Sprinter 3500 Suspension Upgrades – Fixing Sway & Crosswind Handling
“How to Fix Sprinter 3500 Sway & Handling Issues: Real Solutions + Owner Experience”
If you own a motorhome based on the Sprinter 3500 platform — like the popular Leisure Travel Vans (LTV) Unity — you already know the chassis is well-engineered by Mercedes. The diesel powertrain, rack-and-pinion steering, and smooth transmission make it a pleasure to drive.
But ask any owner, and you’ll hear the same complaint: the sway, rocking, and push from crosswinds or passing trucks.
So why does your Sprinter 3500 feel unstable, and what can you do about it? Let’s break it down step by step, with real solutions and real-world owner experiences.
Q: Why is my Sprinter 3500 unsteady exiting steep driveways, or in crosswinds?
The problem comes down to weight distribution and suspension geometry. The rear subframe rails are narrow, meaning the sway bar and shocks don’t get much leverage. Your shocks only move a small amount during sway, so they struggle to dampen rocking effectively. Class C Sprinter coaches are built with the bodywork extending far outboard of the subframe rails and high above them, meaning there is a lot of weight both wide and tall that can be difficult to control once the sway starts.
On top of that, the Sprinter uses long rear leaf springs to locate the axle. These springs, as well as the spring eye bushings and rear spring shackles, flex under side loads. This means that when a truck blasts by or you hit strong crosswinds, the entire chassis can shift slightly side to side. That’s the “tail-wagging-the-dog” effect many owners describe. This tail-wag can be coupled with sway during strong wind gusts, making your Sprinter especially difficult to control.
Q: Can shocks improve the ride without making it stiffer?
Yes. The stock shocks on your Sprinter aren’t tuned to handle the unsteady combination of a tall, wide coach with limited suspension travel. The SuperSteer SS88-1889 Rear Adjustable Shock is valved to provide the strength needed to control the sway, while providing a range of adjustment depending on your preference. You can fine-tune the setting for comfort on smooth highways or for maximum control when driving mountain curves or in windy conditions.
The factory front Mercedes struts aren't quite as lacking as the rear shocks, but they also leave much room for improvement. The Koni 87-2657 Front Struts are a significant upgrade in control, further reducing sway and improving stability in the wind. They also make the front end feel more planted and improve steering response.
Jimmy Moss, a Sprinter owner from Louisiana, described how his upgrade improved the coach's responsiveness:
- “I felt like it was a tighter turn on the steering wheel as well.”
Q: Don’t Sprinters already come with a sway bar?
They do — but the stock bar is undersized. Before 2018, Sprinters used a 1 ¼-inch rear sway bar. Later models went up to 1 3/8-inch, which is about 30% stronger. Still, that’s not enough for the size and weight of a Class C motorhome body.
The SuperSteer SS110 Heat-Treated Rear Sway Bar is 1 ½-inch diameter. That makes it 30–60% stronger than stock, depending on your model year. Combine that with heavy-duty double shear end links, and you’ll immediately feel less body roll both at low speeds and on the highway.
One Sprinter owner, Denise Moss, was surprised to notice the difference even before driving:
- “I thought we would notice it driving, but I didn’t realize we would just notice walking through the coach. It’s just so stable.”
Q: What’s a rear trac bar, and why does it matter?
A sway bar handles roll, but it doesn’t stop the axle from shifting side to side under load. That’s where a trac bar comes in.
The SuperSteer SS701 Rear Trac Bar connects the axle to the frame on a diagonal. It lets the axle move up and down (normal suspension travel), but it stops the side shift that makes your steering feel vague and twitchy in the wind.
This is especially important for safety when driving with family on board. As Jimmy explained:
- “I drive it a lot, and I take the grandkids in our coach by myself. It needed to be as stable and as comfortable as we could possibly make it.”
Q: Is it really worth the money?
In a word: yes. Suspension upgrades are an investment in safety, comfort, and peace of mind. Denise summed it up in one line:
- “This is totally different. I can guarantee you this. The money is worth it.”
After their upgrades (SS701 Rear Trac Bar, SS110 Sway Bar, and SS88-1889 Adjustable Shocks, plus 87-2657 Koni Front Struts and alignment), the Moss family noticed the difference immediately on their test drive:
-
- More stable over speed bumps.
- Less rocking when walking through the coach.
- Tighter steering feel in curves.
Q: Can I install these upgrades myself?
Yes — if you’re handy with tools, these are (with the exception of the front struts) very doable DIY projects. SuperSteer provides step-by-step videos for sway bar and trac bar installs, and the adjustable shocks are also straightforward. Even the front struts can be done by a more accomplished DIYer with close access to an alignment shop, since the Sprinter chassis uses a transverse front leaf spring, rather than a coilover design.
For those who prefer professional installation, any shop familiar with RV suspension can handle the work. Just make sure that if the front struts are getting replaced, the shop is also able to properly realign your Sprinter.
Real Sprinter Owners, Real Results
If you’re tired of fighting sway, rocking, or crosswinds in your Sprinter 3500 motorhome, we’ve got proven solutions:
👉 Visit our Chassis Solution Center for more details, or call us at: 888-898-3281.
Watch Jimmy and Denise's video below, and see for yourself what they had to say about their Sprinter transformation!