I need help. I have been pulling a small 20 ft TT and have finally decided to upgrade to motorhomes. I read a ton of stuff here,looked at many and decided a small (26-30) ft class A or C would be best for us. Test drove a 2008 Winnebago 29t Access with only 8000 miles and was surprised how poorly it handled. Didn't expect it to drive like my truck but it was a handful. Read some more about wheelbase to length ratios and shocks and tires and alignment and swaybars. Did I drive a lemon? Are all short wheelbase class c's a handful? Is a short class A any better. Do I have to spend big $ in upgrades to get a motorhome to drive well? Be gentle, I don't mean to pick on a class or manufacture just have so many questions.

I have not heard good things for the E450 chassis when it's on one of the longer Class C's. There is a lot of weight out the back, and for most it only gets worse when you load them up.Mine was a 26 E450 and it seemed pretty good in comparison, but I have talked with another fellow that had a 29 and did not feel good in it.

We have a 23 ft. Class C on the E450 chassis, handles well. I can see where the long Class C's would be harder to handle if the weight isn't distributed evenly on the chassis. Air Ride levelers in the rear might be helpful too.

29T has too short a wheelbase. 190" for a 30' coach. Look at the 31C with 220" for 31'.It seems the Class A can get away with a proportionately shorter wheelbase than a C. I'd think of several reasons.The front-to-rear weight balance might be betterThe chassis could be stifferA modern Class A is on a "motorhome" chassis vs. a "truck" chassis. A Class C is on a "truck" chassis. Difference? The MH chassis has a wider front track. The wheel spacing on a truck chassis is narrow.

I was actually surprised and pleased with how our class C handles. It is right at 32' and wheelbase is 208".

I have a 27 ft. Class C on the E450 chassis (176" wheelbase). Handles very well. Better than my 19' my B did. A lot of factors can effect the way a rig handles. Lots of discussions here to read.

Handling issues | Good Sam Community

Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
I have not heard good things for the E450 chassis when it's on one of the longer Class C's. There is a lot of weight out the back, and for most it only gets worse when you load them up.

Mine was a 26 E450 and it seemed pretty good in comparison, but I have talked with another fellow that had a 29 and did not feel good in it.
Islandman
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
We have a 23 ft. Class C on the E450 chassis, handles well. I can see where the long Class C's would be harder to handle if the weight isn't distributed evenly on the chassis. Air Ride levelers in the rear might be helpful too.
j-d
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2014
29T has too short a wheelbase. 190" for a 30' coach. Look at the 31C with 220" for 31'.

It seems the Class A can get away with a proportionately shorter wheelbase than a C. I'd think of several reasons.

The front-to-rear weight balance might be better
The chassis could be stiffer
A modern Class A is on a "motorhome" chassis vs. a "truck" chassis. A Class C is on a "truck" chassis. Difference? The MH chassis has a wider front track. The wheel spacing on a truck chassis is narrow.
hotbyte
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
I was actually surprised and pleased with how our class C handles. It is right at 32' and wheelbase is 208".
OldRadios
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
I have a 27 ft. Class C on the E450 chassis (176" wheelbase). Handles very well. Better than my 19' my B did. A lot of factors can effect the way a rig handles. Lots of discussions here to read.
Gonzo42
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
We have the Winnie View at 24 ft diesel V6 and don't seem to have problems. If it were only 2 ft longer I sure would like the extra storage capacity.
Vach
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
So in general it sounds like the short wheelbase to length can cause some handling issues but not everyone has that issue. Is there a certain make or length with short wheelbase that works or is it all over the place?

I have read a lot of discussions here about handling issues but have yet to see a confident consensus of "do these things" and you will get good handling. Like I said in original post there are lots of recommendations of what to do; shocks, stabilizers, sway bars, alignment and others. I'm not confident I can buy a class c that handles poor and know what to do to fix it without throwing the kitchen sink and a boatload or money at it.
Road_Dog
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
I have a 2014 Winnebago Access that is 31'8" with a 220" wheelbase and it's the best riding/handling out of the 5 motorhomes I've owned! You didn't say what your issues are with your coach. It could be that it needs a front end alignment.I know all 5 of mine did! They can be pretty squirrelly if not aligned properly!
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2014
You are right the class C on Ford Chassis are plagued with handling problems some worse than others and some not at all. It seems that some need a lot of work and others not so much.

I would suggest that you try driving one in your size range on a Chevy Chassis, they are not prone to the handling issues that the Fords have or the $ to correct the problems. The Chevy Chassis doesn't have to be modified to improve the handling or ride.
Not to start a war but just to give you some options while looking.

The link in my signature about Chevy Chassis may be helpful.

Good luck and I hope that this helps in your search.
ghsebldr
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
Have to agree with hotbyte, our 32g Minnie handles very well with the long wheelbase. It started out with bounce problems in the front end but a simple front end align solved that. I like the way there is very little push or pull from passing others or being passed by others on the freeway. The length cuts out some dry camping places but I can still get into most places.