go6car
New Jersey
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Hi All -
Been looking at some new 2011 v10 F-53 (24,000-lb) gassers and have had several different dealers tell me that with the "improvements" made specifically to the 2011 model year chassis, you don't need all the aftermarket add-ons to make the ride smoother. Hmmmm......
I tried to compare the technical specs, but since I'm certainly not an expert here, it didn't make a whole lot of sense to me.
Does anyone actually have a new rig on the 2011 F-53, or ridden in one yet? And, if so, can you chime in as to if it really is better or about the same as prior years....
Thanks!
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tahiti16
Camarillo, CA
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Have YOU driven one? After all the only real person that matters as far as the handling and ride is you! You read through the posts here and you will see people rave and badmouth the same rig for it's handling. Each of those people are correct for THEM. What matters to you may be completely irrelevant to me and vice versa.
Ray, Cheryl, Cory & of course Miss Molly the four-legged child
2006 Dolphin 36' F53 V10 5 speed auto 2 slides 7.5 KW genset
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golfingflyfisherman
Aurora, CO
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Whats the dope on the F-59 chassis? Whoops, not a motorhome chassis. Looks like the changes to the F-53 are minor with none towards the ride.
* This post was
edited 07/30/10 05:57am by golfingflyfisherman *
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go6car
New Jersey
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Here's what I have
CLICK
Not really sure what is "means" though, in terms of actual drive/ride experience.
Also, I do plan to drive and ride in one. Not too many local dealers that willing to take us out to test drive several different models, so it makes it more difficult. Also, I have no real frame of reference when I do ride in one vs. the other to really compare anything since I'm new at this.
I'm mainly trying to find out, for example, if these new 2011s are significantly improved somehow because of whatever they've added to them than, say, a 2010 model. If so, that will help me narrow down what we'll actually take a closer look at (planning on buying this time in about a year).
Thanks
* This post was
edited 07/29/10 07:53pm by go6car *
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C-Leigh Racing
Nashville NC
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Lot of new needed features on that new chassis, aluminum budd wheels & did you see the big transmission cooler up front.
All I have is the old 275 hp V10, I can only guess what that 362 hp performance would be like.
Neil
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craig1959
Canada eh?
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It looks pretty close to the manual that came with my 2008 MH w/ 2007 chassis. The 26K lb GVWR model is new but the construction has not changed from my 22K GVWR chassis. Still leaf springs front and rear. The gas tank is 5 gallons larger.
I would think the 26K GVWR will ride worse than the 22K model. The 26K model will have larger springs and will need higher PSI in the same 22.5 tires to support the extra 2 tons of weight. I seriously doubt there is any ride difference in 2011. The brochure would say that. Read closely. It simply says some minor components have changed.
If you pump the tires to 100 PSI, the F-53 rides like a Caterpillar dump truck. At 90 PSI things are better but some people seem to think that is a bad idea. With a 26K chassis you will likely need 100 PSI.
Craig
2008 Class A Gulf Stream Independence Ford V-10, 2010 Ford Fusion toad, Blue Ox Aladdin, Brake Buddy Vantage, TST 507 RV TPMS
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C-Leigh Racing
Nashville NC
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 Could you give me a clue what that Caterpillar dump truck rides like, cause I've never drove one.
I can tell you though what an F model cabover Mack with boggie rear springs & 8 recaps rides like for around 10 years.
My back & neck reminds me eveyday from sitting behind one of those steering wheels.
 Neil
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go6car
New Jersey
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Never ridden in a truck other than a pickup  Always liked them though!
It did say better steering/handling, but who knows. Maybe some of the stock elements have improved somewhat. Not sure.
It might still be too early in the year for my post to hit anyone who might have actually picked one up. O well - maybe time will tell. I'm sure if it's worse, we'll hear about it in time on here!
Thanks for commenting!! Every different perspective really is helpful to me!
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C-Leigh Racing
Nashville NC
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Awhile back I was watching a program on tv, Truck U, & those guys were installing an air bag system on a leaf spring supported pick up truck.
The air bags werent mounted at the axle, but to the rear of the springs where the hanger once was. The rear oem hanger brackets were removed from the chassis & then the whole air bag system installed.
Was some work involved installing all the new brackets that held the air bags & best I can remember was no drilling & everything bolted right into the old mounting holes.
With an air bag set up to the rear of the leaf spring, ride height can easly be change just by adding air + the ride from what I remember was improved a great deal.
Maybe someone else seen the program & know where those kits come from, because it would be way improved from most of the other kits offered to control ride & handeling.
Neil
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restorodder
Pinckney Michigan
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Don't forget that a 2011 coach is not likley going to have a 2011 chassis. Its probably is a 2010 or 2009 chassis.
2008 Newmar Canyon Star - 2007 Dodge Dakota Toad - Ready Brute tow bar & brake system - one cat - Sassy 14
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