We were at FMCA convention in MN yesterday looking at coaches. Liked the layout and the apparent quality of the Allegro Bus, The dealer had an 07 allegro bus 40 feet quad slide that was the grandfathers coach with 24k miles loaded for sale . We took it for a test drive and were very disappointed. The coach rolled side to side around turns and going out the parking lot. Going over expansion joints came through as loud and harsh noises. Rattles were everywhere. Is this typical?? We liked the coach but the driving experience left us very disapointed. We have had 3 gas and 2 dp coaches, the latest being a 98 Beaver so we are experienced in how things work and expected more from a newer coach.We would like to keeep Allegro on the short list for future coaches but are concerned about the durability.
40 footers are at the edge of usefulness and have a low CCC. They have stability issues due to the high loading on the suspension. It's better to go with a shorter or longer (with tag) unit, in my opinion.
When we were shopping, this is the conclusion we came to and stopped looking at the 40 footers and instead concentrated on the tag models. Try driving a 42 to 45 foot tag axle equipped model, you'll be amazed at how stable they are.
2007 Mountain Aire 4528
2006 CRV SE
Based in Memphis area
deciding wrote: We were at FMCA convention in MN yesterday looking at coaches. Liked the layout and the apparent quality of the Allegro Bus, The dealer had an 07 allegro bus 40 feet quad slide that was the grandfathers coach with 24k miles loaded for sale . We took it for a test drive and were very disappointed. The coach rolled side to side around turns and going out the parking lot. Going over expansion joints came through as loud and harsh noises. Rattles were everywhere. Is this typical?? We liked the coach but the driving experience left us very disapointed. We have had 3 gas and 2 dp coaches, the latest being a 98 Beaver so we are experienced in how things work and expected more from a newer coach.We would like to keeep Allegro on the short list for future coaches but are concerned about the durability.
One reason is you are comparing apples and oranges! Go out and see what an '07 Beaver sells for..
Assuming the ride height is set correctly...you have the SHOCKS to contend with. I doubt seriously that the Tiffen has the best...top notch..shock on it! ( the 24K miles doesnt mean a thing)
Does that have IFS suspension? That MIGHT account for the roll when leaving the parking lot...but as far as side to side sway..etc...when making turns etc..thats indicates of not large enough ( if at all?) sway bars..and other suspension components. With ANY 4 slide coach you have lots of weight / mass up "high" and you can easily get some "sway" if the rig isnt really designed with the BEST of components to handle it.
You want a "sports car" or a "convention center" with those 4 slides? You get to chose ONE from "column A"
2000 Country Coach Allure; Cummins ISC 330 HP; 71/2 - 8 MPG regardless
2002 Jeep Liberty
2004 Monaco
La Palma 36DBD
Two Slides
2 Potties
Workhorse 22 chassis
8.1 gas engine & Allison 1000 transmission
7.1 MPG based on fuel used over 32,000 miles
fourfurz wrote: 40 footers are at the edge of usefulness and have a low CCC. They have stability issues due to the high loading on the suspension. It's better to go with a shorter or longer (with tag) unit, in my opinion.
I will agree with this as long as you are referring to a rail type chassis, as the Allegro, Newmar, Fleetwood and most others ride on. But, When you have a semi-monocoupe chassis, as does most of the Monaco family of coaches and all of your high end Prevost type coaches, then it is a whole different ball game and none of your analogy applies. We discovered this, when we wanted out of our 2003 Fleetood wallow wagon, which was a 37' DP, by the way. Until chassis manufactures change their way of thinking, I would never own another rail type chassis.
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edited 07/17/08 04:27am by an administrator/moderator *
Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 FMCA #F203528 '05 HR Endeavor, 40PRQ (Our Dawg House) 400 Cummins- With-'05 GMC Sierra SLT, CC, Z-71, the pusher w/
our '07 Arctic Cat 500A & Wilderness Kayak, riding in the pusher Our Current Location
Have not seen any newer 40' DP's with enough CCC unless they have a tag axle or are using a 23K single axle. You need to drive a Monaco product with the RR10S/tag suspension as they do not lean. Once you drive a coach with a tag axle you will not be happy with anything else, especially if it has the outboard air bags. I liked the way my 98 Beaver handled but the front seemed to move up/down too much but a tag solves that.
fourfurz wrote: 40 footers are at the edge of usefulness and have a low CCC. They have stability issues due to the high loading on the suspension. It's better to go with a shorter or longer (with tag) unit, in my opinion.
I will agree with this as long as you are referring to a rail type chassis, as the Allegro, Newmar, Fleetwood and most others ride on. But, When you have a semi-monocoupe chassis, as does most of the Monaco family of coaches and all of your high end Prevost type coaches, then it is a whole different ball game and none of your analogy applies. We discovered this, when we wanted out of our 2003 Fleetcrap wallow wagon, which was a 37' DP, by the way. Until chassis manufactures change their way of thinking, I would never own another rail type chassis.
We test drove a 40 Monaco (I think Dynasty) and were disappointed in the handling as well. There was no significant difference between it and any other 40 footer, they all wallow and are at the edge of CCC. I think the Monaco we looked at had 800 lbs. of CCC. It was the last non-tag unit we considered.
We test drove tag models from several manufacturers, including Monaco, Newmar and Travel Supreme, there was little difference in the handling, they were all good.
I have a 2006 40 ft allegro bus and your test drive is not consistent with my experience. My coach drives fine. Yes tag axles drive smoother. As to the comments concerning CCC in a 40 footer, mine has 4,550 lbs.
Our 40' HR(Monaco product) has a CCC of 3000+#, which is ample IMHO, as we full time in it and are not even close to the CCC. As far as wallow, ours rides very firm without any wallow, compared to a rail chassis. That is because of the 8 outboard air bags and monocoupe chassis vs 4 inboard used in rail chassis.
We test drove a 40 Monaco (I think Dynasty) and were disappointed in the handling as well. There was no significant difference between it and any other 40 footer, they all wallow and are at the edge of CCC. I think the Monaco we looked at had 800 lbs. of CCC. It was the last non-tag unit we considered.
There is a blanket statement thats not even close to reality!
ALL..repeat ..ALL 40 footers DO NOT wallow..and many ARE NOT low on CCC
Certainly some DO..and some ARE...but ya cant make the statement "they wallow"..etc..
As I posted to the OP...you make the choice of a wallow wagon ( with those 4 slides up high) or a sports car...ya cant have both!
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