Chassis

sunnybrooktoyhauler wrote:
Looking to buy used.

Used what, gas puller, DP, entry level models, high end models, the ultimate in bus conversions, maybe?
I've got Bluebird Wanderlodge on the brain lately, no matter what year it would have to be for fitting a budget. Still can't justify the purchase for our future needs, but would if just starting out.
Like I've said before, I like having a million dollar coach without spending the million.

sunnybrooktoyhauler wrote:
I'm thinking about moving to a class A. I understand some chassis are better than others. Can you tell me which ones and why. Thanks

Are you looking to purchase a gas or diesel powered class "A" coach??

We are on our second used coach & both were on a Chevy chassis with a 454 for power. First coach died of natural causes at 29 years of age. Engine & chassis were still good, the coach part failed. It was donated to the kidney foundation. Our current coach is a 99 Winnebago Adventurer that looks & acts like new, only having 20K miles on the odometer. Be sure that whatever chassis interests you is still in production (easy parts supply) vs. not in production chassis (questionable parts supply)

Freightliner, Spartan, plus Tiffin has a proprietary chassis on some of their coaches. Air suspension and air brakes are a must. 4 air bags 8 air bags...... not sure it matters. however, my coach does have a ZF independent front suspension and it drive really good. Good luck and enjoy the process.

Sully2 wrote:

mike brez wrote:
The Gillig chassis I have now is much better than the Chevy P30 I had.

Mike: Why is your RV pic upside down???

It must be a ipad/iphone thing. Seems everyone with either of those and it's right side up. I'm gonna try and post it upside down and see what happens.

The best solution is to test drive one of each. Your opinion is what really matters. You can have coaches that are on the same suspension but vary in weight and have different shocks tires etc. It all comes into play.

Are you looking for a A gasser or DP?

sunnybrooktoyhauler wrote:
Looking to buy used.

What year, makes a big difference, if your buying a gas model older than 2006 maybe the workhorse might be better, but if 2006 and newer go with the Ford..

Ford rules on motorhome chassis after 2006.. :W


Workhorse could not keep their doors open after 2011.. :p

Some chassis designs are heavier (in terms of cargo carrying capacity and towing) than others. USUALLY these are used on Diesels though.

In Workhorse the bigger the number the better the number (W-22, W-24, 24 is best)

When it comes to Workhorse/Ford/Freightliner/Other.. Different chassis builders often use different engines and transmissions,,, I won't discuss engines because all of them have their supporters, except to say I, Myself, am not a Ford FAN.

However on transmissions.. FORD, calls their latest offering "The Answer To The Allison" thus agreeing with the many (nearly universal agreement) that the ALLISON is the best transmission.. Who am I to argue? (Epically since I agree)

But as for the chassis itself,, I mean it's a couple of steel rails.

There is some debate as to whether the 8 outboard air bag suspension is superior to those with inboard air bags. They are just one of the factors determining ride and handling.

WB/OL (Wheelbase/Overall length) is another one. As is weight distribution.

To complicate matters, with rare exception, the chassis makers (like Freightliner, Spartan, Roadmaster/Monaco Corp) make a wide variety of chassis from entry level with small engines, simple suspension, to the high end. So, to a degree, it is like saying Ford Corp is better/worse than GM. They both make a wide variety of vehicles.