Ford F53 chassis steering stabilizer?

[JimMartin]

My RV didn't come with a steering stabilizer. I'd like to add one to it. It's a 1999 Ford F53 chassis with V10. What's your opinions on different brands?

[ryanallie1]

Hi Jim.

I added the "KYB Steering Stabilizer", first, and didn't think it was strong enough to do a good job on the steering by it self.

After I test drove it , it didn't have what I thought it should of had by itself. Then I made up my mind to add the "STEER-SAFE". All I can say is "WOW", what a Huge difference in the Steering and how the Motorhomes over all Steering improved.

No regreats here at all, and I would do it all over again. I wasn't about to shell out the kind of money that they wanted for the "ROAD KINGS", I almost Fainted when the guy told me how much each one was. The same thing from the that other way over priced shocks that has quite a few mixed reviews on.

The money that I saved by buying "KYB's", will keep me in Gas for quite some time, and to help us keep on Traveling and Enjoying our-selfs. I have also used "KYB SHOCKS", on Cars and Trucks that I have owned in the past. I even loved them on our "Heavy Duty, F-250 POWER STROKE DIESEL TRUCK" Pulling our 5th Wheel Trailer for many years and miles.

I can speak only for myself, but we love the way our "Motorhome Handles" and "Rides", we just couldn't be any happier. And I have never, ever had a "KYB SHOCK" ever go bad on us.

Good Luck. Happy Travels. Dan & Jill & our two small "YORKIE KID'S", who love to Travel as much as we do.

[JimMartin]

ryanallie1 wrote:
Hi All.

You should be thankful, that your 1999 F-53 Ford Chassis didn't come with a "Ford Steering Stabilizer". As it was a piece of junk form day one. You want to talk about a super tiny small Steering Stabilizer.

Our "OEM Ford Steering Stabilizer" was totally shot at 12,000 miles. When I say it is shot I mean it was shot. When I removed it, I could push it closed, or pulled it open with only one finger. All the rest of the "OEM Ford Shocks" were in the same condition.

I put on a good "Steering Stabilizer" right from the Auto Parts. Its works wonderfully. I also added a "Steer-Safe". And all new Shocks from the Auto Parts as well.

You probably won't believe what Brand of Shocks I used, including the "Steering Stabilizer". I used "Super Duty", "KYB" "Heavy Duty Shocks"

Then I Put on "AIR-LIFT", #5000 lb Air-Bags on all four corners.

I now can very easily drive in "Cross-Winds", with just one hand. "Passing Semi's" don't bother me at all, or our Motorhome at all anymore. I always just drive with one hand, unless I feel lazy and want to just use two hands and lean forward to help streach my Poor Bad Back Back some.

Our Motorhome is now a real pleasure to drive now. Basically have "Air-Ride" now, is great to have. As you can very easily adjust for any type crowns in the roads, and it only takes me a couple of seconds. I can also "Stiffen the Ride" or Lesson the Ride, for a Softer Ride. It all my choice.

And it didn't cost me a "Big Bunch of Money", to get our Motorhome to ride like it does.

Good Luck. Happy Travels. Dan & Jill & our two small "YORKIE KIDS", who love to travel as much as we do.

So you put both a "Steering Stabilizer" and an "Steer-Safe" on yours??

I also bought the KYB shocks for mine

[topflite51]

JimMartin wrote:
My RV is basically stock. Only thing done is the CHF. Front tires are at 100psi

Looking to reduce the steering wheel pull from right to left when hitting potholes or bumps in the road.

Steering stabilizer will definitely help with the potholes, my trac bar in the front did not, it however did help the handling in the wind. I did install the Steer Safe first.

[ryanallie1]

Hi All.

You should be thankful, that your 1999 F-53 Ford Chassis didn't come with a "Ford Steering Stabilizer". As it was a piece of junk form day one. You want to talk about a super tiny small Steering Stabilizer.

Our "OEM Ford Steering Stabilizer" was totally shot at 12,000 miles. When I say it is shot I mean it was shot. When I removed it, I could push it closed, or pulled it open with only one finger. All the rest of the "OEM Ford Shocks" were in the same condition.

I put on a good "Steering Stabilizer" right from the Auto Parts. Its works wonderfully. I also added a "Steer-Safe". And all new Shocks from the Auto Parts as well.

You probably won't believe what Brand of Shocks I used, including the "Steering Stabilizer". I used "Super Duty", "KYB" "Heavy Duty Shocks"

Then I Put on "AIR-LIFT", #5000 lb Air-Bags on all four corners.

I now can very easily drive in "Cross-Winds", with just one hand. "Passing Semi's" don't bother me at all, or our Motorhome at all anymore. I always just drive with one hand, unless I feel lazy and want to just use two hands and lean forward to help streach my Poor Bad Back Back some.

Our Motorhome is now a real pleasure to drive now. Basically have "Air-Ride" now, is great to have. As you can very easily adjust for any type crowns in the roads, and it only takes me a couple of seconds. I can also "Stiffen the Ride" or Lesson the Ride, for a Softer Ride. It all my choice.

And it didn't cost me a "Big Bunch of Money", to get our Motorhome to ride like it does.

Good Luck. Happy Travels. Dan & Jill & our two small "YORKIE KIDS", who love to travel as much as we do.

[wolfe10]

mtrumpet wrote:
When I had my gasser on an F-53 chassis, upon adding a Davis Tru-Trac bar to the front and a Henderson Rear Track Bar,

Yes, front and rear Panhard rods/track bars (same thing) ARE a great idea on any leaf spring suspension that has long leaf springs. They allow full vertical movement between axles and chassis, but prevent side to side movement. It is the side to side movement (a steering input) that causes you to have to "correct" so much.

[mtrumpet]

When I had my gasser on an F-53 chassis, upon adding a Davis Tru-Trac bar to the front and a Henderson Rear Track Bar, I added a steering stabilzer that I bought from NAPA. I just went in and told them what I had and they ordered one in for me.

FWIW, I should mention that my gasser was a lighter unit (2000 Fleetwood Storm w/ no slides)

[JimMartin]

Haven't had an alignment done yet. But I just bought 4 new shocks and will install them this week.

CHF was done already, and I added rear Airbags to the rear axle.

[427435]

JimMartin wrote:
My RV is basically stock. Only thing done is the CHF. Front tires are at 100psi

Looking to reduce the steering wheel pull from right to left when hitting potholes or bumps in the road.

Is the caster set at 4+ degrees??? Are the shocks in good shape????

[doxiemom11]

We run with 95-100 psi in ours. Perhaps the max psi also has something to do with the weight grade of the tires. Ours are H and max psi is also 120. We have a 2000 F53 and got new tires, had alignment, had a Saf-t-plus stabalizer added which did help, but the things that really did it was -- The F-53 EZ-fix. There are many threads about it. Simple to do and DH wishes we had known about it 3 years ago. Stops the tail wagging and the back and forth feeling. Steers better and not a tiring to drive.

[JoeH]

we had a 1999 F53 for 14 years. I put a safe-t-steer on it, then front and rear track bars and Monroe shocks. I was very happy with the handling once those were done.

[NAUTIQUE]

JimMartin wrote:

NAUTIQUE wrote:

topflite51 wrote:
I've had steer safe for years on my F53. I like it.

Jim,
Also have a 99 F53 chassis..
My first addition was the steer safe. (Then added a tracbar from Brazil's)
100psi sounds pretty high. You sure that's correct?

Tires are rated at 120psi, I only put 100 in them because we travel pretty light. Should I run less psi?

What size tires do you have?
Mine are the 19.5's (I think 95psi listed on sidewall?)
After getting the rig weighed, I found I could run them much less (low 80's if I remember correct).
I run them at about 93 rear & 88 front, but I like to run all my vehicles with more psi for a stiffer ride.

These F53's are fun finding that combo of add-ons and tire pressure to get the best handling.
But... Remember it's still a truck chassis! It'll never ride like a Caddy.

[JimMartin]

NAUTIQUE wrote:

topflite51 wrote:
I've had steer safe for years on my F53. I like it.

Jim,
Also have a 99 F53 chassis..
My first addition was the steer safe. (Then added a tracbar from Brazil's)
100psi sounds pretty high. You sure that's correct?

Tires are rated at 120psi, I only put 100 in them because we travel pretty light. Should I run less psi?

[SRT]

Our '99 F53 chassis also didn't come with a steering stabilizer. The first thing I did was have a front panhard bar and steering stabilizer. That took care of wandering but the wind induced tail wag remained. After installation of a rear panhard bar, most of the tail wag was handled.

[NAUTIQUE]

topflite51 wrote:
I've had steer safe for years on my F53. I like it.

Jim,
Also have a 99 F53 chassis..
My first addition was the steer safe. (Then added a tracbar from Brazil's)
100psi sounds pretty high. You sure that's correct?