wknocke
Florida
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Joined: 08/15/2007
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I am sure this has been addressed before, please forgive me for asking again. I have a 31 foot F-53 V-10. I live in Florida the home of the grooved interstate. It seems that every second is spent trying to keep in the lane . The question is would a DP be easier to control? Or be more stable in the wind or being passed by a truck. Maybe it's me. I have driven the new Sprinter based C . They drive well and are stable but small.
Wayne & BJ
2004 Trek
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John & Angela
Full Timers in Canada, USA and Mexico
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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Hi Wayne and welcome to the Forum. My opinion on your question is that first you should have a good frame and wheel allignment place look at your rig. Tell him/her the problem and take it for a drive. I had a gasser on a workhorse chassis and it drove quite nice so it is possible. If you can drive other motorhomes on the same chassis and see if they are better or worse.
We moved up to a diesel chassis because it would carry the weight of the load of the coach we wanted. Nice to have but not a requirement for a nice ride in my opinion
Hope this helps.
John and Angela
Come visit us at our website and share in our great fulltime RV Adventure.
2003 Fleetwood Revolution 40C
Retired Canadian Air Force Technicians
Vernon,B.C,Canada.
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427435
Rochester, Mn
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Joined: 11/12/2005
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The Trek is short so that doesn't help much. However, have it aligned and be sure they set the the toe so it's in slightly (1/8" +/- 1/16). More important is the caster----it should be at least 4-1/2 degrees. Do a both a search and a "google" on F53 alignment. Most people are pleased with their newer F53's when the caster gets set correctly (a lot of alignment shops will try and get away without correcting the caster as it's a lot of work). At least, I'm quite satisfied with mine once I got the caster corrected----can drive one-handed if there aren't strong cross winds.
Mark
2000 Itasca Suncruiser 35U on a Ford chassis
2003 Ford Explorer toad with US Gear brakes,
ReadyBrute tow bar, and Demco base plate.
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427435
Rochester, Mn
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Here's a couple of links:
F53 Alignment Specs
Increasing caster 2 degrees.
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BIGBUS
Bohemia New York
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Joined: 01/22/2007
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"Rut Tracking" is a fairly common problem in motorhomes. Motorhome front suspensions are still fairly simple outdated designs, basically a solid axle and leaf springs. Diesel pusher to tend to track better due to longer wheel bases, more wieght, larger tires etc. However you need to get to independant front suspension to really make a difference. Good tires and alignment will also help. I repalced my front Michelin XRV with Continental HSR-1's. What difference.
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thgoodman
Emery, SD
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Joined: 06/26/2006
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Wayne, don't test drive a diesel pusher. I did and then I had to have one.
Tom & Jan
Fulltimers since April '06 with 3 fur kids (George - mini Aussie, Archie - mini Poodle, Kitty - 20 yo blind cat)
1991 Beaver Contessa towing 2006 Subaru (4 down)
Started workamping Sept '07 - This isn't too bad. Think we'll do it some more.
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Bruce Brown
Northern NY
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Joined: 06/01/2001
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thgoodman wrote:Wayne, don't test drive a diesel pusher. I did and then I had to have one.
TRUE! I'll add to that if you really aren't ready to sign on the dotted line the do not drive a Newmar with Comfort Drive. Yeah...it's that good. 
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910
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zmotorsports
Utah
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Joined: 11/29/2007
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wknocke wrote:I am sure this has been addressed before, please forgive me for asking again. I have a 31 foot F-53 V-10. I live in Florida the home of the grooved interstate. It seems that every second is spent trying to keep in the lane . The question is would a DP be easier to control? Or be more stable in the wind or being passed by a truck. Maybe it's me. I have driven the new Sprinter based C . They drive well and are stable but small.
Wayne & BJ
2004 Trek
Wayne, have an alignment done like others have mentioned. Yours should stay fairly straight with the front to rear wheel placement of that chassis. It shouldn't be 'easier' to control than a DP but it will have a different feel to it. As far as the stability when a semi passes or in the wind this is more of a weight issue than an alignment. The heavier DPs don't get pushed around as easily by the wind and/or semis than their lighter gas counterparts. Mike.
Mike & Chrystal (F315002)
2003 Monaco Dynasty/ 26' Haulmark Edge trailer
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad
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SunflyerA
Andover, Minnesota USA
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Joined: 01/08/2004
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wknocke wrote:I am sure this has been addressed before, please forgive me for asking again. I have a 31 foot F-53 V-10. I live in Florida the home of the grooved interstate. It seems that every second is spent trying to keep in the lane . The question is would a DP be easier to control? Or be more stable in the wind or being passed by a truck. Maybe it's me. I have driven the new Sprinter based C . They drive well and are stable but small.
Wayne & BJ
2004 Trek
I put the ride rite air bags, Bilstien shocks, and the steer safe on my F53.....it was longer than yours (35ft) but it did ride better than my current DP on the Spartan chassis. I was at my GVWR so the ride wasn't as hard as some F53 owners complain about. It did track straight and trucks or wind were not noticed. My DP rides smooth enough but wind is a factor....just not enough to get me to spend the money right now on a Blue Ox True Center.
sunflyer
2005 Fleetwood Excursion 39S
350 Cat
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wi george
wisconsin
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Joined: 10/04/2005
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Well, i have to agree , do not drive a DP or you will never be happy with a gasser again. i have had 3 gassers over the years. 5 yrs ago got an older DP and could never go back to a gas one again, quieter,smoother,more stable and a pleasure to drive..IMHO george
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