wheelbase

[amxerhull]

I'm becoming familiar with my new-to-me 1994 Four Winds and I noticed that the Vehicle Certification Label has an error on it. The label lists the wheelbase at 178 inches which I thought looked a little short. Sure enough, I put a tape on the rig and it is 208 inches.

I guess it's no big deal but I got wondering if the build date could be inaccurate (6/93). There are a few changes on the F53 around this date that might be important to me in the future.

Anyone ever run into anything like this?

John

[subford]

You have a 1992 or 1993 Ford F53.
You would have to check the Ford VIN number for year of the F53.
If you post the VIN without the last four numbers we could tell you the year.

The 6/93 is the home built date and has nothing to do with the Ford part.

The 1994 was when the title was registered.

[amxerhull]

The VIN is 3fclf53gxrja0.

The Four Winds tag shows Model # xao1240 with a build date of 12/93 and a Ford chassis date of 4/93.

The Incomplete Vehicle Certification Label shows a 6/93 date. This is the label with the 178 inch wheelbase, body code, transmission, etc.

[subford]

It is a 1994 F53.

[amxerhull]

I suspect I should order 1993 Ford parts when I need them since the chassis date is 4/93. ????

Any guess why the wheelbase is incorrect on the Certification Label?

[subford]

Quote:

Originally Posted by amxerhull I suspect I should order 1993 Ford parts when I need them since the chassis date is 4/93. ???? Any guess why the wheelbase is incorrect on the Certification Label?

I have a chassis date of 4/94 on mine but I have the same "R" in the 10th position of the VIN and "R" = 1994.
My home date is 5/94 and it is titled as a 1995.
The build date on my transmission is April the 5th 1994.

[Beachcomber]

You will likely find that Ford built the "incomplete" chassis on a wheelbase of 178" and the coach manufacturer "stretched" the wheelbase to 208" to accommodate the coach size. This is common practice.

[subford]

I do not think any coach manufacturer would take it on themself to stretch a wheel base.
They will extend the frame however.

Check on the left side of the steering column and the Ford Mfg. plate should be there. The first number at the bottom left is the wheel base.
Mine says 208.



/

[amxerhull]

That is the plate where I found the 178 wheelbase listed. I don't recall seeing evidence of any frame extension but next time I'm under the rig I'll check more closely. Thanks guys.

[Nick-B]

Hi John,

Didn't see this brought up but does your rig have a tag axle. If it does and you are measuring to that second axle that that would explain it.
Tag axles (on gas motorhomes) are put on by the coach builder not the chassis builder - in this case Ford - so the numbers would reference the forward or "driven" axle distance.

[amxerhull]

No tag axle, Nick.