Chassis Upgrades

  • 04/29/2018 1:33 PM
    Message # 6124980
    Deleted user

    just purchased a 2018 Bounder 36D and love it, however in South Louisiana we have these things that resemble roads that ride like your traveling down rail road tracks. Is there up grades available that would help improve the ride. Also the coach has a tendency to float at hwy speeds 60/65 max same question has anyone done shock/ sway bar upgrades and did it help? 

    Jerry 


  • 04/30/2018 9:35 AM
    Reply # 6126175 on 6124980
    Deleted user

    Hi, I would move the pins (lots of posts on this with a Ford F53 chassie). Get a blue ox steering stablizer and add sumo airless. All total about $3500 tp $4500. That is what I did for my 2015 Southwinds.

  • 04/30/2018 10:38 AM
    Reply # 6126250 on 6124980
    Deleted user

    If you have a 36D, you have a Freightliner chassis with air ride suspension, and since a 2018, hope you have the V-ride suspension. If this is the case, you shouldn’t have the kind of problems you describe. Suggest you find a Freightliner Service Center, Preferably an Oasis Freightliner Service Center that specializes in the Freightliner Custom Chassis for Rv’s, and have them check-out the Chassis. You might also have your wheel alignment checked.

  • 04/30/2018 12:51 PM
    Reply # 6126477 on 6124980

    Hello Jerry:

    As mentioned earlier Sumo Springs help with the ride, but it is not going to improve your state's roads as you mentioned as well as any other states bad roads that much! Shocks are the other item to improve "ride" currently our Ford F-53 chassis  are equipped with Sachs brand shocks from the factory. I am in process of replacing them with Koni's on my coach. I will update you with feedback when I am done! As far as handling goes, I like the Safe T Plus steering stabilizer. Also check tire pressures  versus Fleetwood recommended, "floating" to me indicates they are a little high. Then consider adding Super Steer's rear trac bar. Then drive it, see how it feels and add other handling items like anti sway bars until you get what you are looking for.

    Dan Quasnick

    2017 Fleetwood Bounder 33C, Sumo Springs F&R, Safe-T-Plus, Supersteer Rear Trac Bar



  • 05/29/2018 11:41 AM
    Reply # 6271318 on 6124980
    Deleted user

    I have a 2018 Fleetwood Southwind 34C, F53 22K (basically a bounder 33C LX).  I have the blue safe-t-plus and it helped with freeway speed wandering.  I also added the front and rear sway bars by Roadmaster. They made a world of difference with body roll and highway speed handeling.  I have sumo springs but they are still in the box.  I'm going to instal today or tomorrow.

    I'm currently trying to find a place where I can get a four corner weight reading.  I went to a cat scale and got the axle weight and I'm using the divide by 2 and add 10%.  Currently loaded, my front tires (235/80/R22.5) per the Michelin chart should be 80 psi and my rears at 95 psi.  Factory placard calls for 90 on all four.  This little bit of pressure change made a noticeable difference in combating the floating at highway speeds.

    I turned wrenches for a living for a long time so I do all the work myself.  Let me know if you have any install questions and I will do my best to answer.  :)  I would "steer" clear of dealership service.  Find an independent motorhome shop with good reviews and seek their help.

  • 05/29/2018 10:37 PM
    Reply # 6272378 on 6124980
    Anonymous

    I have a 2018 Southwind 36P and previously owned 3 RVs on the F53 chassis.

    I have done no other upgrades other than the cheap handling fix, and I have never experienced

    uncomfortable sway. I run on a lot of windy mountain roads and the 36P holds the turns pretty good.

    The CHF is free and takes about an hour, there are several threads and u-tube videos about it.

    I would try it first, then move up to better options if you do not get the ride you expect, the

    new sway bars and shocks should obviously make a big difference, but so far I have not tried them.



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