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Old 06-06-2013, 08:14 PM   #1
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Need info on 2001 Southwind 32V

Hi all, new here so bear with me. We just bought a clean used 2001 Southwind 32V and I got the owner's info package with it but there is virtually nothing about the Ford chassis. If anybody can give me a lead on where to find out all the specs on the chassis I'd sure appreciate it. How much fuel does it hold, horsepower, belts etc. All the stuff that should have been in the owner's manual. Thanks for any help you might offer. Glad to be here.

Ray
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Old 06-06-2013, 08:46 PM   #2
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Here's the brochure for the 2001 Southwind... http://fleetwoodrv.com/frvlibrary/do.../2001_sw_b.pdf

Look on page 11 for the various capacities. Your fuel tank holds 75 gallons.

And here's the owner's manual. http://fleetwoodrv.com/partsandservi..._SOUTHWIND.pdf

Oh, I almost forgot. Enter your VIN on the Ford website for more info about your engine, etc. http://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenance/

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Old 06-06-2013, 08:47 PM   #3
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Welcome!!
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Old 06-06-2013, 10:37 PM   #4
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Your Ford chassis is known as the F53. There is a sub-forum for it here:
Ford Motorhome Chassis Forum - iRV2 Forums

You have a 6.8L V10. You'll need to look up the specs for 2001, but it's the 2-valve version.

What you need to know quickly:
1) Inspect the rear sway bar bushings on the differential. They tend to melt down. They get replaced by poly bushings off of ebay.
2) There is a "cheap handling fix" that involves adjustments to the front sway bar that load the sway bar more and make it a little less prone to sway.
3) If you have stability problems - two things to consider: a) Have it aligned and buy adjustable caster bushings, get the caster set to the positive end of the range. b) Consider a rear track bar.
4) The V10 is a solid motor with good reliability. It has a weakness in the head design at the spark plug and changing those plugs needs to be done with great care. At 60k my rig needed plugs. I don't know how many miles are on yours. Improper plug installation / removal can lead to plug blow-out.
5) Change the fuel filter. It requires a special tool (like automotive AC lines) that is cheap. These things take tons of gas and the fuel filters need to be changed every 20k if I recall right...
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Old 06-06-2013, 10:43 PM   #5
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Specs on the 2001 version of that motor:
305 hp and 420 ft lbs

And here's a good FAQ on the common failure points of the V10:
http://fords.kilonet.org/krewat/v10-faq.html
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Old 06-07-2013, 03:08 PM   #6
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Thanks so much for all of your kindness and info. I'm sure I'll be a regular here until I get all the kinks worked out. And I thought I did a good job of checking this thing out before buying it. Oh well, it's always something. Now I need tires. Oh well...........................

Ray
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Old 06-07-2013, 10:18 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Socaltoolguy View Post
Thanks so much for all of your kindness and info. I'm sure I'll be a regular here until I get all the kinks worked out. And I thought I did a good job of checking this thing out before buying it. Oh well, it's always something. Now I need tires. Oh well...........................

Ray
Oh, no you don't! You can't get it all fixed and then bail on us. You have to stick around and help others when they show up needing help!! Good luck and have fun. This is a great place.
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Old 06-07-2013, 10:45 PM   #8
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Old 06-08-2013, 10:40 AM   #9
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Oh, no you don't! You can't get it all fixed and then bail on us. You have to stick around and help others when they show up needing help!! Good luck and have fun. This is a great place.
Okay, I promise not to bail when we are done with our fix-up. We used to "live" on the RV forums but this one for some reason didn't grab us. Maybe it was too new at that time. We joined Escapees and my wife used be on RV.net all the time. Until one of the moderators there became a little Hitler. Anyway, we will both be hanging out here now. A nice group you have here. So far, everything that I have asked for has been answered very quickly and by most helpful folks. Thanks for the welcome,

Ray
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Old 06-08-2013, 02:27 PM   #10
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Note that a 2001 motorhome may be on a 2000 chassis - this is common.
Our 2002 PA is on a 2001 F53 chassis.
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Old 06-08-2013, 03:47 PM   #11
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Note that a 2001 motorhome may be on a 2000 chassis - this is common.
Our 2002 PA is on a 2001 F53 chassis.
How would I know? Is there something that would id the year?

Ray
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Old 06-08-2013, 04:56 PM   #12
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How would I know? Is there something that would id the year?

Ray
Go to the link I posted above to Ford; plug in your VIN.
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Old 06-08-2013, 05:28 PM   #13
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Go to the link I posted above to Ford; plug in your VIN.

Thanks Sarah, I did as you suggested and found out mine was built on a 2000 chassis.

Ray
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Old 06-08-2013, 05:30 PM   #14
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Thanks Sarah, I did as you suggested and found out mine was built on a 2000 chassis.

Ray
That's very often the case. Your motorhome title should say 2001 regardless.
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