Ford Chassis OAL

[Brockx]

My current MH is a 1996 F53 with a OAL of the "house" at 32.5 feet. In order to accomplish this OAL there is approximately 4 foot added to the frame by Fleetwood.

Has anything significant changed in this method in the last 17 years? I bought this coach a year ago to see if owning a MH was something I would enjoy "long term".

Well, it is, and I am currently thinking of putting it on the market this fall and going up to mid-2000's in a Ford Chassis gas coach next year. I feel a 32 to 34 foot unit would be adequate as we have been quite comfortable with this 32 foot no-slide unit, but something longer is not out of the question. I'm not real big on slides, but the vast majority if not all in the 2000's seem to have them.

So after all that preliminary info my question is; has Ford started offering longer frames to the industry to eliminate or reduce the add-on to the OEM frame? I have researched what I can find on Ford Truck websites but they don't seem to list an OAL on their strip chassis units, just wheelbase, making me think they may all be a std length.

[ga traveler]

The frame is bought for the motorhome mfg. more for the weight than the length. Most motorhomes have a added frame piece because they want to make it longer and have kept the weight down to accomplish this. The added frame length does not affect strength of the chassis.

[bdickson]

Originally Posted by ga traveler

The frame is bought for the motorhome mfg. more for the weight than the length. Most motorhomes have a added frame piece because they want to make it longer and have kept the weight down to accomplish this. The added frame length does not affect strength of the chassis.

One concern I have heard is that the tow bar is usually attached to the frame extension, and is therefore dependent on the quality of the motor home manufacturers attachment of the extension to the base frame.

[Brockx]

Originally Posted by bdickson

One concern I have heard is that the tow bar is usually attached to the frame extension, and is therefore dependent on the quality of the motor home manufacturers attachment of the extension to the base frame.

That is my concern, my MH is a Fleetwood Pace Arrow Vision which at the time was pretty decent coach. Looking at the extension (hitch is mounted to it and spare hangs from it) I would no way comfortably tow a car off it with out additional bracing. That is what got me curious about newer practices.

[bdickson]

My 2013 Thor Challenger on a 22,000 pound F53 frame has extensions, but according to the labels on them they were Ford factory installed. I had the coach in at Hendersons in Grants Pass Oregon recently for sway and track bar upgrades and their technician commented on the frame extensions and said that they like to see them factory installed.

[Brockx]

Originally Posted by bdickson

My 2013 Thor Challenger on a 22,000 pound F53 frame has extensions, but according to the labels on them they were Ford factory installed. I had the coach in at Hendersons in Grants Pass Oregon recently for sway and track bar upgrades and their technician commented on the frame extensions and said that they like to see them factory installed.

I spent 20 years in a International Harvestor plant and remember seeing frame decals "do not drill", "do not weld". What you have just stated sounds like Ford is attaching spars to pre-stamped holes, good info.

Thanks,
Brock

[bdickson]

Originally Posted by Brockx

I spent 20 years in a International Harvestor plant and remember seeing frame decals "do not drill", "do not weld". What you have just stated sounds like Ford is attaching spars to pre-stamped holes, good info.

Thanks,
Brock

From what I recall when the technician invited me into the pit to inspect the work he had done, the frame sections are joined together with a flat plate inside the U sections and 6 or 8 bolts on each side. I could see labels on both sides of the join with Ford logos.

[Brockx]

Originally Posted by bdickson

From what I recall when the technician invited me into the pit to inspect the work he had done, the frame sections are joined together with a flat plate inside the U sections and 6 or 8 bolts on each side. I could see labels on both sides of the join with Ford logos.

Sounds good, hopefully I'll be able to find how common that is and when it started. All the IHC frame rails (as I recall) were heat treated resulting in the no weld no drill mandate. All the frame rail holes were stamped in on a huge automated press, Everything was then riveted or bolted to the frame.

[Brockx]

Anyone who knows they have FORD frame extensions as described above by bdickson, I would appreciate some info on year and MH manufacturer.

[C-Leigh Racing]

Dont know, if the extension section pieces on our 99 32' H/R came from Ford, but the sections look just like the other part of the frame rails & is welded vertical on both sides, inside & out & top & bottom, so it is a good solid weld to the frame.

I pull a 24' enclosed trailer, around 5500 lbs loaded normally & use the leveling bar hitch. Have checked the rear of the frame & extensions several times since we have had the coach & not seen any signs of stress or movement of any part in that area.

Coach had just a bit over 26000 miles on it when we got it, has over 68000 now & the trailer has been behind it since day two owned.
Neil

[Brockx]

Sounds like a quality job, no matter who did it.