Banks Pedal Monster Ford F53 Motorhome Review: Does It Really Work?

The Rundown

Your experience with the Banks Pedal Monster on your 2017 F53/2018 Thor Hurricane is actually pretty common - many RV owners don't notice dramatic changes, especially in track mode right out of the gate. The F53 chassis in your year has a drive-by-wire throttle system that's already fairly responsive, unlike older mechanical systems where these modules made bigger differences. Your neighbor's newer F53 likely has updated programming that responds better to the Pedal Monster's adjustments. The key issue is that track mode can actually make the throttle too sensitive for RV driving, causing jerky acceleration and poor fuel economy. You'll want to dial it back and properly calibrate it to see if it's worth keeping on your Hurricane.

The difference between your 2017 F53 and newer chassis versions is significant. Ford updated the throttle mapping and transmission programming in later years, which is why you sees better results. Your chassis uses an older calibration that doesn't respond as dramatically to pedal position changes. Additionally, the weight and aerodynamics of your Hurricane affect how much improvement you'll actually feel compared to lighter vehicles where these modules shine.

Why It Happens

The Banks Pedal Monster works by intercepting and modifying the signal between your accelerator pedal and the powertrain control module (PCM). On your 2017 F53, the factory throttle mapping is already fairly aggressive compared to passenger vehicles, so the improvement ceiling is lower. The module essentially tells the PCM that you're pressing the pedal harder than you actually are, but Ford's programming on your year chassis has built-in limits that prevent dramatic changes.

Track mode on an RV is actually counterproductive because it makes the throttle hyper-sensitive in the first inch of pedal travel. This causes jerky starts, difficulty maintaining steady speeds, and can trigger unnecessary downshifts in your transmission. The real benefit of the Pedal Monster comes from eliminating the dead zone in the first 10-20% of pedal travel and providing more linear response, not from maximum sensitivity.

Your Hurricane's weight distribution and aerodynamics also mask the improvements. At highway speeds, wind resistance becomes the dominant factor, not throttle response. The benefits are most noticeable during city driving, merging, and hill climbing where precise throttle control matters more than raw sensitivity.

Gather These Items

• Banks iDash or smartphone with Banks app for proper tuning (app compatibility varies by model year)
• OBD-II scanner (optional - for general diagnostics only, not required for tuning)
• Notebook to record different setting combinations and your impressions
• Stopwatch or phone timer for acceleration testing
• Your owner's manual to verify proper installation location
• Multimeter to verify clean power connections (check for 12V DC at connection points if needed)
• Small Phillips screwdriver for any housing adjustments
• Test route that includes city streets, highway merging, and hills

The Fix

Start by completely resetting the Pedal Monster and switching to Sport mode instead of Track. Track mode is designed for performance cars, not heavy RVs in the 22,000-26,000 pound range. Sport mode provides a moderate level of adjustment that is much more suitable for your Hurricane's driving characteristics than Track mode. This will give you improved throttle response without the jerky, over-sensitive behavior you're currently experiencing.

Next, fine-tune the sensitivity within Sport mode. The Banks system allows micro-adjustments beyond the basic four modes. Start at the lowest Sport setting and gradually increase until you feel a noticeable improvement in throttle response without losing drivability. Pay attention to how the transmission behaves - if you're getting unnecessary downshifts during normal acceleration, back off the sensitivity.

Test the system properly by doing controlled acceleration runs from stop signs and highway on-ramps. The improvement should be most noticeable when accelerating from 0-30 mph and when merging onto highways. Don't expect dramatic changes at cruising speeds - that's not what this module is designed for. Document your settings and impressions over a week of normal driving before making your keep-or-return decision.

If you're still not satisfied after proper tuning, the issue might be compatibility with your specific year chassis. Some 2017 F53 chassis have throttle programming that doesn't respond well to aftermarket modules. In that case, return it and consider other modifications like a transmission tune or cold air intake that might give you better results for your specific setup.

Know Your Limits

The Pedal Monster won't magically transform your Hurricane into a sports car, and expecting dramatic changes will lead to disappointment. The realistic improvement is moderately better throttle response during acceleration, not a complete personality change. Your 2017 F53 chassis already has fairly aggressive throttle mapping compared to older motorhomes, so the improvement ceiling is naturally lower.

Don't run the system in Track mode for extended periods - it can cause premature wear on your transmission due to excessive downshifting and can negatively impact fuel economy. The module also won't help with power limitations - if your Hurricane feels underpowered climbing hills, you need engine modifications, not throttle response changes.

Consider that your $300-400 investment might be better spent on other modifications if throttle response isn't dramatically improved after proper tuning. A K&N air filter, transmission cooler upgrade, or even professional transmission tuning might give you more noticeable improvements for similar money on your specific chassis year. Give the proper tuning process a solid week before deciding whether to keep or return the unit.