Rick Jay wrote:
TriumphGuy wrote:
Man this one really looks interesting. Just a bit longer ... but a floorplan I like and it doesn't seem huge, wheelbase isn't a mile long... I hope I can find some experiences people have with this one.
I don't have experience with this one, but here are my thoughts.
Wheelbase: The general rule of thumb for stable handling is that the (wheel base)/(overall length) ratio should be about 0.54 or greater. This one is about 0.55, so that's good. In general, a longer wheelbase will be more stable. Your comments possibly suggested that you would prefer a shorter wheelbase. You don't. :)
The unit has 3 slides, I'd want to know exactly what that rig weighed on the front and rear axles before it was loaded with water, fuels & stuff.
I can't tell from the diagram, but make sure all of the drawers and cabinets are accessible with the slides in. Especially the bedroom. If you pull over into a rest area (or Walmart, etc.) overnight and can't put the slides out, you want to be able to access your clothes.
My preference is to have the sink in the same room as the commode & shower. With kids, I would think you would too. In fact, my preference is for the "all in one" baths unless there are only 2 people using the rig.
The U-shaped dinettes look bigger than the regular dinettes, but in actuality, you can still really fit only 4 pair of legs under it...unless your kids are small. Then you can squeeze in a leg or two more. :)
We like having a sofa in the rig so we can all sit around and watch a movie on rainy days, or at the end of the day if we're not out around the campfire.
If you're looking for used, there are some 28' non-slide rigs out there that had about 3,000 lbs. of cargo carrying capacity. These were often used in rental fleets, so you might be able to get a good deal on them.
Anyway, good luck in your search.
~Rick
Hi Rick - you make excellent points. I should have quantified my statement, I was looking shorter in wheelbase for turning but only to the extent that it's in proper proportions to the overall length, just like you've said. Of course I have no idea what that ratio should be so I'm glad you've taken that much out of the mystery for me. I'm familiar with the function of WB in terms of vehicle stability - just like my high school buddy could easily spin his mid-engine MR2 (poor guy had bad luck and a not so stable car) I appreciate the stability of my 5er's "WB" going down the road. Too much rear overhang and there's a lever arm / moment arm just asking for a reason to wag.
In my line of work I hear about overloaded rigs - I think we send folks to RV rallies to weigh rigs at the four corners to show them what their tires are actually seeing. I won't buy anything without a road test (including getting DW to drive) and a visit to the scales. I have an idea of what CCC we are used to as a family based on what our 5er has scaled at and I'd want to see similar room for that kind of weight we drag around.
Good call on the bathroom setup. Our current 5er has a fully enclosed bath and I really do like that. This thing has everything we like and setup just like we want it. Unfortunately I wouldn't drag it across country, I'd probably go mad. I hope I don't have to compromise on the sink placement but we all know compromises have to be made...
I appreciate the point about U shaped dinettes. I like the look in concept but you have a point about legroom. We're a tall family! So at least I don't have to make that a unnecessary shopping item.
Thanks for the feedback - I've got a running list of mental notes for our trip to the show Friday. As usual I expect more questions than answers, but first and foremost I want the family's reaction to rigs of different size and the various floorplans. For my part, I'm going to see if I can sit on the commode, stand in the shower and how the bed is. Oh yeah and what the driver's seat is like :)
