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F53 Chassis Lean

TWZMYJP
Explorer
Explorer
Our 2018 Jayco Alante has got a leaning problem to the curb side... When it's on perfectly level ground, there is a noticeable list and we often have issues with the automatic steps jamming into the ground when we park anywhere on uneven terrain. Taking it back to the dealer has proven pointless, as they can't seem to find any sort of manufacturer reference or tolerance for allowable lean, and hang their hat on the fact that it drives down the road just fine and isn't wearing the tires unevenly. Has anyone dealt with a lean issue? And no, it's not just overly loaded on the curb side, it's done this since new last season whether we are loaded or not, and individual corner weights are within a couple hundred pounds so that's not it.
'18 Jayco Alante 31R
24 REPLIES 24

TWZMYJP
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for all of the input guys. The coach is going back to the dealer this week for another review of this issue and to fix a few other minor warranty items.
'18 Jayco Alante 31R

DFord
Explorer
Explorer
There's no sign that the original poster (TWZMYJP) has ever returned or commented on anything suggested here.

May as well close this thread.
Don Ford
2004 Safari Trek 31SBD (F53/V10 20,500GVW)
'09 HHR 2LT or '97 Aerostar MiniVan (Remco driveshaft disconnect) for Towed vehicles
BlueOx Aventa II Towbar - ReadyBrake Inertia Brake System

RedRollingRoadb
Explorer
Explorer
My 3¢ inflation, inflation you know.

Take everything out, empty tanks, etc. Weigh all corners and get a weight ticket showing so. Measure from ground to frame as near to the same location on each side. Have info available.

Contact Ford Motorhome Service, there should be info in your manual, and see what they say and ask them to recommend a dealer near you. They will try to blame the manufacture. They never have made an imperfect vehicle according to them.

If Ford looks at it they will want it to be empty so they can blame Jayco, if the weights show within a few hundred pounds as you say they will take in more seriously. Might get Jayco involved too.

If Ford gives you the run-a-round, and they will, you might contact a spring shop or a medium/heavy duty truck repair shop and get their opinion.

Failing that you might contact Jon at https://www.brazelsrv.com/ or https://www.hendersonslineup.com/ as they both will understand your issues.

Be aware that they may very well try to through a blanket repair/replace five things rather than a one-at-a-time fix.

That or load the hell out of the high side. LOL

bsheet2
Explorer
Explorer
I read a post in here somewhere about this type issue, no idea where it is. The person found a place that was a specialist in Motorhome suspension. I think it was in Oregon. They found the motorhome was heavier on one side. Since it was not near the max allowed weight for those wheels, the solution was to install a spacer in the springs on that side.

Sorry if this is no help.

4x4van
Explorer
Explorer
crawford wrote:
...but for taken a heavy side to be level I still can't be leave it...
According to the OP, the RV is NOT heavy on one side. Leaning that far (where the steps hit the ground!:E) when the rig is not overweight on one side points to a major issue; either the suspension has a defective part or the box was mounted incorrectly on the chassis.
We don't stop playing because we grow old...We grow old because we stop playing!

2004 Itasca Sunrise M-30W
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-'85 ATC250R, '12 Husky TE310, '20 CanAm X3 X rs Turbo RR
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-'96 GTi, '96 Waveblaster II

crawford
Explorer
Explorer
Again spacers are ok for doing alignment. I seen that but for taken a heavy side to be level I still can't be leave it . Sorry worked in a tool room 35 years with all types of steel we went through training and you needed to shim something it woulds be the whole piece or nothing. Just because a company does it a cheep way does it make it right ??
Change from a c class to a A class Georgetown 07 triple slide

dougrainer
Nomad
Nomad
crawford wrote:
Just got back from a specially spring shop Quote no good shop would in spaces because they cause weak spots after a while.... They would put in heaver coils and add extra leafs to match the front so not to affect the steering much and alignment could be done properly. He went into a lot with me but to scientific for me but that was in general and I believe him being in the trade for 40 plus year and 2 generation.


Spacers are done all the time in the RV Class A Ford chassis. What he wants to do is OK, IF YOU WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY. But, it is not needed. Doug

crawford
Explorer
Explorer
Just got back from a specially spring shop Quote no good shop would in spaces because they cause weak spots after a while.... They would put in heaver coils and add extra leafs to match the front so not to affect the steering much and alignment could be done properly. He went into a lot with me but to scientific for me but that was in general and I believe him being in the trade for 40 plus year and 2 generation.
Change from a c class to a A class Georgetown 07 triple slide

dougrainer
Nomad
Nomad
Spacers on Ford Chassis are a common fix. But, the fix is on the Coach builder. Tiffin sends out the spacers to the Spring shop on their Ford Chassis. You need to escalate at Jayco Motorized to get them on board. They will fix the problem once all the correct procedures have been followed. The RV DEALER is a must to be involved in the fix. Doug

Pirate1
Explorer
Explorer
crawford wrote:
Spring shop may add a extra leaf spring I don't think a good shop would add any kind of spacer'
It is a very common fix. The shop that put in my spacers to fix a lean said they do it all the time. Reputable large truck place. Had mine done several years ago, very pleased to this date. No need to add a spring.

Gjac
Explorer III
Explorer III
I would check the ride height front to back and side to side that will tell you if there is something wrong with the chassis suspension. Just measure the distance from the top of the rubber bumper to the frame. Make sure the ground is perfectly level like in a Walmart parking lot your driveway may be pitched like mine to allow rain to run off. If your ride height looks good, then measure the bottom of the door panels front to back and side to side. This will tell you where your problem is. What were your 4 corner weights? Were they higher on the curb side? Let us know what you find and you will get better help.

crawford
Explorer
Explorer
Spring shop may add a extra leaf spring I don't think a good shop would add any kind of spacer'
Change from a c class to a A class Georgetown 07 triple slide

blknomad
Explorer
Explorer
Take it to a truck spring shop and let them put a spacer in and be done with it.

DFord
Explorer
Explorer
Have you made any measurements yourself? Is it the chassis leaning or the box sitting on the frame? That would pretty much point the finger at the responsible party. Another question for you, why would you take delivery of it in the first place if it was leaning so badly the steps jammed into the ground? Is this something that started after you bought it or was it that bad to start with?
Don Ford
2004 Safari Trek 31SBD (F53/V10 20,500GVW)
'09 HHR 2LT or '97 Aerostar MiniVan (Remco driveshaft disconnect) for Towed vehicles
BlueOx Aventa II Towbar - ReadyBrake Inertia Brake System