I did the "Cheap Handling Fix"!

[tommy_salmon]

I recently did the "Cheap Handling Fix" on my 2013 Winnebago Vista 35F. I am impressed and much happier with the handling so far! Now to get the rig weighed and tire pressure adjusted accordingly! Thanks to all who post here, I am learning a lot!

[Effy]

The F53 chassis is used for a lot of purposes. Since Ford doesn't really know what a particular chassis will be used for they come with ability to adjust. But they also come set in the softer setting. What has me scratching my head is why MH manufacturers don't move them when they build the coach or why the dealers don't do it. I wonder how many folks passed up on buying a unit based on ride that they otherwise may have bought if it was adjusted. It's free, takes minutes to do and makes a huge difference.

[Effy]

ClassAGeek wrote:

RV-1/2n-FUN wrote:
My 2008, F53 seems to handle just fine so either I know nothing about a nice ride or we own a fluke.

Please tell me exactly what is accomplished by doing the fix. What will be better than before.

Thank you.

The house doesn't sway as much on bumpy roads. With a little practice, I have found cross wind handling is improved too.

Can't find any related threads. Forum search seems a bit broken right now.

It cuts down on a lot of wander, dead spots in the steering, truck push and rocking.

[workhardplayha1]

cpmath wrote:
But if you do that you're throwing off the front wheel alignment big time.

Did not affect the allignment one bit on mine and if it did I would have taken it to get an allignment which would have improved the ride/driving even more.

[ClassAGeek]

RV-1/2n-FUN wrote:
My 2008, F53 seems to handle just fine so either I know nothing about a nice ride or we own a fluke.

Please tell me exactly what is accomplished by doing the fix. What will be better than before.

Thank you.

The house doesn't sway as much on bumpy roads. With a little practice, I have found cross wind handling is improved too.

Can't find any related threads. Forum search seems a bit broken right now.

[ClassAGeek]

I also moved the sway bar bolts a few weeks ago. I needed to use a floor jack to align one of the bolts. It worked very well.. Great return on investment given that the upgrade cost is zero.

[RV-1_2n-FUN]

My 2008, F53 seems to handle just fine so either I know nothing about a nice ride or we own a fluke.

Please tell me exactly what is accomplished by doing the fix. What will be better than before.

Thank you.

[Aughra]

That it! Way too many people doing this now... 😛

I think i'm going to see if I can do the front end on my 2014 Georgetown this weekend, if all goes well i'll try the rear if I can find some help.

[wildmanbaker]

mowermech wrote:

cpmath wrote:
But if you do that you're throwing off the front wheel alignment big time.

What do the sway bar links or the sway bars have to do with wheel alignment?
I am ready to do this on my 2002 F53, as soon as the weather allows me to crawl under it. I bought the adjustable links for the rear sway bar; they keep the bar from hitting the differential nose. About $100 for the pair from Amazon. Helwig, IIRC.
There are many posts on a different forum that describe this fix.

He may of miss-spoke. I do not know of a suspension, that changing the sway bar rate, will affect alignment.

[mowermech]

cpmath wrote:
But if you do that you're throwing off the front wheel alignment big time.

What do the sway bar links or the sway bars have to do with wheel alignment?
I am ready to do this on my 2002 F53, as soon as the weather allows me to crawl under it. I bought the adjustable links for the rear sway bar; they keep the bar from hitting the differential nose. About $100 for the pair from Amazon. Helwig, IIRC.
There are many posts on a different forum that describe this fix.

[Goldencrazy]

F-53. The workhorse is not available on newer model Winnebagos or any other for that matter.

[jolooote]

YES! I did it on my 2006 F53 & it works GREAT!

[desobelman]

What chassis? Ford F53 or Workhorse? Makes a BIG difference to someone considering this "Cheap Handling Fix"

Thanks,

Darryl

[Goldencrazy]

Congrats. It made a difference for me. Rear sway bar and steering stabilizer will make it better but cost and koni shocks improve ride. I added Kelderman for near perfection but the other fixes will get you a long way after you set tires to proper inflation.

[C-Leigh_Racing]

Real simple fix & you wont believe the results when your done.
Its so easy, when your done, you'll see you've spent more time thinking about it than it will take to complete the task.
Neil

[cpmath]

But if you do that you're throwing off the front wheel alignment big time.