Sure:
WB-to-OL ratio is the wheelbase dimension compared to the overall length of the MH.
A long wheelbase is part of the design-equation which results in diretional stability. The better the directional stability, the less you "fight the steering wheel". You arrive less fatigued, and it's more fun to drive.
But, with a diesel pusher, a certain minimum length dimension is required in order to accomodate the engine, transmission and driveshaft.
In order to achieve a near-optimum ratio of 56% the front wheels need to be a certain distance away from the rear wheels. To do this, you gotta start with at least 36 ft of overall length.
Interesting: now, is any such ratio in play with a front end engine (gas or diesel)?
Yes, this ratio applies to any motorhome, front or rear engine. But, I was attempting to point out that a rear-engined motorhome REQUIRES a minimum amount of length from the rear axle to the rearwardmost part of the frame, since all the driveline is back there. Therefore, it must be made such that a certain distance is achieved from the rear axle to the front axle (in order to end up with that optimum "magic WB-to-OL ratio").
Of course, with a front engine configuration you end up with the heat and noise of the engine in the front, as well as a long driveshaft.
Many of us believe that a rear engine placement is better all around (most upgrades cost more).
* This post was
edited 10/30/09 01:03pm by Cloud Dancer *
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
Blazer toad & Ranger bassboat
BTW- Don't be spooked by the ratios mentioned above. There are hundreds of thousands of DP's on the road way shorter and way lighter than 36' (as in city busses). It's amazing, once you look around at how many 34' class Blue Bird busses and motorhomes are around, and plenty of other more run-of-the-mill DP's like ours.
Cloud Dancer wrote: In diesel pushers,.....the smallest and the best that I would pick is a 36 ft Country Coach. Anything smaller does not allow sufficient length for a suitable wheelbase-to-overall length ratio. That's my opinion based on my own experience and knowledge.
We had the 24' Trek and traded it for our 36' Country Coach. The Trek had it's good and bad points. Good points = roomy and could park anywhere. Bad points = it was all over the road and really hard to drive + day time naps were inconvenient with the bed in the living room.
We love the 36' Country Coach. It's a great riding machine with a very livable floor plan and it has been able to get into all the state/national parks that we have been to with no problem.
The WB ratio that Cloud Dancer mentioned is very important for drivability IMO.
Larry, Debbie, Tiki and Tomi
USAF Retired
2003 36' Country Coach Allure #30856
2008 Tacoma Toad
SMI Air Force One toad brake
Turbo Turtle wrote: Can you elaborate on that ratio? I'm not familiar with the concept you're citing. THANKS!
Sure:
WB-to-OL ratio is the wheelbase dimension compared to the overall length of the MH.
A long wheelbase is part of the design-equation which results in diretional stability. The better the directional stability, the less you "fight the steering wheel". You arrive less fatigued, and it's more fun to drive.
But, with a diesel pusher, a certain minimum length dimension is required in order to accomodate the engine, transmission and driveshaft.
In order to achieve a near-optimum ratio of 56% the front wheels need to be a certain distance away from the rear wheels. To do this, you gotta start with at least 36 ft of overall length.
BS
My 34 ft. Journey handles great. You do not need at least a 36 ft.
This will vary from coach to coach and Manufacturer to manufacturer.
Optimum ratio is great, but I bet my Journey handles better than most 36 ft or up rigs.
I bet most MH's that have not had a weight and balance, proper alignment, proper tire inflation pressures, no matter if they are 32 to 40 ft can not have the optimum handling characteristics.
You take a less than 36Ft Mh and set it up properly and you will have a very satisfactory handling motorhome.
I can take my 34 Journey and drive it with utmost comfort and only in very extreme winds will I conceed the extra wheelbase lenght of a larger coach would make somewhat a difference.
When it gets that bad, then its time to pull over and call it a day.
Do not write off the less than 56 % ratio motorhomes cus it just aint so.
set it up right, then enjoy.
Ron
2002 34HD Winnebago Journey DL, Cat. 330
2004 Honda CRV - Garmin 2610
Great wife & Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
TT/N
We have the smaller Class A Fleetwood Southwind 32v, 33 feet, has a great floor plan, comfortable for two of us for a month or more at a time. For the same floor plan in a diesel take a look at the Fleetwood Bounder.
As for the ratio calcs, gives me a headache just trying to read it all. Just test drive one or a few.
I chose a shorter '34 motorhome because I was concerned about driving anything longer--it was a mistake. If I were to do it over again and especially if I was going to be on the road for a lot miles and a month at a time, I would go as long as I could afford. I can't think of a time that I could not have parked a unit four to six feet longer than the one I have just as comfortably and the added space, weight, and overall comfort would have been of great value.
When it is all said and done, except in exceptional circumstances, for overall satisfaction and livability, the longer the better--at least for me.
No matter what motorhome you drive, you aren't going to whip it into a parking lot or park it downtown with ease so why not take the extra length?
I agree with chuckster, buy the longest coach you can afford. We bought a 36 ft coach because we thought we could get it into anywhere and didn't want to go big. Well, we can get that coach into just about any spot and park and have never failed at that. If I had had the experience of this forunm before buying I never would have bought the shorter coach, I would have gone straight to a 40 footer.
Buy the biggest you can afford. Drive similar sized coaches built on a gas chassis and on a diesel one so you have a handling and capacity comparison. I also recommend going at least 36 ft on a DP, however the 34 ft Winnies also do well. Do you have a set budget? Take your budget number and do a search for rigs that meet that criteria. Also, check PPL Motorhomes in TX as they have a good selection of consignment rigs for sale and great photos.
We have a 33' Country Coach Allure with 2 slides and it has plenty of room. Drives good too once my husband had the "toe in" set right at a truck shop. Love it.
Lonny & Diane
2004 Country Coach Allure 33' "Big Blue"
Towing 2003 Ford Focus "Little Whitey"
Semper Fi
After a few days on the road, my 38 ft begins to shrink and looks smaller inside. :=)
Fred & Vicki
Richmond Hill, Ga
2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor/330 Cat
2000 Honda Odyssey toad w SMI Silent Partner braking system
Tire Sentry monitoring system
lfeather wrote: ......
We love the 36' Country Coach. It's a great riding machine with a very livable floor plan and it has been able to get into all the state/national parks that we have been to with no problem......
Couldn't have said it better myself...
2000 Country Coach Allure; Cummins ISC 330 HP; 71/2 - 8 MPG regardless
2002 Jeep Liberty
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