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RetiredRealtorR's avatar
RetiredRealtorR
Explorer
Jul 02, 2020

Disappointing test drive

My wife and I are shopping for a new gas Class A. We drove a 2020 Winnebago Sunstar yesterday, and, from a driver's standpoint, it was quite a disappointment.

Bearing in mind that our last Class A was a 2003 Winnebago Journey DP with a 5.9-liter 300hp Cummins, I had expected the engine noise level to be a good bit higher -- it naturally was, but not as bad as I had anticipated.

The real disappointment was that I had to continually correct the steering to keep the rig in the lane, minor corrections, but still irritatingly continual. Also, I felt every little bump in the road through the steering wheel, and the bulk of the test drive was on a 4-lane divided highway. By the time we returned from the drive my fingers were actually a little tingly.

Please tell me all Class A gassers do not drive like this. It was our first test drive this time around, and I'm hoping subsequent test drives in other makes don't end up feeling the same way.
Class A
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Jul 02, 2020
    Hard to tell how any coach rides and drives when it is empty. Loaded for travel the suspension will not be as stiff and if loaded properly it may not wander going down the highway. The tire pressures may have been too high or too low or uneven from it sitting on the lot. This can also affect the ride/handling.
  • way2roll's avatar
    way2roll
    Navigator II
    Jul 02, 2020
    The 2 I had certainly drove like that. The 2021 Ford chassis may help some of that but Gas Class A's on the F53 are notorious for harsh ride, noise and road feedback. That's why our new rig will likely be a DP or a truck and FW. For long trips I just can't handle anymore being stressed out or beaten to death by the time I get to my destination.
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Jul 02, 2020
    My 12 was like that when I bought it last year. It was all over the road. Didn’t notice it on the test drive around the dealer. But bringing it home it was a miserable drive. I have to do constant corrections. The previous owner added all that was available for the F53 chassis. What I found was the tire pressure were all at 110psi. And then I found the front tires were toed out 5/8”. I did a tape measure adjustment and set it to 3/16” toe in. Now the MH drives like my previous Ford Excursikn and 35ft TT. Sometimes it’s the simple things that makes the biggest improvement.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Jul 02, 2020
    If that was a Ford Chassis, the thing about Ford Chassis is, They have to be aligned CORRECTLY. When you have a Ford aligned correctly, they handle like a dream. I would test drive other Class A 2020 Fords and I will bet you will find out that you had a bum Ford that needed an Alignment. Did you give that feedback to the Dealer you test drove from? Doug
  • John_Wayne's avatar
    John_Wayne
    Explorer II
    Jul 02, 2020
    Not that it would make a difference but if you want to get the new V8 make sure your purchase is on the new V8 chassis, and not the older v-10.
  • mikestock's avatar
    mikestock
    Explorer
    Jul 02, 2020
    After driving my used Tiffin Phaeton for a year and dealing with the all-over-the-road problem I added a Roadmaster stabilizer and found that it made a world of difference. I only do about half the steering I did before and am not pushed all over the road by bumps and road imperfections. My MH is a diesel pusher and I can say the problem is not unique to gas models. Most of the high end motor homes today come with a stabilizer system.
  • doxiemom11's avatar
    doxiemom11
    Explorer II
    Jul 02, 2020
    We have an older F53 and the cheap handling fix along with a steering stabalizer made a world of difference. Don't know if the fix can be done on newer ones or not. There was also a big difference between unloaded and loaded.
  • azdryheat's avatar
    azdryheat
    Explorer
    Jul 02, 2020
    When I'm moving coaches between dealerships I find them all to be rough riding and steering's a little squirrely. Mostly this is from sitting on the lot and not being driven. Once I get 30 or so miles on them the tires settle down and steer normally. Take a longer test drive.
  • garyemunson's avatar
    garyemunson
    Explorer II
    Jul 02, 2020
    X2 on what Doug said. F53 chassis drive best when toe in is set to the max value of .14+. This will result in faster wear on the outer edges of the front tires but almost all of us replace tire due to age, not wear. My 36Y Vista goes down the road like an arrow. As Doxiemom says, the CHP is also a help. Still doable on F53 chassis.
    The new V8 chassis comes with much bigger sway bars and would not need it.
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2020
    FWIW - Ford's warranty includes an initial alignment on motorhomes, because the RV makes don't do it after the build-out.

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