Ford Adventurer Brakes

[Rehan]

Hi! This is my first post. I have searched and not found anything on this subject and I hope a few class A (even better Adventurer) owners can help me on this. I currently own a class C Itasca Spirit 31C. It is around 22,000 lbs and I have driven it for 3 years so I have a feel for stopping large equipment. I know you can't stop on a dime but do know that the brakes are firm and positive. I am interested in upgrading to a class A 2010 Adventurer and test drove one on the Ford F-53 chassis. The question I have is with the braking on the Adventurer, it seems to me the brakes are what I would call spongy. You have to depress the pedal a lot to get any braking action and when it does start to brake it seems like you are in for a long ride. I liken it to trying to stop a tank with VW bug brakes. I can adjust following distances but it is disconcerting that if someone would pull in front of me I am not sure if I would be able to stop. I have asked a few friends with Adventurer's (on a Workhorse chassis) and they have no issues like that. I am wondering if this is a Ford chassis thing or this units problem. Does anyone with a Ford Adventurer have this issue?

[John Hilley]

I think your Spirit is only 14,000 lb GVWR, it is 20,000 lb GCWR which is the total weight of the motor home and what it is towing. I have had two Ford chassis the first a Class C 31ft and the second a Class A 35'. The brakes were firm on both. I tow a Jeep Wrangler and have no problem stopping. The demo unit you drove must have a brake problem. There isn't a lot of feel to the pedal because of the power assist. It has Hydromax hydraulic assist and ABS on all wheels.

[LVJ58]

They shouldn't be spongy, however they do require substantial pressure on the pedal when stopping, but ours 38' coach with tags stops just fine. On occasion when I wanted to reduce speed rather rapidly I would drop selector into 2nd gear while applying brakes at the same time.

[vbugles]

I have a Ford Adventurer 35u 2002 and are very happy with the brakes. the power assist is great. I tow a Jepp Liberty 2009 with a brake buddy. I have a CDL and learned on fire Trucks My suggestion test drive a different coach.

[Petro]

Rehan;

As this is your first post I would like to welcome you to iRV2. We are glad you joined us. I also would like to encourage you to go up to the New Member Check In and introduce yourself so more of our members get to know you.

I owned a 97 Adventure on a F53 chassis and the brakes were firm and worked well.

Don

[Rehan]

All,

Thanks for all of your replies. I went back to the dealer and asked for a drive in a different coach (same size and Ford chassis) and the original one. The other coach was a WORLD of difference from the original with instant braking and stopping power to spare. They are checking out the brakes now and I will test the coach after they fix the brakes. Needless to say, if the brakes do not perform closer to the second coach this purchase will not happen. I appreciate the time you took to answer my question and I will get on the new person page soon.

Thanks,
Rehan