Farmhills53565
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Thinking About a Class C
We sold our Class A and are thinking about a class C. I liked the V10 Ford we had in the F53 Chassis but at 32.5 feet it was too big for a few trips per year. I have an option on a 27 foot class C with rear twin beds that would work great for us. We completely remodeled and re-worked our pop-up so I expect to do the same on anything I keep long term. That said my main question is regards to the older Ford 460 drivetrains. The one we are looking at is a 1990. It is in great shape and with my kids, having something that, when it gets scratched, is no big deal, is a good thing. How do they go down the road with the three speed C6? I mean, these were built when the speed limit on the interstate was 55 mph. I am just wondering what people have found. The reason I am asking instead of just going to look at it is due to location. The friend who has it is 5 hours away.2.7KViews0likes9CommentsF-53 Chassis Air Bag Questions
So I keep learning about our 1999 Holiday Rambler Vacationer 32 CG built on the F-53 chassis. I knew going in the suspension was going to need some upgrades. The rear end hangs a little low so I bought an Air Lift AL57410 Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Air Helper Springs for the rear and went to install them today. They are supposed to fit the F-53 chassis. I don’t know what it is called but there is a an area below the floor but above a sheet metal pan where they run piping, duct work, and other stuff I assume. The seam for this sticks down below the top level of the frame rail and is in the way to install the upper bracket. I worked in a body shop years ago so I am able to cut out the piece I would need to and re-flash and seal it. All that said has anyone here run into this? Would the firestone air bags fit differently? I went with the air lift because they are suppose to have a bump stop inside them that the firestones don’t have. I have one other question. Under the OEM leaf springs there are two blocks. Is this OEM or did some add this trying raise the back of the coach?1KViews0likes3CommentsWe bought my first motorhome. Help!
My wife and I have a pop up that we have covered most of states west of the Mississippi with the kids and we have outgrown it. We were thinking about upgrading to an RV and we bought one. I bought a 1999 Holiday Rambler Vacationer 32CG. It came with all the manuals and all the receipts for anything ever done. That said I am only 95% certain that I have the F53 chassis. Is it? Is there a difference between the F550 and the F53? I think it has to be the F53 because of the GVWR is 18,000 and GCWR is 23,000. It spent most of it’s adult life in Colorado and Arizona and is super clean underneath. It has 84,000 miles on it. It has the Banks power pack. It seems that is not real high mileage for a Ford drivetrain that has had excellent care. When I test drove it was barely above freezing and the transmission shifted well. I wanted the aluminum skin and frame. Oh yeah, it came with a Blue Ox tow bar. It has had really great care. We look forward to making it our own. That all said like most things in my life I jump in without knowing all the details. The rear end is hanging just low enough I think I want to add air bags to level it out. So questions. 1. Is it for sure the F53 chassis? 2. Who makes the best air bags? 3. What suspension upgrades could I do to make it handle better? 4. Any suggestions about care or use? 5. Any suggestions or experiences will be welcome?3KViews0likes5CommentsRe: Schoolies
KOA campgrounds don't seem to care. There are some great channels on you tube that you can help you educate yourself. I have a 2009 Bluebird Handy Bus with a 6.7 cummins rear diesel pusher that was never a school bus that is not yet converted. I am looking to use it as a moving vehicle this spring and then sell it. I do not have time to convert one. I would offer a suggestion. I bought the bus I did because it was white from the factory. Many places require you to repaint a yellow bus titled as an RV. Also because it was never a school bus it does not have the safety circuits that can lock out the bus from starting. I can jump in, turn the key, wait for the glow plugs, and it starts; even at 30 degF it starts like you just shut it off.706Views0likes0CommentsFord V10 Triton Drivetrain
I was looking at documentation and I have a question about the Ford V10 drivetrain. Does anyone know if the entire drivetrain used in a Class C the same as a Class A? Do they have the same transmission? We are looking at Class As and are wondering if we were to buy an older Class C would it have the same drivetrain as a Class A from the same year.4.2KViews0likes13CommentsFirst Time RV Buyer
My wife and I are first time RV buyers. We own a pop up and have been all over out west pulling it with our minivan. We are looking to move to a 30-32 foot class A without slides. We heavily modified our pop up our meet our needs and since I come with a mechanical background, expect that we will modify any RV we end up owning. I have figured out a lot by looking at videos and forums and have a couple questions. When you start getting back into the 20 year old RVs it seems like some brands fetch a higher asking price than others. It seems like a Winnebago Sightseer or Monaco from the early 2000s will sell quicker and for more money than a Coachmen or Georgie Boy. I am wondering if it is just brand recognition or were they better built? Also I have found that a Holiday Rambler was made with an all aluminum riveted construction verse fiberglass. Is this better? I guess it would not delaminate. The biggest unanswered question is suspension. I have seen people who upgraded sway bars and shocks with amazing changes in the coaches stability and overall handling which of course makes it safer. Do some coaches have better suspension “out of the box” or do they all need aftermarket parts in order to optimize driveability? I guess I am just looking for any thoughts on what I may get blind sided with.5.2KViews0likes12CommentsFord Triton V-10 Info Request
The question I asked the other day helped me and as much as I am liking the idea of Workhorse chassis with the 8.1 Chevy and the Allison, I found out that not all 8.1 drive trains have the Allison transmission. That said if I start looking at the Ford V-10 as an option, is there a certain year range, chassis, or other specs that make one choice better than the other. We are looking for a Class A about 30 foot long. Did they only use one transmission behind the V-10 or did they use a lighter trans in a lighter RV? If they used different transmissions how do I tell which one an RV has?4.6KViews0likes12CommentsQuestions About People's Knowledge Of Various Issues
My wife, three kids, and our new dog have outgrown our mini-van and pop up. Many have said we should go to a travel trailer yet this would require me buying a truck I don’t need and our children would sit closer together versus farther apart. The minivan has been awesome and we have been in every state west of the Mississippi except Louisiana. It has been great; we just have outgrown it. I am now looking to buy a 30 foot class A. Many have said go to a class C but they seem to be prone to leaking up front. I have driven a 40 flat front bus and I suspect that driving a Class A would be about the same. We are trying to stay at 30-31 foot as we tend to change our plans and the availability of 30 foot sites in a pinch seems to be better than longer sites. I already own a Kar Kaddy tow dolly so as much as I think flat towing would be better in the immediate future I could get by with that. That all said I have been looking at older RVs and I think I want to go with the GM 8.1 Workhorse with the Allison transmission. I have seen this in trucks and seems to be bullet proof. The Ford V-10, aside form the spark plug issue, seems to have a higher rate of failure. Maybe I am wrong, but it seems like a well maintained 8.1 just runs forever. So that is what I have I t narrowed down to. Any thoughts on that decision are more than welcome. I want to stay in the early 2000’s before the drivetrains got more complex. The main issue I am trying to educate myself is on delamination. It seems like some brands are more prone than others. So far what I have found in the 2002-2006 that is 30 foot long and can be found with out slides is the Tiffin Allegro, Thor Hurricane, and maybe a Winnebago Sightseer. I guess I should add I am looking for one without slides. I want simplicity and going from a pop up we don’t need the space. Also we will be in it at most about 4 weeks a year until our kids grow up so about 6-8 years. I used to work in body shop in college and can fix fiberglass and delamination however it is tedious work that if I can, I will avoid. At the same time, I am frugal so I may look for a deal and work on the body. I have a shed to keep it in so that helps. I really am hoping this post will help me to understand the different brands, their manufacturing processes, and why some seem to delam more than others. Thank You very much for your help.6.4KViews0likes20Comments
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