RV Tires & Wheels: Complete Maintenance & Safety Guide
Essential RV tire safety guide covering selection, age limits, maintenance, and when to replace.
Essential RV tire safety guide covering selection, age limits, maintenance, and when to replace.
The Ford F53 chassis with Godzilla V8 has improved power but still uses the same basic suspension design as previous models, which often requires aftermarket upgrades for optimal handling and ride quality in Class A motorhomes over 30 feet.
E-450 caster adjusted via cam bolts or shims. 4-5 degrees positive caster recommended for RV stability. Adjust toe after caster change.
Your concerns about the 2022 Newmar Bay Star 3609 are valid - steering play combined with uneven right front tire wear at only 11k miles suggests issues beyond normal F-53 characteristics, even with Liquid Springs and Safe T Plus installed.
Off-center steering wheel fixed by adjusting tie rods equally both sides. Return to alignment shop if recently done - they should fix free.
Koni FSD shocks are excellent for the Bounder 35K - they self-adjust for road conditions and noticeably improve ride quality. Bilstein 4600 is a more affordable proven option. Either provides significant improvement over factory shocks. Budget 00-1800 for complete set.
SDI E-Clik owners report noticeable body roll reduction and improved handling. Expectations should be realistic - its good for the price but not a full suspension replacement.
Air Tabs have mixed RV owner reviews - some notice modest stability improvement, others feel no difference. Better investments for handling are sway bars, steering stabilizers, and proper weight distribution.
A steering stabilizer helps reduce wander but is not always necessary. Complete the Quick Fix and basic checks first - a stabilizer masks problems rather than fixing them. If coach drives straight after maintenance, you may not need one.
Excellent maintenance approach on your 2016 F53 chassis at 87,000 miles. Your decision to replace the original shocks with Bilsteins and service the Dana Spicer 17060S differential was spot-on timing.
Knockoff Sumo Springs can work for light-duty RV applications but genuine Sumo Springs offer superior materials, warranty, and safety. Consider your RV's weight, usage patterns, and budget when choosing between options.