Wheel cut ...

[thomasamski]

Does anyone know the wheel cut of a 33-foot Fleetwood Southwind? Thank you.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I'm pretty sure you have the Ford chassis (V10 engine). I can't find a wheel cut in the Ford F53 chassis specs - just a turn radius measured in feet.  My guess is that the wheel cut is about 45 degrees.

Here is a link to the full F53 motorhome chassis spec for 2011. The Southwind 32v is on the 208" wheelbase chassis.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2011/2011_F53_F59.pdf

 

[abentz]

06 workhorse chassis = 55^

 

[thomasamski]

Thank you for the help. It is much appreciated.

 

[Marsha/CA]

06 workhorse chassis = 55^

Are you really sure about that?  I didn't think front engine motor homes had that much wheel cut.  Diesels do; but I thought gas engines were limited to less than that.

Just a thought.

Marsha~

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The Workhorse chassis has an excellent wheel cut, but it's "only" 50 degrees.

http://www.workhorse.com/default.aspx?tabid=465

I don't think the Southwind was offered on a Workhorse in 2011. The GM 8.1L engine was no longer available so the only Workhorse chassis was a front diesel with Navistar engine.

 

[MotorhomeMax]

I had a difficult time really understanding wheelcut and turning radius, its really stupid simple when you see the illustrations: http://blog.thormotorcoach.com/motorhome-turning-radius-wheel-cut/

I believe all the Freightliners have a minimum of 55 degree wheel cut and a few even have 60 degrees: http://freightlinerchassis.com/Why-Buy-Freightliner/why-buy-freightliner/menu-id-67.html

 

 

[Jeff Brown]

Max,
great links!  While I knew what the different terms meant, the graphical illustration was awesome!

Jeff

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The turning radius, measured in feet, is determined by the combination of the wheel cut and wheelbase. For any given wheelbase length, a greater wheel cut will decrease the turning radius.

 

[pojo]

Gary,
Had to think about your last statement for a minute? (Could be oldtimers on my part)  ??? "a greater wheel cut will decrease the turning radius"  A greater wheel cut means a greater degree of  wheel position from a perpenticular position to a straight front wheel. ie: 89 degree wheel cut would mean the coach will "need a 100 acres to turn that rig around".  Where as, a 46degree wheel cut would be simular to my zero turn lawn mower. But wait, if it is a zero turn, then it should'nt turn at all! I'm confused again!  I guess I'll go mow the lawn.  8)   

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

A greater wheel cut means a greater degree of  wheel position from a perpenticular position to a straight front wheel. ie: 89 degree wheel cut would mean the coach will "need a 100 acres to turn that rig around".

I'm not even going to try to parse that description.  ???  Wheel cut is measured in degrees from straight ahead. 1 degree is an almost imperceptible turn, while 90 degrees is a right angle to straight ahead. While 90 degrees is a theoretical ideal, in practice, a cut of around 55-60 degrees will pretty much move the front of the vehicle directly sideways, with very little forward creep as the turn progresses.

 

[bsbennett1]

Gary,

I found in a previous post that you stated for the topic wheel cut, "I'm pretty sure you have the Ford chassis (V10 engine). I can't find a wheel cut in the Ford F53 chassis specs - just a turn radius measured in feet. "

I am looking for the turning radius of a 2001 Southwind 32v Ford chassis.  Would you still have that info?

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I just Googled 'Ford f53 chassis spec 2001' or similar wording and located Ford's chassis guide for the desired year.  I didn't save either the guide or the turning radius info.

Here's one for a 2002 under a 2001 Mirada coach, which ought to be near-identical:
http://2001mirada.com/DOWNLOAD/2002_F53_Chassis.pdf

http://2001mirada.com/DOWNLOAD/2002_F53_Owners.pdf
And this appears to be the 2001 F53 owner manual:http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/01motog1e.pdf

You can probably find an F53 chassis service manual on Ebay and that i likley to have the info buried in it somewhere.