228 in WB in a 34 ft MH

[Gjac]

In my search for a short Class A MH 32-34 ft I have not seen any with an 228 in WB. Does anyone on here know what makes and models have this WB?gy

[luvlabs]

My 36.5 ft diesel pusher rides on a 228" wheelbase - Tiffin Phaeton.

[timmac]

Gjac wrote:

Chum lee wrote:
Most of the major Class A MH manufacturers buy their gas chassis partially finished from Ford or others.

Google search: "Ford F53 chassis specifications" and/or others. Typically Ford sets the wheelbase (there are many different lengths to choose from) and the MH manufacturer picks the one they want for each particular model and GVWR.

Chum lee

. I was just looking at the Ford 53 specifications PDF file last week for ride height questions and noticed they made 228 in WB on a 30 ft chassis. I just never could find a finished MH with these specs.

That is the length of the Ford chassis, but the motorhomes factories will put a 34-36 foot box on top of that.

[Gjac]

Chum lee wrote:
Most of the major Class A MH manufacturers buy their gas chassis partially finished from Ford or others.

Google search: "Ford F53 chassis specifications" and/or others. Typically Ford sets the wheelbase (there are many different lengths to choose from) and the MH manufacturer picks the one they want for each particular model and GVWR.

Chum lee

. I was just looking at the Ford 53 specifications PDF file last week for ride height questions and noticed they made 228 in WB on a 30 ft chassis. I just never could find a finished MH with these specs.

[Chum_lee]

Most of the major Class A MH manufacturers buy their gas chassis partially finished from Ford or others.

Google search: "Ford F53 chassis specifications" and/or others. Typically Ford sets the wheelbase (there are many different lengths to choose from) and the MH manufacturer picks the one they want for each particular model and GVWR.

Chum lee

[Gjac]

Thanks for the feed back. From the responses it looks like only Tiffen makes a MH with these requirements.

[CVD]

My info came from the current Tiffin web page; 2017 Allegro 31MA and 31SA are listed with 228" WB:
http://www.tiffinmotorhomes.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/2017_allegro_specs.pdf

[22WANDER]

My Tiffin 2013 31sa has a 228in WB.

[Gjac]

CVD wrote:
Are you shopping for a front or rear engine coach?

With a pusher, where the straight 6 and transmission are both behind the rear axle, your overhang mostly predetermined. Then, to get reasonable weight on the front axle, it is “pulled back". Thus the relatively short wheelbases on pushers under 35’ long (actually most under 40’ have less than ideal length/wheelbase ratios). E.g. Tiffin RED 33A: 35’ length/198” WB = .47 ratio.

On a front engine RV (gas or diesel), the engine can sit directly over the front axle and the rear axle can be placed where balance is best (drive shaft can be made to whatever length is needed). Thus, you find better length/WB ratios. E.g. Tiffin Allegro 31: 33’ length/228” WB = .57 ratio.

That brings the question of which gives a better overall ride and control - a leaf spring front engine chassis with a good wheelbase ratio or an airbag pusher chassis with a short wheelbase? I’m all ears.

which model and year did Tiffen make a 33 ft MH with a 228 in WB?

[timmac]

I got 208 WB on a 33 foot motorhome and its just fine, turns sharp and overhang looks normal, my drop hitch dose not drag on normal gas station driveways.

[CVD]

Are you shopping for a front or rear engine coach?

With a pusher, where the straight 6 and transmission are both behind the rear axle, your overhang mostly predetermined. Then, to get reasonable weight on the front axle, it is “pulled back". Thus the relatively short wheelbases on pushers under 35’ long (actually most under 40’ have less than ideal length/wheelbase ratios). E.g. Tiffin RED 33A: 35’ length/198” WB = .47 ratio.

On a front engine RV (gas or diesel), the engine can sit directly over the front axle and the rear axle can be placed where balance is best (drive shaft can be made to whatever length is needed). Thus, you find better length/WB ratios. E.g. Tiffin Allegro 31: 33’ length/228” WB = .57 ratio.

That brings the question of which gives a better overall ride and control - a leaf spring front engine chassis with a good wheelbase ratio or an airbag pusher chassis with a short wheelbase? I’m all ears.

[msturtz]

We have a DP and it is 34.5' actual and the wheelbase is only 208". It also has a 55 degree wheel cut which makes it turn very sharp. I had a 31' but was actually 33.5' long front engine gas RV with a 45 degree wheel cut and a 228" wheelbase. It had a very large turning radius and a massive tail swing. On a gas RV I would opt for the longer wheelbase even though the turning radius is so poor just to get the stability required. On a DP with air ride it isn't so much of a problem.

[hanko]

When i bought my coach, every manufacturer was putting their longest coaches 36 to 38 ft on 22,000 lbs chassis with the longest WB being 228 inches. One of the reasons I went where I did was the 24,000 chassis and 254 inch WB. Some one here has a formula for length to WB ratio. You might try using that. I think a 34 ft coach on a 228 WB is OK but not longer

[crasster]

All has to do with the engineering if it will help you or not. Are you looking for mainly the stability? Also test drive.

[Effy]

New or used? Every manufacturer has WB specs on their site for every model. Is there a particular floor plan you want? A long WB is nice but worthless if it's sitting under the wrong floor plan. In terms of priority, WB length would be much further down my list. A consideration sure, but not the primary one.