Wheelbase to Length Ratio

[ehackney]

I'm looking at a '99 Allegro Bay 32 (32.5 feet long). It has a 190-inch wheelbase and RV Consumer's Group gives it a poor rating for handling because the wheelbase to length ratio is less than 0.54. That makes some sense. Others here say it depends on how the weight is distributed - weight in the center being better. That makes sense, too. I would guess that, with handling in cross winds, the weight distribution would matter less.

Finally, I would think a wider track would make for better handling, but nobody every mentions this.

Does anyone have a front engine coach with shorter wheelbase to length ratios? What is your experience?

Thanks in advance,

Hack
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[ehackney]

I'm looking at a '99 Allegro Bay 32 (32.5 feet long). It has a 190-inch wheelbase and RV Consumer's Group gives it a poor rating for handling because the wheelbase to length ratio is less than 0.54. That makes some sense. Others here say it depends on how the weight is distributed - weight in the center being better. That makes sense, too. I would guess that, with handling in cross winds, the weight distribution would matter less.

Finally, I would think a wider track would make for better handling, but nobody every mentions this.

Does anyone have a front engine coach with shorter wheelbase to length ratios? What is your experience?

Thanks in advance,

Hack
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[Mutha]

Hack, I have a 31 foot 2004 TREK with a 178" wheel base and a length ratio of .48 (.478 to the third place). I bought the coach new in April of this year (replaced my 2000 TREK) and I have not done anything to it except a 4 wheel alignment after weighing it and loading it. The coach drives and handles like a dream - "one relaxed hand" steering on the highway is no problem. I do have a small amount of tail wag in high cross winds or being passed by large trucks. I think eventually I may try a rear track bar to see if that helps the occasional tail waging any.
I think you just need to test drive the coach for yourself and see how it handles. It would be nice if you could get it up to highway speeds and drive it a good 30 to 50 miles to really get a true feel for the handling of it.
Good luck on what ever you decide.

Glenn