Maneuverability of toy hauler vs class A DP
Still struggling with the choice. The smallest Class A we like would be either a 41 ft Fleetwood Discovery 40g or a 43 ft long tag axle Newmar. The toy haulers we're considering are either a 36 ft ...
Forum Discussion
I have experience with towable units as well as multiple motorhomes. I also have a CDL so I have truck experience as well. In general a class A DP rig will be more maneuverable vs other types of rigs. Let me explain why. There are two factors that determine how sharp you can turn:
Wheelbase
Wheel cut
Rear overhang
On DP units you typically have the wheels in the center of the rig. This means they have a front overhang and a rear overhang. The net effect of this is for a given length they have a much smaller wheelbase than other types of rig. For example: I had a 31' Class C rig which was actually 33.5' bumper to bumper. It had a 228" wheelbase and a 45 degree wheel cut my new coach is a Class A 33' but is actually 34.5" with a 208" wheelbase and a 55 degree wheel cut. This means that my "larger" Class A rig can actually turn sharper than my smaller Class C. I have been able to make some pretty remarkable turns without backing with my Class A DP. The lack of a 10’ rear overhang helps as well.
As to towable units, there are many factors however in general the wheel cut and wheelbase of the tow rig come in. You mention that you have a F450 which would likely have a 45 degree or 50 degree wheel cut. The problem with tight turns and I have done a lot of them is swing out room for the tow vehicle. I could literally spin my towable unit nearly in its own length however to stop turning requires swinging the truck around the other way. I have had to put a 36’ towable unit into a 15’ wide spot where the access was barely 10’ wide. It took me over ½ hour to get it parked but I did it. It was extremely difficult. Literally inch by inch back turn pull forward turn back turn and so on till I got it parked. It also required getting out an looking to ensure I didn’t hit anything. Another time I was late getting into a very cramped state campground and it was very tight. It took me forever in the middle of the night to get parked because people had parked across from and next to my site and it required a 90 degree turn. Extremely difficult to get parked and then in most towable units everything is manual, leveling jacks etc. I always had to at least ensure the rig was leveled and blocked before I could even disconnect from the tow vehicle.
Bottom line it is vastly more difficult to maneuver around with a towable unit. I can do it and I have been towing for years. I would much rather handle a longer straight vehicle than ever deal with a towable unit. With a DP having a shorter front and rear overhang is much easier. With my DP I can drop the toad in the street pull past the site back in hit the jacks auto-level button, jump out plug in power and all done.
Wheelbase
Wheel cut
Rear overhang
On DP units you typically have the wheels in the center of the rig. This means they have a front overhang and a rear overhang. The net effect of this is for a given length they have a much smaller wheelbase than other types of rig. For example: I had a 31' Class C rig which was actually 33.5' bumper to bumper. It had a 228" wheelbase and a 45 degree wheel cut my new coach is a Class A 33' but is actually 34.5" with a 208" wheelbase and a 55 degree wheel cut. This means that my "larger" Class A rig can actually turn sharper than my smaller Class C. I have been able to make some pretty remarkable turns without backing with my Class A DP. The lack of a 10’ rear overhang helps as well.
As to towable units, there are many factors however in general the wheel cut and wheelbase of the tow rig come in. You mention that you have a F450 which would likely have a 45 degree or 50 degree wheel cut. The problem with tight turns and I have done a lot of them is swing out room for the tow vehicle. I could literally spin my towable unit nearly in its own length however to stop turning requires swinging the truck around the other way. I have had to put a 36’ towable unit into a 15’ wide spot where the access was barely 10’ wide. It took me over ½ hour to get it parked but I did it. It was extremely difficult. Literally inch by inch back turn pull forward turn back turn and so on till I got it parked. It also required getting out an looking to ensure I didn’t hit anything. Another time I was late getting into a very cramped state campground and it was very tight. It took me forever in the middle of the night to get parked because people had parked across from and next to my site and it required a 90 degree turn. Extremely difficult to get parked and then in most towable units everything is manual, leveling jacks etc. I always had to at least ensure the rig was leveled and blocked before I could even disconnect from the tow vehicle.
Bottom line it is vastly more difficult to maneuver around with a towable unit. I can do it and I have been towing for years. I would much rather handle a longer straight vehicle than ever deal with a towable unit. With a DP having a shorter front and rear overhang is much easier. With my DP I can drop the toad in the street pull past the site back in hit the jacks auto-level button, jump out plug in power and all done.
