Driveability and Handling 45' with Tag

[az99]

I am considering going from a Super C on a Freightliner M2 chassis to a class A. Having owned an ill handling Winnebago Journey years ago, I would not consider a single axle A. Only one with a tag preferably 45'.

Can anyone give me 1st hand info on the drive and handling between the two? I like the driveability and road feel of the truck but we no longer need the towing capacity. I hated the total lack of feel for the road and the floating feel with the Winnie.

Thanx

[Smitty77]

As I only T28 Bounder and now Country Coach 40' with Tag experience, I can not give you 1st hand info.

That being said, I suggest driving several of the 45' coaches that you feel fit what you're looking for.

In new coaches, you're basically going to either have a Spartan or Freightliner chassis under the majority of the new 45' coaches.

Exceptions would be Newell, maybe the new Powerglide chassis would be available in the Tiffen line (I frankly don't recall if they make a Powerglide equipped 45' coach?). Foretravel may also have some a unique chassis, depending upon the model.

Dropping to used coaches, Monaco had the Roadmaster chassis that was well respected in the 45' series of coaches. And Country Coach has the DynoMax chassis also.

For a better handling ride, I'd look at the Newmar line with Comfort Drive steering assist. TRW makes this unit, and I believe Foretravel is also now offering this as an option.

The Monaco, say Executive or Signature (And equivalent Holiday Rambler line.) chassis is known as one of the better handling chassis.

Our era Country Coach was set to be more of a Cadillac like ride in the 2004 years. National owned CC at that time, and wanted the soft comfortable ride. That being said, with Road King shocks, and Source Engineering Check Valves in the air lines, the ride is now quite responsive. And I think you can make mod's to just about any of them.

If you can live in a 40', the Alpine Peak Chassis was also known for superior handling.

Finally, if you buy a bit older, and then save some budget (If budget is a concern.), you can also go to HWH and have their Active Suspension system installed. Many have found this to be a fine upgrade, though pricey.

A second finally, is a Prevost based modified coach, even one of age, would get you a very comfortable and nice riding coach.

Hope someone else can give you the direct info you're looking for. And best of luck, and have fun on the hunt!
Smitty

[cauffield64]

I have a 45g. It handles excellant. The semi tractors do not blow you around. And the wife enjoyes driving it. I have a Gulfstream Tourmaster Constellation 45g.

[Scottybdivin]

I have no other experience, but I can drive my 07 Newmar with Comfort Drive with two fingers on each hand. It is that light to the touch. It takes some getting used to because you have a tendancy to over react. In 08, they came out with variable resistance control for Comfort Drive. That might help the learning curve, but once you get the feel for the wheel, it is quiet effortless.

[Crasher]

Our 43QGP (closer to 44') is the best handling coach we have ever owned. The road seems smoother in a tag. The cross winds are not an issue, I can pull a 12,000# trailer with no worries. And I can steer it with just two fingers too. Our son has a 2016 45' Mountain Aire that handles the same. We also will never go back to a non-tag coach. Be sure to buy one that allows you to adjust the tag suspension to allow you to balance the weight distribution.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by az99

I am considering going from a Super C on a Freightliner M2 chassis to a class A. Having owned an ill handling Winnebago Journey years ago, I would not consider a single axle A. Only one with a tag preferably 45'.

Can anyone give me 1st hand info on the drive and handling between the two? I like the driveability and road feel of the truck but we no longer need the towing capacity. I hated the total lack of feel for the road and the floating feel with the Winnie.

Thanx

IMHO you will love it - not a sports car but if the alignment is right they are a dream to drive.

BOL,

[TonyDi]

I'm 43' with a tag and it is a pleasure to drive. I don't get buffeted by winds or pass trucks. It very steady in it's lane. I'd never go back to a non tag.

[Mr_D]

Having had everything from a 17' Type B, a 25' Type C, a 35' tag axle Type A gas rig, two non tag Dutch Star DP's (38' and 40') and now the 45' Magna I can say that the Magna is far more stable than any of the others, but at some 50,000#'s it should be!

[LVRVLUVR]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Having had everything from a 17' Type B, a 25' Type C, a 35' tag axle Type A gas rig, two non tag Dutch Star DP's (38' and 40') and now the 45' Magna I can say that the Magna is far more stable than any of the others, but at some 50,000#'s it should be!

I'm try'n to catch up to you,...i've never had tag....

we're going through the change of wife at our house,.. one minute she's cold,.. then hot.. one day she's gonna retire , next day... not...we just bought a house in havasu... now she wants to travel around in a rv ..... to see stuffgotta love her though...30yrs

might need a bigger coach

[530ktm]

Originally Posted by LVRVLUVR

I'm try'n to catch up to you,...i've never had tag....

we're going through the change of wife at our house,.. one minute she's cold,.. then hot.. one day she's gonna retire , next day... not...we just bought a house in havasu... now she wants to travel around in a rv ..... to see stuffgotta love her though...30yrs

might need a bigger coach

Oh boy, here you go again. Does this mean the present coach with the new improved 5 Star is not going to be parked in your yard much longer? I too will move up one of these days but the tag is just too big for us.

[LVRVLUVR]

Originally Posted by 530ktm

Oh boy, here you go again. Does this mean the present coach with the new improved 5 Star is not going to be parked in your yard much longer? I too will move up one of these days but the tag is just too big for us.

I really like the coach we have , easy to get around... wife wants a couch to lay on

[Crasher]

Originally Posted by LVRVLUVR

I'm try'n to catch up to you,...i've never had tag....

we're going through the change of wife at our house,.. one minute she's cold,.. then hot.. one day she's gonna retire , next day... not...we just bought a house in havasu... now she wants to travel around in a rv ..... to see stuffgotta love her though...30yrs

might need a bigger coach

Small world. We just bought a home in Havasu too. We're driving back for the closing in two weeks. We looked at many homes, but we both knew it was the one when we walked into it. We are working on 54 years of togetherness.

[trux]

One reason some coaches handle poorly is because manufacturers add on or extend the frames to add a larger floor plan. One very important thing to keep in mind is wheel base. The longer the wheel base the better the handling, guaranteed. I have a 340 inch wheel base on my Travel Supreme on a Spartan chassis(K2). Even in strong cross winds and when trucks pass, it holds the road superbly. The tag will definitely give it stability and help smooth the ride. I prefer a chassis with IFS, independent front suspension.
Gives better control than "H" table suspension.
Here is a link to do your homework on potential coaches: https://www.rv.org/

What you want to look for is "Highway Control Rating", my coach is rated at 100 and they didn't exaggerate that, I know first hand.
Good luck shopping.

[trimacon]

Love our 45' tag for its size & comfort, handling (glued to road) and towing capacity (toad and motorbike on Hydralift), engine for hill climbing, and braking for descending and safety. 60 degree front wheel radius for improved turning and navigating tight spots.

One trade off is local state parks are small and we can't always find a spot, but then again they usually have no sewer hook up so not necessarily our first choice anyway.