F53 Chassis Suspension Differences

[Flavius]

I have been driving a Winnebago 36Y on Ford F53 chassis for last 4 years, GCWR 26,000#. I have done the cheap handling fix, Safe T Plus steering, and replaced factory shocks with bilsteins. I am wondering if all manufactory's use the same shocks,springs, and suspension on that chassis? Basically, do all F53 chassis ride the same - Tiffin, Newmar, Fleetwood, Forest Rive









Captains Quarters, 2015Winnebago Vista 36Y -Blueoxing Honda CRV

[vsheetz]

Tiffin offers Summo springs and Liquid Suspension as options on the F53.

[blueridge-fl]

Originally Posted by Flavius

I have been driving a Winnebago 36Y on Ford F53 chassis for last 4 years, GCWR 26,000#. I have done the cheap handling fix, Safe T Plus steering, and replaced factory shocks with bilsteins. I am wondering if all manufactory's use the same shocks,springs, and suspension on that chassis? Basically, do all F53 chassis ride the same - Tiffin, Newmar, Fleetwood, Forest RiveCaptains Quarters, 2015Winnebago Vista 36Y -Blueoxing Honda CRV

An F53 is basically an F53. There are some manufacturers like Tiffin that offer optional upgrades. Having said that, there can be a huge difference between the way different models handle. A model with a longer wheelbase vs house length will generally handle better. A model that is not pushing the limits of the chassis weight capacity may also handle better.

[Teamfoxy]

While the chassis is basically the same, the longer the wheelbase is compared to the overall length of the coach, the better the ride will be. Look for at least a 55% wheelbase. Keeping the weight out of the rear end also helps. The longer your rear overhang is, and the more weight you carry in the back, the more your coach will sway. A well designed coach with proper weight distribution and loading doesn't need suspension modifications, other than good shock's. Our coach has no added do-dads and drives just fine. Both my wife and I love to drive it.

[Kahoona]

We have a 31" Coachmen Mirada and it rides like a brick on a rollerskate. I rode in a 40'Fleetwood Storm that was older and it rode like a dream. The difference is that the Mirada has one size fits all shocks and springs made for a heavier vehicle and poor weight distribution. The Storm is a higher end vehicle and the manufacturer used a different front suspension with softer springs and an air bag.

You can get a kit to do that to the Mirada but it costs $3000 plus install. With an F53 you gets what you pays for.

[manderson2228]

Originally Posted by Kahoona

We have a 31" Coachmen Mirada and it rides like a brick on a rollerskate. I rode in a 40'Fleetwood Storm that was older and it rode like a dream. The difference is that the Mirada has one size fits all shocks and springs made for a heavier vehicle and poor weight distribution. The Storm is a higher end vehicle and the manufacturer used a different front suspension with softer springs and an air bag.

You can get a kit to do that to the Mirada but it costs $3000 plus install. With an F53 you gets what you pays for.

We have the 35kb Mirada and it's a complete piece of crap. I agree with you, we put a ton of upgrades into the chassis and it still sucks. Drove a Tiffin yesterday on the 26k chassis and 22.5 tires and it was night and day difference. I can't get out of this Mirada fast enough.

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by Kahoona

We have a 31" Coachmen Mirada and it rides like a brick on a rollerskate. I rode in a 40'Fleetwood Storm that was older and it rode like a dream. The difference is that the Mirada has one size fits all shocks and springs made for a heavier vehicle and poor weight distribution. The Storm is a higher end vehicle and the manufacturer used a different front suspension with softer springs and an air bag.

You can get a kit to do that to the Mirada but it costs $3000 plus install. With an F53 you gets what you pays for.

I had a 96 Fleetwood Storm for 10 years! Best ride ever until I got my Monaco.
It was a Chevy P30. Yes, front airbags in the coil springs. Genius

[LVJ58]

I replaced my front shocks with the Koni FSD shocks resulting in a significant improvement in the ride quality

[leadman]

I bought our 1999 Winnie 35' about 2 1/4 years ago with the original shocks on it. Replaced all 4 shocks with KYBs in March 2018. OK at first but on our trip to Michigan from Az in July 2019 they felt very stiff and every pebble on the road could be felt. Had cabinet doors fly open and thigs generally loosening up from the rough ride.
This morning I installed a set of the Koni front shocks and was truly amazed at the difference in ride quality. I went over a bump in the road near our house at 30 mph and barely felt it. Usually speed is about 10 mph. I ordered the Koni rear shocks today.

[Waiter21]

I installed the KYBs on mine right after we bought it. These are very stiff.. I wish I had installed Monroes...

I had installed Monroes on my ole 2001 Mirada, very nice.. but hard to compare because the OEM shocks were completely worn out...

[Tegu]

When I look up specs for the 190" wheelbase it says that is an 18,000 lb chassis. Sticker on my 190" w b Baystar says 20,500.

[wildtoad]

Originally Posted by Tegu

When I look up specs for the 190" wheelbase it says that is an 18,000 lb chassis. Sticker on my 190" w b Baystar says 20,500.

Is it possible that your Bay Star (Sport ?) is NOT on the 190 wb as delivered by Ford but on a longer chassis that was cut down? I know my 2016 3004 is on cut down chassis which gives it the higher weight capacities. In your packet from Newmar you should have the actual sticker from Ford showing the chassis as delivered.

[Tegu]

As I recall, the Baystar Sport comes with the 18,000 lb chassis in that wheelbase.

[Tegu]

Tried to edit that last post. I should have looked up your model and year. It shows 200" wheelbase and 20,500 GVWR. I would imagine that it drives very well.