Why We Chose a Ford E450 RV for Our Next Suspension R&D Project
Why We Chose a Ford E450 For Our Next Suspension R&D Project
Why upgrade a Ford E450 RV? Learn why we chose this chassis, what upgrades are coming, and how this project will help improve ride quality and handling for RV owners.
Why Are We Testing Another RV Chasis?
Here at SuperSteer and Henderson’s Line-Up, we’ve spent years doing one thing:
Making RVs drive better.
And one of the biggest ways we do that is by using real RVs as R&D platforms—testing, developing, and refining suspension upgrades in real-world conditions.
What RV are we working on now?
We’ve added a new project coach:
2016 Forest River Forester on a Ford E450 Class C chassis
This platform is incredibly popular in the RV world—and for good reason.
•Affordable
•Spacious
•Strong towing capability
•Widely used across many brands
But like many RVs… It has room for improvement when it comes to ride and handling.
Why choose the Ford E450 chassis?
We didn’t pick this chassis randomly.
There were a few key reasons behind it:
1. It’s one of the most common RV platforms
The Ford E450 is used in a huge number of Class C motorhomes, which means:
Improvements here help a LOT of RV owners
2. It’s affordable and practical
These coaches offer:
•Plenty of seating and sleeping space
•Strong towing capacity (up to ~7,500 lbs)
•A great option for families
In other words—it’s a real-world RV that people actually use.
3. It has clear handling limitations
Let’s be honest:
They don’t drive terribly… but they don’t drive great either
And that’s exactly what makes it the perfect test platform.
The more room for improvement, the more you can demonstrate what upgrades actually do.
Have we done projects like this before?
Yes—and this is a big part of how we develop products.
Over the years, we’ve used several RVs to test and refine upgrades, including:
•Sprinter 3500 chassis (Winnebago Navion)
•Ford F53 chassis (Tiffin Allegro Open Road)
•Chevy P32 chassis (Safari Trek)
These projects helped us develop:
•Custom shock solutions
•Steering and stability upgrades
And now…
The Ford E450 is next
What will this new RV project include?
This isn’t just a one-time video or quick upgrade.
We’re turning this into a full step-by-step series.
Here’s what you can expect:
•Testing the RV in stock condition
•Installing upgrades one at a time
•Showing before and after results
•Explaining what each component actually does
Instead of doing everything at once (like most installs), we’re slowing it down so you can see:
What each upgrade contributes individually
Why not just install a full suspension package right away?
That’s actually what most customers do—and for good reason.
It saves time and delivers the full result faster.
But for this project:
We want to educate, not just install
By breaking it down step-by-step, you’ll be able to clearly see:
•Which upgrades make the biggest difference
•How each part affects handling
•What might matter most for your driving style
What kind of upgrades will be tested?
While the full lineup will be revealed over time, this project will likely include:
•Steering stabilization improvements
•Additional suspension enhancements
And possibly even:
New product development specifically for the E450 platform
Will this project help develop new RV suspension products?
Yes—that’s one of the biggest goals.
As we go through this process, we’re not just installing existing parts.
We’re also:
•Testing new ideas
•Refining current products
•Looking for gaps in performance
This is how many of our past upgrades were created.
Why does this matter for RV owners?
Because this isn’t just about one RV.
It’s about helping you understand:
•Why your RV handles the way it does
•What upgrades actually make a difference
•How to improve comfort, control, and safety
Instead of guessing—or buying parts blindly—you’ll be able to make more informed decisions.
Who is this project really for?
If you own (or are considering) a Class C motorhome—especially on a Ford E450 chassis—this series is for you.
But even if you don’t:
The principles apply across most RV platforms
Because at the end of the day, it all comes down to:
•Stability
•Control
•Driver confidence
Why Does This Project Matter?
This new Ford E450 project is more than just another RV build.
It’s a chance to:
•Show real-world improvements
•Break down suspension upgrades step-by-step
•Help RV owners feel more confident behind the wheel
Because the goal isn’t just to upgrade your RV…
It’s to make it safer, more comfortable, and easier to drive
Follow Along With the Build
We’re just getting started.
Next up:
The first full test drive and performance evaluation
Make sure to stay tuned as we walk through each step of the process and show exactly what it takes to transform the way an RV drives. Thank you for reading this blog and until next time we wish you safer and happier driving!