We have a 27'Winnebago Vista and like others are not satisfied with the handling. In a recent Motor Home magazine article they detailed the upgrades to a larger coach by Henderson that was interesting. I contacted them regarding what was needed for our model. They recommended a stiffer front sway bar, a radius rod and Koni FSD shocks. Seems, they feel, the CHF could lead to a component failure. While not cheap, I am considering it as the coach does have handling issues. I have a Safe T Steer installed, a rear trac bar and recently had a thorough wheel alignment that improved steering/handling greatly.I never heard of a radius rod, but according to Henderson, it's job is to keep front leaf spring from moving forward/backward or side to side thereby improving steering and body roll. I never heard of a radius rod. Is any one familiar with this?

My 2012 F53 has almost every suspension add on made, with the exception of a rear trac bar. The previous owner did all the work, Sumo springs front and rear, Hellwig sway bars front and rear, Koni schools front and rear and a Blue OX true center steering stabilizer! All this was for nothing as the coach was all over the road! And why I believe he traded it in on a DP! What I found was the tire pressures were too high and the front toe was toed out By 5/8”z I set the tire pressures to 86 psi and set the toe by taper measure to 3/16 toe in. Night and day difference! For handling, the CHF can’t be beat. And they all should have some type of stabilizer put on. As for ride, Sunos and Konis will make it ride like a DO with air suspension (or close to it).

What are you trying to achieve? Reduce body roll? Better straight line running and lane holding? Reduce wind push from weather or passing vehicles? Less jarring from poor roads?There isn't a single bolt on product, tweak or change that will do all and if your RV budget is limited then your need to prioritize what you want to chase first. If you can't do the work yourself the costs will quickly escalate and consume your project budget.Henderson's radius rod sounds like a front track bar. You might have one if the you have a 18,000 lbs chassis. It's optional on the 16,000 lbs version. Easy to check. The attached image is looking front to back and the track bar is just above the front axle in the pic.Regarding CHF, there are thousands of owners who have driven thousand of miles with no failures, myself included. Keep in mind they are in the business of selling improvements not advising you to try a no cost alternative.

2020 jayco precept 34G owner here. 2019 F53 GVWR 22,000. After six months of ownership I will be adding the super steer rear trac bar first. The coach actually handles pretty good except when confronting tail or crosswinds. Coach already has beefy Helwig sway bars both front and back from factory. Will access after install.

I am not an expert on MH suspensions, but a radius rod on a leaf spring, solid front axle, seems redundant. If the axle is properly secured to the springs, it can not move for/aft except for the compliance in the bushing in the leaf spring eye.

Have you looked at the cheap handling fix for the F53 chassis? We've done both front and rear. Hubby was able to do it himself. It made a big difference.

F53 suspension upgrades | Good Sam Community

FloridaRosebud
Explorer
Oct 25, 2020
So let me add some more here. First, trying to get an F-53 chassis to handle great is like trying to put lipstick on a pig. Isn't gonna happen. Now, that said, There are mods you can do that will enhance the handling. For me, I've done the following.

1. 4 wheel alignment and weigh the MH. Adjust air pressure per the Toyo tables (not what the guys at the tire shop say)
2. Roadmaster True-center for the steering
3. CHF
4. Poly bushings on stock anti-sway bars
5. Rear Hellwig anti sway bar
6. Rear trac bar
7. New Koni KSD shocks

It already had Firestone air bags, which allow me to properly level the MH once we are loaded up and ready to go. So short of a front trac bar, or jumping into the Liquid Suspension (high dollar) mods, I'm pretty much done. So does it handle better? Absolutely. Semi's rarely push me around (other than the empty rolling parking lots), and cross wind issues are no problems under 15-20mph. Koni shocks improved the ride so it is not as jarring. I still have issues with those pesky little 12-14 foot box trucks, as I can feel them when they blow by (I still haven't figured that one out), but now I could drive with one hand (not that I do), and I can go farther each day before I'm ready for my adult beverage. So for us, it was worth it, as we both love the MH and have plans on keeping it for a long time. YMMV and all that. For me, I would get the air bags over the Sumo springs, as the air bags help you adjust the ride height. Sumos are fixed.

Sorry for the long post....

Al
billyray50
Explorer
Oct 25, 2020
irishtom29 wrote:
FloridaRosebud wrote:
If you are having issues with winds (and we all do)...

Al

I don't.

Why?
irishtom29
Explorer
Oct 23, 2020
FloridaRosebud wrote:
If you are having issues with winds (and we all do)...

Al

I don't.
irishtom29
Explorer
Oct 23, 2020
Don't worry, anything you do will make a "day and night" difference.
billyray50
Explorer
Oct 23, 2020
FloridaRosebud wrote:
If you are having issues with winds (and we all do) you need a rear trac bar, as the springs/airbags will offer you minimal help here.

Al

X2
FloridaRosebud
Explorer
Oct 23, 2020
If you are having issues with winds (and we all do) you need a rear trac bar, as the springs/airbags will offer you minimal help here.

Al
TWZMYJP
Explorer
Oct 22, 2020
I have done the CHF (both front and rear) and tuned the tire pressures based on actual loaded corner weights. It made a notable difference, but it still wants to dart in gusty winds, and also has a tendency to lean to the passenger side. I am debating between Sumo springs and air bags... The airbag route seems to be a little less expensive depending of course on the compressor setup, but I like the idea of no maintenance with the Sumos. I know exactly what and how an airbag setup will perform, but I've never run Sumos so I'm a little nervous to spend the money on them? Anyone have a direct comparison story?
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Oct 22, 2020
Richard,
I gave links to PROFESSIONAL RV alignment shops that have equipment you have probably never touched. Just because you have never worked in a well equipped shop is no reason to try to discredit shops that have an outstanding reputation in the RV world. Perhaps you guys should stick with small vehicles and leave the
RV's and trucks to the PROFESSIONALS. Even the FMCA link mentioned how the rear axle can be adjusted on a gas coach but I'm sure that you and Dodge guy have years of experience back when a lot of things were not possible. Time marches on and has left the two of you behind.
RLS7201
Explorer II
Oct 22, 2020
dodge guy wrote:
RLS7201 wrote:
rgatijnet1 wrote:
Before I would spend any money on bolt-ons I would do the basics first. In other words load the coach exactly as it is when you travel with full fuel and fresh water(if you fill your tanks for travel), as well as food and clothing. Then have ALL four corner weighed and adjust your tire pressure according to the manufacturer's specs. The next would be to take it to an alignment shop, while the coach is still loaded for travel, that can deal with motor homes and get a front and rear axle alignment or a thrust angle alignment. Some shops will tell you that your rear axle is not adjustable when they DO NOT have the equipment available to set the trust angle on an RV chassis. It can be adjusted.
After you have done these things, and you still are not happy with the way the coach drives, then try some add-ons, one at a time.

Tell us how you adjust the rear thrust angle on a gas chassis with no provisions for adjustment? The spring hangers are bolted to holes in the frame, the spring draw bolt head aligns with a hole in the axle tube. There are no cams, no adjustable rods, etc.

Richard

Glad I'm not the only one. I do alignments daily. Rarely is the solid rear axle out of alignment. If it were it's very minor. Anything more and something is bent.

Thanks for jumping in dodge guy. I spent 11 of my younger years in the alignment business and still do alignment service on a call in basis and that patch shown by rgatijnet1 is just that, a patch. If the rear on our gas coaches needs adjustment then there are other problems also. Sure glad the non-professionals keep up professionals in line. :(

Richard
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2020
links don't work. and yes the factory puts the chassis together within spec, the only way it would change is from worn parts or an accident. I`ve seen some of the fixes out there, some good, some not so good. like the nylon shims that go behind the wheel bearing on a rear beam axle of a front wheel drive car to fix a toe/camber issue. I refuse to work with stuff like that!

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