I am having the Kelderman system installed on Monday. It makes zero sense if I try to justify it based on cost. That said it makes no real sense to own a new motorhome so I was heading down the wrong bath financially the minute I bought my first nearly 30 years ago. On the other hand the memories and fun is priceless and if I must bang down the road I won't do it much more and I don't want to stop. So I am investing in more comfortable furniture by installing a new base which is the kelderman system.Hey, its the kids inheritance and they are doing better than I expected. It is snowing and I am waiting for it to quit so I can fill up with water in prep for our trip tomorrow. Will be dewinterizing and heating tonight. It is kind of pretty in a sick way.
Goldencrazy-getting the new system in front, rear, or both? I'm interested as well, and kinda thinking about the rear. Not sure about the front...nervous about how I'll like an air suspension rather than the current leaf springs.
2004 Four Winds Fun Mover 39C (39' including 14' toy hauler garage)
Cat 3126E 300hp Allison MD3066P Pics of the FunMover
The total install front and back. On my 2010 i made mods. Installed the Mor/ryde on rear. They did not have one that would fit on front. So added Koni shocks all around. It improved things alot. I decided now not to tinker. Either go all the way or do very little. After reading and e-mailing all the comments I am impressed with the thoughtful responses I have received from those who took the plunge ahead of me and am having the complete install. I will post when it is done.
Goldencrazy......I would have thought that the Mor/ryde system would have rode comparable to the Kelderman system. Since the front will be the biggest improvement on your ride, why didn't you just upgrade the front to see if that would have been enough?
I spoke to a few who used the Mor/ryde system, and it was positive. It is a lot cheaper and could be a DIY job for the front. I have been looking into it, but again I don't know which one is really better as for comfort. If we could just ride in the 2 different units and judge for ourselves.
Please let us know how much better in a 1 to 10 scale.......Good Luck
"No One Cares What You Know, Until They Know That You Care!"......."God Bless America"
2003 Pace Arrow 34W, F-53 V-10 22,000#, Avg 8.2 MPG
ScanGauge II, Voltage Booster, Progressive Industries EMS
Water Softener, Safe-T-Plus, Rear Trac Bar, 4 Koni FSD's
I find this topic and the different views very interesting.
How many F53 owners are really not satisfied with the factory ride? I find this interesting as I just purchased a 2011 Winnebago Vista 35F and although I have not driven it very far, the few rides that I have taken didn't disappoint me. There were a few rattles that I took care of, the stove top cover is now removed, the metal blind in the kitchen is now padded, and the sink covers are now wrapped in a drawer. No more rattles that I can hear at this point, and it seems to drive OK on the highway, at least up to 60 mph which is the fastest speed I have driven it. Haven't tried driving with the toad yet, I have to wait for the weather to get a tad better as I just waxed it.
I tried to get the Mor/Ryde for front but they could not install in the 2009 and greater as the tranny is in the way. To my knowledge they still do not have a work around. I think the Koni FSD's made the biggest difference. The Mor/Ryde on rear with install was nearly $2000 so only a bit cheaper than Kelderman.
Charles, I think the ride is fine on good roads but not on poor ones. As some have said it is a truck and rides that way. I want it to ride better. I also think the larger vehicles ride better with more weight than the smaller that do not have enough weight to compress stiff springs.
charles wrote: I find this topic and the different views very interesting.
How many F53 owners are really not satisfied with the factory ride? I find this interesting as I just purchased a 2011 Winnebago Vista 35F and although I have not driven it very far, the few rides that I have taken didn't disappoint me. There were a few rattles that I took care of, the stove top cover is now removed, the metal blind in the kitchen is now padded, and the sink covers are now wrapped in a drawer. No more rattles that I can hear at this point, and it seems to drive OK on the highway, at least up to 60 mph which is the fastest speed I have driven it. Haven't tried driving with the toad yet, I have to wait for the weather t]o get a tad better as I just waxed it.
So far, so good.
Nick
2011 Winnebago Vista 35F[/quote
I have an F53 with a bunch of rattles too....tried Konis FSD but didn't help much - you point out some good stuff I think I'll try to identify - also, I think my table, shower doors and something in the Front TV box is rattling.....boy, I know you can't get 'em all but it would be nice to eliminate most....going to do the four corner weights next - I think I may be a little hard with the psi - currently doing 90* and I think I need to back off to 80-85*.
Bob
* This post was
edited 01/09/12 12:38pm by Retired VSP *
We have an '02 on the F-53 chassis. It rides like the 11-ton truck that it is. Having driven transit coaches for a while, I don't find it "dangerous". Sure, it needs more concentration than my Kia minivan.
There's no way to make a Rolls Royce ride from an F-53. the old preverb about silk purses and sow's ears comes to mind. With limited funds, my priority is USING the thing, not p****ing away thousands of dollars on suspension mods. If I'd wanted Prevost handling and ride quality, I wouldn't have bought an F-53.
To each his own. I'd rather spend my dollars on gas and CG fees, rather then on trying to get a perfect ride that I can't afford to use.
Frank Damp, DW - Eileen
Anacortes, WA
'02 Georgetown 325, F53, V-10, bought used in 2010 at 13,000 miles.
Dogs - 2 Labs again, both yellow males, both 9 yrs old and both adopted.
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