RV Sway and Porpoising|Suspension Upgrades on a 10 yr old Motorhome YES or NO?

[@ohpinion8td]

Really appreciate your natural story telling and information sharing. Very enjoyable to watch, not to mention very informative. Looks like you did several of the improvements we’re considering on our 2011 F53 Class A. It’s great to hear your experiences. Also - love the share on the tech who did your work. Thanks for this.

[@robandkarenphotography]

Thank you for your words of encouragement. We had our suspension work done down in Luka Mississippi. Lakeshore Custom Rv. Bryan the owner is a knowledgeable mechanic when it comes to motorhomes and trailers. Shop rate was good as Canadians we still found the rate after the exchanged reasonable. Thanks for watching our episode all the best and Live Your Best Life Cheers.

[@thecasualrver]

Nice review Rob, I went in a different direction, I went with the LiquidSpring 4 corner (front and rear) 5 link active smart suspension system. The leaf springs, shocks, and all existing hardware is removed and replaced with outboard of the chassis frame strut suspension. The system analyzes vehicle speed, steering, ride height, braking and road conditions 1000 times per second, and actively adjusts and adapts in 40-milliseconds. The system uses a 6% compressible silicon liquid at 3000 psi. It makes my 26,000 coach truly drive and handle like a large SUV. Rough roads, bumps, crosswinds, railroad tracks, passing trucks, air push, etc is now almost non-existent. I can now drive 10 hours without being fatigued. Yes it's expensive, it's by far the best money that I have spent on this coach. I can even lower and level the coach.

[@robandkarenphotography]

Holy cow that’s sounds amazing. I didn’t realize the tech involved with the liquid spring suspension system is that extensive👍. In the end its really is about enjoying our time behind the wheel. Thanks for your comment great to hear from someone who had the liquid spring suspension installed. All the best casualrver Live Your Best Life. From Rob and Karen

[@KlipschHead281]

Problem for most is the cost. LS is a pure luxury option for most at about 28k for the install. WE WISH! 😀

[@Lori245]

Thank you so much for all that information! Going to buy a Class A 30 ft next year and trying to learn all we can now. You explained it very very well. 😂. A lot of upgrades in my future. Stay safe

[@robandkarenphotography]

@@Lori245 Thank you. Wish you all the best as you embark on your RV adventures.

[@williammiller442]

Great information Thanks for sharing.

[@edwardrock1666]

Front torsion bars from superstar really make a huge difference.

[@randywilliams4325]

In the early 90’s I got a job at a Ford dealer as a tech in the medium duty truck shop . Even that many years ago Ford had tsb’s on the f53 chassis and I had to perform work on many of them . Back then it was new front leaf springs , shocks ,sway bars . 1 night I had to change a steering gear box on a diesel pusher on an Osh Kosh chassis . Customer complaint was tight spot in steering . After the repair I took that 1 for a freeway test drive . Found out a diesel pusher vs a front gas engine is a night and day difference . The diesel is quieter because the engine is in the back . They steer much better and are much easier and relaxing to drive .

[@robandkarenphotography]

Have to agree with ya there the diesel RV's are better ride hands downs. Wish I had the funds to go that route. LOL We have met many full-time RVer's with diesel and they love them. Hey thanks for this episode. All the best and Live Your Best Life Cheers.

[@bretgann905]

our 1997 30ft Bounder-F53 chassis had horrible porpoising. after many attempts ( New Bistien shocks- Sway bars increase, new bushings) - we figured out the front leaf springs were going from convex to concave when we hit a dip on the freeway, causing the front end to bounce like crazy and almost unstoppable. After measuring all four corners and comparing to the original ride height specs we discovered that all springs had sagged 3'-4" !! A local spring shop re-arc'd the springs and this corrected the issue.

[@MrJacksJourney]

I've done the Safe-T Plus and Koni shocks on my 2018 Tiffin Open Road 34PA. Bah... humbug! During the test drive, I thought I could tell an improvement. Several thousand miles later, no. No improvement. My wife will no longer ride with me. The Safe-T Plus no longer holds the steering wheel at true north and I must manhandle the coach at all times. Safe-T Plus has a lifetime warranty and will charge me $175 dollars to make the adjustment. I love the freedeom that comes with RV ownership and I'm aware that it will always cost money (like any home). It's going to take a while to save up the funds, buy we will install Liquid Springs as soon as possible. BTW... great job on the video!

[@robandkarenphotography]

Hello Jacks Journey sorry to hear that you didn't see any improvement with your ride. I spoke with other Rvers and watched the videos on Liquid Springs. Yep pricy but it sounds like the ultimate RV suspension upgrade for sure. When you do get it done please let me know your thoughts. For our rig I did notice more stability with the addition of the rear trac bar and the dual rear aux sway bar kit. This was a major change in the feel of the RV and the way she handled when trucks passed. And oddly enough our RV GVWR is actually 2000 pounds lighter than your 2018 I actually found that surprising considering we are at 36ft crazy right anyway! As for the Safe-T-Plus Steering Control it could be that because my unit is 5 years old and our steering control may be more worn out. But for us I noticed a substantial change in the overall handling which I will be discussing my final thoughts in the up coming video. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment we really enjoy speaking with our RVer's about their on road experiences. All the best from Rob and Karen photography

[@jameslawless9819]

Having a Ford F53 Chassis under my Tiffin 32SA I experienced the same issues. First ad on was Safety Steer. That helped but still not satisfied. Second ad on was Super Steer Trac Bar. Biggest improvement but still not satisfied. Third ad on was Roadmaster sway bar and Super Steer radius rods. Now I can hold my lane when trailers pass or strong cross wind. Diesel pusher will always be a better ride. If your planning to drive across the country go with a diesel pusher. If your trips are under 300 miles and back F53 Chassis will work for you. F53 Chassis is basically a schoolbus chassis. Remember how they road riding to school.

[@jimmcfadden9865]

Thanks for this video, I had the rear trac bar installed on my 2017 Class A on the F53 chassis and felt there was a noticeable improvement. A year later I had the Saf T Steer installed and I did not notice a big difference, however I still value the Saf T Steer in the event of a tire blowout. I am contemplating what suspension upgrade(s) to do next, and was contemplating the Koni shocks, however based on seemingly mediocre reviews of the additional suspension upgrades beyond what I’ve already done I think I’m going to sit tight. I paid less than $80k for my preowned Class A and cannot/would not invest in the Liquid Springs suspension upgrade as I understand the cost of same is north of $20k. That plus with the liquid Springs upgrade you lose about 500 pounds of carrying capacity which I can afford.

[@robandkarenphotography]

Hi Jim, thanks for your comment. I tried to do the best that I could to provide an accurate account of what was happening with our RV. I also feel that liquid spring suspension is a bit too steep for me personally. But I hear it is supposed to be an amazing ride. Guess it should be for the cost. With respect to the shocks, our rig was 10 years old, and the shocks had not been replaced since the original purchase, and they were, well overdue. But if you do think about shocks check out the Koni EVO product line. So far, I’ve been pleased with how the porpoising has been reduced. I talk about this and my final thoughts in this week’s episode. Thank you very much for your comments. Live Your Best Life Jim. Wishing you all the best. Rob and Karen

[@KlipschHead281]

Ford and RV builders have had decades to do right on the suspensions of these chassis. Especially on the higher end Class A's, what can ya do so we are stuck doing upgrades.

[@steverobinson1598]

I have the F-53 chassis on motorhome. On your Firestone Ride-Rite air assist bags, what psi you run front and rear?

[@robandkarenphotography]

We had our rear bags removed and keep the front end ones. We set the front air bag pressure between 30 - 35 PSI. I have been contemplating if I will reinstall the rears now that we have a better set of shocks. I have a question for you if you don't mind. How have you found the Firestone Ride air system and how old is yours. I'm only asking the age to get an understanding of the system durability. Hey thanks for watching look forward to your info. All the best from rob and karen photography.

[@steverobinson1598]

@@robandkarenphotography 2006. I keep rubber conditioner on them.

[@steverobinson1598]

I run 60 psi in rear and 45 in front

[@frankdupointe4953]

What were costs of the mods?

[@robandkarenphotography]

Hi, so sorry for the late return we have been crazy busy with life stuff. I had to dig around my computer files but I located my complete parts list and pricing. Thanks again for watching CHEERS from Canada. List of Parts RV FRONT END FRONT KONI FSD FOR FORD F53 CHASSIS, 8805-1018 - $199.00 SUPERSTEER® SS101 HEAT TREATED FRONT SWAY BAR FOR FORD F53 V10 - $997.50 SAFE-T-PLUS STEERING CONTROL 41-230 BLUE - $565.00 RV REAR END REAR KONI FSD FOR FORD F53 CHASSIS 8805-1019 - $199.00 SUPERSTEER® SS525 REAR TRAC BAR FOR FORD F53 V10 24-26K GVWR - $599.00 SUPERSTEER® SS293 FORD F53 DUAL REAR AUX SWAY BAR KIT 24-26K - $2,200.00

[@wvimages999]

I just upgraded our 2014 Fleetwood Bounder 34M F53 chassis with a roadmaster steering stabilizer and there rear sway bar 1-5/8 and it’s a 1000 times better. Dust do upgrades

[@robandkarenphotography]

It has made my driving experience so much more fun. It's enjoyable to get behind the wheel these days. Thanks for watching and your comments CHEERS

[@michaelwaller6093]

Trust me, you can’t spend enough money to solve your F53 chassis issues. We had a new 2019 Tiffin 32SA that we did a total upgrade on suspension system. There was nothing left untouched and we spent a ton. Long story short, we now have a Tiffin RED 33AA DP that is stock and needs no upgrades. Should have bought the DP to begin with when we looked at them. Very comfortable ride, no sway, porpoising or tail wag.

[@KlipschHead281]

Ford should be ashamed for not offering upgrades or design upgrades for this platform. My F53 is 30ft and I am going to modify the front for steering and shocks and possibly air bags. Liquid Springs would be awesome but not at 28k. Congrats on the upgrade to a DP, I hope to do the same some day.

[@robandkarenphotography]

Firstly would love to have upgraded to a DP but not in our budget. So much nicer of a ride and much quieter I would imagine as well. I also looked into the whole DWayne Wells of Liquid Spring but as much as I wished that to was just a tad out of our price range lol. I have to agree with Head 281 would be nice if the manufacture took responsibility for what they create and provide more suspension support right from the get go. I would pay more for it because in the end you're gonna do it one way or the other. Thanks for watching Head281 and Waller6093 cheers from Canada

[@azimmey]

I wish manufacturers would fix up the rv’s suspension right from the get go. I know why they don’t but it would be nice.

[@robandkarenphotography]

Agreed would be nice for sure. Thanks for watching all the best.

[@beckeda1]

Nice work and research. Too bad Ford engineers and the motorhome builders can't spend some time to figure this out. This issue caused me to get out the RV lifestyle for good.

[@robandkarenphotography]

Wow so sorry to hear that. They can be an expensive way to travel. Wish you all the best in your new life endeavors.

[@jimbunde8884]

MENTIONING THE COST WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPORTANT

[@readysetretirego]

Way safer and you will be less tired which mean more energy for Karen

[@azimmey]

Can’t hear you over the music

[@robandkarenphotography]

Thank you for the info will have to work on that. Thanks for watching. CHEERS

[@gregorydavidson9107]

Great content, but the music ruins the video by covering the commentary. Too bad.

[@robandkarenphotography]

Hey yea definitely needed to lower the music in this episode. Still getting used to editing. Glad to hear you’re still able to enjoy the majority of the content take care. Thanks for watching.

[@klhjojb]

turn your music down!

[@robandkarenphotography]

Thanks for the insight, still working on my editing skills CHEERS

[@jameslawless9819]

No need for the music at all. Your trying to explain something and us old guys with ADD need to concentrate and listen to everything your saying. Think about this Imagine going to school and the teacher has music playing while giving instructions. Not helpful. Great topic because F53 Chassis are basically a school bus chassis. Remember how much fun it was riding in the rear going over bumps and you would all fly off the seats.

[@SuperSteer]

Did you see my email to you?

[@robandkarenphotography]

Yes thank you have sent a reply.