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stan909's avatar
stan909
Explorer
May 30, 2013

2000 Soutwind Storm 31 ft.Ford V-10 chassis questions.

I went to see a Storm this evening.The guy told me that they had to replace fuel pump and genny carb.So that is now no worry.Thing drove great but kind of harsh.Is that normal? I looked at the brand new Chinese tires and they are G rated with 120Lbs in them.They are rated for 4,500 pounds.Can I run at 110 lbs and be ok ?Front end is probably 4,500 lbs total.I like the handling but am used to my Chevy Bounders ride.The radius edges under the rubber roof are popping up on the passenger side and will need fixing and the front air does not work unless the seller (a wholesaler) presses a test button behind the circuit panel.It has the Coleman climate control system that is obviously messing up.He is at low NADA retail and selling for $ 16,900.I'm prattling on but really only have worries about the ride.Thanks.I also posted about the 92 Monaco Dynasty in the same price range in case I appear flighty.
Class A
  • topflite51's avatar
    topflite51
    Explorer
    May 30, 2013
    Way too much air, as I recall (recollection could be fuzzy), a 2000 F53 chassis only had a 7000 lb axle rating in the front.
  • stan909's avatar
    stan909
    Explorer
    May 30, 2013
    If I am correct in my thinking, the front tires at 120 lbs can carry 9,000 lbs. At 110lbs or even 105 lbs would still be well in the safe range bieng that the front probably weighs in around 4,500 lbs. What blew my mind is when I read the specs in the closet they state the carrying capacity is 3,800 lbs. A full 1,000 more than my 95 Bounder and as I recall my 2,000 Southwind Storm(chevy p30,one of the last after Work horse bought out chevy) that we sold 11 years ago to get out from under the payment. I also remember the Chevy riding great after installing Bilstiens but that could be due to the rig before being a Flair on a 27 foot Ford now that really rode rough even with 4 airbags. Wife is the one who wants this rig but other than the price and miles I could care less. The Monaco as my interest peaked but have yet to see it.
  • Dale_Traveling's avatar
    Dale_Traveling
    Explorer II
    May 30, 2013
    120 lbs. in the tires does seem a bit high but is dependent on what the tire manufacture recommends the axle weight of the coach. You could ask the seller if you could drop some of the air and take another test drive but the owner has the last word.
  • Buick_Fan's avatar
    Buick_Fan
    Explorer
    May 30, 2013
    We have a 99 Georgie Boy on a F53 chassis with G rated tires. I run about 90 lbs in them with no problem. In my opinion it rode harsh with the old tires and the ones on there now, even after the Koni shock upgrades. If its the original roof, you might want to double check it, might be time for a new one at that age.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    May 30, 2013
    my chieftain was on a 1999 ford chassis, and it was head and shoulder above my previous P-30/32 chevy fleetwoods. the 2000 probably wasn't built on the ford with increased horsepower and decreased gas mileage however.
    bumpy

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