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03-03-2010, 01:54 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Enumclaw, WA
Posts: 2,615
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Listing rig and a curious discovery
So I have noticed for quite some time now that when parked in our garage and not on the levelers our rig is listing to the passenger side. I measured the distance from the floor to the bottom of the wheel openings all around the rig and found it to be a uniform list of 1.5" lower on the passenger side.
I slid under the rig this morning and this is what I found: On the driver side spring pack there is a 1" spacer under the springs that is not present on the passenger side. Now, logically speaking I could understand this if they are compensating for the heavier side of the rig with the slides and all and in fact you would expect this side to be heavier as there are 2 slides on the driver side. However, it's still low on the passenger side regardless. Now I am wondering if there should be a spacer on the passenger side or should there not be a spacer on the driver side? I will be talking to the local Ford dealer later today but don't expect too much of an answer from them. I am leaning towards having the spacer removed and then installing the air bags like I had on our last rig to level things out on the fly if need be.
Wondering what the rest of the Georgetowns look like here. Here is the pics I took this morning:
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03-03-2010, 03:38 PM
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#2
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CLASS "A" Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Upperco, Maryland
Posts: 3,136
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Hmmm! I never looked but our unit is just like you described. I added air springs for just that purpose to help level it out. On some roads that had a significant slant to the curb side I originally felt like I'd tip over if I had to make a quick right turn. I'll check mine once the ground dries up. GOT BUNCH OF SNOW STILL HANGING AROUND. It's melting but not fast enough for me. I have a small river running across my driveway towards the rear of the motorhome and that water is too cold to lay in.
__________________
2007 Georgetown 370TS
aka - RAYNMKR
Driver: Charlie
Navigator: Sheri
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03-03-2010, 04:30 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 322
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I don't have ready access to mine since I store it offsite, but I will check next time I'm out.
__________________
Ron Hanson
2009 Georgetown 350TS (bunks)
400W solar, 440AH 6V GC2
2009 Ford Edge AWD Ltd towed
2011 Honda Fit Sport towed
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03-03-2010, 04:38 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tulsa
Posts: 309
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Same here.. stored off-site.. Will check and report back..
So the passenger side is lower.. Hmm..
Would the drivers side drop down with full tanks and level it out?
Airbags that adjust would seem to be the best answer either way...
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03-03-2010, 05:03 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Enumclaw, WA
Posts: 2,615
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TulsaSteve
Same here.. stored off-site.. Will check and report back..
So the passenger side is lower.. Hmm..
Would the drivers side drop down with full tanks and level it out?
Airbags that adjust would seem to be the best answer either way...
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At the moment my fuel tank is full but it is centered anyway. The freshwater tank is full but again centered. The propane is full but on the passenger side so no help there. I have even had the compartment around the hydraulic pump filled with firewood in the past and no change. I don't carry that much weight in my compartments to effect this situation either negatively or positively. Only things I have on the passenger side for weight is my grill, two RC cars and some lawn chairs in the large rear compartment.
Been too busy to call Ford today. Too much work to do in the garage.
I figured most of you are still waiting for winter to break but it makes me really curious especially you Charlie as you noticed the same issue with yours.
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03-03-2010, 05:46 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 755
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So I'm wondering, are the u-bolts different sizes? In other words, is the an engineered difference or was the guy installing the spacers smoking something that day?
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03-03-2010, 07:19 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Enumclaw, WA
Posts: 2,615
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyrotor
So I'm wondering, are the u-bolts different sizes? In other words, is the an engineered difference or was the guy installing the spacers smoking something that day?
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I'm thinking the later half of that statement Flyrotor. Seeing how it's listing to the opposite side of the spacer by almost as much as the spacer itself. The only mystery is, should there be a spacer on both sides or none at all?
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03-03-2010, 08:24 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tulsa
Posts: 309
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Only other tanks I can think of are the waste tanks. I can't remember what side they are on.
80 odd gallons in those if I recall. So a potential for ~700 pounds there. Hard to imagine 700lbs would shift things 1.5 inches.
This may be a good question to send to Forest River. Hard to believe that the F-53 comes from Ford like this, so assuming it doesn't, Forest River must be doing it.
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03-03-2010, 08:43 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tulsa
Posts: 309
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Another interesting bit.. I googled F-53 suspension spacers... Found this:
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...df/160-165.pdf
Page 1, 4th column at the top...
"3. If the suspension spacers are used between the
spring and axle seats to accommodate side-to-side
variations, they should not exceed 3/4 inch.
Addition of spacers is not covered under warranty."
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03-03-2010, 09:04 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Enumclaw, WA
Posts: 2,615
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TulsaSteve
Another interesting bit.. I googled F-53 suspension spacers... Found this:
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...df/160-165.pdf
Page 1, 4th column at the top...
"3. If the suspension spacers are used between the
spring and axle seats to accommodate side-to-side
variations, they should not exceed 3/4 inch.
Addition of spacers is not covered under warranty."
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Thanks for the research Steve, that's really interesting.
My holding tanks are all empty so that can't be the cause. I will send a message to FR and see what they say.
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03-04-2010, 07:49 AM
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#11
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CLASS "A" Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Upperco, Maryland
Posts: 3,136
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On my 370 all of the appliances other than the rear TV are on the passenger side including the water heater, propane tank and shower. I have one small slide out on the passenger side where the headboard of the bed is but on the driver's side exist the other two slide outs. So is it something to balance the load? Did they put them in incorrectly? I got to get under mine and look. Now I'm more curious then ever!
__________________
2007 Georgetown 370TS
aka - RAYNMKR
Driver: Charlie
Navigator: Sheri
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03-04-2010, 12:53 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Enumclaw, WA
Posts: 2,615
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So I sent a letter to John Armstrong at Forest River last night pertaining to this shim and here is the response:
Mr. Holnagel, I would like someone to remove that shim. It was installed
at a time it was customary to do so. We no longer see the need.
I will cover the cost. Please have the facility contact me prior to
working on it so they are on the same page with me.
Thanks so much
John Armstrong
I'm making arangements now to get this done.
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03-04-2010, 01:03 PM
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#13
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CLASS "A" Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Upperco, Maryland
Posts: 3,136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NWJeeper
So I sent a letter to John Armstrong at Forest River last night pertaining to this shim and here is the response:
Mr. Holnagel, I would like someone to remove that shim. It was installed
at a time it was customary to do so. We no longer see the need.
I will cover the cost. Please have the facility contact me prior to
working on it so they are on the same page with me.
Thanks so much
John Armstrong
I'm making arangements now to get this done.
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Guess I'm laying in the water when I get home today.
I've dealt with John Armstrong when he worked for Keystone RVs. Our Litehouse 23SS was originally built by Damon, Keystone bought their entire line of towables and placed Keystone Decals on them. We had all sorts of problems and once he got involved he got me the available parts I needed as well as paid me for all of my out of pocket expenses and my labor to fix the thing. I was very pleased to hear he came to work for FR.
__________________
2007 Georgetown 370TS
aka - RAYNMKR
Driver: Charlie
Navigator: Sheri
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03-04-2010, 01:48 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Enumclaw, WA
Posts: 2,615
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cfsoistman
Guess I'm laying in the water when I get home today.
I've dealt with John Armstrong when he worked for Keystone RVs. Our Litehouse 23SS was originally built by Damon, Keystone bought their entire line of towables and placed Keystone Decals on them. We had all sorts of problems and once he got involved he got me the available parts I needed as well as paid me for all of my out of pocket expenses and my labor to fix the thing. I was very pleased to hear he came to work for FR.
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John has been my only contact point at FR since we bought our rig and he has been great to deal with. Currently waiting for him to call the local shop so that we can get my rig dealt with. They are able to work it in between jobs this morning so I am keeping my fingers crossed.
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03-04-2010, 07:31 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tulsa
Posts: 309
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VERY interesting... I checked out my chassis today. I have the same setup. A spacer on each side, with a shim on the drivers side.
I bet this is contributing to the rear wag. I mainly drive in the right lane. Seems like the drivers side shim would shift weight to the passenger side, making it easier for passing trucks to push me off the road.
+10 points for NWJeeper!
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03-04-2010, 07:58 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Enumclaw, WA
Posts: 2,615
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Shim was removed this morning by my local shop. They said it could take a some time for the suspension to settle in. I measured when I got home and the rear is now only 1/4" lower on the passenger side rather than the 1.5" it was off yesterday. Still looking into the Ride Rite 2474 rear air spring kit though to help reduce body sway and to level out the rig if need be due to loading.
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03-04-2010, 10:04 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 322
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I wonder why they would offer to pay for this so quickly. Could it be a safety issue?
__________________
Ron Hanson
2009 Georgetown 350TS (bunks)
400W solar, 440AH 6V GC2
2009 Ford Edge AWD Ltd towed
2011 Honda Fit Sport towed
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03-04-2010, 10:08 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Enumclaw, WA
Posts: 2,615
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ronhanson
I wonder why they would offer to pay for this so quickly. Could it be a safety issue?
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Could be a safety issue for sure. Also a warranty problem as far as Ford is concerned since the literature that Steve dug up said anything over 3/4" would void the warranty.
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03-04-2010, 10:30 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tulsa
Posts: 309
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NWJeeper
Could be a safety issue for sure. Also a warranty problem as far as Ford is concerned since the literature that Steve dug up said anything over 3/4" would void the warranty.
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Agreed on both fronts. Mine doesn't track well in the rear. The Ford standard front track bar works well, but my rear wanders WAY too much. I have a rear track bar to install once the weather warms up a bit. Removing this shim won't hurt.
I'll make a wild guess that Forest River bought a bunch of chassis, modified them all with the shim based on an older floorplan/design that had crappy weight distribution, then forgot to change them back after fixing the weight issue.
Personally I'm happy that we don't need a shim on one side. We are just lucky that NWJeeper noticed it.
In the future, I'll be looking for shims when I buy another RV.. Shims = mismatched floorplan/chassis.
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03-04-2010, 10:36 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tulsa
Posts: 309
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Just thought of something else... I find that when I stop for gas, I frequently am low on the passenger side and the steps don't fully extend. Betcha this fixes it.
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