We're looking to purchase a '07 Winnebago Outlook 29B that has a wheelbase of 190". It is 30' long. A Winnebago Access on the lot is only a foot longer (31') but has a 220" wheelbase.
I have read posts about issues with shorter wheelbases and would like to hear from current Outlook 29B owners or anyone with similar lengths. I am selling my Jayco 33' travel trailer and my GMC 2500HD (8' bed) so I have experience with towing but never drove a "rigid box" before. This particular Outlook does have air bags in the rear.
I enjoy the short wheelbase on my 29B. It gives me a tighter turning circle (but this lets the rear end swing wider, have to watch that) and lets me back into some edge-of-lot parking spaces sized to accomodate long pickups and SUVs.
According to the wheelbase to length formula of RV Consumer Group, the short wheelbase is a matter of concern. I have no problems with how mine handles, if I load it to put most of my load forward of the rear axle.
A longer wheelbase provides more stable handling while in a straight line of travel. The less overhang also means you will be less likely to drag when going up an incline. I suspect the longer wheelbase might also have a higher GVWR.
2003 Jayco 308fbs eagle 33' tt, towed by a 2003 Ram 3500 slt, quad cab dually, cummins diesel ho, trailer towing package, with 6 speed manual. Hauls better 1/2, 3 kids, myself, and a 2003 ez go clays car.. I have added so far, neon lights, clearance lights, back up lights, black light, lift kit, mud tires, and everything necessary to make the golf cart street legal. It's now ready to spend the winter in the garage for more mods. More neon, strobe lights, alarm, a pa system, maintance, and whatever else that comes along. This golf cart does wheelies and travels thru 7 inches of mud when need be. Two honda eu2000i gens twinned to supply the electrical power. Latest addition an 04 Honda Goldwing. [url]http://www.hometown.aol.com/rvnagain/myhomepage/profile.html[url]
Been looking at that same issue, 29s and 31s. Test drove the 29 today and it seemed steady on a relatively short ride. One good thing on the 29 is the genset and propane weight is forward of the rear axle.
Longer WB won't help the GVWR, both are E450s with 14500 if 2008, 14050 2007 and earlier.
Remember, longer WB means less maneuverable close in and more care to not run over curbs on corners. We're planning to drive the 31 later this week.
The 29 and 31 seem to weigh and cost more or less the same, so it's a matter of choice from what I can see from here.
We have the same rig as Tom Test, and the same experience: we can get our MH into places where I know longer rigs would have trouble. Just watch the rear end swing-out on tight corners and you're okay. Also, be careful of going over too steep of an incline; however, we've never scraped the rear end.
We usually pull a toad/tow dolly on it (see signature), and the swing-out actually keeps the dolly tracking right behind us beautifully w/o any problems on tight corners. As Tom says, just keep most of your weight forward of the rear axle and it will drive very smoothly. We love the "just right" size of our 29B - wonderful rig!
Itasca Spirit 29B
'96 Corolla toad (the 2CAN)
Demco KarKaddy KK370SB w/surge brakes
One mutt, one fuzzbutt Golden Retriever
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans..." -John Lennon
DigiNut wrote: We're looking to purchase a '07 Winnebago Outlook 29B that has a wheelbase of 190". It is 30' long. A Winnebago Access on the lot is only a foot longer (31') but has a 220" wheelbase...
Steve.
Assuming the numbers are correct:
The ratios of wheelbase to overall length is:
Outlook 29B: 52.8%
Access 31': 59.1%
Higher numbers are better from a stability standpoint.
Generally, 53% or better is considered "good," but that's not an absolute rule by any means.
My wheelbase ratio is 60%, and that was one of the factors I considered in my purchase.
What other are saying is also correct - a short wheelbase will indeed mean a smaller turning radius, but at the cost of handling (maybe), weight distribution issues (possibly - too much weight in the long rear overhang will off-load the front axle and maybe overload the rear axle) and ground clearance issues on hills, bumps and driveways and, finally, the swinging out fo the rear end when turning (watch out for your outside clearance).
You really should:
1. Take it for a test drive, preferably on a windy day.
2. Be sure you are comfortable with the amount of overhang for thing like getting in and out of your driveway.
3. Weigh it (before purchase). Check to be sure that it is well under both GAWRs, and also that loading it up will not shift too much weight aft of the rear axle (that will be mostly a guess by looking at storage compartments and inside cabinet locations). If for any reason you are unable to weigh it before purchases, then write in some acceptable weight parameters into the contract and weigh it right after purchase - returning it if it fails to meet the contractual weight limits you set.
That's about the best advice I can think of right now. Good luck with your decision!!
* This post was
edited 07/22/08 10:04am by Westronics *
Well, we took the 29B for a test drive last night and went out on an interstate (and it was even windy). The ride was better than I though it would be although I noticed a slight "wandering" that I don't get with the truck and trailer. It didn't seem to favor one side or the other except when a gust of wind came up. I would correct the steering and tended to over-correct (as I wasn't used to it). Am I correct in assuming that this is fairly normal in a 30 footer? Of course with no extra weight, I am wondering how the ride characteristics would change when loaded. Noise wise, it was fairly quiet inside.
Thanks for the information and I'm sure I'll have a bunch of questions if we purchase a "C."
DigiNut wrote: ...Am I correct in assuming that this is fairly normal in a 30 footer? Of course with no extra weight, I am wondering how the ride characteristics would change when loaded...
Yes, this is fairly normal.. you've got a LARGE surface on your side subject to crosswinds.
If anything, handling should improve somewhat with a load.
If you plan to tow anything with a significant tongue weight, then the longer wheel base is the better choice. Dingy towing a car wouldn't be much of a concern with the shorter RV wheel base as there is no additional hang-off weight to speak of. But a trailer or boat could.
There are aftermarket items that can help in making a poor-tow condition better. Helper springs, heavy duty sway bars, rear trac bar, and better shocks, all can help handling and load issues. But then you need to consider the possibility of that additional expense too.
You did mention air bags, so some suspension upgrading is already applied.
Bought new in June 2007, Phoenix Cruiser-2350
Fits inside our garage.
Dingy towing a red Toyota MR2 Spyder
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I will say, although we enjoy our 29B now, we had to have front shocks and a heavy duty stabilizer bar installed to assist in the swerve in wind or being passed by larger rigs at high speeds. Now it's fine, I only wish it came from the factory with considerations for actual driving and use.
Jeff & Judy
Kaila: Border Collie/Husky, Sophie: cat
2006 Winnie Outlook 29B, 2006 Saturn Vue
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