Just an observation re: Ford chassis...

[goufgators]

Over the years, I've seen many, many posts regarding any number of problems with, for example: fogged windows, leveling jacks, slides, steps, Norcolds, tires, etc. I could go on but you get the idea. What I do not see are problems being posted concerning the Ford chassis w/the V-10 engine. Earlier ones did have a problem spitting out plugs but other than that, there have been very few posts describing problems with this chassis. I'm on my second one now and have had zero chassis problems (knock on wood!). Point: This is obviously an exceptionally dependable, trouble free product. Does anyone see it differently?

[pslocum]

It rides as well as any chassis sitting on leaf springs as you would find air ride is nice but it's not apples to apples and I have driven that road. They all have advantages and disadvantages my point was that inexperience was the major reason for discomfort in driving a large coach and has nothing to do with ride on ruff roads, thats talking about fanny comfort and if you can spring for the extra bucks for an air ride coach yes it may be easier on your fanny.

[georgelesley]

This is our second F-53 chassis. Very happy with both. Sometimes harsh but it is a truck chassis. Most of the sway and steering issues we have fixed by adding relatively inexpensive add ons. Not as quiet as some, but bullet proof. I just wish the house was as reliable as the chassis.

BTW, for those that care about the handling and want to make it better, a rear trac bar, do the cheap handling fix, add 1/2 degree positive caster, add a steering stabilizer, and it will be a different beast. Don't forget to retorque the stabilizer bracket bolts with blue locktite and all will be well for not a whole lot of money.

[Effy]

pslocum wrote:
The handeling complaints I see are simply that people are not used the driving a vehicle of that size with a higher center of gravity. I've driven truck most of my life and can honestly say the f53 handles very nicely. To be fair when it's windy out it is less fun to drive but I do not blame the chassis for that you can add modifications or change swaybar settings to make it a little stiffer but the reality is that if folks sit back and drive the vehicle enough to relax (loose the white nuckle syndrome) they will find that the precived chassis problem was more more inexperience and nervousness than it was an equipment problem. I taught many folks to drive truck,and I found that it took about 25hr behind the wheel for them to relax enough to actually hear what I was telling them. After another 10hr they started doing quite well. (Talk about riding in the hot seat)?? IMHO

I have to disagree. If you've ever driven the section of I-95 from Richmond to DC I don't care how comfortable you are driving, the chassis will almost beat you to death and it sounds like every bolt and screw will be ripped from it. The F53 is a harsh chassis. Reliable but unless you are on pristine roads you get every bit of feedback. Every joint, crack, divot, or imperfection will be felt through the F53. But unless you buy a DP, it's really your only option. Reliable? - yes. Easy and comfy to drive? - not always, regardless of skill or comfort level.

[Bumpyroad]

If you think the Ford chassis is poor handling, you should have driven my 1995ish vintage chevy P-30/32 units.
bumpy

[timmac]

irishtom29 wrote:
I wonder if some of the reported handling problems are because of too short wheelbases with long overhangs or with the chassis being overloaded by the manufacturer (or both); problems not so much with Ford but with the RV maker. My 34' RV is on a 24K chassis with a 228" wheelbase and it drives OK. I see that some gasser RVs of the same length have a 208" wheelbase and a lighter duty chassis.

I got a 33ft with a 208 chassis 20,500lb, and drives and handles good and over hang is not a issue.

[chuckftboy]

I had a F-53 chassis under a very high end coach that handled very well and if my mileage were a bit better, I would probably still be driving it. I am not concerned so much with fuel cost as I am with distance per fill up. Though the engine would rev pretty high when I got on it, it never seamed noisy to me.

The F-53 with a V-10 is about as bullet proof as it gets

[Pirate1]

I am 37' with 228 wheelbase. I think mine drives great. I did CHF and then undid it. I didn't see a benefit. I have an extra trac bar on rear and safe-t-plus up front. Micheline XZE tires and still using stock Bilstein shocks. Drives like a Caddy IMO.

[irishtom29]

I wonder if some of the reported handling problems are because of too short wheelbases with long overhangs or with the chassis being overloaded by the manufacturer (or both); problems not so much with Ford but with the RV maker. My 34' RV is on a 24K chassis with a 228" wheelbase and it drives OK. I see that some gasser RVs of the same length have a 208" wheelbase and a lighter duty chassis.

[theoldwizard1]

pslocum wrote:
...if folks sit back and drive the vehicle enough to relax (loose the white nuckle syndrome) they will find that the precived chassis problem was more more inexperience and nervousness than it was an equipment problem.

DW and I have been driving E150s for over 30 years. Although a much smaller and lighter vehicle than an E450 Class C or an F53 Class A, it dies drive different.

If I want to take a snooze and DW is driving I ca fell a small amount of wandering. This is interesting, because she has more time behind the wheel of the E150 from hauling around kids when they were in high school and then back and forth.

I think it boiled down to me using very small wheel movement while hers were larger.


You can expect the V10 to be around for a few more years although I have heard that For is working on a "big brother" to the F150 10 speed. That would be great as a replacement for the 6R140 !

[AllegroD]

Our second V10. 2003 & 2013 Chassis. Ours have not spit at anyone either. No real issues, either. We got what we expected, mostly. We realize it is not a DP. The engine has performed flawlessly and the control units handle tranny and engine well. We have the tow/haul is actually a blessing and works as designed when we took the time to retrain us. We were used to mashing the brake to slow the rig. Now we use softer touch to guide the tow/haul and only mash occasionally. We did add the 5 Star Tune to further refine the shift points. Handling: Again, this is not a DP. We also have the 24K chassiswith 22.5 wheels. Previous was 19.5 wheels. There is not the weight and wheel base of a DP. Our current handles much better than the 03. Not mentioned is the noise. The 03 was much louder. Our current Tiffin Allegro 36LA has better heat and noise insulation. Again, not ass quiet as a DP but can hold a normal conversation unless going up a steep hill forcing higher RPM. Current V10 is 3 valve. Gets up hills very well. Would we like an Tiffin Zephyr or an Enntegra Conorstone? Yes, but for the price difference, we are very happy with our coach.

[frankdamp]

The V-10 runs higher rpm levels than the older design V-8s, but that's how Ford designed it. I worked in the motorcycle industry for a couple of years in the late 1960s, where engines that ran at rpm levels in five figures weren't unusual. One racing bike I was involved with had a 50cc three-cylinder engine with 4 valves per cylinder. Peak torque was at 13,000 rpm and peak power at 21,000. Even the bigger engines in road bikes had red-lines around 9000 rpm.

[Rwake901]

cjoseph wrote:
They only recent problems I have seen posted are:

1. The bolts on the rear sway bar brackets aren't tight enough from the factory and work loose or even fall off. If you have handling problems, check that first.

2. The brake light and ABS light come on in some of the 2016 or newer models. Ford has a TSB for a re-flash that fixes it.

Other than that, like said --bullet proof.

I was under ours changing oil two weeks ago when I noticed one of the sway bar brackets on the back was broken and most of it was missing. I was wondering if it came loose or if the bolt broke. Now I guess I know.

[cjoseph]

They only recent problems I have seen posted are:

1. The bolts on the rear sway bar brackets aren't tight enough from the factory and work loose or even fall off. If you have handling problems, check that first.

2. The brake light and ABS light come on in some of the 2016 or newer models. Ford has a TSB for a re-flash that fixes it.

Other than that, like said --bullet proof.

[carp65]

We had a Georgie Boy Pursuit that we full-timed in for 10 years, Ford F53
with a V-10. Never had a problem With chassis or engine. Plenty of power,
but sometimes slow in the mountains. Now have a 2015 Tiffin Open Road with
V-10 and the driving and response of the engine are even better.

[pslocum]

The handeling complaints I see are simply that people are not used the driving a vehicle of that size with a higher center of gravity. I've driven truck most of my life and can honestly say the f53 handles very nicely. To be fair when it's windy out it is less fun to drive but I do not blame the chassis for that you can add modifications or change swaybar settings to make it a little stiffer but the reality is that if folks sit back and drive the vehicle enough to relax (loose the white nuckle syndrome) they will find that the precived chassis problem was more more inexperience and nervousness than it was an equipment problem. I taught many folks to drive truck,and I found that it took about 25hr behind the wheel for them to relax enough to actually hear what I was telling them. After another 10hr they started doing quite well. (Talk about riding in the hot seat)?? IMHO