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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: TIRES?
I use the Toyo M-154 tires and really have been happy.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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05/01/22 07:44pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Rear end problem 2021 F53 chasis
Update: Here is my answer to the Customer Experience Specialist, who was my point of contact from Ford:I do have my motor home back. I don't see how I can be satisfied with it after having the differential giving out after only 7,000 miles and waiting 4 months to get it repaired. We have very little choice as to chassis that are available for motor homes, but I feel that F-53 is one of the worst possible choices. We have to spend money on a new vehicle to enhance the handling just to get it to be safe to drive down the road. To not be able to get an integral part for over 90 days is incredible. Ford was continuing to build new chassis while my vehicle sat in a dealer's lot waiting for a part. You were very good at staying in contact with me, but I don't feel that Ford really cared about my situation. I feel that Ford should extend my drive train warranty for 6 months because I was unable to use my vehicle for such a long time and I have very little confidence in the quality of the vehicle.
Steve
This is exactly why I wish another company would come around and build a new chassis. Would love to see Ram build a chassis with the 6.4 and Cummins option, along with an air suspension option.
This would be good for Ford so they can get their act together and produce a better product!
Absolutely, that would be awesome. My MH is now handling quite well, but I had to spend a bunch of $$ to get it there.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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04/30/22 05:16pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Tire size
As rgatijnet1 says, there could be a slight difference in speedometer reading. I changed my tires from Michelin to Toyos, and now at 60mph on the speedo, I'm actually going 58mph (radar and also a friend driving beside me). Not a big deal.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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04/15/22 02:04pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Tow vehicle
Do not count on that. Most gasser Motor homes come with a hitch rated for 5K but the actual tow rating is equal to a math equation.
(max combined gross vehicle weight)-(Gross Vehicle Weight)
Example. My Class a had a Max CGVW of 26,000 and a scale weight of 22,000 so it could tow 4,000.. One Chevy Lumina APV (1992) originally (Towed like it was not even there) and later a 2001 Dodge neon (2001) which cost me MPG.
The lumina was 4,000 curb weight, the Neon 2500
Two reasons the Lumina towed easier
1: no tranny drag (Axle lock) v/s tranny drag (Lube Pump)
2: Wind "Spoiling" was better with the lumina
Oh well. RV totaled (Actually that was a good thign) now drive a JEEP (Man does that sucker SIP gasoline. up to 40 MPG at 55 mph (less if I hammer down)
Just to be clear, a Class III hitch by itself is rated at 6,000 lbs trailer/car weight, with a max of 600 lbs tongue weight, not 5,000 lbs. The manufacturer rates the towing max based on their attachment of the hitch to the MH, and as you say, 5,000 lbs seems to be the magic number. But also as you show, the true amount one can tow comes down to math. My MH is the 22k/26k F53 chassis, and fully loaded with tanks full (not black or grey) and my wife and I sitting the the front seats I weight 19,880 lbs. So, in theory, I should be able to tow the max of the Class III hitch (26,000 - 19,880 = 6,120 lbs). BUT - my MH is only rated to tow 5,000 lbs. My toad weighs 4,600 lbs with a full tank of fuel, so I'm under the 5,000 lbs MH max, so I'm good.
Personally, I think it's important to get ones MH and Toad properly weighed so you really know where you stand, but I am amazed how many RV'ers I speak with that have no idea what they truly have. Spoke with a guy who had a Mobile Suites FW a while back. He was towing with a Ford F-250 and was talking about how unstable it was. I asked him his weights and he had no idea, he was just told by someone at Ford when he bought the truck that it would work. Wrong answer. I recall speaking with a rep for Mobile Suites a few years back at an FMCA rally, and he told me they recommend all their FW be pulled with a 350 or 3500 dually.
My wife told me about a post on FB where someone was towing a trailered car, and then a boat behind that. (I believe that is illegal in most states but am not totally sure). They got in some crosswinds and flipped their rig. Thankfully they were not seriously injured, but really?!? Am not surprised.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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04/14/22 04:44am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Tow vehicle
Is your Ranger automatic? If so are you doing the driveshaft disc. or the pump. How are you going to handle braking? Guessing you should be okay on weight even w/the Harley.I've always heard those limits are from the lawyers anyway and you can fudge on them some. Doubt I'd be in TH without a dinghy but I'll definitely use it when towing, it knocks mileage down a bit but is a transmission saver. I don't plan to cruise at over 58 anyway.
Those numbers are from the engineers, not lawyers (I'm an engineer). While there are safety factors it doesn't mean you should ignore them. The lawyers will sue you if you do.
Al lawyers and bean counters most definitely have a say in stuff like this!
You can believe that if you'd like, but having worked with Attorneys in the liability and insurance fields for over 15 years, I can assure you the ratings for hitches, tow bars, and so on are established by engineers.
Al
And then derated by lawyers! Having worked with manuf I know the real ratings on axle and wheel assemblies. They are far higher than what the bean counters and lawyers last say is!
Then we will just have to agree to disagree. They might have been tested to higher numbers to achieve the necessary safety factor, but de-rated from the design? No, not according to my mechanical engineer who spent years working for Dana.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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04/13/22 04:11pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Tow vehicle
Is your Ranger automatic? If so are you doing the driveshaft disc. or the pump. How are you going to handle braking? Guessing you should be okay on weight even w/the Harley.I've always heard those limits are from the lawyers anyway and you can fudge on them some. Doubt I'd be in TH without a dinghy but I'll definitely use it when towing, it knocks mileage down a bit but is a transmission saver. I don't plan to cruise at over 58 anyway.
Those numbers are from the engineers, not lawyers (I'm an engineer). While there are safety factors it doesn't mean you should ignore them. The lawyers will sue you if you do.
Al lawyers and bean counters most definitely have a say in stuff like this!
You can believe that if you'd like, but having worked with Attorneys in the liability and insurance fields for over 15 years, I can assure you the ratings for hitches, tow bars, and so on are established by engineers.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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04/13/22 04:29am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Tow vehicle
Is your Ranger automatic? If so are you doing the driveshaft disc. or the pump. How are you going to handle braking? Guessing you should be okay on weight even w/the Harley.I've always heard those limits are from the lawyers anyway and you can fudge on them some. Doubt I'd be in TH without a dinghy but I'll definitely use it when towing, it knocks mileage down a bit but is a transmission saver. I don't plan to cruise at over 58 anyway.
Those numbers are from the engineers, not lawyers (I'm an engineer). While there are safety factors it doesn't mean you should ignore them. The lawyers will sue you if you do.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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04/12/22 07:51pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Tow vehicle
I run in T/H whenever I start the MH. The MH is always loaded, so it’s always hauling.
Your expectation of 7-8 is a bit optimistic. Expect 6, 7 if you’re lucky! Knesset you drive 55 on every interstate out there.
Yeah, we're towing an Acadia, with some items loaded. Weighs close to 5K. On this trip so far we're getting 5.85 mpg with our V-10. On Saturday we had 20-30 mph winds with 40 mph gusts hitting us from about a 30 degree angle most of the way. It was pretty brutal driving, and I'm sure lowered the gas milage as well. All that said, the V-10 is a solid engine and will get you there. And tow haul is always on as well. As others have said, don't be afraid of 4,000 rpm.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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04/12/22 04:56am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Lubricant - Need Quick Answer
I vote trying silicone spray but the “real” answer is to have the problem fixed correctly.
I know the "real" answer but there is just not time before I leave. It does not appear to be misaligned based on the eyeball test when it's rolled up.
Silicone it is....thanks!!
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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04/08/22 09:55am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Lubricant - Need Quick Answer
Why not stop using it until you can get it fixed?
Because we're leaving in the morning for a 7 week trip, and need to use the awning. I can continue to pull the arms free, but I just want to do something simple to get us by until we return.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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04/08/22 08:47am |
Class A Motorhomes
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Lubricant - Need Quick Answer
We are leaving tomorrow around 8am for a 2600 mile SE US trip. I have a silly problem, but wanted to see people's thoughts. We have an electric awning, which was installed at the Perry FMCA show in 2019. When rolling it out it has begun sticking, resulting in me having to go out and tug on each side, releasing the arms from the mounts. My guess is there is a slight misalignment, as this just started. But I don't have time to dig into very deeply. My current thought is to use vaseline and lube the arms where they go into the mount. A temporary fix for sure, but again, not a lot of time to deal with this before tomorrow morning. Thoughts???
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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04/08/22 08:08am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 2007 Cross Country headlights
Try www.headlightsdepo.com. That's where I found mine for a 2006 National.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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04/05/22 09:42am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Ford V10 Triton
What Richard said about the plugs.
AL, it depends on what time of the year you MH was made. It could have been that Ford up-dated the drive train early.
Agreed. I just wanted to point out Ford started transitioning the transmission a bit earlier. My MH was built in mid-2006 and delivered September, 2006.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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03/21/22 06:50pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Ford V10 Triton
99-02/03. The cylinder head was redesigned in late 02. But the heads were completely redesigned in 07 or 08 and then the 5 speed auto was added at the same time. The HP was also increased to 362.
So I would look for an 08 and up. Easiest way to tell is if the dash has (D) 3,2,1.
FYI...I have a 2006 National with a 2005 F53 chassis, and my tranny is the 5 speed.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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03/21/22 02:37pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Best 22.5 tire for 22,000 lb motor home?
Even another vote for Toyos. Got the M-154's and do not notice a ride difference over the Michelins.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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03/05/22 06:39pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Ford Chassis
Might be a Denso part. It is on my National. Google it....
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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02/27/22 06:49pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Not for us
Well, you can do all the homework you want, but until YOU give it a try you truly don't know for sure if it is for you. So you gave it your best shot and it wasn't for you. Many years ago I started a business that was based on my hobby, and after 7 years I realized it wasn't ever going to grow into what I wanted. So I closed the business and went back to working for someone else. Like you now, I was young enough to recover financially from the endeavor.
Good luck moving forward.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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02/13/22 03:37am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: onan fuel pump
I have a new stock fuel pump from Onan and one of the aftermarket ones. I can say the Onan pump, for it's size, is noticeably heavier than the aftermarket ones. I find that interesting and noteworthy. I don't know what that truly means, but my guess is better materials in the Onan one. BTW - it took 4 months to get the Onan one, as EVERYONE was out of stock. PPL, RV warehouse, and so on. I'll be changing mine out with the new Onan one next weekend.
Al
Just a thought - maybe I should hook up each one and see which one shoots out gas the farthest?? Thoughts anyone???
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FloridaRosebud
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01/26/22 03:47am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Storing With or Without Full Gas Tank
We live in FL, so from May 1 to October 30 we are fueled up, propaned up, and watered up so we would be good to go if we have to bug out quick due to a hurricane.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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12/31/21 10:23am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Inverter
To answer your inverter question Ed, when mine took a dump (same Freedom as yours) I oped to just install a new 60 amp charger (converter). We do not boondock without the generator running, so for us the inverter is not needed. At some point I probably will put a new one in, but for now, 9 months in, we have not missed it.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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11/12/21 02:59am |
Class A Motorhomes
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