|
|
01-11-2013, 12:28 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 143
|
Ford Chassis Questions
Just FYI - I talked to an Engineer from the Ford Motorhome Division this morning about the F53 chassis. Here's some of the things he told me:
1. The suspension mod of moving the attachment points on the front and rear sway bars is recommended by Ford, but it will offer a more firm ride while adding some increased stability. The sway bars are designed to handle either hole location. Ford installs on the outer holes purely for ride comfort. Modifying to the inner holes will not impact the chassis warranty.
2. Ford Motorhome division phone # is: 800-444-3311
3. Ford recommends to all MH manufacturers to have 40% (front) and 60% (rear) on the UVW ratio. He told me that many consumers are getting their coaches weighed to find that the front axle is only getting 30% or less of the total UVW. To correct this some manufacturers are offering to install air bag helpers to level out the load. He suggest that if the MH manufacturers aren't going to do it, than the owners should if the ratio is not close. 40% on the front axle will help with tracking and stability.
Hope some may find this info useful.
|
|
|
01-11-2013, 12:40 PM
|
#2
|
CLASS "A" Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Upperco, Maryland
Posts: 3,136
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MGOBlue
Just FYI - I talked to an Engineer from the Ford Motorhome Division this morning about the F53 chassis. Here's some of the things he told me:
1. The suspension mod of moving the attachment points on the front and rear sway bars is recommended by Ford, but it will offer a more firm ride while adding some increased stability. The sway bars are designed to handle either hole location. Ford installs on the outer holes purely for ride comfort. Modifying to the inner holes will not impact the chassis warranty.
2. Ford Motorhome division phone # is: 800-444-3311
3. Ford recommends to all MH manufacturers to have 40% (front) and 60% (rear) on the UVW ratio. He told me that many consumers are getting their coaches weighed to find that the front axle is only getting 30% or less of the total UVW. To correct this some manufacturers are offering to install air bag helpers to level out the load. He suggest that if the MH manufacturers aren't going to do it, than the owners should if the ratio is not close. 40% on the front axle will help with tracking and stability.
Hope some may find this info useful.
|
Thanks for sharing the info. I haven't done the suspension modification but have added air springs all around. So far I've found it really helps with the rocking from passing trucks. I always have more pressure in the rear air springs than the front by about 15lbs.
__________________
2007 Georgetown 370TS
aka - RAYNMKR
Driver: Charlie
Navigator: Sheri
|
|
|
01-11-2013, 04:19 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,948
|
Great information MGOBlue especially that you spoke with a FORD REP.
I think many of us need to get our motorhomes weighed.
I have done the swaybar mod and running 100 psi in all my tires.
I would like to hear about weight distribution on other who have their motorhomes weighed at a scale.
I think it is worth the few bucks or whatever it costs.
|
|
|
01-11-2013, 04:41 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 143
|
I also talked to the National Rep at Cat Scale. For a MH, they charge $10 to give you weight by axle. It would be $10 for just MH or MH and toad. They have a website to location a scale ( CAT Scale). They are mostly at truck stops. I'm getting mine weighed as soon as the spring hits.
|
|
|
01-11-2013, 07:47 PM
|
#5
|
Graduate Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 508
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MGOBlue
I also talked to the National Rep at Cat Scale. For a MH, they charge $10 to give you weight by axle. It would be $10 for just MH or MH and toad. They have a website to location a scale ( CAT Scale). They are mostly at truck stops. I'm getting mine weighed as soon as the spring hits.
|
excellent tip!
__________________
--2009 Sunseeker 2860DS (Class C)
- one Hotwife, and two boys under 2(with one on the way!)
2013 - 53 days 2012 - 26 days
|
|
|
01-15-2013, 02:00 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Greer, SC
Posts: 277
|
Only one question, reading the conversation, is it listed correctly or did Ford not recommend the relocation of the sway bar? Just something in the wording indicates maybe the word, not, is omitted. Just asking.
__________________
Logic will carry you from point A to point B. Imagination will carry you everywhere. "Albert Einstein". 2011 Georgetown 360, Bride of 45yrs, and 2014 Chev Equinox toad, what more could you ask for.
|
|
|
01-15-2013, 03:17 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,948
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by copsuno
Only one question, reading the conversation, is it listed correctly or did Ford not recommend the relocation of the sway bar? Just something in the wording indicates maybe the word, not, is omitted. Just asking.
|
The suspension mod of moving the attachment points on the front and rear sway bars is recommended by Ford, but it will offer a more firm ride while adding some increased stability.
|
|
|
01-15-2013, 08:18 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 143
|
I know that the iRV forum thread states that Ford DOES NOT recommend it. That's why I talked to Ford Motorhome group directly and they DO recommend it now.
|
|
|
01-15-2013, 08:56 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,948
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MGOBlue
I know that the iRV forum thread states that Ford DOES NOT recommend it. That's why I talked to Ford Motorhome group directly and they DO recommend it now.
|
QUOTE
I talked to an Engineer from the Ford Motorhome Division this morning about the F53 chassis. Here's some of the things he told me:
1. The suspension mod of moving the attachment points on the front and rear sway bars is recommended by Ford, but it will offer a more firm ride while adding some increased stability. The sway bars are designed to handle either hole location. Ford installs on the outer holes purely for ride comfort. Modifying to the inner holes will not impact the chassis warranty.
2. Ford Motorhome division phone # is: 800-444-3311
Call
|
|
|
01-15-2013, 11:26 PM
|
#10
|
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 98
|
What is the torque of the attached bolt? Thanks
|
|
|
01-16-2013, 12:27 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,948
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by trell
What is the torque of the attached bolt? Thanks
|
I think I saw something awhile back and someone said 75lbs.
But when I did it I tightened them with a breaker bar and positive they will not come loose.
If you feel you can do it I'd suggest some locktite thread fluid to make sure it will not loosen up.
|
|
|
01-17-2013, 09:41 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Western New York State
Posts: 1,944
|
I plan on doing the "cheap handling fix" this spring as I find my 330TS very susceptible to strong cross winds. Iggy, was it hard to do? And also, do you lift the wheels off the ground with the jacks to take pressure off of the axle?
__________________
sherman12 and The Fabulous Miss Barb
2014 SportsCoach Cross Country 360DL DP
Former 2011 Georgetown 330TS
Kia Sportage on MasterTow Dolly
|
|
|
01-17-2013, 10:23 AM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,948
|
sherman12
No! DO NOT lift the motorhome but you need to be on a level area.
I used basic rachet and socket and open end wrench. If you have a breaker bar it will help. The bolts should come out easy but I had to use a little hammer on one without damaging.
After you are done I would spray the swaybar at the two rubber bushings with silicone lube spray or equal. That's so the swaybar moves freely in the rubber bushing.
It took me about an hour to do front and back.
I used a creaper and made sure they were tight with a breaker bar and using my legs to make sure they were tight.
I also checked a few times during and after a few trips to make sure nothing was loose.
|
|
|
01-17-2013, 02:21 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Apple Valley, CA
Posts: 361
|
Glad Ford finally caught up to the ones of us that made the mod. I still have not done the rear ones yet, but there was such an improvement in handling when I did the front ones I was amazed.
The reason I did not get to the back ones was that when I went to do it I found the bolts on the torsion bars loose and missing. After that was fixed under the recall, I just never got around to it.
Thanks to Ford for making us all Legal. LOL.
Happy Trails, Forrest
__________________
Happy Trails
fbconsults
(Forrest and Donna)
2011 Georgetown 378TS
2011 Ford Escape V-6 4X4
|
|
|
01-17-2013, 03:01 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Western New York State
Posts: 1,944
|
Thanks Iggy!
__________________
sherman12 and The Fabulous Miss Barb
2014 SportsCoach Cross Country 360DL DP
Former 2011 Georgetown 330TS
Kia Sportage on MasterTow Dolly
|
|
|
01-17-2013, 07:31 PM
|
#16
|
E/SA DART
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hilmar Ca.
Posts: 35
|
I weighed my se 303 last night total weight full of gas and water storage is 15,160 lbs rear weighs 9600 front weighs 5560 GCVWR is 26,000.
|
|
|
01-19-2013, 08:30 AM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pearl River, La.
Posts: 121
|
If Ford is acknowledging this then why doesn't Ford make it right to begin with. It irks me that we are buying defective equipment. This brings me back to the old adage (Fix Or Repair Daily) for Ford.
|
|
|
01-19-2013, 11:05 AM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Wherever we are parked!
Posts: 424
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by reubenray
If Ford is acknowledging this then why doesn't Ford make it right to begin with. It irks me that we are buying defective equipment. This brings me back to the old adage (Fix Or Repair Daily) for Ford.
|
I really don't think that is the case. Any error that the Ford engineers would make is (and this is only just opinion) assuming that the owners of the F53 would prefer a soft, luxury ride vice a better handling machine. And I'm sure that there are folks that put more stock in the soft ride than in handling. Just like some folks prefer a Crown Victoria over a Mustang. I have no complaints about the Ford chassis, especially since I did the suspension mod. For a gasser I don't think it can be beat. Sure others will agree.
__________________
Lostdog
2011 Georgetown 378TS in FireMist
2013 Jeep Wrangler Toad
Kirby the Old Dog, passed but still in our hearts
Max E. Dog, the new pup
Eureka the Old Cat, still hangin' on
|
|
|
01-19-2013, 02:51 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Apple Valley, CA
Posts: 361
|
I will also stand up for Ford. My 2011 replaced a 2003 Itasca with a Workhorse Chassis. I cannot bad mouth either one. Both performed as advertised with no major malfunctions. The new Ford (14,500 miles) with the new trans is equal in performance and durability to the Workhorse with the Allison Trans (60,000 miles). The new Ford has more horsepower and torque and climbs hills faster. Both get pretty dismal fuel mileage, 6-8 MPG. Not good for a car, but not bad for a condo. But I knew that going in.
I will give Ford credit for changing their opinion about the modification, and now are recommending it. BTW, I have not noticed any difference in the ride quality, only the huge improvement in handling.
Happy Trails, Forrest
__________________
Happy Trails
fbconsults
(Forrest and Donna)
2011 Georgetown 378TS
2011 Ford Escape V-6 4X4
|
|
|
01-19-2013, 03:52 PM
|
#20
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Crew
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Biloxi, Ms
Posts: 705
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iggy
sherman12
No! DO NOT lift the motorhome but you need to be on a level area.
I used basic rachet and socket and open end wrench. If you have a breaker bar it will help. The bolts should come out easy but I had to use a little hammer on one without damaging.
After you are done I would spray the swaybar at the two rubber bushings with silicone lube spray or equal. That's so the swaybar moves freely in the rubber bushing.
It took me about an hour to do front and back.
I used a creaper and made sure they were tight with a breaker bar and using my legs to make sure they were tight.
I also checked a few times during and after a few trips to make sure nothing was loose.
|
Iggy, did you use the existing links or did you replace them with longer ones? I know there was some concern over the length of the links when you make the move.
__________________
Wayne & Susan Biloxi,Ms
2012 GeorgeTown 351DS...2015 Ford Focus/Brake Buddy
FROG Member
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|