Harvard
51.6N 114.7W
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Joined: 12/24/2005
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Thinking outside the box?
Given: 2011 F53 Caster Spec 3.75 +/-1,75 Degrees
This specifies a range of +2.0 to +5.5 Degrees
Logical Interpretation:
+2.00 Degrees for 100% city driving
+3.75 Degrees for 50% city and 50% highway
+5.50 Degrees for 100% highway driving
NOT +3.75 for all !!!
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wolfe10
Texas
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Joined: 10/08/2000
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I would go for higher end of spec-- period.
So, perhaps 5 degrees left side, 5.5 degrees right side (difference to account for road crown)
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'FDDS
Ex: 1997 Safari 35'
Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240
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phil-t
Ogdensburg, NY
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I had a shop do my 2010 F53. They do a lot of F53 chassis. Talked them beforehand about the handling. They set the caster - 7-3/4 left and 8-1/4 right. Handles like a dream. Mine is the 22,000 GVWR. All the left/right wandering is gone.
2010 Winnebago Vista 32k on a 2009 Ford F53 22k chassis
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Harvard
51.6N 114.7W
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Joined: 12/24/2005
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phil-t wrote:I had a shop do my 2010 F53. They do a lot of F53 chassis. Talked them beforehand about the handling. They set the caster - 7-3/4 left and 8-1/4 right. Handles like a dream. Mine is the 22,000 GVWR. All the left/right wandering is gone.
Your post is priceless, I would never have ventured up there (+8.25) without having someone with the personal experience. Thank you.
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dodge guy
Bartlett IL
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If at all possible always go with the higher caster spec. The highway stability will be greatly increased. It may be a bit harder to steer in a gas station, but the highway handling will far out weigh parking lot maneuvering.
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Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey
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theoldwizard1
SE MI
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Joined: 09/07/2010
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dodge guy wrote:If at all possible always go with the higher caster spec. The highway stability will be greatly increased. It may be a bit harder to steer in a gas station, but the highway handling will far out weigh parking lot maneuvering.
phil-t wrote:I had a shop do my 2010 F53. They do a lot of F53 chassis. Talked them beforehand about the handling. They set the caster - 7-3/4 left and 8-1/4 right. Handles like a dream. Mine is the 22,000 GVWR. All the left/right wandering is gone.
Both are 100% correct. Only "old timers" are willing to go that far beyond the spec, but they know that caster DOES NOT AFFECT TIRE WEAR and it does greatly increase the chassis ability to hold a straight line.
Side to side caster difference is to deal with the "crown" in the road (higher in the center to promote better drainage).
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RLS7201
Beautyful Downtown Gladstone, MO
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theoldwizard1 wrote:dodge guy wrote:If at all possible always go with the higher caster spec. The highway stability will be greatly increased. It may be a bit harder to steer in a gas station, but the highway handling will far out weigh parking lot maneuvering.
phil-t wrote:I had a shop do my 2010 F53. They do a lot of F53 chassis. Talked them beforehand about the handling. They set the caster - 7-3/4 left and 8-1/4 right. Handles like a dream. Mine is the 22,000 GVWR. All the left/right wandering is gone.
Both are 100% correct. Only "old timers" are willing to go that far beyond the spec, but they know that caster DOES NOT AFFECT TIRE WEAR and it does greatly increase the chassis ability to hold a straight line.
Side to side caster difference is to deal with the "crown" in the road (higher in the center to promote better drainage).
Caster DOES affect tire wear. When you turn the wheels the tire and wheel assemble will roll over on it side. You will get excessive wear on the both sides of the front tires. If you ever have a chance, watch the front tires of a class A fuel dragster. You can see the effects of extreme, excessive caster. I run about 7° caster on the front of my 95 F53 and you can see the wear.
Richard
95 Bounder 32H F53
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phil-t
Ogdensburg, NY
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RLS7201 wrote:
Caster DOES affect tire wear. When you turn the wheels the tire and wheel assemble will roll over on it side. You will get excessive wear on the both sides of the front tires. If you ever have a chance, watch the front tires of a class A fuel dragster. You can see the effects of extreme, excessive caster. I run about 7° caster on the front of my 95 F53 and you can see the wear.
Richard
Probably so but the advantage in handling is well worth the minimal wear. AND, in the life of an RV tire, it will age out before it wears out; unless there is some other contributing factor.
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theoldwizard1
SE MI
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phil-t wrote:RLS7201 wrote:
Caster DOES affect tire wear. When you turn the wheels the tire and wheel assemble will roll over on it side. You will get excessive wear on the both sides of the front tires. If you ever have a chance, watch the front tires of a class A fuel dragster. You can see the effects of extreme, excessive caster. I run about 7° caster on the front of my 95 F53 and you can see the wear.
Richard
Probably so but the advantage in handling is well worth the minimal wear. AND, in the life of an RV tire, it will age out before it wears out; unless there is some other contributing factor.
Concur ! Regular tire rotation will help minimize shoulder wear.
Also motorhomes see very little "urban" driving with a large number of corners.
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Waiter21
NW Ohio
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I put on 7,500 miles a year, all highway. If I was making an adjustment to my caster (shims) I'd take it out to 7 - 8 degrees.
I have my toe-in set a tiny bit past max.
1999 Southwind F53, 2003 Saturn Vue toad
www.1999Southwind.comwww.1999Southwind.com
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