2014-ish vs 2016-ish F53 Chassis

My 2016 Winnebago Sightseer 33C 6 speed versus my 2005 Winnebago Sightseer 29R 5 speed.

My 6 speed shifts at 4300 rpms. My 5 speed shifted at 5300 rpms. The difference in rpms makes the cabin much quieter.

I think that the 22.5 inch tires makes for a better drive. My new coach is much easier to drive. I experience much less white knuckle driving in construction zones. I did have a Roadmaster trac bar, Roadmaster rear sway bar, and a Safe-T-Steer installed prior to picking up my new coach from the dealer. My 5 speed he was also equipped with the above after market products.

Given a choice between a 6 speed or a 5 speed I would pick the 6 speed. Having driven both a 6 speed and a 5 speed there is no comparison.

Safe travels. JD

Thanks everyone.... great information. I should have known the insulation was done later by the manufacturer and not Ford. Between the tranny shifting and running at lower RPMs, and some improved technology with insulation I've heard the newer rigs are quite a bit quieter. I've ridden up a mountain pass in a 20-25 year old coach that probably had a 4spd and it was LOUD to say the least.

The 6 speed is also used in all Ford Medium Duty (F650/F750) and has a "best in class" warranty. I am not saying the 5 speed was bad, but the 6 speed is better !

If you have a choice, the rest being equal take a 2016 with the 6-speed. You will like it and I don't think anyone has complained about it. If salesperson doesn't know just look for P R N D 4 2 1 on the shift indicator.

Ford has sway bars front and rear. DIY the "Cheap Handling Fix" CHF. a search will turn it up. Make sure you or dealer puts Blue Locktite on the rear SB bushing brackets.

Sound insulation is not something directly associated with the chassis. The house builder installs so as azdryheat posted how much and if any will be dependant on the make and model coach you might be looking at.

The 6 speed transmission will improve fuel economy. The additional gear will drop engine speed about 500 RPM in the top gear as compared to the 5 speed when you at highway speeds. How much of an improvement will very from coach to coach and owner to owner.

In general larger tires will help with ride comfort but don't expect to get a ride where you can cut diamonds while sitting at the dinette while driving over cobblestones (1970's Lincoln Continental TV commercials). Larger tires are related to the chassis model not so much production year. Unless you back in time a lot more than 2014 pretty much every 22K and above chassis had 22.5 tires.

I don't think there has been a change in the sway bars since the turn of the century.

I drive motorhomes for a large RV dealer so I get to drive all price ranges. I find that the cheaper ones, Thor Challenger, Miramar are very noisy with minimal sound proofing. Winnebago Vistas, Intents and Fleetwood Bounder, Southwinds are quieter than the Thor's. Tiffin Open Roads are the quietest by far of all of them but then they're thousands more in price. The wind noise also gets better as the price goes up. No way I'd ever get a Thor - cheaply built. Winnebago Adventurer is nice as is the Fleetwood Southwind but Tiffin is my favorite. Bottom line is you get what you pay for.