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If you build it they will come

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randallandchris

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If you build it they will come
« on: November 08, 2014, 11:15:47 am »
Have to say I'm impressed with the extent PC will go to customize.  Lazy Daze won't even add a convection microwave and cook top in lieu of the oven/range. 
My delima is I need a longer MH that drives like a shorter one, also am concerned with the chassis mods to lengthen the wheelbase beyond the original Ford 176".
See that Coachhouse builds a 2551 size model on the 176" chassis so expect PC could do similarly.  Of course this means a longer rear hangover with its issues of dragging and swing out, but should turn much shorter.
I'd be especially interested in owners experiences trading up from shorter PCs to longer ones, any driving adjustments required?

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bobojay

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Re: If you build it they will come
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2014, 12:11:30 pm »
The customization aspect is what keeps us interested in PC's coaches too. We are more interested I believe in what they will come up with when the Ford Transit chassis becomes available rather than the current E-series offerings......
Bob & Sharon
Current: 2013 Winnebago ERA Class B Sprinter Van
Future: 2100 special, 2350, ?? on a hopefully Ford Transit 350 or 450

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TomHanlon

Re: If you build it they will come
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2014, 12:21:32 pm »
The customization aspect is what keeps us interested in PC's coaches too. We are more interested I believe in what they will come up with when the Ford Transit chassis becomes available rather than the current E-series offerings......

Do you really want to wait until 2020 for the Transit. Kermit has said he will not even think about it until the E series goes away.

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Barry-Sue

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Re: If you build it they will come
« Reply #3 on: November 08, 2014, 12:49:58 pm »
Randall & Chris

We had a 2008 2350 (E350) with a 158" wheelbase and we now have a 2012 2551 (E450) with a 194" wheelbase.  From my perspective, there is a noticeable difference in handling between the two models.  I had to make several chassis modifications and alignment adjustments before the 2350 drove the way I wanted.  On the other hand, the 2551 drove to my liking right out of the factory.  The longer wheelbase seems to me to be an advantage when it comes to handling and wider turning radius has just not become an issue.  I have had the 2551 for 3 years now and have done nothing to the chassis other than a standard frontend alignment.  I do plan to replace the shocks this summer more as a precaution than a necessity.

Barry
Barry and Sue 
Current   2012 2551 w/Slide
Previous 2008 2350 w/Slide

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gl1500

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Re: If you build it they will come
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2014, 01:42:04 pm »
We found when we went from the 2350 to the 2552 the ride quality improved.  It was a smoother ride and because of the change from the 2350(E350) to the 2552(E450).  The wheelbase being longer the ride smoothed out from more of a choppy ride.  We also found with the gear changes(rear axle) the engine did not down shift as much with the resultant high speed of the engine especially when in cruise control.  Another negative was the turning radius of the longer wheelbase.  Just need to be aware of this. We saw a Class A trying to get into a gas station and turned too short impaling the center of his coach on one of those protective steel posts at the pump.  Was not pretty. 
     You are dead on on what PC will do to customize your coach.  We went from the 2350 to what we wanted in a 2551, but Kermit said could not do that with the length.  He said we can extend the length of the 2551 by one foot and do what you want.  The result was the design of the 2552.  We would still have the 2552 if the gas mileage had not been averaging 5.3 mpg.  Ford said engine was OK but could not explain the poor mileage.
    Bob

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2travel

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Re: If you build it they will come
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2014, 12:58:05 pm »
We just traded up from a 2100 to a 2552.  Ride and handling of the 2552 is vastly superior.  The only driving adjustment has been wider turns, I just check the side mirrors on turns and am able to stay between the lines with no problem.  Towing a midsize car on a dolly was no problem either, normally I do not tow.   Drive one, I think you will be a believer.  2travel
2travel

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: If you build it they will come
« Reply #6 on: November 19, 2014, 09:53:50 am »
We just traded up from a 2100 to a 2552.  Ride and handling of the 2552 is vastly superior.  The only driving adjustment has been wider turns, I just check the side mirrors on turns and am able to stay between the lines with no problem.  Towing a midsize car on a dolly was no problem either, normally I do not tow.   Drive one, I think you will be a believer.  2travel
I believe you.

The 2100 has the worst wheel base to length ratio and has the fresh water tank over the rear bumper too, so it is going to handle the worst of all models.  With that said, something can be done about it through aftermarket suspension upgrades like we did with our 2007 2350.  Model 2350 is not as extreme as the 2100 but still needs a little help.....at least ours did back in 2007.  The current E350/E450 chassis 2008-2014 is better.
« Last Edit: November 19, 2014, 10:00:05 am by ron.dittmer »
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RheaNL

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Re: If you build it they will come
« Reply #7 on: November 20, 2014, 11:07:38 pm »
We have the 2100 and did many of the after market corrections--air bags on rear axle, heavy duty shocks, sway bars, etc. and it greatly improved the handling and tail drag (due to rear water tank and holding tanks). Even if we couldn't improve the handling, with the shorter length we can travel many roads and park in many places that larger rigs cannot. For us, the trade off is worth it.

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David J. Rotelle

Re: If you build it they will come
« Reply #8 on: November 21, 2014, 07:16:04 am »
The back end of our 2351 was an inch or so lower than the front end until I installed super spring leaf springs. Now the back end is a bit higher than the front end and the ride is noticeably smoother. Also the coach looks better with the rear end raised.
 We had removed the air bags on our previous coach (Born Free 24rb) and replaced them with super springs to help with the jarring over bumps in the road.

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: If you build it they will come
« Reply #9 on: November 21, 2014, 09:33:23 am »
David,

Could you post the link to the Super Springs you have?  I am not certain we could utilize them for our rig might not clear the garage door afterward, but still am curious.

Ron
« Last Edit: November 21, 2014, 09:34:54 am by ron.dittmer »
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David J. Rotelle

Re: If you build it they will come
« Reply #10 on: November 21, 2014, 10:05:31 am »
Ron,

www.sdtrucksprings.com

If you decide to put them on make sure you jack the frame up plenty high, this allows the rear wheels to hang down enough to get the clearance you need. We used two large C clamps which took a bit of elbow grease, fortunately there is plenty of room to work under there.
Over all it went pretty well with three dairy farmers wrenching on it.  :)

Dave

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: If you build it they will come
« Reply #11 on: November 21, 2014, 10:49:25 am »
Looking at them, I am surprised you say they made your ride smoother.  I would have thought the opposite would be true.

I am considering Sulastic Shackles for the rear axle to soften our ride.  Model SA-06HDD HERE works with all year cut-away Ford E350 & E450 chassis.  But at near $400 to find out if they are effective, it has me a bit gun shy.  I also wonder if they increase, maintain, or decrease the rear end height.  They do seem to offer a logical and simple approach in softening the ride.  I'll have to keep an eye open for a better price, making it worth the risk of disappointing results.

Sulastic Shackle SA-06HDD


I found this picture comparing the Sulastic to the stock shackle for another vehicle.  Sulastic offers a cushy hinge action.
Concerning is the distance between the mounts being less on Sulastic than the stock resulting in a lower rear end.
And there is no weight yet on the Sulastic.
« Last Edit: November 21, 2014, 11:12:15 am by ron.dittmer »
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David J. Rotelle

Re: If you build it they will come
« Reply #12 on: November 21, 2014, 05:15:06 pm »
I can see why you would think it would make the ride stiffer. I did a lot of research before we installed them on our Born Free primarily on the Born Free leaping lions forum.
I first tried having the leaf springs re arched and that did not improve the ride, I also stopped by MorRyde and had them look at our Born Free and they said their system would have been difficult to install on our coach. So we decided to try the Super Springs after we discovered Born Free started installing them on all their coaches in 2012 to improve their ride.
Born Free's are notorious for riding rough, I know we have owned three.
I would not want to be the one to tell you to put them on your coach but we do like ours.