Stableizer Upgrade

[Irish_Reb]

We are buying a new Forest River Forester 25ft MH. It has a Chevy 4500 Chassis with a 6.0 Vortex engine.
Some have recommended that to get the best stable ride that heavy duty stableizers should be added to the unit.
Does anyone have any advice or knowledge about this.
Or recommendations. Thanks, John

[mlts22]

I think the "C" industry as a whole is moving to the Chevy Express chassis, because the Econoline's days are numbered, and the Eurovan chassis models (Sprinter, ProMaster/Ducato, Transit) have great MPG, but do not have the GVWR to handle anything past 24-25 feet.

The only downside I see about the Express chassis is that it is a foot or two longer than the Fords (although it means that the doghouse is significantly smaller inside.)

[j-d]

Agree with above. Load it as if for a trip, weigh it, set the tire pressures accordingly. See how it drives. I think you'll be pleased.
Then why do so many of us have Fords?
1. Ford's been more consistent in offering Class C chassis, while GM was on and off, 1-1/2-ton (E450/4500) on and off, Workhorse on and off.
2. This doesn't affect you with the size coach you're buying, but the current 4500 doesn't allow the amount of frame stretch that E450 does.
3. For a lot of years, Ford offered a better transmission. At the moment, GM seems to have caught up.
Personally, I like GM stuff, and I think the setup you're getting should be very nice. The engine being slightly smaller than Ford wouldn't bother me.
As I said, I think you'll be pleased.

[ron_dittmer]

Handbasket wrote:
Umm... I could be wrong, but I think you're reading stuff that's intended for E-series Ford owners. If there are any OEM suspension upgrades offered by Chevy, probably won't hurt to get them (except cost), but the Fords seem to be much more likely to need help in that department. I pretty much agree with the post above; get the tire pressures right for the loaded weight and drive it some. The Chevy cutaway has an excellent reputation here for good handling /driveability.

I agree with Handbasket and the others.

[IAMICHABOD]

I have to agree with the others on this, Get it loaded and weighed and adjust the air pressures.

Most of the discussions here and on other forums pertain to the Ford Based Class C and their handling and suspension problems.

The Chevy cutaway has an excellent reputation for good handling /driveability with out modification, as others have said.

After doing a lot of research here and on other Forums I have not found that the Chevy Based Class C have any problems in this regard

The clickable thread in my signature,Chevy Based Class C has some discussion about this as well as other things that may be helpful.

Good luck on your new purchase and let us know how you like that Chevy Based Class C.

[Handbasket]

Umm... I could be wrong, but I think you're reading stuff that's intended for E-series Ford owners. If there are any OEM suspension upgrades offered by Chevy, probably won't hurt to get them (except cost), but the Fords seem to be much more likely to need help in that department. I pretty much agree with the post above; get the tire pressures right for the loaded weight and drive it some. The Chevy cutaway has an excellent reputation here for good handling /driveability.

Jim, "Yeah, I'm lost. But darn, I'm making good time."

[Go_Dawgs1]

Before adding anything to your rig I would load it up and go get it weighed. Then set your tire pressure to the specs and then go for a ride to see how it handles. I believe most, if not all, handling issues are caused by improper inflation of tires. Do that and then if you don't like the ride you can solve from there.