wolfe10
Texas
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HobbyHauler wrote:Some folks with the upper end Roadmaster chassis have discovered that the original Bilstein shocks are very stiff. When changed out for the Koni ISF shocks, the harshness of the ride is significantly improved.
That is Koni FSD (Frequency Selective Damping).
Brett Wolfe
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SteveRankin
Sequim, WA
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Both are good chassis for a DP, although there are differences in suspensions, ride and handling. The Roadmaster chassis is the proprietary chassis of Monaco. Roadmaster chassis in the 42-45' range will be RR10S or S-series. The RR10S is a Raised-Rail 10 air bag with side radiator. The S-series is a semi-monocoque chassis with 10 air bags. The 10 air bag suspension gives a slightly wider base for the air bags and a somewhat crisper handling along with a stiffer ride.
There are several models of Spartan chassis. All of them are excellent, although the fancier models offer more features, such as IFS. Suspension systems used on Spartan chassis are rugged commercial suspensions with broader application and service facilities than a proprietary suspension--an important feature IMO.
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JarheadTim
St. Louis, MO
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OK, So how "stiff" is stiff on the RR chassis? Is it teeth jarring stiff by comparison or just "Firmer"?
dav5942 can you explain "drive a ME and you will probably will never drive a DP again"
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dav5942
Stuart, FL
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JarheadTim wrote:
dav5942 can you explain "drive a ME and you will probably will never drive a DP again"
Just my HO of the handling/drivability/ride of the mid-engine coach-we really enjoy driving it as much as our cars. Of course I could be biased as we have one but, drive one and you might also see a big difference from a DP.
2007 Newmar 42' Mid Engine w/Fatboy,ATVs-in Garage,lifted Jeep(s) in tow, Hog Valley Florida(a diamond in the rough),'09 Alaska again!
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chring
North East, TN
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JarheadTim wrote:OK, So how "stiff" is stiff on the RR chassis? Is it teeth jarring stiff by comparison or just "Firmer"?
dav5942 can you explain "drive a ME and you will probably will never drive a DP again"
It is not so firm a ride that it will loosen your fillings. I think the point here is that the Roadmaster is a bit more firm then the Spartan.
Speaking from a technical standpoint, there is no way to get an excellent handling coach without sacrificing some of the soft ride you would expect.
Overall, I have no problem with its firmness and it doesn't jar everything lose going don the road.
Chris
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Sully2
Cincinnati
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chring wrote:JarheadTim wrote:OK, So how "stiff" is stiff on the RR chassis? Is it teeth jarring stiff by comparison or just "Firmer"?
dav5942 can you explain "drive a ME and you will probably will never drive a DP again"
It is not so firm a ride that it will loosen your fillings. I think the point here is that the Roadmaster is a bit more firm then the Spartan.
Speaking from a technical standpoint, there is no way to get an excellent handling coach without sacrificing some of the soft ride you would expect.
Overall, I have no problem with its firmness and it doesn't jar everything lose going don the road.
Chris
DEAD ON TARGET! Firm...not "stiff" Your also right on the "there is no way to get an excellent handling coach without sacrificing some of the soft ride you would expect" deal also. After testing driving both styles of chassis I decided the CC RODE the way I wanted and its handeling was "close enough" for me. I knew going in it wasnt a Mustang GT or a Corvette...so I went for the cushie ride
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SteveRankin
Sequim, WA
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JarheadTim wrote:OK, So how "stiff" is stiff on the RR chassis? Is it teeth jarring stiff by comparison or just "Firmer"?
dav5942 can you explain "drive a ME and you will probably will never drive a DP again"
The stiffness of ride vs. handling is a personal choice. The stiffness of a Roadmaster is enough for DW to notice and make a comment in the first mile or two every time we test drive one.
OTOH, the 'cushie' ride of the Country Coach is also recognizable.
We prefer the balance of ride and handling of the Spartan.
A final point on handling . . . I only know 2 people who are willing to drive a DP quickly in winding mountain road conditions. Both of them drove HR's with a Roadmaster chassis, BUT neither could keep up with us in our Spartan chassis. The fact is that 99.999% of all DP drivers don't use half of the handling ability their coach has, yet all of us use the ride quality.
As for the handling of an ME vs. a DP. That's a no-brainer. A DP is essentially a great big VW bus with similar handling characteristics. What keeps a DP from being just as bad is simply its mass. It's a simple rule of physics that the larger vehicle is more stable than the lighter/smaller one. Since a DP is roughly 10X the size of the VW bus, it is more stable. But, the dynamics are still the same. OTOH, the ME with the engine/transmission mass in the center of the coach has a very different polar moment of inertia and as a result has inherently superior handling.
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joppa
Massachusetts
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Yes drive them both and perhaps some others but I think ride is only part of the chassis selection process.
A Spartan chassis is a foundation for another manufacturer to build a house on. Each manufacturer's approach is a bit different as is their engineering, material selection and build quality.
A Roadmaster chassis also includes an extended frame - steel sidewalls and roof beams. This is also true of Country Coach, Foretravel, Prevost and others.
True or not my perception was/is that the manufacturer that designs and builds the chassis and house are better positioned to build a more robust product.
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HobbyHauler
South of Nashville, TN
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wolfe10 wrote:HobbyHauler wrote:Some folks with the upper end Roadmaster chassis have discovered that the original Bilstein shocks are very stiff. When changed out for the Koni ISF shocks, the harshness of the ride is significantly improved.
That is Koni FSD (Frequency Selective Damping).
Thanks wolfe, I've edited my brain fart!
Les Stallings
South of Nashville, TN
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