Harvard wrote:
Desert Captain wrote:
Harvard wrote:
If this new unit is built on a Ford E350 or E450 chassis then I can add another item (handling at highway speeds) to your list of things that probably need some attention.
Not doing a thorough test drive is the worst thing a potential buyer can do. If they don't handle well on the test drive they will not get any better down the road. Properly aligned {with the correct amount of + caster} and the correct PSI for the load they carry there is no reason to expect handling problems in either the 350 or 450 E series.
To state that all of the most popular Class C chassis' ever built do not handle well is absurd.
:R
And that is my point, they do not come off the Ford production line with enough +caster AND you can be sure the RV maker does not do anything to add the caster. So, in all likelihood the owner of a new E350/E450 RV is going to need to convince an alignment tech to add more caster to this RV.
My point was that anyone who buys any motorhome and does not thoroughly test drive it, as in at least an hour on a variety of roads/conditions cannot possibly know if there are handling issues. The Ford production line is inherently incapable of knowing what the RV manufacturer is going to put on their chassis... the problem we are addressing does not come from Ford.
Any quality RV builder will complete the construction of the coach on the Ford chassis and then properly align the rig and inflate the tires {at least to the existing weight of the
coach} BEFORE offering it for sale. If they have not done this it will become glaringly apparent about 5 minutes into your test drive.
The E-350/450 chassis' found on most Class C's are not inherently problematic... ignorant buyers and sellers are. The solution you read about most often on RV Forums is to throw ridiculous amounts of money spent on after market garbage to improve the ride and handling of the coach when in most cases all it needs is proper alignment and psi.
If after a proper alignment and tire inflation it does not ride and handle well it is the wrong coach and you should "Run Forrest Run" from it and the dealer trying to stick you with it. I am always dumbfounded by folks that will spend 6 digits on a motorhome that rides and handles poorly right off the showroom floor but won't hesitate to throw thousands more at it to "fix" these issues. :S
As always... Opinions and YMMV.
:C
