Excellent video. I was shocked how poor my 2022 Winnebago Vista road down the highway. I went to Ford, had them check the suspension ( brand new vehicle), alignment and tire balancing. The balancing helped. Then over the past 20 months I had the following done, in this order 1. Koni shocks and Safe-T-Plus 2. Two months later installed the track bar 3. 8 months later installed Sumo Springs. ( Ford did upgrade the sway bars around 2020). Each of these upgrades made a difference. Combined, I really see the difference. 31,000 miles in almost two years and it’s much improved . It still rides like an old designed truck that Ford should be ashamed of selling. I also blame the big three RV manufacturers. They sell so many F53 chassis’s , they should include these upgrades , or better yet, get Ford to at least include better shocks and steering stabilizer. In our great country we should be embarrassed to produce and include such shabby components. Just my opinion. Thank you for another great video.
Anthony, it sounds like you made the right moves to get your rig to reach its best handling potential. That's awesome! And I also agree that Ford should have been updating these chassis components all along to improve this situation. But wishing doesn't make it so. And until Ford has some serious competition in the gas-powered chassis category, I would not expect much to change. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us!
Excellent video! Thanks! Since I’m still in the research stage of which Class C (or B+) to buy next year when I retire, I have two brief questions: (1) You focus on the Ford chassis. To what extent does the MB Sprinter chassis have these same ride/handling problems? Will I still likely need suspension upgrades on the Sprinter (hopefully not after that huge up charge on the chassis)? I’m considering a new View/Navion. (2) As an aside, does an RV inspection include the engine and transmission? My nearest authorized Sprinter service center is 150 miles away and so I worry about buying something with engine, emission or tranny issues and error codes. Conversely, getting service for Ford chassis models seems to be much easier. Thank you! Gary
Hi Gary. I don't personally consider a motorhome built on a van chassis to be a true Class C RV. They just don't have much in common with the larger and heavier Class Cs that are built on a Ford commercial chassis instead. So the answer to your first question is that there is no similarity between the ride and handling of the Sprinter van chassis and the Ford chassis. In general, the Sprinter chassis makes for a much better driving experience and the View/Navion would be a great choice in that category. Regarding RV inspections, they do not include a full inspection on mechanical components that only a qualified mechanic could do. They do however include a visual inspection on those components, as well as a ride-along as the RV is driven to determine if there are any irregularities that can be detected that need further attention. You are right to be concerned about the distance to a MB repair facility for Sprinter based RVs. That, along with the higher cost of parts for Sprinter's are the main complaints that owners of that chassis mention regularly. I made a video about this subject that might be helpful and you can view it here - th-cam.com/video/SeroO5ALniU/w-d-xo.html I hope that helps.
As a retired Ford mechanic I can tell you the Ford chassis is very robust and d was designed for commercial use not necessarily for recreation vehicles. Most of the handling issues can be attributed to the weight distribution of the housing unit. Look how much weight overhang there is on that narrow chassis. That’s why they lean so much. And the weight really hangs off the back as well causing the fishtailing. The springs on that chassis are really stiff and that’s why you get the harsh ride. They are made to handle weight, not for ride quality. The solution would be to have airbags that automatically adjust according to the ride level when cornering etc. Those Newmar Class A coaches have an airbag system that constantly adjusts automatically on the fly. On the Class C motor coaches, it’s the manufacturers that are at fault most of the time. It’s like putting a cruise ship on a couple of pontoons. There’s just no stability. That’s my honest opinion.
I have a 2022 Entegra Odyssey 30z. The RV came with front and rear stabilizer bars, Helwig helper springs, and rubber isolation body mounts. Even with the factory enhancements the coach still wandered all over the road. I replaced the front steering stabilizer with a Roadmaster Exact Center steering stabilizer. It made a huge difference. The RV handles so much better and tracks down the center of the lane.
@@fredsanchez577 I read reviews and spoke to a couple of technicians. It is easier to adjust than the other types of stabilizers. My friend who has a Safe T Plus on his motorhome and compared to his system the Roadmaster is much easier.
@@user-ql8xq6eg4c I think you're right. I just had the Roadmaster Reflex Steering Stabilizer installed (amount other suspension upgrades - shocks, swaybars & sumo springs) and the Ford dealer had to make an adjustment. At first it made my motorcoach pull to the right but with 1 adjustment it was fixed and so far I'm pleased with the performance. The Safe-T-Plus I believe has a little bit better design as all the parts, including the spring are internal to the shock. I really like that. Only time will tell - but if my Roadmaster steering stabilizer ever wears out - I'll look at the Safe-T-Plus.... 👍
I bought a used gas Class A and after one 2 week trip on highways, I immediately got rid of it when I got home. Driving was a death defying experience with the lean, roll, wandering, bouncing and OMG, getting passed by a semi. Traded it in for a used diesel with an air ride suspension. Problem solved and I only added a Safe-T-Steer.
If you ever in San Diego we would love to give you a ride in a WTD coach with the proper suspension installed, and none of the products you discussed in this video were added.
🇨🇦 the Ford F53 chassis is ok, but a few things must be realized. The weight distribution by the RV manufacture is crucial. Excessive overhang past the rear axle can unload the front suspension causing oversteering. The leaf springs tend to wear out prematurely due to the fact that most RVs are fully loaded all the time. A leaf spring may only travel about 3” . If the RV has sagged an inch or so it limits the springs flexibility causing a rough ride. Uneven loading of personal gear and overloading can also effect performance.
I have a 22 Entegra Odyssey 25 R. Main issue is the incredibly rough ride. Any suggestions & where is the best service place to go since I live in Kansas?
The only suggestions I have are the ones in this video. And you may be able to find a well reviewed service facility in Kansa at this site - rvservicereviews.com/Index.asp
Hello, I have a 2007 Fleetwood Tioga Ranger 25G on a Ford E450 chassis. I have added all of the name brand suspension handling upgrades that you have mentioned. The cornering performance is like a SUV. I can corner faster than the tires can take. Absolutely no lean at all! But, I would like to improve the rough ride on bumps and freeway expansion joints. Two upgrades I was looking at Sumo springs or rear air bags. I was thinking that the airbags would lift the back end slightly enough to get some load on the airbags and improve ride. Sumo spring, I think would be firmer/handling. Don't need more improved handling just a better ride. Which Of the two would you recommend for a better ride?
My opinion is that Sumo springs do very little to improve the ride in most cases. But they are great for controlling sideways sway. I have heard some say that installing air bags has been helpful for ride improvement. But I'm assuming that you have already upgraded your shocks as that would be the first place to go for make the ride better.
Are there any suspension experts in the Phoenix/Scottsdale are for a 2016 Tiffin 37AP bus. It appears that I have an air leak in the suspension on the drivers side?
Hi John. I had some small air leaks in the rear of my DP. So I took it to Dynamic Diesel. They did a great job for me. The number is 602-376-1448. I hope that helps.
Hi new to your channel (one of my friends sent me a link and I love it) one question I have and not about this video but I was wondering your thoughts on the best used bumper pull toy haulers? I'm kinda torn on which direction to go for our next RV a used diesel pusher or toy hauler to tow behind my Yukon, I enjoy our older Class C we have now but with the kids getting bigger I'm looking at something with more room Thanks Dan
Hi Dan. Believe it or not, next week's video will be about the top 3 travel trailer toy hauler brands and models that I recommend. Talk about timing .... :-)
Can you tell me how to care for my fiberglass roof-to- back bumper roof? It’s a TT and seems to be hard to find care for it, most roofs are PVC or Rubber . Or a YT channel that could help me out with
One good way to care for a fiberglass RV roof is to clean it thoroughly and apply a roof coating specifically designed for fiberglass roofs, like this one - amzn.to/46EvGkY
I just got a 2023 Class C. It feels like the power steering is way overpowered. There is zero feel in the steering wheel to clue you in as to what the front tires are doing. You definitely cannot feel a center point in the steering that usually gives you that straight ahead feeling. Unnerving to say the least.
Excellent video. I was shocked how poor my 2022 Winnebago Vista road down the highway. I went to Ford, had them check the suspension ( brand new vehicle), alignment and tire balancing.
The balancing helped.
Then over the past 20 months I had the following done, in this order
1. Koni shocks and Safe-T-Plus
2. Two months later installed the track bar
3. 8 months later installed Sumo Springs.
( Ford did upgrade the sway bars around 2020).
Each of these upgrades made a difference. Combined, I really see the difference. 31,000 miles in almost two years and it’s much improved .
It still rides like an old designed truck that Ford should be ashamed of selling. I also blame the big three RV manufacturers.
They sell so many F53 chassis’s , they should include these upgrades , or better yet, get Ford to at least include better shocks and steering stabilizer.
In our great country we should be embarrassed to produce and include such shabby components.
Just my opinion.
Thank you for another great video.
Anthony, it sounds like you made the right moves to get your rig to reach its best handling potential. That's awesome! And I also agree that Ford should have been updating these chassis components all along to improve this situation. But wishing doesn't make it so. And until Ford has some serious competition in the gas-powered chassis category, I would not expect much to change. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us!
Do it once and do it right . Take it to Weldtec Designs in San Diego .Best upgrade you can do for your Class C.
Thanks for the suggestion and for watching the video.
Excellent video! Thanks! Since I’m still in the research stage of which Class C (or B+) to buy next year when I retire, I have two brief questions:
(1) You focus on the Ford chassis. To what extent does the MB Sprinter chassis have these same ride/handling problems? Will I still likely need suspension upgrades on the Sprinter (hopefully not after that huge up charge on the chassis)? I’m considering a new View/Navion.
(2) As an aside, does an RV inspection include the engine and transmission? My nearest authorized Sprinter service center is 150 miles away and so I worry about buying something with engine, emission or tranny issues and error codes. Conversely, getting service for Ford chassis models seems to be much easier.
Thank you!
Gary
Hi Gary. I don't personally consider a motorhome built on a van chassis to be a true Class C RV. They just don't have much in common with the larger and heavier Class Cs that are built on a Ford commercial chassis instead. So the answer to your first question is that there is no similarity between the ride and handling of the Sprinter van chassis and the Ford chassis. In general, the Sprinter chassis makes for a much better driving experience and the View/Navion would be a great choice in that category. Regarding RV inspections, they do not include a full inspection on mechanical components that only a qualified mechanic could do. They do however include a visual inspection on those components, as well as a ride-along as the RV is driven to determine if there are any irregularities that can be detected that need further attention. You are right to be concerned about the distance to a MB repair facility for Sprinter based RVs. That, along with the higher cost of parts for Sprinter's are the main complaints that owners of that chassis mention regularly. I made a video about this subject that might be helpful and you can view it here - th-cam.com/video/SeroO5ALniU/w-d-xo.html I hope that helps.
@@RVInspectionAndCare Thank you, sir, very much for your thoughtful and detailed reply!
As a retired Ford mechanic I can tell you the Ford chassis is very robust and d was designed for commercial use not necessarily for recreation vehicles. Most of the handling issues can be attributed to the weight distribution of the housing unit. Look how much weight overhang there is on that narrow chassis. That’s why they lean so much. And the weight really hangs off the back as well causing the fishtailing. The springs on that chassis are really stiff and that’s why you get the harsh ride. They are made to handle weight, not for ride quality. The solution would be to have airbags that automatically adjust according to the ride level when cornering etc. Those Newmar Class A coaches have an airbag system that constantly adjusts automatically on the fly. On the Class C motor coaches, it’s the manufacturers that are at fault most of the time. It’s like putting a cruise ship on a couple of pontoons. There’s just no stability. That’s my honest opinion.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience here.
Some great information. I upgraded my F53 chassis with air ride and it made a huge difference in handling and ride.
Hi Marty. That's another great way to tame that chassis. Thanks for mentioning it!
I have a 2022 Entegra Odyssey 30z. The RV came with front and rear stabilizer bars, Helwig helper springs, and rubber isolation body mounts. Even with the factory enhancements the coach still wandered all over the road. I replaced the front steering stabilizer with a Roadmaster Exact Center steering stabilizer. It made a huge difference. The RV handles so much better and tracks down the center of the lane.
The right steering stabilizer can be a real game changer for highway travel. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
Love the feedback on your new steering stabilizer. What made you choose the Roadmaster stabilizer versus the SafeTPlus or Bilstein...? Just curious..
@@fredsanchez577 I read reviews and spoke to a couple of technicians. It is easier to adjust than the other types of stabilizers. My friend who has a Safe T Plus on his motorhome and compared to his system the Roadmaster is much easier.
@@user-ql8xq6eg4c I think you're right. I just had the Roadmaster Reflex Steering Stabilizer installed (amount other suspension upgrades - shocks, swaybars & sumo springs) and the Ford dealer had to make an adjustment. At first it made my motorcoach pull to the right but with 1 adjustment it was fixed and so far I'm pleased with the performance. The Safe-T-Plus I believe has a little bit better design as all the parts, including the spring are internal to the shock. I really like that. Only time will tell - but if my Roadmaster steering stabilizer ever wears out - I'll look at the Safe-T-Plus.... 👍
I bought a used gas Class A and after one 2 week trip on highways, I immediately got rid of it when I got home. Driving was a death defying experience with the lean, roll, wandering, bouncing and OMG, getting passed by a semi. Traded it in for a used diesel with an air ride suspension. Problem solved and I only added a Safe-T-Steer.
Thanks for sharing that experience Robert. Some gas-powered chassis suspensions are just awful.
If you ever in San Diego we would love to give you a ride in a WTD coach with the proper suspension installed, and none of the products you discussed in this video were added.
Thanks for the invite. If I am in San Diego I may take you up on that.
@@RVInspectionAndCare Dwayne...would love to hear your impressions of WeldTec!
@@larrycox6614 I haven't had much experience with their products so I don't think I can comment on them yet.
🇨🇦 the Ford F53 chassis is ok, but a few things must be realized. The weight distribution by the RV manufacture is crucial. Excessive overhang past the rear axle can unload the front suspension causing oversteering. The leaf springs tend to wear out prematurely due to the fact that most RVs are fully loaded all the time. A leaf spring may only travel about 3” . If the RV has sagged an inch or so it limits the springs flexibility causing a rough ride. Uneven loading of personal gear and overloading can also effect performance.
Thanks for sharing those points Greg. And for a helpful and informative comment!
Great advice.
Thanks for watching the video and leaving positive feedback about its content. It's much appreciated!
Great video. Thanks for putting on our tracbar and Radius Rods! We should talk!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching!
I have a 22 Entegra Odyssey 25 R. Main issue is the incredibly rough ride. Any suggestions & where is the best service place to go since I live in Kansas?
The only suggestions I have are the ones in this video. And you may be able to find a well reviewed service facility in Kansa at this site - rvservicereviews.com/Index.asp
Hello,
I have a 2007 Fleetwood Tioga Ranger 25G on a Ford E450 chassis.
I have added all of the name brand suspension handling upgrades that you have mentioned.
The cornering performance is like a SUV. I can corner faster than the tires can take. Absolutely no lean at all!
But, I would like to improve the rough ride on bumps and freeway expansion joints.
Two upgrades I was looking at Sumo springs or rear air bags.
I was thinking that the airbags would lift the back end slightly enough to get some load on the airbags and improve ride. Sumo spring, I think would be firmer/handling. Don't need more improved handling just a better ride.
Which Of the two would you recommend for a better ride?
My opinion is that Sumo springs do very little to improve the ride in most cases. But they are great for controlling sideways sway. I have heard some say that installing air bags has been helpful for ride improvement. But I'm assuming that you have already upgraded your shocks as that would be the first place to go for make the ride better.
@@RVInspectionAndCareYES.... I switched out the Bilseins and installed Kona
Are there any suspension experts in the Phoenix/Scottsdale are for a 2016 Tiffin 37AP bus. It appears that I have an air leak in the suspension on the drivers side?
Hi John. I had some small air leaks in the rear of my DP. So I took it to Dynamic Diesel. They did a great job for me. The number is 602-376-1448. I hope that helps.
Hi new to your channel (one of my friends sent me a link and I love it) one question I have and not about this video but I was wondering your thoughts on the best used bumper pull toy haulers? I'm kinda torn on which direction to go for our next RV a used diesel pusher or toy hauler to tow behind my Yukon, I enjoy our older Class C we have now but with the kids getting bigger I'm looking at something with more room
Thanks
Dan
Hi Dan. Believe it or not, next week's video will be about the top 3 travel trailer toy hauler brands and models that I recommend. Talk about timing .... :-)
@@RVInspectionAndCare perfect can't wait! Definitely good timing thanks for replying so soon!
Can you tell me how to care for my fiberglass roof-to- back bumper roof? It’s a TT and seems to be hard to find care for it, most roofs are PVC or Rubber . Or a YT channel that could help me out with
One good way to care for a fiberglass RV roof is to clean it thoroughly and apply a roof coating specifically designed for fiberglass roofs, like this one - amzn.to/46EvGkY
I just got a 2023 Class C. It feels like the power steering is way overpowered. There is zero feel in the steering wheel to clue you in as to what the front tires are doing. You definitely cannot feel a center point in the steering that usually gives you that straight ahead feeling. Unnerving to say the least.
I would have a shop that specializes in front ends check it over and see if adjustments need to be made. It doesn't sound right.