32SA Ride and Handing enhancement on 24,000 lb Chassis

[jrwiemels]

This Thursday we join the Tiffin family as we pickup a 2021 Open Road 32SA on the Ford 2019 F53 24,000 lb Chassis from General RV Wixom Michigan. We are trading a 2016 Forest River 30DS on a 18,000 lb chassis. It has served the family well with 48,500 miles and has been to all 48 contiguous states at least once and many multiple times. The FR3 I had many of the ride enhancements installed (sumo springs, aux rear sway bar, rear trac bar and Safety-T-Plus) and made the unit a pleasure to drive. Now the question is what do I need on the 32SA 24,000 lb chassis. The input from several sales consultant was with that heavy of a chassis (24,000 lb) on 32SA they believed little or no changes are required. For sure I will add the Safety-T-Plus and a rear trac bar but the question is weather the Sumo Spring and aux rear sway bar should also be added. Thank you in advance for your input. Jim

[Newmar2856]

Our Newmar is on the 24K chassis as well. After a couple of trips I had a good idea of its characteristics and worked with a shop to add items to address the issues I found.

I ended up adding the Safety plus, rear track bar, rear sway bar and Koni shocks. I’m happy with each of the mods and enjoy the drive now.

[High Road Travelers]

I have a 2018 32SA on the 24K chassis and added the Safety-T-Plus and Koni FSD shocks and I keep the tire pressure at 80 lbs in all tires (after weighing it and looking at the tire chart). Rear sway bar would be good, but not necessary. Mine handles alright, but gives a rough, jarring ride on rough roads (that's to be expected though).
I would suggest getting the Safety-T-Plus installed when you buy it, then drive it and see what else, if anything is needed. You may be Okay with nothing else.
Thanks,

[HighDesert]

We have a 2019 32SA that drove and rode terrible after we got past the newness od it. It is also on the 24K F53 chassis. We had roll, sway, porpoising and hard to keep in a lane with constant steering wheel corrections needed. It did come with Sumo springs all around. We added dual Koni FSD shocks to all wheels, replaced front sway bar with 1 3/4" Roadmaster, added saf-t-steer stabilizer, rear trac bar, and 2 additional sway bars on the rear for a total of 3. Not cheap, but rides and handles a whole lot better.

[JpalmerCass]

My coach is dead stock save for factory installed Sumos. I have no idea how the Sumos affect handling. Other than the possible affect of the Sumos I don't think you need to do a thing for the handling, the ride might be a different story. I think people like "gear".

[Chuck&Pam]

My ‘16 32SA (24k) drives and handles great as with no modifications whatsoever. I run tire pressure at 95psi all around and am very happy with it

[puttin]

The best thing is the Liquid Spring option that Tiffin offers on the '21 models. Very expensive but absolutely the best suspension mod out there.

[tpfender]

Can any one speak to the significant difference between the 22,000# vs 24,000# chassis?

[pameridan04]

I have a 2019 32 SA on the 24K chassis and Sumo springs. I added the Safety-Plus and that made a big difference. That's all I added.


I run 85 PSI pressure in rear, and 90 PSI in fronts. The coach definitely rides better with more weight. Full gas tank, full water tank, and loaded for bear for camping.


Jim P.

[JpalmerCass]

Originally Posted by tpfender

Can any one speak to the significant difference between the 22,000# vs 24,000# chassis?

Most importantly you get 1500 pounds more payload. Payload is important; we live in our coach and loaded it weighs 22,500 pounds. It's probably less now though: we rid ourselves of a lot of unneeded stuff.

As for physical differences between the two chassis--the 24k chassis uses a different steel and is 500 pounds heavier, that's why you gain 1500 pounds of payload. The axles, brakes, gearing and so on might be different; I used to know but don't anymore. You can find a spec sheet online from Ford that goes into great detail on the differences.

[Mike8253]

Originally Posted by tpfender

Can any one speak to the significant difference between the 22,000# vs 24,000# chassis?

Your talking two different levels/configurations of the F53 chassis. The 22K is the max weight version of the 16K/18K/22K chassis "family". The 24K is the lower weight capable version of the 24K/26K chassis family. The two chassis families have specific, discernable built/component/capability differences between them. Within each family, there are incremental differences from the base rating to permit the added weight carrying capability. The two families also cover different wheelbase ranges (with some overlap).

[Bagger97]

We have a 36LA on the 24k chassis. Ordered a trackbar, did the chf, it helped. Hope the trackbar fixes the sway. I think we have a little more overhang then you.

[svend2015]

We have a 2017 32 SA on the 24k chassis and the Sumo springs, the only upgrade we did was to add the Safety-Plus to our rig and I wouldn't be without it because it does handled better with it installed. Tire pressure at 90 psi .

Steve & Janie V

2017 Allegro 32SA
2016 GMC Acadia

[tpfender]

I was digging for information on the difference in a Newmar coach, same model, but on a different chassis, the 22,000# vs 24,000#. I sent a message to Newmar and this is their reply:
"2,000 more carrying and also 50 degree turning vs 42, also 50,000 psi frame vs 36,000 psi, also 30,000 combined weight rating vs 26,000 . The 26K is a better, beefier chassis."
My salesman also hooked me up with a Newmar rep and I had a chat with him about the chassis. He quoted the same number during our discussion. He admitted driving or riding in the coach would likely not feel much if any difference, but he was surprised to find out, and expressed that in our discussion, the tighter turning radius. So the greater carrying capacity, greater towing (4,000# vs 6,000#) and GCWR is 4,000# greater.