Body Roll
So we took our first mini-trip this past weekend on the coach and had an absolute BLAST!! Everything worked great and we couldn't have enjoyed ourselves more unless someone else paid for everything! ...
Forum Discussion
If you are setting this coach up for a few years of usage ahead, do have the full suspension checked. Different manufacturers had different F53 suspension components ordered from Ford for the chassis as delivered to them. So the only way to know for sure what you need, is to inspect and see how your coach came equipped as ordered from your coach builder.
Our 18K lbs 1999 F53 Chassis, in a 98 T28 Bounder, came stock with IMO a rear undersized tow bar, and no other handling aids. We ended up doing:
1) Safety-T-Plus (more for emergency handling in case of a front blow out)
2) Added rear Roadmaster Sway Bar
3) Added front and rear Super Suspension aids from Henderson's Line-up
4) All rubber fittings replaced with Poly Bushings
5) Front toe in adjusted to help it keep true going down the highway
6) Four corner weight, and air PSI set to the Tire Manufactures levels
7) Rear Koni Adjustables, set on level 3, front Koni FSD's
8) Air Tabs
This was over about a 6 month period, and very noticeable improvement in handling, body lean, and overall comfort while driving down the highway. Even after all of the mod's, the coach would be first 'pushed' by big trucks air bow wave as they came by. And then second 'sucked' in as they finished passing us. I also still really needed to watch the road and adjust while driving in shifting heavier cross wind conditions. I was very surprised that the Airtabs, the cheapest added part in all of these modifications, really helped these two areas quite a bit. (Do a search on Airtabs, and come to your own conclusion. And you'll note in my posts on Airtabs that while MPG did seem to go up a bit for me, it was for sure not the reason I added Airtabs. And, you'll see many consider them snake oil:)!)
I should note that the T28 and that 18K Lbs chassis, did not have a sever rear overhang as larger F53 coached rigs can have. If you are a bit longer, that 'tail wag' could be much more pronounced.
If you are near Henderson's Lineup, they will do a full analysis of your suspension and give you a recommendation on things to do. But, other good shops around this country too. So just keep checking around where you are for shops with good reputations.
Best of luck, and have fun,
Smitty
Our 18K lbs 1999 F53 Chassis, in a 98 T28 Bounder, came stock with IMO a rear undersized tow bar, and no other handling aids. We ended up doing:
1) Safety-T-Plus (more for emergency handling in case of a front blow out)
2) Added rear Roadmaster Sway Bar
3) Added front and rear Super Suspension aids from Henderson's Line-up
4) All rubber fittings replaced with Poly Bushings
5) Front toe in adjusted to help it keep true going down the highway
6) Four corner weight, and air PSI set to the Tire Manufactures levels
7) Rear Koni Adjustables, set on level 3, front Koni FSD's
8) Air Tabs
This was over about a 6 month period, and very noticeable improvement in handling, body lean, and overall comfort while driving down the highway. Even after all of the mod's, the coach would be first 'pushed' by big trucks air bow wave as they came by. And then second 'sucked' in as they finished passing us. I also still really needed to watch the road and adjust while driving in shifting heavier cross wind conditions. I was very surprised that the Airtabs, the cheapest added part in all of these modifications, really helped these two areas quite a bit. (Do a search on Airtabs, and come to your own conclusion. And you'll note in my posts on Airtabs that while MPG did seem to go up a bit for me, it was for sure not the reason I added Airtabs. And, you'll see many consider them snake oil:)!)
I should note that the T28 and that 18K Lbs chassis, did not have a sever rear overhang as larger F53 coached rigs can have. If you are a bit longer, that 'tail wag' could be much more pronounced.
If you are near Henderson's Lineup, they will do a full analysis of your suspension and give you a recommendation on things to do. But, other good shops around this country too. So just keep checking around where you are for shops with good reputations.
Best of luck, and have fun,
Smitty
