F53 Suspension

[wrapperman]

No driving issues with our coach as well. Both my wife and I can drive it with one hand if we wanted to, but don't.
It drive as straight as an arrow down the road and comfortable. My wife has driven it for 6 hours straight and loves it.
We have a 2013 378XL. We barely feel the large trucks going by with very little sway. We have done nothing to the chassis except an alignment. The alignment shop aligned it slightly more to one end of the specs.

[dhind]

I think the shorter wheel base and the smaller wheels of the 270 really impacts the handling. Also of course the types of roads and weather conditions. On concrete highways with no wind, no issues at all. Add asphalt roads, mountains and wind and the game changes a fair bit.






Dave & Michelle
2015 Georgetown 270SS
Calgary, Alberta

[270S]

Originally Posted by Larry Mac

So 270s how much money was necessary to do this to get the ride you wanted? I am going to the big Tampa RV show next week, so I'd love to know what those costs are so I can mentally add that into quoted prices.

'sorry Larry Mac, didn't see your post 'til today. The steering stabilizer was apx $550, F&R sumo springs $1000, Aft Roll Bar $550 - Total $2,100. Labor to install free if you are able, if using mechanic, variable $500-$1,500. I can provide links (to suppliers & model #s for a 270S) if desired, but Google works fine for price comparison and other models.

BIG FYI!!!! I do not subscribe to the CHF or any other similar methodology - I rely on some form of science, but in this case I discovered the reason for my going down this road in the first place was due to another example of the unprofessionalism I've discovered in the RV industry.

Whether it was the manufacturer or the PDI Dealer is irrelevant, but both swear to me they checked the tires were set to the recommended 82 psi, when I checked them (cold) after I returned home, ALL 6 tires were 100+psi!!!! not the 82 they insisted they set them to. They either didn't fill it properly or they had bad gauges - still no excuse. This is an automotive-101 issue.

After purchasing a good "truck" tire pressure gauge I verified setting the pressure to 82psi and went for a test drive - NIGHT & DAY difference. Had it been done properly initially, I may never had started down this road to suspension upgrades initially, but probably would have eventually.

It was windy and realized immediately that the roll bar is going to assist that. The steering stabilizer is another absolute must! The sumo springs will improve upon the ride (from everyone I have talked to) as much as the tire pressure just did. I will give a full update after I install everything next week.

[JBP]

We also don't have any handling problems with our XL 369. I really think that it as good if not better than our 2006 DP. It is the best that I have driven in a cross wind. It may be the length. This is the longest one that we have owned.

[Narkomed]

Here is update to my earlier post.

Finally replaced the stock Bilstein shocks with a new set of Bilstein Shocks (silver ones) on front and rear. The new Bilstein shocks supposed to have different valving. I am happy to say the new shocks eliminated annoying bounces - We were getting multiple bounces after bumps as if we have bad shocks. Perhaps the shocks were bad.

Here are things we've done to our 270 in order

1. Air pressure adjustment - was over 100 PSI from the dealer. We are happy with 82 PSI
2. Front end alignment -fixed alignment issue but the alignment shop refilled the tire to 100 PSI
3. Two new front tire - due to the out of alignment, the tire wore out unevenly and causing vibration. The balancing tire did not fix the vibration - the tire shop refilled the air to 100 PSI
4. Sumo spring installation at home ($1150)
5. New Bilstein shocks installation at home ($350)

We are now very happy with current set up and do think we will do any more to the suspension

We do not notice any push from wind or trucks.
We do not feel excessive sway so no CHF
The steering does not wonder

With the updates, the suspension feels some what like air ride but obviously not the same and not comfortable as class B we had.

For the money we spent, we are very happy with improvements we've noticed.

We've test drove 2017 Tiffin Breeze with air ride but it did not impress us.

This is just our opinion based on our own experience.

Cheers !