Ford F-53 Chassis - Nude

[holstein13]

In case you are wondering what a stripped Ford F-53 chassis looks like under all the coverings, here are some pictures I took while walking around Newmar today:





The box under the steering wheel acts as a seat for the drivers when they deliver it to the OEM. The box also contains the gauges, A/C prep, vehicle ID stickers, manuals and some wiring harnesses.

You can see more photos on Ford's site.

[carringb]

RLS7201 wrote:

holstein13 wrote:
You can see more photos on Ford's site.

Interesting that the next to last photo shows a coil spring front suspension. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Richard

That's the E-series stripped chassis, which ranges from 11,500-14,500 GVWR. It is used in in the Thor Vegas/Axis. The frame is also lower and 10" wider than the F53 chassis.

[RLS7201]

holstein13 wrote:
You can see more photos on Ford's site.

Interesting that the next to last photo shows a coil spring front suspension. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Richard

[JumboJet]

holstein13 wrote:
Wait. What exactly did you buy? The stripped Spartan chassis or the motorhome in the picture?

The MH in the picture w/air ride.

[Pirate1]

How much does that cost?

[holstein13]

JumboJet wrote:

ga80486 wrote:

JumboJet wrote:
Quick, add air suspension components to that frame while it is easily accessible.

Or, just buy this one that already has it.

http://lansing.craigslist.org/rvs/5131533140.html

I just did. Picking it up Thursday.

Wait. What exactly did you buy? The stripped Spartan chassis or the motorhome in the picture?

And why does the craigslist summary at the top right say the Cummins engine is gas, not diesel?

[JumboJet]

ga80486 wrote:

JumboJet wrote:
Quick, add air suspension components to that frame while it is easily accessible.

Or, just buy this one that already has it.

http://lansing.craigslist.org/rvs/5131533140.html

I just did. Picking it up Thursday.

[holstein13]

fourmat wrote:

holstein13 wrote:

OldBlackWater wrote:
How do they transport them from the Ford plant to the RV manufacturers? Are they stacked on a flatbed trailer, or do they hire a bunch of drivers to hop on the boxes and drive them there?

I believe they arrive by rail car or are stacked on flat bed trailers. There is no way they are street legal in that configuration with no headlights, brake lights, turn signals, seat belts, seat, bumpers, etc.

They are stacked piggy back and towed

That is correct. I just asked Newmar and they told me they arrive two at a time, piggybacked on the back of a flat bed semi tractor.

[holstein13]

wildmanbaker wrote:
Thanks for posting the pics. Look at the distance between the bump stops and the axels. Most people can't even get the flat part of their hand between the stops and the axels.

Yep, the suspension is fully extended without the weight of the coach. I'll bet it's a pretty rough ride like this. But also brings home how important ride height and adjusting the suspension to the weight of the coach is.

[wildmanbaker]

Thanks for posting the pics. Look at the distance between the bump stops and the axels. Most people can't even get the flat part of their hand between the stops and the axels.

[fourmat]

holstein13 wrote:

OldBlackWater wrote:
How do they transport them from the Ford plant to the RV manufacturers? Are they stacked on a flatbed trailer, or do they hire a bunch of drivers to hop on the boxes and drive them there?

I believe they arrive by rail car or are stacked on flat bed trailers. There is no way they are street legal in that configuration with no headlights, brake lights, turn signals, seat belts, seat, bumpers, etc.

They are stacked piggy back and towed

[holstein13]

OldBlackWater wrote:
How do they transport them from the Ford plant to the RV manufacturers? Are they stacked on a flatbed trailer, or do they hire a bunch of drivers to hop on the boxes and drive them there?

I believe they arrive by rail car or are stacked on flat bed trailers. There is no way they are street legal in that configuration with no headlights, brake lights, turn signals, seat belts, seat, bumpers, etc.

[ga80486]

JumboJet wrote:
Quick, add air suspension components to that frame while it is easily accessible.

Or, just buy this one that already has it.

http://lansing.craigslist.org/rvs/5131533140.html

[OldBlackWater]

How do they transport them from the Ford plant to the RV manufacturers? Are they stacked on a flatbed trailer, or do they hire a bunch of drivers to hop on the boxes and drive them there?

[MagillaGorilla]

They should have races with them cuz you know guys will race anything with a motor.