Community Forums

mikron · 10-03-2011, 08:00 PM

Has anyone installed an air ride system on their Ford F53 chassis. Did it improve the ride and which system did you install. Our ride is pretty good for a gas unit. Wondering if worth to check out air ride.

sldrozd · 10-03-2011, 09:20 PM

I installed the firestone air ride system on the back of my 2005 32 ft southwind. It was worth it to me. I have been trying to reduce the sway. I had originally added a rear sway bar and it helped a little, but the air ride seemed to actually help more. I pump them up to about 70 psi. It stiffens up the ride a bit, gives me more confidence driving. I also have the Koni FSD's on. They helped the ride quality as well. I do think I will install the air rides up front too

blackf3504dr · 10-04-2011, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikron

Has anyone installed an air ride system on their Ford F53 chassis. Did it improve the ride and which system did you install. Our ride is pretty good for a gas unit. Wondering if worth to check out air ride.

Are you talking about adding air bags to the spring suspension or replacing the steel springs with a complete air system?

mikron · 10-04-2011, 07:54 AM

Either, interested to hear what other members might have done and which system works best. Also was it worth the cost.

"007" · 10-04-2011, 08:42 AM

Mike here is a post I made on your subject, the problems on both coach's was the weight of coach box and suspension on the Ford F-53 chassis.
Either way the improvement does not mean you can carry more weight in coach but gives you better control of your coach without white knuckles.

ga traveler · 10-04-2011, 01:08 PM

I installed the ride rite airbags on my coach and my son in law's. As a tech. I also installed bags on several customers coachs. No one was disappointed with the results. I always recommended 24 psi in the front airbags. It will not help with two foot potholds, but it is great on concrete seperators, ruts, uneven pavement,etc.

mikron · 10-04-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga traveler

I installed the ride rite airbags on my coach and my son in law's. As a tech. I also installed bags on several customers coachs. No one was disappointed with the results. I always recommended 24 psi in the front airbags. It will not help with two foot potholds, but it is great on concrete seperators, ruts, uneven pavement,etc.

thanks, that's the info I was looking for. Checked cost to buy with SDTrucking and heavy duty kits and air comp with individual gauge control run's $850.00 delevered. Need to check labor for install cost.

donandmax · 10-04-2011, 01:47 PM

I had to put mine down to 10 psi anything over that and it would shake the fillings out of your teeth and loosen up every screw in the dash board. If I had to do it again I wouldnt they made the ride worse.

Pirate · 10-04-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donandmax

I had to put mine down to 10 psi anything over that and it would shake the fillings out of your teeth and loosen up every screw in the dash board. If I had to do it again I wouldnt they made the ride worse.

You don't normally find someone willing to admin that the stuff they put on didn't help.

Opinions regarding the F-53 are plentiful, so I'll add mine to the pot. The number one item to add should be front and rear trac bars.

The second thing should be good tires, properly inflated, and a good alignment.

I feel anything past this point may be a waste of money. I did ponder air bags for a long time but only to level out the coach, not for the ride. I ended up using spacers between he axle and springs.

ga traveler · 10-05-2011, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donandmax

I had to put mine down to 10 psi anything over that and it would shake the fillings out of your teeth and loosen up every screw in the dash board. If I had to do it again I wouldnt they made the ride worse.

Don. Which manufacturer airbags did you install?