F53 vs P30

[jassrnj]

I in the market for another motorhome. I had the F53 and could never got it to track straight. Yes, I did a bunch of upgrades and changes and it got better but was never right. I’m considering going to a P30 but need some feedback in regarding problems with the P30

[RLS7201]

The P32 (P30 is the truck chassis) is the most problematic front end of the 2 MH chassis. It has the most moving parts to fail and they do.
Robert Henderson of Henderson's Line up has made a very good living correcting the failings of the P32 front end.
Both the P32 & the F53 can be made to drive well. Most owners try and throw all sorts of steering enhancements at them before finding the real problem. Thus they never drive correctly. The F53 responds well to correct toe-in and a front pan hard bar. The P32 responds well to correct alignment and Henderson bell cranks. Those with poor handling MH, that have paid for alignment, never tell you what the toe-in was set at. As an example, my 95 F53 calls for +/- 16" toe-in. No "I" beam axle will drive correctly unless the toe-in is set to a strong positive toe-in.
So if all your concerned about is handling, both chassis can be made to handle well.

Richard

[colonelcorto]

I have a 96 F53 with tag axle. When I bought it a few years ago it was all over the road. I replaced the rotted out sway bar bushing (some were totally gone) and it’s much better now. I think the rest of the slop is in the steering linkage.

[IAMICHABOD]

Having had a Winnebago on a P30 Chassis I would never have another,it was the most evel handling vehicle that I ever drove,and I have driven a lot of vehicles as a OTR trucker for almost 40 years.

I tried every thing, proper inflation of tires according to weight,Bilstein Shocks,oversize sway bars, front and rear,Track bar.The new and improved bell cranks,Ellis Wide Wheels and Steer Safes.
Had it aligned front and rear by the best heavy duty alignment shop in So Calif.

It still was a hand full to drive,as stated before it was heavy in the front as it sat empty.

I now have a Class C on a Workhouse Chassis and to my surprise it handles better than all the ones I drove on a Ford Chassis.

[Gjac]

I have the P-30 chassis now never had a problem driving it as others posted. I drive it like a car with one hand and am not moved when trucks pass me. Having said that I have spent a small fortune replacing parts, with a IFS system there are a lot more parts than a straight axle.

[Bumpyroad]

the old P30/32 AKA breadtruck, was dreadful. overloaded on the front. the early workhorse was merely a rebadged one.
bumpy

[olfarmer]

I have had 2 P 30 type chassis and have never had the bad driving problems people complain about. If they are properly aligned and in good condition I think they drive fine. My biggest complaint about them was the air bags inside of the front springs. On the one I have now they blew out on a trip and when I got home I put the super springs in it, had it aligned, and that made it sit leveler than before and drive great.

[dodge_guy]

I have a 2011 F53 and mine was all over the road. The previous owner did a lot of suspension work to it and was still all over the road, and why I think they got rid of it. What I ended up finding was the toe was out too much 5/8 of an inch. I reset it to 1/4 inch toe in and it made a world of difference in how it handles. no more darting/wandering in the lane. tracks nice and straight!

[DFord]

In years past I had two or three of GM's P30 chassis' under my motorhomes. They were all had to keep in one lane especially when there was a wind blowing. The problem is the factory bellcranks. The introduce so much play and slop into the steering it's criminal. I never coughed up the cash for the SuperSteer tapered roller bearing bellcranks that chassis should have come with as standard but I did try buying a new housing and pin from GM. It came with so much slop (about and 1/8 of an inch) I refused to accept it - it was special order and made the parts guy made as hell.

The GM P30 has independent front suspension with coil springs while the F53 has a solid front axle using kingpins like most heavy duty vehicles. My last two motorhomes have been on the F53 and the only trouble I've had is trying to get a smooth ride from tires. I spent a lot of money trying to get them balanced properly but some of that may be the brand of tires I'm dealing with. Next time I buy tires, the dealer better expect to hear all kinds of flack if they can't make me happy. I don't blame my out of balance problems on the chassis.

I wouldn't want another motorhome on the P30 chassis. The GM/Workhorse "W" series chassis has a solid front axle that I would much prefer over the P series.

[wolfe10]

WAIT-- what year F53? Have been several "milestone improvements" over the years.

I would rank today's F53#1.

Earlier F53 and Workhorse W chassis #2 and P chassis #3.

The Chevy/Workhorse P chassis spawned a whole cottage industry of "upgrades".

[skiatom]

I’v Had a 95 P30, and currently own a 97 F53. No significant issues with either.