My housecarl keeps wandering off for miles away from my Winstad hearthfire home, my wife almost got [censored] by a Giant if I hadn't of got there in time.

How do I make him stay in the homestead area? I once saw him wandering around Whiterun when he should have been home looking after the house and residents grrrrrrrr

I always made the housecarl the steward, seeing as stewards are given a schedule.

So then who becomes your housecarl?

I am curious on this as well. I have a housecarl and thought that if I brought another follower by I would get a steward but nope.

The steward still acts as the housecarl.

Some followers can be made stewards. Others cannot.

Thanks! Good to know. I thought that might be the case

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Personal_Steward#Followers_who_can_become_Stewards is a list of followers who can be made stewards.