fleetwood, Bounder, 1996...wtag wh..,14,000 miles

[1950panman]

hello,comments about the 96 fleetwood , Bounder am buying..looking to tow my , KIA SOUL, 2015, 6 speed also need to bar some experiance.was a full timer for 8 years, before the 09-08.years.georgia boy lane

[donandmax]

Cant beat a Smart Car for towing 1800 lbs you'll never know its back there !!

[Snow_Birds]

We were going to buy a new 2015 Kia soul as a Toad. The dealer could not document that they would support 4 wheel down towing. This was a change - the 2014 Soul did support towing. We bought a slightly used 2014 6 spd stick Kia Soul. I doubt that that car changed that much. It seems that car companies more and more are not supporting 4 wheel down towing.

[1950panman]

wow...great replys, gents....did not purchase...thanks...

[phillyg]

I had a 96 Bounder w/tag on a 97 F53 chassis. It had lots of problems and I wouldn't recommend one to someone else. I did tow a Mazda pickup truck successfully.

[Big_Katuna]

My 97 Holiday Rambler had electric brakes on the tag.

The left front axle was within 50 pounds of its max rating.

Going up long grades my right foot would get so hot as to be painful.

[RLS7201]

I drive a 95 33' bounder on a Ford F53 chassis (460/528). One set up correctly, it drives and handles well. Most of those older tag axle Bounders were built on the Ford chassis. 17,000# ver chevy's 16,500# chassis. The tag axle adds another 3,000# capacity. The tag axle also adds an additional problematic master cylinder to the braking system. Both Chevy and Ford chassis of that era had some flaws. The Ford needs thorough brake maintenance every 2 years, breaks exhaust manifold bolts, rides on 16" tires and probably will need rear sway bar bushings. The Chevy has independent front suspension that has room for improvements. IE air bags rupture, left side bell crank was poor when new. Exhaust manifolds crack, front brake hoses fail, etc.
If that 96 Bounder is on a 95 Chevy chassis it will be throttle body injected and be lacking for power. If on a 96 Chevy chassis it will be port injected and run very well. 240 HP ver. 290 HP.
If on a Ford chassis it will be port injected @ 245 HP and low on power. Headers help a BUNCH!
Be prepared for some fix-it expenses.

Richard

[Billinwoodland]

1950panman wrote:
hello,comments about the 96 fleetwood , Bounder am buying..looking to tow my , KIA SOUL, 2015, 6 speed also need to bar some experiance.was a full timer for 8 years, before the 09-08.years.georgia boy lane

That works out to be 700 miles per year driven. I would be worried about corrosion in the moving parts, engine, tranny, rear end, etc. This would be one that I would suggest doing an oil analysis on and having a good mechanic go over it. The fluids still need to be changed if the rig is sitting for months and not being used. Just my take on it.

[Big_Katuna]

With the tag I'm guessing it's the Ford. F53. 16" rims. I strongly disliked that chassis and would recommend against it.

Handled poorly in less than perfect conditions, inadequate, problematic brakes, exhaust header problems, fuel pump issues..

Was constantly fixing problems.

[gbopp]

What chassis is under the Bounder? If it's the GM, you will have the Auto Park Brake System for a parking brake.

[Bumpyroad]

I had a 95ish bounder 32 footer on a P-30/32 chassis and towed a Tracker and a Dakota PU.
bumpy