f53 Chassis 2006 30 ft. class A

[FloridaAnn]

Just took new unit on short trip. Find the front end wanders and the ride is rough. Would safe-t-plus be a positive addition or would the steer safe system work just as well? Thanks for input.

[FloridaAnn]

Just took new unit on short trip. Find the front end wanders and the ride is rough. Would safe-t-plus be a positive addition or would the steer safe system work just as well? Thanks for input.

[Frankie]

I have the safe-t-plus.MH drove great last year,this year every little gust of wind sends me all the place. My air pressure is fine,I havent added any weight.Only thing differant this year is what I tow. I adjusted the safe-t-plus today,let you know if it makes a differance.I am also going to have it checked for alignment.Something feels like it loosned up,lot of stearing wheel play.Next I am putting a rear track bar.

[jim hutch]

Check your tire pressure...mine was at 92 lbs when I picked up from the dealer and should have been at 80 for weight I was at....made alot of difference in the handling and the jarring. Just a thought.

Jim

[Adventurer]

Congratulations on your new coach.

Funny story about Steer Safe. I took it off my old coach because it was causing the front wheels to shimmy. I saved it in case it wasn't the problem, but removing it solved the problem and I just never bothered to throw it out. So one day I put it on this coach as a test, and I think it helps the wander a little.

There really isn't much to it and I wouldn't pay the inflated price they want for four steel brackets and 4 springs. I imagine there are some laying around like mine was that you could buy used or ask at dealerships if they have any used ones.

The biggest benefit I've found on my three F-53 chassis (so far) is a front panhard bar, like the Davis Tru Trac. I've read that the new chassis comes with one from the factory?

This year it's going to be a trac bar for the rear and that should solve the "constant correction" issue.

For the hard ride, I replaced the Bilstein shocks with Monroe Gas Magnum RV shocks. Much smoother ride. A little more body roll on corners, but I don't high speed corner it anyway. We enjoy not feeling every joint in the highway.

[george henry]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Adventurer:
Congratulations on your new coach.

Funny story about Steer Safe. I took it off my old coach because it was causing the front wheels to shimmy. I saved it in case it wasn't the problem, but removing it solved the problem and I just never bothered to throw it out. So one day I put it on this coach as a test, and I think it helps the wander a little.

There really isn't much to it and I wouldn't pay the inflated price they want for four steel brackets and 4 springs. I imagine there are some laying around like mine was that you could buy used or ask at dealerships if they have any used ones.

The biggest benefit I've found on my three F-53 chassis (so far) is a front panhard bar, like the Davis Tru Trac. I've read that the new chassis comes with one from the factory?

This year it's going to be a trac bar for the rear and that should solve the "constant correction" issue.

For the hard ride, I replaced the Bilstein shocks with Monroe Gas Magnum RV shocks. Much smoother ride. A little more body roll on corners, but I don't high speed corner it anyway. We enjoy not feeling every joint in the highway. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Monroe gas magna that is what I have in the 04 Lincoln limo. I completely forgot about them might have to try them for the 06 F-53 THOR Hurricane after these Bilsten wear out.

[John Hilley]

I had a Safe-T-Plus put on before our winter trip of 7,000 miles. We had a lot of wind on the trip and the Safe-T-Plus really did a good job.

[Jim Martin PA]

Hi Ann & Tom,

Congregations on your new toy.

May I suggest taking your new toy to reputable truck front end specialist and have your front alignment and balance check.

We only had 3000 mile on ours and I had sight vibration in the front wheels. I took it to a Ford Truck Dealer and they told us it was normal.

Not being satisfied with that answer we took it to a front end truck specialist.

When they jacked up the unit and started to spin the right wheel to check for balance the unit was hopping all over the place. It turned out the right front tire was out of round.

Goodyear made good on the tire and front wheel balance. Tiffin made good for the front end alignment which was also off.

According to the Ford Customer Service people the chassis' are aligned prior to being shipped to the coach manufacturers or what I call assemblers. Since the buy most everything somewhere else and assemble the coach.

The '06 Ford F53 comes standard with a heavy duty front steering stabilizer.

Long story short our new toy rides like a dream with 80 - 82 Lbs tire pressures and properly spun balanced wheels and align front-end.

Good luck and enjoy the journey.

Jim

[Jim Martin PA]

Ford introduced a number of modifications that improved the overall performance of the F53 MH chassis and engine.

IMHO – take your time and be sure everything is in proper adjustment prior to dump more money into something that you have already dumped a ton of money.

My I also suggest you contact Ford MH Customer Service to register your unit. While on the phone with them request the CD detailing the features of the '06 F53 chassis.

(800) 444-3311

Ford Motor Home
Customer Relationship Center
PO Box 351
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405-0351

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Jim

[george henry]

Thanks Jim Martin , for the heads up . Just requested and order the CD for Ford f-53 chasis.



06 THOR HURRICANE( 362HP 5 speed )

[MaxRT]

I would load it like you will for traveling and have the front end aligned before I spent any money on aftermarket items. Get the weight and adjust tire pressure accordingly. I speak from experience and started out buying. May still need some help after this but this is the best and cheapest place to start.

[Provelogear]

My 06 Ford F53 chassis did exactly what you decribe and I drove it from Michigan to California. I thought I made a terrible mistake going with the Ford.

I had it alignd and weighed and set the tire pressure and there is a night and day difference. I really enjoy driving it now.