to show me how dangerous the coach can be in a quick move, going around curves and up and down pavement–it opened my eye’s on what could happen. I was never pressured into buying anything. I have had some close calls before coming in for work to be performed at Henderson’s. I made the decision to put all important items I felt would give me a peace of mind and it did. Most facilities would not allow anyone in the work area. Henderson’s did. I not only learn some more about my coach but it was a pleasure to watch how they performed work being done. The mechanics were very professional and with my background (working on car’s, etc), I can tell they were doing an outstanding job. I would recommend strongly Henderson’s Line-up-Brake & RV Inc. to everyone. Richard Sanders Nov. 4, 2010

Operation Christmas Child Video Up!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:57 GMT

Every year, Henderson’s Line Up is a proud participant in Operation Christmas Child. As the Relay Center for Grants Pass, boxes are gathered at Henderson’s Line Up & then continue to travel all over the world–ultimately into the hands of a child. Come join us for this great Christmas fun in giving to others!

SuperSteer Products by John Henderson

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:55 GMT

John Henderson gives a brief overview of SuperSteer products. These enhancements optimize handling and comfort for “safer and happier driving.” SuperSteer offers coil springs,heavy duty tie rods, motion control units,bell cranks,wheel spacers, Trac Bars,Trim Units, and SS100 Bell Cranks.

New Ford F53 1 3/4″ Rear Sway Bar

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:55 GMT

Desiring to improve the handling of a Ford F53 even more, Robert Henderson decided to create a prototype 1 3/4″ rear sway bar. The results were outstanding and part #1139-144 is now exclusively available through SuperSteer!

“KONI FSD shocks” video by John Henderson

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:54 GMT

John Henderson at SuperSteer and Henderson’s Line Up shares about KONI shocks. The Frequency Selective Dampener (FSD) has an extra valve that controls oil flow parallel to the piston assembly, which John talks about and shows you. Also discussed are KONI’s adjustable shocks.

Customer Letter

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:53 GMT

Dear Mr. Henderson:

This letter is to inform you about how pleased I am with the work you did on stabilizing my Georgetown SE. The initial installation of the sway bars, track bar, over-sized shocks and the steering corrections allowed me to feel the road and know that I had control over the motorhome.

The recent installation of the larger rear sway bar has made an additional, immense improvement in the handling of the vehicle, particularly in high winds. We crossed northern Minnesota and drove south through Wisconsin during winds so strong that I overheard a trucker on the CB say, “This wind’s so strong that my coffee’s got whitecaps.” He was right. We observed the other recreational vehicles and large trucks leaning and swaying at much wider degrees that we did. In spite of being buffeted by the windstorm, I knew I had control over the Georgetown and neither my wife nor I had any concerns for our safety.

It will always be a pleasure to recommend you and your safety improvements to other motorhome owners. Thank you for all your efforts.

Sincerely,

Robert L Sagaser, Jr.

Manteca, CA

11,857 mile trip with Safe-T-Plus installed

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:51 GMT

A few comments from Henderson’s Line Up customers after finishing a long road trip. Enjoy!

—————————————————————————————————————————–

Driving the motorhome on a long trip before you installed the Safe-T-Plus was a challenge with a constant drift to the right and following of ruts. A long trip in the past was considered only a thousand miles.

After your team installed the Safe-T-Plus on the “bus” the driving became fun. No driver fatigue, no drift to the right and ruts were not a problem. Now the frost heaves were a different challenge.

We encountered strong crosswinds in MT and SD during our return trip. Next time I pass through Grants Pass I’ll want to add on the electric trim control.

Thanks again. Your team is great.

This is the letter I sent to my friends and family upon our arrival home.

We are home, safe from the 3+ month journey. I’ll send out some pictures later. This is just a short note.

Nice to be home. Safe-T-Plus great.

Steve and Jean

SuperSteer Product Videos Posted!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:51 GMT

Want to know how SuperSteer products can improve your truck or coach’s driving and handling performance? Then you’ll be pleasantly surprised, as we’ve posted new SuperSteer product videos!

Enjoy as John Henderson shares about products developed to help you with better handling and performance of your coach or truck. John specifically talks about SuperSteer’s Motion Control Units, the SS100 Bell Crank, the SuperSteer Trim Unit, the SuperSteer Trac Bar, the P3032 Bell Crank, SuperSteer’s Coil Springs, SuperTrac Wheel Spacers, and SuperSteer’s Heavy Duty Tie Rods. These videos (and more!) can be viewed under the “products” tab at HendersonsLineUp.com.

FMCA Rally at Redmond, OR

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:50 GMT

A huge “thank you” to each of you who helped make the FMCA Annual Rally (in Redmond, OR) such a huge success! We enjoyed the beautiful weather, making new friends and re-uniting with so many of you! We enjoyed hearing your stories of how various SuperSteer products have helped you over the years, as well as the service you’ve received at the Hendersons Line Up shop. Infact, your testimonies can be heard by clicking under the “about” tab…then simply click on “testimonials.” We look forward to seeing you next year! Or come to Grants Pass, Oregon and visit our shop….please call in advance and let us know you’re coming!

“Time and steering play”

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:48 GMT

Time. And miles. One of the most simple, yet overlooked facts is than rarely do things “go out overnight.” We’ve seen over and over during our Road Performance Assessments that simple wear and tear (and time on the road!) have been the main causes of “play in the steering” and other such ailments. Most of the time, the decline in road performance is so gradual that driver’s grow used to the problem and simply don’t realize an issue even exists.

Recently, at the Beaver Coach Rally in Harrisburg, Oregon (at River Bend Resort) Robert of Hendersons Line Up performed a visual inspection on a gentleman’s coach. After hearing a “clunking” noise, however, the rear joint on the drag link was so loose it was clunking in the steering arm. The customer wasn’t even aware of any issue and simply asked for the inspection after our seminar. The driver decided it would be a good idea to “get things checked out.” To everyone’s suprise, the rear joint on the drag link took two good turns before the stud on the drag link was fully seated. “If we wouldn’t have found it and fixed it, the whole drag link and steering arms would have eventually had to be replaced.”

“Like Thomas Edison said, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” At the Redmond FMCA rally, we found nuts loose that hold down the steering wheel, a steering box itself loose on the frame, and play in the steering tilt column assembly. Loose bell-crank arms, loose bell-cranks and loose Safety-Plus steering control attachment bolts were also found. All these coach owners were unaware of their motor-coach’s problems!

“It goes to show that things rarely go out overnight,” says Robert. “Like the writer of Ecclesiastes says, ‘Time and Chance’ happen to us all. Likewise, “Time and Steering Play can happen to us all–as well!” These recent lessons have reinforced the value of a good inspection on anyone’s coach. This is one of the most important parts of the Road Performance Assessment and, at a future time, we’ll discuss the RPA in depth. Stay turned!

Reduced Resistance = Improved Fuel Economy

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:47 GMT

The travel season is upon us, and once again, fuel prices have begun to climb. Though the cost of fuel has been fluctuating over the past couple of years, one thing you can count on is that it will rise when the flowers begin to bloom. And as you watch the numbers at the pump begin to climb, you may wonder what you can do to increase fuel economy and cut down on travel costs.

You’ve probably seen many articles that have been written about saving fuel, but they typically only touch on things most of us already know, like reducing highway speed and keeping your tires inflated to the right pressure. But there are many other things that can be done to improve fuel economy, and all of them have to do with reducing resistance, in one way or another.

Tire inflation pressure is indeed important, but so is the type of tire that you use on your coach. A tire that is wider than necessary typically produces a better ride, but it can also increase rolling resistance. A narrower, heavy-duty tire will ride rougher than its wide, cushy counterpart, so you’ll have to ask yourself if you’re willing to sacrifice a little bit of comfort for improved fuel economy. I should note here that a larger diameter tire won’t hurt fuel economy and may even help it, because a larger diameter tire turns fewer revolutions to cover the same distance, and engine rpm is lowered as a result.

Alignment is also extremely important. Incorrect alignment can cause a lot of resistance, requiring more throttle input to maintain a given speed. “Toe in” is the most critical setting of them all. Simply put, “toe in” means the front of the tires are “pigeon toed”. Obviously, too much toe will also cause your tires to wear more quickly.

It’s a good idea to have the alignment checked even when the coach is new, because the factory runs them through the alignment procedure pretty fast. And, when the coach is loaded for travel, especially an independent front suspension (IFS) coach, the alignment changes as the load changes. The only exception is self-leveling, air suspension coaches, where correct ride height is constantly maintained.

Straight axle coaches don’t change as much, but it’s still a good idea to check the alignment when loaded. One of the things we always recommend to our customers is that they ask the alignment shop, “When was the last time your equipment was calibrated?” At Henderson’s Line-Up, we measure our alignment jobs in hundredths of an inch. This is important, because if the toe in is just 1/8-inch off spec, that is equal to 28 feet of side scrub per mile—a lot of resistance and tire wear.

Some toe in is necessary when the vehicle is in the static (parked) position, because as the vehicle travels down the road the front wheels will open up, and actually be pointing straight (zero toe in). This happens because most motorhomes have what is known as a “positive scrub radius” on the front axle. On the P32 Chevy/Workhorse chassis, we’ve found that the front alignment needs to be toed in a full ¼ inch at the static setting. The typical alignment shop would think that’s nuts, but we experimented with it, and that’s how much they require to stay at zero toe-in in the dynamic (moving) position. Static settings are important, but I’m more concerned with what the vehicle is doing as it drives down the road.

A lot of RVers don’t know is that the rear axle, or axles, can also be out of alignment—and if that’s the case, this problem can increase resistance and tire wear, reduce fuel economy and cause handling issues. The axle may be askew or not installed properly from the factory—the end result being rear wheel steering.

Have you ever been following a vehicle that looks like it’s going down the road a little sideways? We call that “dog tracking.” The driver keeps the wheel turned to compensate for it, and creates scrub. At the same time, aerodynamic efficiency is reduced, because more surface area is exposed to wind resistance.

Dog tracking isn’t particularly common; I’d say we have to do a rear wheel alignment on one out of 20 coaches, and most of the time they’re off by just a little bit. We perform what is called “thrust angle alignment”, where we put gauges on all four wheels, and set the front wheels in relation to the rear axle. How much affect rear axle misalignment has on the coach depends on the wheelbase; for example, if the rear axle is off by 1/8-inch, the difference in angle will be magnified more over 200 inches than 100 inches, for example.

Trailers can also be affected by incorrect axle alignment. When align a trailer, we line up the axles to the hitch point, whether that’s the hitch ball (travel trailer) or king pin (fifth wheel). That way, the trailer tracks better, and there’s no scrub—so now you’re saving fuel and the trailer tires will last longer.

Now while we’ve been talking about resistance with regard to alignment, there are other factors that increase resistance and adversely affect fuel economy. For example, improving the airflow into and out of the engine is reducing resistance, and usually results in some fuel economy improvement.

There is no “magic bullet” for improving fuel economy in your rig—but a combination of the correct tires and inflation pressure, front/rear alignment, driving style and engine enhancements can add up to substantial savings each year.

Trucks, Truck Campers and Good Handling

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:46 GMT

With the volatile fuel prices we’ve been experiencing over the last couple of years, along with a floundering economy, many RVers have been turning their attention to pick-up trucks and campers rather than large motorhomes. Campers are a great alternative, as they are comparatively light weight, maneuverable, and still allow you to tow a boat or trailer. However, trucks that haul a camper, pull a trailer or just carry heavy loads from time to time could benefit from some well-conceived suspension modifications.

Using air bags, such as those offered by Air Lift, Firestone and Pacbrake are a great start, but even with these in place, handling is usually far from ideal. When a customer comes into our shop, the first thing we’ll start with is a Road Performance Assessment (RPA) to determine the extent of the truck’s handling issues. Trucks that carry campers often suffer from what we call “tail wagging the dog”. Also common in motorhomes with large rear overhangs, the problem is characterized by a “wagging” sensation that comes from the rear after steering input. The overhang creates leverage on the rear axle that causes it to move from side to side whenever the steering wheel is moved back and forth. This truck was fitted with a short box camper that also had significant rear overhang, and it was causing the same type of instability.

Our Trac Bars are a perfect solution to this problem. Just five part numbers fit the bulk of full-size trucks on the market today, the primary difference being whether the truck has an open (“C channel”) or closed (“Box”) frame. Like the Trac Bars that we use for motorhome applications, these Trac Bars bolt on to the frame on one side, and clamp to the axle on the other, which positively locates the axle and prevents lateral movement. No drilling or welding is required, and the install typically takes about an hour. The bar provides a noticeable difference in steering response and predictability. Here is a picture of our SS625 Trac Bar installed on a late model GMC 1500 pick-up:

If you have already got airbags on your truck, you’ve probably noticed that they generate quite a bit of bounce when driving into or out of a driveway, especially at an angle. Bounce from side-to-side several times before coming to rest is fairly typical.

To solve this issue, we have a product called a Motion Control Unit (MCU) that we originally started using on air bag suspension motorhomes. The MCU acts like a baffle that slows the flow of air into and out of the bag, so instead of it rebounding like a basketball, it creates a much smoother and gradual response that prevents bounce and rocking. MCU’s are available in varying sizes, but for pickups, we typically fit these comparatively small air bags with our #3 MCU’s, which are about the diameter of a cigarette and are about three inches long. Installation is simple: Just cut the airline and splice the MCU in place. Here is the MCU installed, visible just above the air bag:

These two simple modifications will make a marked improvement in handling, ride and stability when doing any kind of towing or hauling. It should be pointed out here that some trucks don’t come equipped with a rear stabilizer bar, and for those that do, it is often inadequate for a top-heavy load like a truck camper. We carry Roadmaster anti-sway bars that are considerably thicker than stock stabilizer bars, and bolt right into place in an hour or less. Below is a photo of a 2006 Dodge 2500 HD with air bags, our SS725 Trac Bar and Roadmaster Anti-Sway Bar. What a difference!

Finally, the stock shock absorbers are usually barely adequate when the truck is unloaded, not to mention when it is carrying a heavy load like a camper. Henderson’s Line-Up offers Bilstein and Koni FSD (Frequency Selective Damper) shock absorbers that are better at controlling load, and provide a better ride as well.

If you are unhappy with the ride and handling you are experiencing with your truck, give us a call. Whether you own a Chevy, Dodge, Ford, Toyota Tundra or Nissan Titan, we can restore driving confidence and fun to your pickup.

Trucks, Truck Campers and Good Handling

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:44 GMT

Welcome to our all-new website and blog

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:43 GMT

Well, the big day has finally arrived. For years, we pondered a new website–one that was user-friendly, easy to navigate and informative, with an online store where our customers could purchase our SuperSteer products or any other fine products we sell. Needless to say, it was easier said than done–but we finally got our wish.

There are many great features about the site that we would like to tell you about. First, the online store. When you click on Products, it will take you directly to the store, which is categorized depending on whether you drive an RV or own a truck. If you are looking for something specific, or can’t see what you’re looking for, simply go to the search bar and type it in. This section of the site is still a work in progress to some degree, so if you don’t find what you’re looking for, please feel free to call us and we’ll be glad to help you.

Our service menu covers all the services we provide our customers at Henderson’s Line-Up, so if you have any questions about what we can do, please check this section out.

Education is a section we’re quite proud of. It contains many articles we’ve written on a variety of subjects that our customers ask us about. Simply click on the title, and it will take you to a detailed article on the subject at hand. Under RV shows, you’ll find a schedule of all the places we’ll be this summer, so you can catch up with us at any one of the many rallys that we attend each year. As many of you know, we provide complete sales and installation services at many of the events we attend, so be sure and call us to schedule an appointment if you would like us to work on your coach, truck or trailer.

The “Latest News” window on the home page is where you’ll quickly find anything newsworthy with regard to Henderson’s Line-Up or SuperSteer. It could be new product updates, events, special deals, etc.–so be sure to check it out anytime you visit our site.

Last but not least, there’s this new blog. We’ll be posting technical articles, information on new products, news about particular chassis problems, etc. We’ll begin categorizing them so you can find the subject you’re looking for, and you’ll be able to post your replies and questions. Our intention is to keep this blog a dynamic part of the site–something that helps our customers and grows because of them. Please check back regularly to see what’s new–eventually we’ll have an RSS feed that you can subscribe to get Henderson’s Line-Up and SuperSteer news immediately.

Thank you for visiting our site. If you have any comments or questions, please let us know. We are looking forward to serving you.

Customer Blog With Pictures And Review

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:42 GMT

Customer feedback!

http://yumatocoosbay2010.blogspot.com/

Do I Need an Inspection?

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:38 GMT

At Henderson’s Line-Up, inspections are a big part of what we do every day. Unlike passenger cars, which are fairly easy to have inspected, (or even to inspect yourself if you’re so inclined) trucks, trailers and motorhomes are large and heavy, and have a number of different suspension/brake and steering systems depending on the make/model. In addition, RVs tend to cover a lot of miles—and owners aren’t often inclined to perform regular inspection/maintenance while they’re enjoying life on the road. Below are some pictures of owner’s trucks and trailers from a recent Heartland RV rally. You’ll likely be surprised as they were at how close some of these rigs came to serious damage, even disaster while on the road. If it’s been a while since your rig has had a once-over, now is the time to book an appointment at Henderson’s Line-Up as the busy travel season comes to a close. Inspection is FREE at RV events and rallies, and at our shop November-February. We only charge $67 to weigh the truck and trailer at each wheel for an accurate evaluation, and you can download a coupon for $100 off our Road Performance Assessment (RPA) here: https://www.hendersonslineup.com/coupons

Make sure to get a comprehensive inspection before the next travel season!

This customer had recently converted his trailer to a disc brake system, so it was logical that he thought the oil leaking through belly pan was coming from a broken brake line or loose fitting. Turned out to be a leak from the hydraulic ram that operates the slideout just above. This is why it is so important to check out a rig completely and ask the customer as many questions as possible.

The weight label in the trailer provides some very valuable information about the trailer, including the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). However, it doesn’t tell you the whole story. For example, the rig’s delivered weight isn’t shown, and this can vary depending on the floorplan and optional equipment. That’s why it’s so important to have your trailer weighed with water, propane and all supplies on board.

This trailer is not equipped with wet (greasable) bolts, which means that the bushings are going to wear out quickly if they haven’t already.

When we perform an inspection, we inspect both the pickup and the fifth wheel. This truck only had about 38,000 miles on it but already had a blown wheel seal on the driver’s side rear; you can clearly see the presence of oil. Even worse, this customer had recently been to the dealer for service and it was never mentioned to him…he was completely unaware.

Some trailers have shock absorbers, but if they are installed at a dramatic angle, they not only don’t work, but can prematurely wear the bushings and break the shaft, as shown here. We recommended a shock conversion kit that restores the proper angle and prevents these problems.

The Joy Rider system is a good product that allows owners to install shock absorbers on their trailer. However, early Joy Rider kits placed the upper shock bushing at a severe angle. If you have one of these early kits, check the bushings regularly for premature wear.

The Liberty Rider uses a drop-down bracket that puts the shocks at a more effective angle. We installed this system more than a year ago and we wanted to see how it was holding up. So far, so good!

This is an original Dexter rubber equalizer. You can see that it is cracked and split, ready to fail due to age and the weight of the trailer. Would probably recommend a MORryde system for replacement in this application.

If you look closely, you can see the shiny area behind this shackle nut. This indicates that the shackle bracket isn’t rigid enough, and is moving around causing premature wear to the bushings, even if you have installed Never-Fail bushings. In this case, we recommend replacing the shackle brackets with thicker, heavier duty plates that cinch everything down better. These are available through Dexter and MORryde.

This one was interesting. The factory had installed the heavy duty wet bolt kit, but they had never been greased (yellow circle) More importantly, look what’s happening here—the metal band is supposed to hold the spring pack in place, but isn’t strong enough and allowed the leaf in the spring pack to “walk” or move around. You can see now that one of the leafs continually walked and was eating into the hanger bracket (red circle).

Just because a trailer is new, doesn’t mean it doesn’t have problems. This coach had a brake line that was rubbing on a leaf spring—and as you can see, was close to failure.

The problem with trailers is that there is a lot of weight over a small area, so they are more likely to break a spring. Here you can see one of the spring packs has broken. Not an immediate danger, but definitely putting stress on the rest of the components. Customer wisely decided to stay in Oregon until new springs could be overnighted from Heartland and installed.

This drag link on new Ram one ton truck already had loose jam nuts, creating a “clunking” sound when the rack was turned back and forth. If not discovered, this nut could have come loose completely and caused a loss of steering.

Bellcrank Advisory Circular

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:42:37 GMT

Download PDF HERE

Date:4/20/2015

RE:SS100

SERVICE DOCUMENT

A. PURPOSE. This advisory circular recommends checking the bell crank assembly on all Freightliner Chassis equipped motor homes that have exceeded 10,000 miles. Freightliner/Magnum chassis affected are XC and XCS chassis with a I beam front axle. Chassis that should be inspected were produced from the year 1993 to 2012 with a 2 piece drag link. The bell crank affected has a 3 bolt mounting pattern

B. MAKE/MODELS/YEAR AFFECTED.

BACKGROUND. The original equipment bellcrank idler assembly has been observed to seize and/or becomes loose, causing reduced steering control (play) in the steering wheel. This does not create a safety hazard but will produce steering play, poor return to center, or wander in the steering system.

2. RECOMMENDED ACTION . When play in the steering is discovered the following procedure are suggested to check the bell crank idler assembly.

Inspection of outer case for damage
Detach the bellcrank arm (do not check if a 4 bolt assembly)
Check shaft for side to side movement and stiffness

3. REPLACEMENT OPTIONS

Re-install the OEM bell crank arm if shaft turns freely and shows no side to side movement.

Replace with a SS-100 part bell crank or new OEM bell crank part if the shaft has seized and or side play in the shaft is observed. It is recommended, for ease of inspection, to use a SS-100P Bell Crank Puller for removing the OEM Bell Crank arm. This part will be supplied to first time dealers for an additional $20.00 on your initial order of an SS-100 Bell Crank idler. It should be noted this is a Super Steer Advisory notice.

4. Information to obtain and install an SS-100 SuperSteer Bell Crank

SuperSteer customer service line is 1-888-898-3281. Operating hours are Monday thru Friday 7:00am – 4:00pm Pacific.
Website: http://www.supersteerparts.com
Removal/Installation video can be viewed at: http://www.supersteerparts.com/education/product-installs/class-a-installs/

Catching up with Henderson’s Line Up & SuperSteer Parts

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 10:03:04 GMT

Photo from the Henderson’s Line-Up Website

Welcome to April!

For this month’s blog, we’re looking back at some of our favorite videos from the past 12 months at Henderson’s Line-Up! We’d like to remind you that our YouTube channel is under SuperSteer and we hope you’ll like what you see and subscribe to our channel if you’d like more content!

Customers during COVID

Rich talks with a couple about their 2004 Holiday Rambler, and how upgrades and replacements at Henderson's Line-Up took the rock out of their roll!

Secrets to Safer and Happier Driving

This hilarious video starts by showing off some of the great new advances in 2020 for stability, before getting into safety and happier driving in your RV!

Why you should NEVER do the "Cheap Handling Fix" on your Motor Home

Eric explains about a popular 'fix' we're hearing about that actually damages the sway bar instead of improving it's control over your RV's levelness.

If it doesn't look right, call an RV professional.

In this Tech Time video, Rich talks with Robert about the nagging issues that you don't want to ignore.

Stock Ford F53 Chassis Test - Before and After upgrades!

Here, Robert takes on the 2020 Ford F53 to prevent rocking wobbling during lane changes! The difference the upgrades make is astounding!

Would you drive 3000 miles to get your RV worked on?

This great Tech Time video features a couple that came 3000 miles from Florida to get the upgrades Robert is recommending!

How does the new 2021 Ford Chassis handle on the road?

In this Tech Time video, we're checking out the 2021 Ford F53 chassis to see how it handles on the road!

Have a Safe and Happy RV adventure!

This is the latest video from the SuperSteer account. It's a fun, exciting, inspiring bit of love for the open road.

We hope you’ve enjoyed the last year’s video offerings and will keep checking back for more videos from time-to-time! Let us know if you see something your RV is in need of here! If you’d like to make an appointment with us, please use this scheduler . We're located at 417 SW Henderson Lane, Grants Pass, OR 97527, and we're open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.