Cheap Handling Fix

[ThomB]

Originally Posted by TeJay

It's good either way. Many have just done the CHF and all is well. I made the adjustable plates so SWAY could be changed to more than one position. I also realize most will select either the CHF position or the additional hole 1" greater.

Many of us during the early months of the CHF didn't like the angle that was created. We felt it caused added strain on the link bushings. Hence the extensions and plate ideas came into being. The point is the F-53 is much better to drive with the CHF and the other choices are just that choices. Any of the choices worked well and there's no apparent extra wear with bushings or links with any of the choices. Nothing is breaking and nothing is falling off even after 30,000 to 40,000 plus miles as many of us have on our rigs.

If I'm not mistaken even John McKinley has only just done what he originally did back in the summer of 2010 which was to move the links.

As one who likes to tinker and try to improve almost anything that we buy I feel good just making small improvements in anything. It's often what gets me out of bed and into the shop to tinker. While traveling the mind is constantly thinking of what's the next project and how can it be made better.

I've got another idea for an improved suspension front and rear that won't cost an arm and a leg and could/should significantly improve the F-53 ride. I've got some parts and working on a finished design. A prototype should be ready for install before the end of the year if we get some temps above 40 degrees.

I'll share more when I have something to show and when I have a better idea on how its going to work. Based on my research so far nobody has done anything like this. That's all I'm saying for now!!!

I'm in for whatever that may be!

[Primetc]

Hello Tejay. I have done the CHF on my 2015 Adventurer. It was noticeable what it did for the sway. However, I get a knocking (medal on medal) with a max sway such as coming off of a driveway. Will your brackets eliminate this and can I purchase these brackets somewhere.
Thanks.
Tom

[TeJay]

Tom,

When the sway control is working overtime as when going from two uneven road surfaces the greatest amount of movement will be in and around the link ends.

First I'd do a close look at the link ends to determine if a link bolt is hitting the leaf spring. To get a metal on metal noise does not usually happen unless a bolt was installed with the nut end close to a leaf spring. You should see scrape marks if that's causing the noise.

The only other noise we have had reported after the CHF has been a creaking or squeaking noise which is usually because the link bolts were not torqued correctly.

The advantage of the plates are three fold.

1. You have 3 more choices of sway control.
2. The plates will extend your links close to 3" which keeps the link and SB angles closer to 90 degrees.
3. The last advantage is your wheels will not come off the ground as soon when trying to level if your CG sight is one that may require raising up higher than normal.

[Gforceone]

Added aftermarket Sway Pro Plus steering damper, and tossed the junk factory unit. Pricey, but major handling improvement. Class C Coachman Concord., E450 Chases. 14000 lbs.

[givemeaboost]

I got the CHF done last week and was really impressed as to how it handles now. None of that rocking back and forth when you go at an angle across a dip and stuff flying out of the cupboards. It takes the corners a lot faster. This thing scared me a few times when I first got it til I realized that it wouldn't corner like a semi but all's better now.
Today I finished up the rear track bar and took it out on the interstate to let a couple of semis pass me and see if they could blow me off the road. There is quite a difference now. I can drive with one hand and don/t have to worry about them coming around. Here's some pics of what I built.

[TeJay]

Nice build and I'm sure it will work as planned. That's very similar to my first attempt at a DIY rear TB.

I'm sure the 3/8" plate will do the job. Just check the bolts from time to time. I've switched to RED lock tight. Some of the bolts did loosen up since I checked them in the spring. Don't want that happening again. I also used longer bolts to assure more threads were being used.

[hohenwald48]

Here's a post I made on another thread. It's post #41. Thought some might find it of some value on here too.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f23/f53-f...-467582-3.html

[EdInArk]

TeJay, I got the plates one day last week and keep forgetting to thank you online. They look very well made -- nice job. Weather around here should be nice next week, and I'm going to slide under there and install.

[TheWoodBoss]

I did the Cheap Handling Fix right before our Christmas Vacation trip to Florida. The handling and stability improvement was impressive. One hand on the steering wheel stress free driving for 1000 miles. It handles like a different coach. No odd noises or issues as long as you are on a fairly level site while leveling.

[Tlmr4784]

My question is simple....why would Ford not make this move on the coach chassis before hand.
It really takes some adventurous rv owners to modify the rigs.
What are the side effects of such s modification?

[NXR]

My question is simple....why would Ford not make this move on the coach chassis before hand.

It really takes some adventurous rv owners to modify the rigs.

What are the side effects of such s modification?

Ford just builds the “stripped chassis” and has no idea what will get piled on top of it or how it will be mounted. How high, how wide, how heavy, the weight distribution, etc.

The current chassis has received incremental upgrades for about twenty years. In the new 2020 chassis redo they are installing a heavier sway bar (per articles) so apparently they do recognize an area of improvement was needed.

Ray

[TeJay]

NXR is correct in all of his assessments. IMO! Ford an many manufacturers have to make $$$$ and the more they make the happier everybody is. As long as safety isn't compromised they will make improvements as long as they can still show a good profit.

Timr4784, So far the MODS made to the chassis SWAY control system has not created any weaknesses. Even areas where a weakness was perceived it has not turned into a reality.

There is one area that has been a weakness. The rear stabilizer bar attaching differential bracket bolts are coming loose on old and new RV's. This has happened on 1999 up through 2017, 2018 and maybe newer chassis. Ford has yet to admit or address the issue. If your chassis is under warranty they will fix it.

If you are the only game in town as Ford is the only GAS RV chassis they don't have to do anything unless they can fit it into their profit goals. Who can blame them?? I've worked in the automotive plants in Detroit and also know a lot of folks who did as well. As with many things in life you choose carefully your battles.

I worked along side guys who did drugs on their lunch break. They got away with it because of the unions. They just barely did what they had to do to keep their jobs and nothing more. You don't screw with the unions.

If I finished a job and asked for more work I got in trouble with other workers. I made them look bad. You could not work hard or above the minimum. It was forbidden unless you wanted your a$$ kicked or your vehicle keyed in the parking lot after worked.

I worked in assembly and steel plants. The assembly plants will turn your brain into jello based on no need to use it. Your opinion means nothing. The steel plants were better but don't think outside the box. You will make a Foreman look bad.

Saving a dime on a vehicle really adds up. The same is true if you make an improvement. It cuts into the profit so changes take place as they can build them into the profit margin.

Ford only does the minimum to stay ahead. The 2020 changes have been made with more than the RV chassis in mind. New engine and transmission will likely be seen in other lines as well. If I'm not mistaken the V-10 was out long before the RV chassis came out in about 1999. Maybe the RV chassis is their test bed to determine the weak areas and how they will plan to make the needed changes as they crop up.

As with all this stuff we'll see down the road.

[chboone]

The F53 RV Chassis was produced long before the V10 came. The earlier F53 chassis had the 460 V8 for many years up to 1997. There was no 1998 chassis built while they retooled for the new designed 1999 F53 chassis the V10 was installed in.

[Tlmr4784]

Old post.....
How has this fix been serving you so far?
Maybe you moved to different rig by now...but, hoe did the mod fair overall.