We bought my first motorhome. Help!

Question

My wife and I have a pop up that we have covered most of states west of the Mississippi with the kids and we have outgrown it. We were thinking about upgrading to an RV and we bought one. I bought a 1999 Holiday Rambler Vacationer 32CG. It came with all the manuals and all the receipts for anything ever done. That said I am only 95% certain that I have the F53 chassis. Is it? Is there a difference between the F550 and the F53? I think it has to be the F53 because of the GVWR is 18,000 and GCWR is 23,000. It spent most of it’s adult life in Colorado and Arizona and is super clean underneath. It has 84,000 miles on it. It has the Banks power pack. It seems that is not real high mileage for a Ford drivetrain that has had excellent care. When I test drove it was barely above freezing and the transmission shifted well. I wanted the aluminum skin and frame. Oh yeah, it came with a Blue Ox tow bar. It has had really great care. We look forward to making it our own. That all said like most things in my life I jump in without knowing all the details. The rear end is hanging just low enough I think I want to add air bags to level it out. So questions.
1. Is it for sure the F53 chassis?
2. Who makes the best air bags?
3. What suspension upgrades could I do to make it handle better?
4. Any suggestions about care or use?
5. Any suggestions or experiences will be welcome?

nick-b · Answer

I'll answer #1. It is an F53. The F550 is the medium-duty truck chassis and while they share some commonality, the F53 is specific as the motorhome chassis.

farmhills53565 · Answer

Thank You!

mountainair05 · Answer

We had a 99 and the only thing I added was Firestone air bags front and rear.  After installing which is very easy , have it aligned. Correct cold air pressure.  enjoy

redrollingroadb · Answer

For handling start low cost.Get an axle weight at the local scale loaded like you travel. Adjust your load to proper limits. Look up the tire manufacture inflation table for your weight and set tires to that amount plus 5 pounds. I think on yours you can do what is known as the "Cheap Handling Fix" AKA CHF. Do a search for it and you will find some videos. Not hard to do.While you are under there look at the rear sway bar bushings. They are likely toast as until about 2012 Ford used a soy based product that rotted away. Also the bushing mounting bolts have a habit of loosening and then causing the bracket to break. Replace with poly bushings. Head to eBay and get them from https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-F53-Class-A-Motorhome-chassis-REAR-Polyurethane-Sway-Bar-Bushings-1999-2011/270661240746?fits=Model%3AF53&amp;hash=item3f04aac7aa:g:8b0AAMXQhuVROBxO He make top quality ones.Then when you install them tight tighten to 66# with Blue Locktite. Then you can start down the hardware dollar path.

executive45 · Answer

Park it in your driveway and live in it a couple days. You'll have more questions. If the seller is/was local have them do your walk thru again only this time video tape it for future reference. Usually in the excitement, you'll forget lots of things. Weighing it should be your first chore. Airing the tires to their proper PSI is second. Check the DATE CODES on the tires. Ones that have been sitting should be replaced after five years. If you need help with that, ask or Google it....After that ~~~ GO CAMPING!....Dennis

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We bought my first motorhome. Help!

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