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[GMCnet] True-track [message #279609] Thu, 11 June 2015 09:50 Go to next message
william ezzell is currently offline  william ezzell   United States
Messages: 73
Registered: March 2015
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Member
I have a 1978 Kingsley, just installed 6 new shocks, still a little sway in
rear-end would a true-tack help are is there something better, any
comments.

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*Thanks *
*Bill Ezzell *
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Re: [GMCnet] True-track [message #279616 is a reply to message #279609] Thu, 11 June 2015 10:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
habbyguy is currently offline  habbyguy   United States
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
Karma: 3
Senior Member
It's one of the best things I've done to my coach for the money. Before, dropping the middle tire off the side of the road led to a white knuckle "rear-steer event" as the middle bogie tried to turn the back of the coach to the right while I was steering the front end to the left. Also, truck ruts on the interstate really pulled the rear end around.

After installing the True-Track devices, the difference is remarkable - dropping a tire off the road is a non-event... just steer back on the road and the rest of the coach follows obediently. Wink

I only installed them on the middle bogie, since the rear (trailing) bogie pretty much wants to go where the rest of the coach is pointed anyway. They were a fair bit of work to install, but well worth it.


Mark Hickey Mesa, AZ 1978 Royale Center Kitchen
Re: [GMCnet] True-track [message #279622 is a reply to message #279616] Thu, 11 June 2015 11:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
william ezzell is currently offline  william ezzell   United States
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Registered: March 2015
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Member
Thanks for the reply, did you install them your self, and is two enough or
should I buy a complete set.

On Thu, Jun 11, 2015 at 11:56 AM, Mark wrote:

> It's one of the best things I've done to my coach for the money. Before,
> dropping the middle tire off the side of the road led to a white knuckle
> "rear-steer event" as the middle bogie tried to turn the back of the coach
> to the right while I was steering the front end to the left. Also, truck
> ruts on the interstate really pulled the rear end around.
>
> After installing the True-Track devices, the difference is remarkable -
> dropping a tire off the road is a non-event... just steer back on the road
> and
> the rest of the coach follows obediently. ;)
>
> I only installed them on the middle bogie, since the rear (trailing) bogie
> pretty much wants to go where the rest of the coach is pointed anyway.
> They were a fair bit of work to install, but well worth it.
> --
> Mark Hickey
> Mesa, AZ
> 1978 Royale Center Kitchen
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
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*Bill Ezzell *
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Re: [GMCnet] True-track [message #279626 is a reply to message #279622] Thu, 11 June 2015 12:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Henderson is currently offline  Ken Henderson   United States
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
Senior Member
William,

I agree with Mark that the true tracks are one of the best things you can
do for the steering. And that only the middle suspension arms need them;
I'd even argue that the rears should NOT have them so there's some
compliance left in the tandem system.

I don't agree that they're difficult to install. Aside from reaching the
bolts behind the tailpipe, it's almost a trivial job.

I installed them long before Manny developed his reaction arm system, on
which they're a very economical option. When I did that upgrade, I found
that I didn't even have to change the frame-mounted guides -- Manny's cam
followers on the suspension arms fit into them perfectly.

Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, etc., etc.
www.gmcwipersetc.com

On Thu, Jun 11, 2015 at 12:56 PM, william ezzell wrote:

> Thanks for the reply, did you install them your self, and is two enough or
> should I buy a complete set.
>
> On Thu, Jun 11, 2015 at 11:56 AM, Mark wrote:
>
>> It's one of the best things I've done to my coach for the money. Before,
>> dropping the middle tire off the side of the road led to a white knuckle
>> "rear-steer event" as the middle bogie tried to turn the back of the
> coach
>> to the right while I was steering the front end to the left. Also, truck
>> ruts on the interstate really pulled the rear end around.
>>
>> After installing the True-Track devices, the difference is remarkable -
>> dropping a tire off the road is a non-event... just steer back on the
> road
>> and
>> the rest of the coach follows obediently. ;)
>>
>> I only installed them on the middle bogie, since the rear (trailing)
> bogie
>> pretty much wants to go where the rest of the coach is pointed anyway.
>> They were a fair bit of work to install, but well worth it.
>> --
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] True-track [message #279628 is a reply to message #279626] Thu, 11 June 2015 12:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
tphipps is currently offline  tphipps   United States
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
Senior Member
Get 2, just for the Middle Boggies. I agree that the rear-most boggies just follow everyone else.
Tom, MS II


2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552 KA4CSG
Re: [GMCnet] True-track [message #279632 is a reply to message #279626] Thu, 11 June 2015 12:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
william ezzell is currently offline  william ezzell   United States
Messages: 73
Registered: March 2015
Karma: 0
Member
Thanks for your reply, what is this Manny's reaction arm system, is it
better or similar. Thanks for your help.

On Thu, Jun 11, 2015 at 1:24 PM, Ken Henderson
wrote:

> William,
>
> I agree with Mark that the true tracks are one of the best things you can
> do for the steering. And that only the middle suspension arms need them;
> I'd even argue that the rears should NOT have them so there's some
> compliance left in the tandem system.
>
> I don't agree that they're difficult to install. Aside from reaching the
> bolts behind the tailpipe, it's almost a trivial job.
>
> I installed them long before Manny developed his reaction arm system, on
> which they're a very economical option. When I did that upgrade, I found
> that I didn't even have to change the frame-mounted guides -- Manny's cam
> followers on the suspension arms fit into them perfectly.
>
> Ken H.
> Americus, GA
> '76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
> Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, etc., etc.
> www.gmcwipersetc.com
>
> On Thu, Jun 11, 2015 at 12:56 PM, william ezzell
> wrote:
>
>> Thanks for the reply, did you install them your self, and is two enough
> or
>> should I buy a complete set.
>>
>> On Thu, Jun 11, 2015 at 11:56 AM, Mark wrote:
>>
>>> It's one of the best things I've done to my coach for the money.
> Before,
>>> dropping the middle tire off the side of the road led to a white
> knuckle
>>> "rear-steer event" as the middle bogie tried to turn the back of the
>> coach
>>> to the right while I was steering the front end to the left. Also,
> truck
>>> ruts on the interstate really pulled the rear end around.
>>>
>>> After installing the True-Track devices, the difference is remarkable -
>>> dropping a tire off the road is a non-event... just steer back on the
>> road
>>> and
>>> the rest of the coach follows obediently. ;)
>>>
>>> I only installed them on the middle bogie, since the rear (trailing)
>> bogie
>>> pretty much wants to go where the rest of the coach is pointed anyway.
>>> They were a fair bit of work to install, but well worth it.
>>> --
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
*Thanks *
*Bill Ezzell *
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Re: [GMCnet] True-track [message #279633 is a reply to message #279632] Thu, 11 June 2015 12:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Henderson is currently offline  Ken Henderson   United States
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
Senior Member
Manny's "reaction arm system" is more commonly known as "Manny Brakes".
Here's the link to Manny's web site:
http://www.mannystransmission.biz/products/

Here's the excellent installation manual:
http://www.machinesoflovinggrace.net/gmc/brakes/

That is a much more extensive modification than the true tracks since it
includes disc brakes for the middle and rear wheels; and, most importantly,
eliminates the GMC's propensity to "pole vault" over the mid wheels during
hard braking.

While the Manny Brakes drastically improve the braking capability, they do
nothing for the steering stability of the coach -- UNLESS the optional true
tracks are included.

Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, etc., etc.
www.gmcwipersetc.com

On Thu, Jun 11, 2015 at 1:45 PM, william ezzell wrote:

> Thanks for your reply, what is this Manny's reaction arm system, is it
> better or similar. Thanks for your help.
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] True-track [message #279634 is a reply to message #279633] Thu, 11 June 2015 13:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
william ezzell is currently offline  william ezzell   United States
Messages: 73
Registered: March 2015
Karma: 0
Member
Thanks for your help I think I will just order two tru-tacks for now. You
have really help me a lot.

On Thu, Jun 11, 2015 at 1:58 PM, Ken Henderson
wrote:

> Manny's "reaction arm system" is more commonly known as "Manny Brakes".
> Here's the link to Manny's web site:
> http://www.mannystransmission.biz/products/
>
> Here's the excellent installation manual:
> http://www.machinesoflovinggrace.net/gmc/brakes/
>
> That is a much more extensive modification than the true tracks since it
> includes disc brakes for the middle and rear wheels; and, most importantly,
> eliminates the GMC's propensity to "pole vault" over the mid wheels during
> hard braking.
>
> While the Manny Brakes drastically improve the braking capability, they do
> nothing for the steering stability of the coach -- UNLESS the optional true
> tracks are included.
>
> Ken H.
> Americus, GA
> '76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
> Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, etc., etc.
> www.gmcwipersetc.com
>
> On Thu, Jun 11, 2015 at 1:45 PM, william ezzell
> wrote:
>
>> Thanks for your reply, what is this Manny's reaction arm system, is it
>> better or similar. Thanks for your help.
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



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*Bill Ezzell *
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Re: [GMCnet] True-track [message #279665 is a reply to message #279634] Thu, 11 June 2015 18:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Bill,

Suggest you buy these from Tom Hampton of Grandview Motorhomes:

http://grandviewmotorhome.com/partsupgrades.html

http://grandviewmotorhome.com/images/Parts%20For%20Sale/P7270052.JPG

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic

-----Original Message-----
From: william ezzell

Thanks for your help I think I will just order two tru-tacks for now. You
have really help me a lot.

*Thanks *
*Bill Ezzell *

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] True-track [message #279680 is a reply to message #279609] Thu, 11 June 2015 21:30 Go to previous message
habbyguy is currently offline  habbyguy   United States
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
Karma: 3
Senior Member
I just wanted to confirm that I'm a bonehead... I just realized that I actually installed the Straight Trak devices, NOT the True Track devices. That explains the disconnect between my impressions on installation and others'.

I'm guessing that both systems work fine, and I'm very happy with my Straight Trak install (which required drilling some holes through the frame rails, and as I recall, a few of the bolts were fiddly to get tightened). Still, a huge improvement to my coach, and well worth time time and effort.


Mark Hickey Mesa, AZ 1978 Royale Center Kitchen
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