Community Forums

AndySally · 07-05-2015, 01:31 PM

What will the advantages and disadvantages be will the over 40' long coaches. I will be going full time larger coaches seem to have better floor plans. Can they carry more weight or STUFF?

Thanks

Andy

Steve Ownby · 07-05-2015, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndySally

What will the advantages and disadvantages be will the over 40' long coaches. I will be going full time larger coaches seem to have better floor plans. Can they carry more weight or STUFF?

Thanks

Andy

Hey Andy,

We've been full time for 8 years in a 40' coach. We think it's a great length but ours has a tag axle also which is also a plus for stability over the road and extra weight carrying capacity.

For full time living, if you don't have any specific limitations, look for over 40' with a tag axle. Those lengths and weights will necessitate a DP.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

SarahW · 07-05-2015, 01:52 PM

Sometimes larger coaches have more carrying capacity, but not always. Check the sticker inside the coach for the OCCC weight limits to compare different models.

JFXG · 07-05-2015, 03:26 PM

Hi, Andy....
The longer coach will usually carry more weight, but not always; will usually have more storage space, but that depends somewhat on the chassis and the box design used by the coach builder. The longer coach will typically have a longer wheelbase, which translates to a more solid, stable ride. And bigger outside means bigger inside, which means less bumping, less squeezing by, more comfortable living. It will only seem "too big" for a week or so. "Too small" lasts forever.

Fulltiming since '12
2002 DSDP 40, FL, Cat 3126

bgsc · 07-05-2015, 04:00 PM

We bought our coach for the floor plan and most important basement storage space 220 cu.ft. Winnebago literature and specs state the overall length is 39.5 ft. however when you put a tape on it and measure from rear licence plate to the front it measures 41ft 9 in?? ours has the Maxum chassis and no tag axle as the tag cuts into storage space, has worked great for us over the last 5 years of full timing. I mention the length differences because we have been in some tight campgrounds were 2ft would make a big difference the front of our coach would be in the middle of the road

twogypsies · 07-05-2015, 04:05 PM

We don't feel you have to have a tag axle in a 40' for stability....anything longer than that, yes.

We traveled constantly as full-timers in our 40' Newmar Dutch Star diesel and we found it to be VERY stable. It was smooth and quiet-riding. The long wheelbase is awesome. We loved it.

We carried 'everything' with us for year-round living. We towed a Jeep. We had it weighed and were well under the carrying capacity. No problems there.

Tha_Rooster · 07-05-2015, 04:18 PM

Over 40 you get a tag axle and most a bath and a half which would be a must for me if I lived in it. Only disadvantage would be you will be limited at some campgrounds for being over 40.

336muffin · 07-05-2015, 04:35 PM

This pertains to a American Coach, a friend has a 40ft and ours is 42. He wanted the set up we have, 2 LazyBoy recliners and tv across in the driver slideout. We found that even the same brand and year that his front slides were considerably shorter in length! Also our grey, black and fresh tanks are larger as well. With a tag you get two more brakes as well.
We carry more weight being fulltime. We tend to stock more of the staples at better prices. I know we have become better at utilizing space, this means more stuff = more weight. Everybody's needs are different, make a list of "must haves" and "like to have". And then shop for what makes life easier. We changed a lot of things in our "perfect coach" from a camper to a home. Manufacturers make campers not homes and that's the way it is. We have people to tell us they feel "welcome" in our camper.

89sandman · 07-05-2015, 05:30 PM

If I went full time I'd get every inch of space I could, if they made a 60 footer that's what I'd want

Also as many slides as I could get.

Mr_D · 07-05-2015, 05:41 PM

We went from a 40' Dutch Star to a 45' CC Magna and figure we lost at least 30% of our storage. Lots of wasted space in the Magna where as Newmar used it more efficiently. I pull out panels and find that there is very little behind them other than a few components. I took some pictures but they mst be on my laptop.

Ray,IN · 07-05-2015, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89sandman

If I went full time I'd get every inch of space I could, if they made a 60 footer that's what I'd want

Also as many slides as I could get.

Startracks will build anything you have the money to buy, up to 53', maximum legal trailer length in the U.S.A.

mojoracing · 07-06-2015, 12:27 PM

I have been full timing for 6 months now in our bounder 35k which I think is roughly 36 feet. I still have the entire drivers side storage cabinets free which I plan to use for our winter clothes. There are 2 of us living in it and I really don't want for space. I think people think they need too much stuff. Granted I have an enclosed trailer that my tools are in but when we stop racing for good, they could certainly fit in the space we have now. We are going to move up to a 45' but it won't be for the storage, just for the increased living space.

Big Dude · 07-06-2015, 01:25 PM

We went from 37' to 45' and the main disadvantage I've seen is the lower number of campgrounds we can get into and perhaps higher rates.

CWinLV · 07-09-2015, 11:03 AM

Since we planned to full time, we opted to purchase the largest tag-axle coach we could find for our budget. Here are a list of pros and cons we've identified since purchasing our coach:

Pros:
1) The tag-axle gives us added stability, especially when windy
2) Our 43' length gives us added storage space and carrying capacity
3) For us, the added space made it more liveable (we fulltime)

Cons:
1) Our length limits us in park selection; many parks do not accept rigs over 38'-40'
2) Prices for longer sites are often higher for "big rigs"
3) Length can be more cumbersome to drive in the city
4) Many states require a special drivers license for rigs over 26k lbs (we are domiciled in Texas, which requires a special "Class B Non-CDL" to drive a heavy rig)

As you can see, there are many things to consider. You should determine your requirements and how you'll be using your rig before deciding on what to purchase. Good luck in your decision! Hope to see you on the road...it's a GREAT life!!