Opinions For A Better Ride

[Ted Lambert]

Originally Posted by creativepart

I've got the 24k F53 Ford chassis. I did the steering stabilizer, fr/r sumo springs, rear aux anti-roll bar, koni fsd shocks, weighed the chassis and adjusted my tire pressures. "So, basically I did it all." (Thanks NIRVC)

Does the RV "drive" better? Yes. Does the RV "ride" better? No, not one bit. It's sways less, it bounces less, it gets pushed around less but it still does all those things, it just does so less than before.

We just completed a 4,100 mile 6-week trip from San Antonio to the UP of Michigan and back. Lots of very bad highways on a trip like that and it gives you time to think about the problem of rough riding.

It must be, has to be the leaf springs. Drive an interstate in your car and sure you feel bumps and potholes, etc. But drive the same interstate in your gas F53 RV and you feel 100% more imperfections. Why does a small break in a road cause a car to make a noise and a gas RV to make a loud crashing BANG.

It must be the leaf springs or more accurately the connection between the springs, the shackle and the frame.

Kelderman was putting air bags between the leaf spring ends and the frame. I think that makes some sense but he stopped doing that due to problems with wondering and slewing because the leaf spring not only springs but locates the axle to the chassis. I hear now he's doing something similar again with changes.

Don't kid yourself - Ford has to know all about this issue. When the new version of the F53 was being designed it had to be a corporate decision to not correct this problem. Likely, it was too expensive and RV manufacturers did not demand it more than they demanded to keep chassis costs down.

You threw a lot of money at it for probably not the results you were seeking. I put the Firestone bags on the front and ran them 30 psi. And never looked back.
Oh yes that very unnerving BANG. Never happened again.
There are a lot of opinions on these forums, mine is not an opinion but fact because I did it myself.
There are other threads on here about the F53 with air bags installed. Check those out.

[Ted Lambert]

Originally Posted by Massparanoia

Step 1: Run your RV over a truck scale when it is loaded how you usually travel in it. Then adjust your tire PSI to the tire manufacturers specs based on your coach weight. Don’t go by the tire side wall or the sticker inside the RV.

Step 2: Take your RV to a good truck alignment shop and get an alignment done. Ford and the RV manufacturers don’t align these when they build them.

Step 3: A myriad of aftermarket stuff, but not to be considered until after you do step 1 and 2. We chose to add Sumo springs to our coach and combined with the above I am very happy with how it rides and handles.

Just curious what was the cost to add Sumo springs?
Just looking at the tube video. They look amazing!
I just put air bags on my front axle.

["007"]

I had a 99 MA gas Newmar on Ford chassis that was so heavy would scuff the wheel wells on the duels when ever she rocked to the side.
Had a 98 KS gas Ford that I had leaf springs added to lift coach up all around about 3" and added a rear track bar.
The MA AIR LIFT Bags were the best thing I ever did for the four Ford chassis I owned.
Most of the operations of my air system had to be done manually but now they have it all automatic to balance the coach box to chassis
automatically.
Set up compressor in compartment near rear tires with the valve controls and added a remote control near my drivers location, had to run from compartment to each bag location plus up front to drivers location, plenty of room under Ford chassis for doing all this.
Was going to have Ford dealer do job but said bag brackets would not fit and couldn't do so I solved that problem and did myself.
With the kits they have now would have been a lot easier job, but the difference was like night and day driving that Ford around the country on our roads, much better control and support of coach box.
Air Lift System ==== You can take your pick, Ford Air Lift

[Massparanoia]

Originally Posted by Ted Lambert

Just curious what was the cost to add Sumo springs?
Just looking at the tube video. They look amazing!
I just put air bags on my front axle.

It cost me about $1300 all in including the parts if memory serves.

[Ted Lambert]

Originally Posted by Massparanoia

It cost me about $1300 all in including the parts if memory serves.

Thank you
That surly was money well spent.
I no longer have a class A but a trailer.
If I ever do get another. And have problems with handling and ride that will be the way I will go.

Happy motoring

[Ted Lambert]

Originally Posted by 007";5782223]I had a 99 MA gas Newmar on Ford chassis that was so heavy would scuff the wheel wells on the duels when ever she rocked to the side.
Had a 98 KS gas Ford that I had leaf springs added to lift coach up all around about 3" and added a rear track bar.
The MA AIR LIFT Bags were the best thing I ever did for the four Ford chassis I owned.
Most of the operations of my air system had to be done manually but now they have it all automatic to balance the coach box to chassis
automatically.
Set up compressor in compartment near rear tires with the valve controls and added a remote control near my drivers location, had to run from compartment to each bag location plus up front to drivers location, plenty of room under Ford chassis for doing all this.
Was going to have Ford dealer do job but said bag brackets would not fit and couldn't do so I solved that problem and did myself.
With the kits they have now would have been a lot easier job, but the difference was like night and day driving that Ford around the country on our roads, much better control and support of coach box.
[URL="https://www.rvupgradestore.com/searchresults.html?Search=air+lift+systems&Submit=

Air Lift System[/URL] ==== You can take your pick, Ford Air Lift

Money well spent

[Johnynorthla]

Originally Posted by pdcruiser

Hello All - We are new to the RV world and purchased an Entegra Vision Class A Gas motorhome. Loving it so far - But for the ride.

First we were getting blown off the road ( a little exaggeration here, maybe blown a little out of our lane ) by passing tractor trailers, but it was something we didn't like - added Safety-T-Plus, and what a great improvement!!

But the ride is still rough, like going over expansion joints or repaired asphalt joints etc. Wears me out.

So now thinking about adding Koni Shocks - Sumo Springs and an auxiliary sway bar in the rear .... Any thoughts?? Done before??

Thanks . Paul

As others have said check and verify specs and everything that you don’t need to spend money on first.


My recommendations on what I did on my 2018 E450 chassis will apply to you. But do more research, because I’m guessing yours in an F53 chassis. Here is what I did, but the order will be what I would do first to get the best results;


5°Positive caster alignment with a fully loaded rig. (Jayco paid for mine)


Rear track bar. I did the super steer. Best results out of the shop on anything I did.


Heavy duty front sway bar. OEM is junk


Rear, Firestone air bags. Improved the ride considerably, and leveled out the rig for better breaking and clearance. After this upgrade I do not feel the need to replace the rear sway bar.


New front steering damper, I did the road master. It will help recenter the steering wheel on ruddy roads, will not help with sway very much, it’s all about physics.


New front, Monroe RV shocks.


I’m on the fence about the sumos springs in the front. I’ve read that some have experienced a harsh ride. This makes Sence to me since your lessening the clearance of travel that the front A frame has, thus hitting the bumpers sooner.


Just my educated,(X mechanic), experience.

[MXdad]

I have a 2017 Thor outlaw. 26k gvrw and yeah it rode like poop. I added safe t plus stabilizer and bigger front and rear sway bars. Huge difference and i can drive with one hand at 75-80 talking on the phone in the other just like trick. What a difference it makes. With the added frame change Thor did for the garage I cannot ad the rear track bar but 80-90% of the tail swag is gone with what I’ve done. The front still ride a little rough but I think only a better shock/or air bag addition could take that harshness out

[dezolen]

Originally Posted by pdcruiser

Hello All - We are new to the RV world and purchased an Entegra Vision Class A Gas motorhome. Loving it so far - But for the ride.



First we were getting blown off the road ( a little exaggeration here, maybe blown a little out of our lane ) by passing tractor trailers, but it was something we didn't like - added Safety-T-Plus, and what a great improvement!!



But the ride is still rough, like going over expansion joints or repaired asphalt joints etc. Wears me out.



So now thinking about adding Koni Shocks - Sumo Springs and an auxiliary sway bar in the rear .... Any thoughts?? Done before??



Thanks . Paul

Can’t figure this out? Our 2013 Tiffin 36 LA drives and rides absolutely fine totally stock. Had a ride in friends 2019 Phaeton and felt the expansion joins just as much as ours. No issue with passing trucks etc. It will never ride like a Luxury car no matter what you modify.

[09 harley]

Originally Posted by Ted Lambert

I had a 34ft class A gas. Ford f53 chassis.
No mater what advice you get on this site,just do like I did I installed front air bags complete with compressor.
Took away all the things your having issue with. Especially the expansion joints and the jarring from railway tracks. Most of all it illuminates get blown away by transport trucks.
500 bucks and an afternoon of labour and your done.
My wife would not drive our coach until I put the bags on.
Once the bags were installed she found it easy. She was in her early 60s I was in my mid 60s.
No longer have that unit but I sure miss it!


Once you have done this checkout the suggestions. A lot of people have good intentions but do a great disservice to this site buy expressing opinions that are really worthless unless they have experience with the issue.

Amen!

[robertkathy]

So this was my issue with my 40ft gasser and 20 enclosed trailer.
22.5 in tires aired to max pressure added safe t steering stabilizer front & rear trac bars new shocks front & rear added front & rear sway bars
. Coach rides like a dream WITHOUT the trailer!
Needed to add extra leafs in the rear leaf packs and dual anti sway bars & weight dis hitch for the trailer

[RichRVat71]

Originally Posted by Ted Lambert

I had a 34ft class A gas. Ford f53 chassis.
No mater what advice you get on this site,just do like I did I installed front air bags complete with compressor.
Took away all the things your having issue with. Especially the expansion joints and the jarring from railway tracks. Most of all it illuminates get blown away by transport trucks.
500 bucks and an afternoon of labour and your done.
My wife would not drive our coach until I put the bags on.
Once the bags were installed she found it easy. She was in her early 60s I was in my mid 60s.
No longer have that unit but I sure miss it!


Once you have done this checkout the suggestions. A lot of people have good intentions but do a great disservice to this site buy expressing opinions that are really worthless unless they have experience with the issue.

Please send me the info on what you installed. I'm about ready to have shocks install and know I'm not sure they will help. Thanks for the info.

[Cdbrown]

Originally Posted by Ted Lambert

I had a 34ft class A gas. Ford f53 chassis.
No mater what advice you get on this site,just do like I did I installed front air bags complete with compressor.
Took away all the things your having issue with. Especially the expansion joints and the jarring from railway tracks. Most of all it illuminates get blown away by transport trucks.
500 bucks and an afternoon of labour and your done.
My wife would not drive our coach until I put the bags on.
Once the bags were installed she found it easy. She was in her early 60s I was in my mid 60s.
No longer have that unit but I sure miss it!


Once you have done this checkout the suggestions. A lot of people have good intentions but do a great disservice to this site buy expressing opinions that are really worthless unless they have experience with the issue.

What brand airbags did you install? Some have mentioned Kelderman, but those are extremely expensive.

[jadatis]

Originally Posted by pdcruiser

Agree - weights have been confirmed and tire pressures are correct - Thanks

As " pigheaded Dutch selfdeclared tyrepressure-specialist " the first thing that came to my mind was tirepressure to high.
So question is " how where the weights comfirmed" . By the seller or by weighing fully loaded, preferably by axle-end, second best by axle.

If you can produce those, toghether with the tire-specifications, I can calculate a higgest pressure with still acceptable comfort and gripp.

When a large vehicle passes you , or you pass it, passer keep as much possible left and passed as much as possible right, so there is as much possible sideward space between both vehicles.
Pass this advice on, it askes some effort from both.