I got the RV Ratings guide for 2011-2015 models, and found that none of the Class A Motorhomes I like or can afford (used) have a good rating for Highway Stability (and also not very good in reliability or value). The only Class A earning "5 Stars" (the highest rating) in the report was the Allego Bus and Mountain Aire models. Which are out of my price range.So if this report is somewhat accurate, most of the Class A motorhomes are not stable on the highway and said to be "difficult to handle under normal driving conditions and very dangerous under adverse driving conditions". Part of this determination is based on the wheelbase to length ratio, and the vehicle weight/height.However the majority of Class C MHs are receiving 4 or 5 stars, and very high marks on the highway stability score.So now I'm looking at Class C (mostly Super C) types and no longer considering Class A types. Am I making a mistake following the guidance of this Consumer Group?

I have owned a Class C, Gasser Class A and now a DP, and the DP is hands down the best handling of the three. Especially on rough roads and in the wind. I think the weight of the DP along with a chassis that is built to handle the RV infrastructure, including the air suspension makes it superior. Just my .02.

Let me ask this.... how many class A's do you see wildly wandering down the road with the pilot trying to keep them in the lane... None ?There's your answer.....I haven't read it nor will I because it's complete BS IMO. Most class A Chassis are built on commercial frames. While one might drive a little nicer, none are uncontrollable unless it's way overloaded or someone did something stupid to the suspension.If you are looking at resale value, that's a completely different discussion.

Seriously, what would CR know about motor homes? They claim to be experts in everything and then they do something like down rate a HD truck becasue of how many cup holders it has or what its dash is made out of. Their reviews border on laughable.I would not give them a second thought.

13 years, 85,000 miles and 750 mile days are a pleasure. Granted the tag axle makes a big difference and I would not go back to one without. Go drive some DPs with tag axle and if you go old enough you can afford one.BUT you are only looking for something short so go with a regular Class C.

ScottG wrote:Seriously, what would CR know about motor homes? They claim to be experts in everything and then they do something like down rate a HD truck becasue of how many cup holders it has or what its dash is made out of. Their reviews border on laughable.I would not give them a second thought.While their reviews of products are done individually and include personal likes/dislikes of the reviewer, the ratings are not. Ratings of products are done by surveys taken every year by thousands and thousands of actual users/owners of that particular product.I'm not sure how they have derived their ratings of rv's in this publication, but I would assume that they have involved highly knowledgable people and not just the like/dislike of a few unknowledgeable people.I, for one, rely heavily upon their recommendations.Ron

RV Consumer Group Ratings report - is this report accurate?

janstey58
Explorer
Aug 23, 2017
I have owned a Class C, Gasser Class A and now a DP, and the DP is hands down the best handling of the three. Especially on rough roads and in the wind. I think the weight of the DP along with a chassis that is built to handle the RV infrastructure, including the air suspension makes it superior. Just my .02.
SCVJeff
Explorer
Aug 23, 2017
Let me ask this.... how many class A's do you see wildly wandering down the road with the pilot trying to keep them in the lane... None ?

There's your answer.....

I haven't read it nor will I because it's complete BS IMO. Most class A Chassis are built on commercial frames. While one might drive a little nicer, none are uncontrollable unless it's way overloaded or someone did something stupid to the suspension.

If you are looking at resale value, that's a completely different discussion.
ScottG
Nomad
Aug 23, 2017
Seriously, what would CR know about motor homes?
They claim to be experts in everything and then they do something like down rate a HD truck becasue of how many cup holders it has or what its dash is made out of. Their reviews border on laughable.
I would not give them a second thought.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Aug 23, 2017
13 years, 85,000 miles and 750 mile days are a pleasure. Granted the tag axle makes a big difference and I would not go back to one without. Go drive some DPs with tag axle and if you go old enough you can afford one.

BUT you are only looking for something short so go with a regular Class C.
lanerd
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2017
ScottG wrote:
Seriously, what would CR know about motor homes?
They claim to be experts in everything and then they do something like down rate a HD truck becasue of how many cup holders it has or what its dash is made out of. Their reviews border on laughable.
I would not give them a second thought.

While their reviews of products are done individually and include personal likes/dislikes of the reviewer, the ratings are not. Ratings of products are done by surveys taken every year by thousands and thousands of actual users/owners of that particular product.

I'm not sure how they have derived their ratings of rv's in this publication, but I would assume that they have involved highly knowledgable people and not just the like/dislike of a few unknowledgeable people.

I, for one, rely heavily upon their recommendations.

Ron
1995brave
Nomad
Aug 23, 2017
Something to remember a Class A, DP, or Class C is not a corvette or other sports car.
CountryB
Explorer
Aug 23, 2017
ScottG wrote:
Seriously, what would CR know about motor homes?
They claim to be experts in everything and then they do something like down rate a HD truck becasue of how many cup holders it has or what its dash is made out of. Their reviews border on laughable.
I would not give them a second thought.

It's not Consumer Reports -
its RV Consumer Group (linked to from this forum)
RV Consumers Group

Whether or not they know what they're talking about is another matter. That's why I'm asking.
CountryB
Explorer
Aug 23, 2017
SCVJeff wrote:
Let me ask this.... how many class A's do you see wildly wandering down the road with the pilot trying to keep them in the lane... None ?

You can't tell by looking at a rig going down the road. You need to have the feedback from someone who's driven one. I have not.

However I am suspicious of what the RV report claims. No one is going to be buying Class A MHs at $400K+ if they don't drive/handle nicely. There would be an uproar for sure.

I have a classic pickup truck that wanders "a lot" compared to how my wife's Lexus drives. But it drives normally for an antique truck of that build type, it's just not something I would want to drive cross country.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Aug 23, 2017
CountryB wrote:
Am I making a mistake following the guidance of this Consumer Group?

yes
bumpy
4x4van
Explorer III
Aug 23, 2017
My class A handles significantly better than my previous class C. Just sayin'