I know there are tons of threads on here and I have looked at many but I would like to hear opinions on which panhard bar/trac bar to get for my 2000 Itasca f53 chassis and where.
It only has about 23k miles on it and it has a rear stabilizer bar.
I hit serious wind for about 130 miles a few weeks ago and this SOB was all over the damn road. Without wind it handles pretty good. All the suspension bushings look good and everything is tight. I am hoping a rear trac bar will do the trick and that I won't need a front one also.
FYI, I know they are simple to make but I don't feel like fabricating one at this point. I can certainly install one though.
Thanks for you time
Dave
Everett, WA
2000 Itasca Suncruiser 35U, F53 Triton V-10
Firestone air bags with Quad control air gauge
Pressure Pro tire pressure monitor
Banks Exhaust
SuperSteer rear trac bar
Olympian Wave heaters (Wall mount and portable)
Give them a call and discuss your problem. I took my 35 ft. on an F-53 to Henderson's and really enjoy driving it now.
I figured it was better to have a pro tell me what would help than to just throw money at parts hoping for the best.
Good luck!
Being in Everett, I would suggest that you talk to the folks at Bear Alignment Service, on Marine View Dr. (425) 259-0763. They worked on the suspension on my rig several years ago, when I lived over on the west side, and did an exceptional job.
Henderons is without a doubt the leader - both in manufacturing of these (and other) components and in analyzation/intallation.
Having had an F53 on which I installed the front bar and their steering stabilizer - I've watched all comments on this situation for years. Yes, the F53 can be a BEAR!
Your rear sway bar is a different solution - and necesary - but you can upgrade it to a much heavier model too.
The biggest problem with the F53 is THE REAR END.
There are two schools of thought. One is a front Panhard bar - the other is a rear Panhard bar. Frankly, very few people have persued both - but overall, reports seem to be that the REAR PANHARD bar is the best first move.
Your F53 may already have a steering stabilizer - check to see. If none, you absolutely need one.
Naturally, having the best shocks will help - I prefer Bilstiens.
My recommendation: Steering Stabilizer, shocks, and REAR Panhard bar. That should be about $1500. If you still want to improve it, a front Panhard bar - lastly, the heavier rear sway bar.
By this time, the money invested overrules your wants. While you'll get your money's worth and greatly improved handling, the value of the rig doesn't justify it - hardly anyone would do it all.
I have same chassis as yours.
Got mine used in 2006 and it handled very badly, sway and tracking.
After searching and asking many questions I got a SuperSteer Rear Track Bar from Hendersons and replaced the OEM shocks with Koni FSD. Three of the OEM shocks were bad.
The MH tracks great and sway is very minimal from wind and big trucks. For mine this works. We were in cross-winds of at least 60 mph on the high plains in Oregon that unfurled the main awning but the MH handling was great, considering.
It drives like a big SUV. Wife even drives on the long stretches of interstate with no complaints.
2000 Sea Breeze F53 V10 - CR-V Toad
Some RV batteries live a long and useful life, some are murdered. Get a Digital Multimeter and Learn How to Use It
There are two schools of thought. One is a front Panhard bar - the other is a rear Panhard bar. Frankly, very few people have persued both - but overall, reports seem to be that the REAR PANHARD bar is the best first move.
I had a 1996 model F53 37 ft long with tag axle. Adding a front trac bar gave about 15% improvement, and adding a rear trac bar gave about 85% improvement.
Fred
Fred & Vicki
Richmond Hill, Ga
2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor/Freightliner/330 Cat
2000 Honda Odyssey toad w SMI Silent Partner braking system
Tire Sentry monitoring system
Too much air in the front bags and not enough in the rear bags can contribute to bad handling in wind also.
A steering stabilizer like SteerSafe can also assist in winds. If I were to buy a trac bar it would be the unit that Brazell's sells, but would probably make one before I parted with the cash for that.
David Just rolling along enjoying life w/F53 Southwind towing a 87 Samurai or 01 Grand Vitara looking to golf or fish Simply Despicable Any errors are a result of CRS.
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