The HR was a rental unit, it looked like it was about six or eight years old. It felt like a spring suspension, but the engine in the rear was quieter than our pickup.
Our normal trip starts on a Monday. I take my wife to work on Sunday, dry camp overnight while she works the graveyard shift, then head out first thing Monday morning. So, it would be most helpful if the DW could comfortably sleep enroute.
As stated, most of the rattling/noise's can be attributed to packing. Sometimes adjusting the door latches or window screen clips are needed for less rattle. I will say this and I tell me wife this all the time....there is absolutely nothing that bothers me more than unknown noises coming from behind me(cabinets left unlatched, items falling off counters etc etc).
96 Vogue Prima Vista 37' CAT 3176B
Our Babies: Mollie, Rubie, Cassie and Maggie, all rescued Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Rainbow Bridge: Laddie, Scoutie, Katie, Cooper, Kodie
Rally's and get togethers.....Lots
Go and test drive empty rigs. Don’t establish a baseline from a rental coach. When was the last time any of us treated a rental with the same care we would a vehicle we owned? My gas coach, built on leaf springs and shocks, isn't a limo but just replacing the window weather stip to eliminate the rattle made the ride seem that much smoother.
From where I sit the amenities of a fifth wheel and a DP class A are pretty close. It all comes down to what your travel plans are. From a guy’s stand point the DP is a better fit if you are more of a gypsy. Higher loading capacity and towing, easier camp site set up and that big diesel engine pushing you down the road, 22 inch tires mounted on Alcoa aluminum rims, hanging with the big dog over the road drivers while fueling. Tim Allen is starting to come to mind at the moment.
OK enough for those of us with a Y chromosome. For her, driving and parking a Class A is super easy. Between the giant compound mirrors, rear camera and side cameras I have better visibility in my coach then my Honda Accord. Everything is in the coach when going do the road. Bathroom, fridge, sofa, bedroom, washer/dryer, fresh water…. Wallydocking, find a safe place, drop the shades, turn on the TV and take a break. Lunch time, find a rest stop and have lunch in the coach. Traffic a mess, park and wait it out. Same with weather. Arrive late to a camp site, pull in, level the coach, plug in and you’re done. She never has to get out of the coach. And the big one, the picture window you get to see the world thru, aka the wind shield.
Going down the road in a well pointed pickup pulling a fifth wheel is a kin to flying business class. You maybe comfortable and such but your still stuck in the seat. Move up to a class A DP and you’re in a Gulfstream V executive jet.
2006 Hurricane 31D aka 'Moby' the Whale
FCC(SW) US Navy Retired 1980-2003
Stella my Navigator
Bogart the All American RV Dog
and
Cocoui waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge
As a former corporate pilot, I must say that your analogy is terrific! I'm looking for something along the lines of a "Lear 31A". The "Gulfstream G-IV's" of the RV world are beyond our reach, I'm afraid.
I appreciate everyone's feedback. It has been informative and entertaining.
northmeck0255 wrote: As a former corporate pilot, I must say that your analogy is terrific! I'm looking for something along the lines of a "Lear 31A". The "Gulfstream G-IV's" of the RV world are beyond our reach, I'm afraid.
I appreciate everyone's feedback. It has been informative and entertaining.
The front seats of a class A are called 'Captains Chains'. Just thought I'd pass that bit of info along. The Gulf Stream is a bit of reach unless you're looking at Prevost or Newell coaches. Then again if you wait until after November 6 the Federal Goverment maybe be selling off two well apointed coaches.
RVs built on chassis that are normally used on UPS trucks will, no surprise ride like UPS trucks. Sturdy, reliable, but not smooth. My experience is that most diesel pushers with air ride are capable of a smooth ride. Our motor home rides almost silently when we are on a good road. When you are on a poor road the ride is much worse.
So go drive a bunch. Some friends of ours have a 2004 Holiday Rambler Scepter and it rides very well.
If the government doesn't have two top dollar RVs for sale in early November, there will be a bunch of private ones will be up for sale CHEAP. Nobody will be able to afford to drive them with virtually no current plan for solving ever increasing fuel prices.
We have a DP and can drive 400+ miles a day and feel relaxed, though we don't drive near that far normally. Our son has a new Ford F450 and fifth wheel. His wife flys to their destination as the rough ride kills her back.
If any motor home is loaded right and packed right there shouldn't be interior noises. A DP is much quieter because the engine is 30+ feet to the rear while most gasses the engine is right beside you,
A rental unit would be like driving a demolition derby car vs a new Caddie.
* This post was
edited 05/01/12 04:32am by Doug and Cassi Glass *
All coaches ride different, and sound different when loaded for a trip. One thing that you learn, thru trial and error, is how to pack your coach to keep things quiet. We use bungee tie downs on some metal shelves and other tricks to quiet what would normally rattle. Basically, rattles are caused by loose items carried in the coach. Naturally some are from loose drawers, but most are from your own dishes and pans. I would think that any quality RV will rattle if packed wrong and that even the lower quality RV's will not rattle if packed in such a way to minimize noise.
You want a house to move down the road at 60 mph with out rattling? Have you seen some of these roads? Keep your fifth wheel or use some of the tips above.
Personally I do something about the large noises but do not obsess about minor rattles. My wife has a cousin who insists on eliminating all rattles and succeeds whether they have owned a class C, a DP or a gas class A. I am not motivated to go to that degree.
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