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Old 06-11-2017, 07:26 PM   #1
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cheap handling fix on my new Georgetown 30x3

After a lot of reading I decided to do the CHF on my new 30x3. When doing the rear, the rod that you reposition to the second hole had a lot of resistance on it. When I did the front, they moved pretty freely, but the back one I felt like I was pushing against the bushing to get them back there. I tried loosing the top to see if they would move more easily, but it had no impact. Anyone else experience this when doing this modification?

Thanks.
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Old 06-11-2017, 10:10 PM   #2
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If the motorhome is not on level ground it may have some resistance on one side as it is being used.
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Old 07-10-2017, 05:46 PM   #3
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Did you complete the project? What do you think? Was there a big improvement?
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Old 07-10-2017, 06:01 PM   #4
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I hadn't driven my coach much before doing the CHF. I did it fairly promptly after getting my coach based on the recommendations of this forum so I may not be a good judge. We went from Richmond VA up to PA for the Gettysburg FROG rally and it was windy and I felt like I had to really drive the unit. I could really feel it, so I would have hate to seen it without the change.

I just added the RoadMaster Steering Stabilizer this weekend, that that feels like it has had a good impact.
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Old 07-10-2017, 06:43 PM   #5
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Did you get an alignment?
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Old 07-10-2017, 06:53 PM   #6
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I did not. I called Forest River about paying for an alignment (because I saw on the forums that they would typically agree to that) and the guy there said that they added an alignment machine in October of 2016 and said they do alignments before they leave the factory now. My paperwork for my coach included an alignment report and the unit doesn't not pull in one direction, so alignment seems good.
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Old 07-10-2017, 09:11 PM   #7
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CHF Outstanding results

I just did the Cheap Handling Fix on my 2015 Georgetown. This little modification has improved the driving and handling beyond my wildest dreams. Put 650 miles to Ocean City MD with ease. Before, I was in constant, counter steer mode. It took me longer to find the tools than to actually do it. Would recommend it to anyone who has the same issues I did. If anyone needs help, just ask. Many thanks to all my Forum buddies.
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Old 07-11-2017, 07:37 AM   #8
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More info about handling fix please

Could someone point me to the information that discusses this "cheap handling fix"? Thank you
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Old 07-11-2017, 07:44 AM   #9
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I've done this on both my older F53s, but its very similar on the newer F53 chassis.

Cheap Handling Fix – and then some – 2001 Coachmen Mirada 300QB

CHF – Cheap Handling Fix – Fix for sway and handling – 1999 Southwind 35S


ONE ADDITIONAL NOTE - On the Newer F53 (2006 and uipm, they changed the rear torsion bar to axle mount. Te bolts have a nasty habit of falling out. If I had a newer F53, I'd be inspecting these bolts before every trip.
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Old 07-11-2017, 09:51 AM   #10
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Question

I'm a complete rookie at all of this, but does the fix make it harder to level side-to-side? Does it apply more load to the low-side jacks?
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Old 07-11-2017, 03:15 PM   #11
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It doesn't do anything to the jacks nor should it effect side to side leveling with jacks.

It stiffens up side to side motion while traveling.
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Old 07-11-2017, 07:42 PM   #12
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The CHF limits the from wheel travel if you do not use a longer link.
I replaced mine with a roadmaster sway bar with really solid links for the front.

The rear links are fine and I CHF'd the rear with no negative issue.

Also added a blue ox rear sway bar which is a bolt on with no drilling. Really nice installation and result.

When doing the CHF use a bottle jack on the lower sway bar side to raise it in order to connect the second side with ease when the unit is not perfectly level.
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Old 07-16-2017, 10:22 PM   #13
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Has anybody ever heard of the book titled unsafe at any speed. It was a book written about the chevy corvair .I think that they should put all of the ford F-53 motorhome in the samecategory as the corvair UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED. Any other opinions out there?
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Old 07-17-2017, 09:43 AM   #14
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I'v owned two F53s, I wouldn't characterize them as "unsafe". They are a truck and handle differently than a car.
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Old 10-19-2017, 08:33 PM   #15
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Just an update on my Georgetown F 53 chassis .installed sumo springs Front and rear ,did the cheap fix front and rear, had a laser alignment which showed The front end was very out of alignment. the steering wheel is nice and straight now instead of the left side being at 11 o'clock.
Just drove 3500 miles from southern Florida up to the New York area .very happy with the way it rides I think I'll keep it .better than when I first picked it up . it's a little disgraceful that a dealer that makes these things will put them out in such bad shape . The guy that did the front end alignment could not believe how out of alignment it was and that the manufacturer would let it go to a dealer in that condition not only that the dealer let it be delivered to me in that condition. But as I said I am happy with it now and is very comfortable ride and I can even drink coffee while driving down the road with tractor-trailers passing me .happy ending!p.s. Also make sure all of the fittings on the front end are greased especially the ones on the steering box.Has anyone got a recall letter on the roof leaking?
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Old 10-21-2017, 10:43 AM   #16
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Had my front end aligned also but steering wheel position did not change. Mine is cocked left also. Was told there was no way to straighten steering wheel unless steering arms were replaced with adjustable ones.
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Old 10-21-2017, 11:45 AM   #17
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I think most people that do only the steering wheel alignment themselves do it at the steering box where the steering wheel linkage attaches at the top of the box. There are no steering arms, per say on the F53 chassis. I believe the steering is via a drag link interconnect from the steering box. It is a different setup than what I am familiar with.
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Old 11-09-2017, 02:15 AM   #18
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I had an alignment done on my Georgetown. After the technician was done with that he said that he would straighten the steering wheel. He showed me a couple bolts under the steering wheel. He took them out, and straightened the steering wheel. It might have taken him two minutes.
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Old 11-09-2017, 06:23 PM   #19
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Just installed front and rear sumo springs myself on my 2013 Georgetown 378
Was able to drill rear holes with right angle drill wheels on . with motorhome rear jacked up and jack stands for safety
Front springs require no drilling much easier
Took a test ride and was thrilled
Forest river should make sumo springs standard option , they would probably sell more homes
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Old 11-10-2017, 01:21 PM   #20
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jim_bob. I would like to hear more about this. My steering wheel is off to the right about 11o clock. Very irritating. The guy that did my alignment couldn't straighten wheel.
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