I used to have a 2000 Fleetwood class A 30' coach with the workhorse chassis and 454 Chevy engine. This coach had a large section of the body past the rear axle and it handled terrible in the wind. I have a class A license and I have driven a lot of large vehicles that coach was the worst thing I ever drove when the wind kicked up. I take trips through the Columbia River Gorge and that thing could shift sideways 4' when a gust hit me. I have had many travel trailers 5th wheel and bumper pull and nothing was a s bad as that.I no longer have that RV but I am looking at getting another class A and I really don't want to end up with another one that handles like my old one. I always thought the problem was the large overhang beyond the rear axle making it like a bat when wind hit the back end. That coach also really whipped around from the air wash from large trucks. I am looking at coaches in the 32'-34' range one of the coaches is a 03 Monaco 32 Cayman with the Cummins 5.9 and Alison trans the picture makes it look like it has a large overhang like my old one and that worries me. Can anyone comment on how the Monaco 32' handle? Thanks Mike

There are things that could be done to greatly improve the performance of that P32 chassis motorhome you no longer have, such as adding a rear track bar.

Apples to basketballs. Your old one was a gasser on an old, outdated chassis. The Monaco is a diesel pusher with and air ride suspension. Two totally different animals.Going from memory here, which isn't always good, check for any recalls and/or updates on the rear suspension arms. I can't remember which Monaco chassis had the issue, be sure you do. Not a huge deal but something to be aware of.

Poor handling in wind is often a case of insufficient toe in caused either by general wear and tear on the front end (or lax maintenance with a grease gun) or just incorrect alignment. Toe in compensates from the interaction of the forward motion of the coach and the caster setting trying to 'spread' the front wheels to a toe out condition.

After dumping probably 5k in front end parts on my Old P30Bell cranks,idler arm,steering dampener,larger ipd front sway bar with poly bushings front and rear,rear trac bar,Koni shocks,ditched the air bags inside coil springs and installed Henderson springs, inner and outer bearings and seals,allready had a steer safe on it,new tires and multiple front end alignments and still drove like ****.I finally fixed it by selling that POS

Test drives! No amount of reading will substitute for that. DP will in general be better handling than gas, but longer wheelbase vs shorter is still a real issue. Our 35' DP handles decently, but has less directional stability than longer ones.

Question about wheelbase and handling issues???

24 Replies

Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Aug 23, 2018
Gundog wrote:

I can't seem to post a picture very frustrating.

Is it just me or does this coach look like the wheelbase is short and the overhang huge?

:E Wow...that does look a little awkward.
Hikerdogs
Explorer
Aug 23, 2018
There used to be a "rule of thumb" that said: "In order for a coach to handle properly in wind and weather the wheelbase must be at least 52% of the overall length of the coach".

I don't know if that rule still applies, but in our case the wheel base on the old coach was 52.6% of the overall length, and on the new one it's 57.1% of the overall length. In both cases we haven't had handling problems.
Mickeyfan0805
Explorer
Aug 23, 2018
Gundog wrote:
I am going to look at the coach I posted the picture of above this weekend but the picture makes it look like it has a very short wheelbase and after my previous issues it makes me worry about possible handling issues.

I'm with you. I've never driven a MH (we have a bumper pull), but that thing looks like someone took and F150 and placed a 35' motorhome on top of it.
wolfe10
Explorer
Aug 23, 2018
https://library.rvusa.com/brochure/04Cayman.pdf

This is a brochure with specs for the 2004. I have not verified that they are the same as for the 2003

For the 32', it shows a wheelbase of 188" and overall length of 32'4".

That is a WB/OL of under 49%.

Also, be aware of the rear trailing arm suspension issue on this chassis: https://community.fmca.com/topic/570-serious-problem-some-monaco-holiday-rambler-safari-chassis/?tab=comments#comment-2686
Gundog
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2018
Ductape wrote:
Test drives! No amount of reading will substitute for that. DP will in general be better handling than gas, but longer wheelbase vs shorter is still a real issue. Our 35' DP handles decently, but has less directional stability than longer ones.

My old one handled fine with no wind or big trucks around it. I would need to duplicate those conditions to know if it is an upgrade as far as handling is concerned. The old one would get really squirrely when following or overtaking a truck at freeway speeds or when they passed me it would suck it right over towards the truck in the case of a truck passing and then blow you over the other direction after going by. I am not talking a little bit either and I have driven some worn out trucks with lots of play in the steering this was different than that. It tracked straight down the road with no wind or trucks around.
Gundog
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2018
I am going to look at the coach I posted the picture of above this weekend but the picture makes it look like it has a very short wheelbase and after my previous issues it makes me worry about possible handling issues.
RLS7201
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2018
garyemunson wrote:
Poor handling in wind is often a case of insufficient toe in caused either by general wear and tear on the front end (or lax maintenance with a grease gun) or just incorrect alignment. Toe in compensates from the interaction of the forward motion of the coach and the caster setting trying to 'spread' the front wheels to a toe out condition.

Exactly!

My ol 95 F53 was a t**d to drive before I set the Toe-in. Now it drives well even with 13' of rear over hang. I do admit to installing a front Davis Tru-Track, but the toe was the most significant improvement.

Richard
Gundog
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2018

I can't seem to post a picture very frustrating.

Is it just me or does this coach look like the wheelbase is short and the overhang huge?
tropical36
Explorer
Aug 23, 2018
Gundog wrote:
I used to have a 2000 Fleetwood class A 30' coach with the workhorse chassis and 454 Chevy engine. This coach had a large section of the body past the rear axle and it handled terrible in the wind. I have a class A license and I have driven a lot of large vehicles that coach was the worst thing I ever drove when the wind kicked up. I take trips through the Columbia River Gorge and that thing could shift sideways 4' when a gust hit me. I have had many travel trailers 5th wheel and bumper pull and nothing was a s bad as that.

I no longer have that RV but I am looking at getting another class A and I really don't want to end up with another one that handles like my old one. I always thought the problem was the large overhang beyond the rear axle making it like a bat when wind hit the back end. That coach also really whipped around from the air wash from large trucks. I am looking at coaches in the 32'-34' range one of the coaches is a 03 Monaco 32 Cayman with the Cummins 5.9 and Alison trans the picture makes it look like it has a large overhang like my old one and that worries me. Can anyone comment on how the Monaco 32' handle?

Thanks Mike

Typically a DP will have a lesser overhang and tail for wagging the dog, however having a longer wheelbase will make things even better, so you might want to consider going larger.
As for the P32 chassis, I think it was one of the best handling and softest riding of any gasser with it's IFS front end. We had an 87 Fleetwood PA, with no complaints and a 36ft National TC with a tag axle that handled even better, wind or no wind.
Ductape
Explorer
Aug 23, 2018
Test drives! No amount of reading will substitute for that. DP will in general be better handling than gas, but longer wheelbase vs shorter is still a real issue. Our 35' DP handles decently, but has less directional stability than longer ones.

Forum Discussion

Question about wheelbase and handling issues???

24 Replies

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

Wheelbase question

Wheelbase factors

Wheelbase questions

12 Volt Power Issue

Electrical outlet issues