The real problems and fixes for the Ford F53 chassis..

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by lionofjuda

On the bushings.....And I didn't stay in a Holiday express last night!

Not to loose, not to tight but the proper fit works for me.

Do we pick them from a barrel or order them ?

[Mike and Cha]

You have to look at the actual msrp for the Ford F53 Chassis, it is in all the paperwork you received with your MH. I don't have mine with me right now, but on ours it had the stabilizer bars added front and rear, heavy duty front track bar, a preferred equip package( I do not know what that includes), as well as changes to the wheelbase, a different rear end differential ratio. These are all listed in the optional equipment section. There may be some other things that is off the top of my head. Some other manufacturers may do this but when we compared it to my friends some of these things were not listed. Again I think the biggest factor is how the MH is engineered to the chassis, and proper weight distribution.

[lionofjuda]

Originally Posted by Mike and Cha

You have to look at the actual msrp for the Ford F53 Chassis, it is in all the paperwork you received with your MH. I don't have mine with me right now, but on ours it had the stabilizer bars added front and rear, heavy duty front track bar, a preferred equip package( I do not know what that includes), as well as changes to the wheelbase, a different rear end differential ratio. These are all listed in the optional equipment section. There may be some other things that is off the top of my head. Some other manufacturers may do this but when we compared it to my friends some of these things were not listed. Again I think the biggest factor is how the MH is engineered to the chassis, and proper weight distribution.

I did hear that some manufacturers do not have a rear SB... That seems crazy to me.

[Mike and Cha]

Originally Posted by lionofjuda

I did hear that some manufacturers do not have a rear SB... That seems crazy to me.

I would agree with you. I don't know but like you said on a prior post you can notice the difference in a test drive, and I would imagine it only gets worse once loaded up and on the road at highway speeds vs where most dealers try to have you do a test drive. I would just recommend to anyone looking to do a good test drive, take it as far as you can and not just on the smooth roads the salesman picks, and compare low end to high end of your price range MH's before purchasing because there is definitely a difference. At the starting price of these things spending a few thousand more for a little better quality will really make a difference in how well you enjoy it.

[lionofjuda]

Originally Posted by Mike and Cha

I would agree with you. I don't know but like you said on a prior post you can notice the difference in a test drive, and I would imagine it only gets worse once loaded up and on the road at highway speeds vs where most dealers try to have you do a test drive. I would just recommend to anyone looking to do a good test drive, take it as far as you can and not just on the smooth roads the salesman picks, and compare low end to high end of your price range MH's before purchasing because there is definitely a difference. At the starting price of these things spending a few thousand more for a little better quality will really make a difference in how well you enjoy it.

Agreed! I wish I could afford the DSDP!! But the Canyon Star is a very good rig for us two just starting out. The wife is going into traveling nursing and we have drove everything we could get our hands on over the past 8 months. We have come to the conclusion that Newmar is a GREAT coach and the Canyon Star 3914 is what we want and can afford.

Sorry about all the misunderstanding in the past posts!! We get out that way let me buy you a coffee or a beer.

[LVRVLUVR]

Originally Posted by narampa

Man oh man! What a cluster!
I have read and reread this thread from start to finish twice.

I just want to say this.
There is a poster who said (bushings are too tight). I will never agree with this statement.

Loose bushings don't last.
I am not going to get technical about this as I am still waiting for my Rocket Science Certificate.
Anybody else agree with me?

I think you need to read it again

[Mike and Cha]

Originally Posted by lionofjuda

Agreed! I wish I could afford the DSDP!! But the Canyon Star is a very good rig for us two just starting out. The wife is going into traveling nursing and we have drove everything we could get our hands on over the past 8 months. We have come to the conclusion that Newmar is a GREAT coach and the Canyon Star 3914 is what we want and can afford.

Sorry about all the misunderstanding in the past posts!! We get out that way let me buy you a coffee or a beer.

Yes, we love our Canyon Star too, it is the perfect size for us and we are glad we did our research and drove as many as we could before buying.The first MH we drove at an RV show( I won't mention the brand) it scared the heck out of us and we thought we were going to die, all due to the ride and handling. It was funny because we both thought the same thing and my wife kept quiet during the test drive, but I told the salesman it felt like a death trap. She just wanted to forget the whole thing and not buy a MH as she thought they were unsafe from that experience. I had to talk her into testing another MH at a dealership which really made her change her mind.

Sorry about the misunderstanding in the other posts too, I would bet we have a lot in common, and it would be fun to get together if we are ever in the same area.

[LVRVLUVR]

well.... just swapped the tires to 225-70-19.5s... I went with the goodyear g661

[LVRVLUVR]

Originally Posted by Mike and Cha

Yes, we love our Canyon Star too, it is the perfect size for us and we are glad we did our research and drove as many as we could before buying.The first MH we drove at an RV show( I won't mention the brand) it scared the heck out of us and we thought we were going to die, all due to the ride and handling. It was funny because we both thought the same thing and my wife kept quiet during the test drive, but I told the salesman it felt like a death trap. She just wanted to forget the whole thing and not buy a MH as she thought they were unsafe from that experience. I had to talk her into testing another MH at a dealership which really made her change her mind.

Sorry about the misunderstanding in the other posts too, I would bet we have a lot in common, and it would be fun to get together if we are ever in the same area.

did you drive one with 19.5 tires??

[lionofjuda]

Originally Posted by Mike and Cha

Yes, we love our Canyon Star too, it is the perfect size for us and we are glad we did our research and drove as many as we could before buying.The first MH we drove at an RV show( I won't mention the brand) it scared the heck out of us and we thought we were going to die, all due to the ride and handling. It was funny because we both thought the same thing and my wife kept quiet during the test drive, but I told the salesman it felt like a death trap. She just wanted to forget the whole thing and not buy a MH as she thought they were unsafe from that experience. I had to talk her into testing another MH at a dealership which really made her change her mind.

Sorry about the misunderstanding in the other posts too, I would bet we have a lot in common, and it would be fun to get together if we are ever in the same area.

Thats so funny....its like you are living my life on the west coast!...LOL It's almost the same here until we drove a Newmar. We even drove the T.... I wont spell the out lol. and was scared to death and I drive truck for Sysco foods! So glad we found the Newmar!

I'll hit you up when we get out west...going to NC for 3 months 1st. Be safe in your travels!
Now back on topic!

[lionofjuda]

Originally Posted by LVRVLUVR

did you drive one with 19.5 tires??

I know I didn't so I have no clue on them!

[Mike and Cha]

Originally Posted by LVRVLUVR

did you drive one with 19.5 tires??

Yes we did not like the ride on the 19.5 tires, that was the deciding factor for us. I made my mind up early on that that I wanted the 22.5's. We did test drive the Newmar Baystars, which at the time had the 19.5s, and they did drive better than other brands with the 19.5's, but they still did not drive as well as our Canyon Star with the 22.5's.

[LVRVLUVR]

Originally Posted by Mike and Cha

Yes we did not like the ride on the 19.5 tires, that was the deciding factor for us. I made my mind up early on that that I wanted the 22.5's. We did test drive the Newmar Baystars, which at the time had the 19.5s, and they did drive better than other brands with the 19.5's, but they still did not drive as well as our Canyon Star with the 22.5's.

that's why I had a custom made set to bolt on to the f53 10 lug chassis,,, the problem I came up with was once you go up in gvw you really need the diesel power.... that why I went back to diesel when we bought the excursion... last year I think??? I bought a gas tiffton allegro... thing weight 20,500 lbs....

that's a lot of lbs by the time I add a 10k trailer...

I keep trying to find the smallest coach with the most power..so far the winnabago 26'r win in all the power struggles.... pulls the same trailer up the
same hill 20 mph faster that the excursion, or the journey 350hp diesel pushers

[avid_dk]

I happen to have my Newmar brief case at home with me. This is from a '15 Bay Star 22k chassis, 22.5 wheels and it handles quite nicely.

Under Standard functional (I am only quoting handling items)
Gas Fill Shocks
Heavy duty front track bar
I-Beam front suspension
Stabilizer Bar Front/Rear
Taper Leaf Spring Rear suspension

Optional Equipment
22.5 tires and Aluminum wheels
22K GVWR pck
Heavy duty front track bar
8K front GAWR