F53 Not Ideal for me

My experience with a 35 Holiday Rambler on a 98 F-53 was poor, to say the least. Inadequate brakes that dragged, hot feet from the engine heat, loud motor, leaky manifolds, poor handling and ride, fuel pump problems.

Every trip was a nightmare.

One more question, you went on a 5,000 mile trip in and older rig that cost less than 1/10 of the original sticker price and had no mechanical issues, is that correct?

Noisy??? only when the fan clutch kicks in and that lasts all of about 1-2 minutes before the engine bay is cooled. On a long hot days drive mine will kick in maybe 3-6 times only. How hard are you pushing your rig?

Keep it at 2,400 rpms and you will be just fine. As far as the exhaust manifold issue, let it idle for five minutes prior to shutting it down and you won't have an issue.

Sometimes we make our own problems (not saying you do) but if you put your foot into the radiator, charge up every slope, then slam into a gas station and shut down the engine and run inside, then I guess you can expect issues. If you take care of the 460, it will take care of you.

When I read some of your older posts about your rig, I wonder if you're not overthinking some of this.

"I BOUGHT my 96 Pace Arrow for 7500.00....burnt and blistered by the sun sitting on a texas ranch. Absolutely beautiful inside...48000 mi.. and all the paperwork including the new window sticker...$88,000.
I have done..new yoko tires, new in tank fuel pump,batteries, oil/filters and all that stuff....new carpet,ex manifolds and new dual exhaust,sway bar bushings, Iam very happy with it...still want it to make me trust it.....Yes...mech. inclined is a curse ....I knew all this when I bought it. Iam getting ready to repaint it. But this is what I do...so no big deal unless it leaves me dead in traffic. I know when Iam finished I DID IT, and I trust my work, and don't have to worry about some other persons Joe McGee work."

"My fear is a stalled MH and toad.....in traffic in town .....A BIG FEAR !!
I have had flats on the duals...lucky to have been close by to repair.
No way can I change a tire on my MH....and you cannot drive far with one on the rear without damaging the other. All I carry is a NEW spare....
This is why I drive and test after a long sit.....even tho I start every week and drive around the block every mo.
I do a lot of preventive maintenance.
To be honest I wish I had my 88 Allegro 454 with carb and no computer back . So much simpler."

Well the Ford gasser has come a long way in the past 16 years. Not the ride of a DP but my 38 footer weighs enough to track steady with only a slight push from 18 wheelers. Front engine is louder but not using cruise control avoids the loud two gear drops and high rpms in rolling hill country. Tow haul mode works great on steep grades. Love the big one piece windshield and large side windows. Not going to do any equipment modifiations at all.

I bought my 97 Bounder new. When it was a year old, I replaced the exhaust manifolds with Banks system. I think it helps cut down on the noise.

I really enjoyed the large windshield, much more to see than a class C we had before. I never got a sunburn from it. I guess I just did not drive that much in one day. I did install a electric visor over the drivers seat, and a pull down shade on the driver's window. I guess that helps with the sun factor. The Bounder and Pace Arrow where built on the same platform, sometimes sharing the same layouts as well. Pace Arrow was one step up from the Bounder, with standard things like Jacks that I paid extra for, and rear camera, that I did not buy.

I am very happy with the power from the 460" engine. You might have a plugged fuel filter that prevents full power, yet it will still run OK. Also check the air filter. I had to replace the Oxygen sensor, it is the same one as used on the 96 F-350 dually 460" engine. I also replaced the rotor and plug wires, but at 42,000 miles, I have not changed out the spark plugs, the RV passed the emissions testing, and I left it at that.

You might try washing the radiator and condenser with a pressure sprayer (chemical sprayer) using a mixture of simple green and about 50% water. Let it soak, then rinse with a garden hose. This will allow better heat transfer at a lower temperature, so the fan might not come on as often.

Fred.