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10-26-2015, 08:19 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 213
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Does the size really matter
I am torn between 2 sizes a 40-10" and a 43-10" , this will be my first Motorhome. Both are tags. 400 hp. Will the 40' be easier to drive and park? Will I be able to get into more campgrounds?
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10-26-2015, 08:27 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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No real difference as far as ease of parking IMHO. Even if the 43' has a tag, but it would be helpful if it steered or lifted. Our 45' rig with liftable tag fits in the same storage spot as our previous 41' non tag and is just as easy to do too. In almost all cases if a 40' will fit so will a 45'.
Non issue as far as I'm concerned.
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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10-26-2015, 08:32 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 2,514
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A 40' RV and your worried about 3'
__________________
2005 Tiffin Allegro Bay 37DB
W22 Workhorse Chassis 8.1 Flat Towing a 82 Jeep CJ7
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10-26-2015, 08:34 PM
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#4
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Community Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,198
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All things being equal, get the 43.....it gives more basement storage room.
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10-26-2015, 08:40 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 14,890
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The 43 foot with the tag dumped will have a shorter or similar length wheelbase as the 40 footer. It then depends upon the cut of the steering axle. If they have similar cut they will steer very similar.
You will have a better ride and handling generally with a tag axle but will lose some compartment space to make room for the tag axle.
The tag will generally be rated for a higher tow capacity.
__________________
Gordon and Janet
Tour 42QD/InTech Stacker
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10-27-2015, 08:17 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Granger, TX
Posts: 595
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43 footer will be a tag, it will have likely 2000lb (+) more payload, and a much higher than that combined payload. Maneuvering ability depends on wheelbase, and more so on the "wheel cut" of the front suspension. It probably carries 50 gallons more fuel, which to me is impt, making fuel planning much easier and allowing me to easily pass by states with outrageous fuel prices, and/or virtually mandatory bio-fuel. Ride will naturally be better on a longer wheelbase and tag axle setup. Be careful in researching the CCC and axle/wheel loading on the 40 footer non-tag rigs. They are often very close or at max limits. (Meaning you can stuff more in the bus than the safe or legal limit).
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10-27-2015, 08:56 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club American Coach Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 667
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Quote:
Originally Posted by toneil7163
I am torn between 2 sizes a 40-10" and a 43-10" , this will be my first Motorhome. Both are tags. 400 hp. Will the 40' be easier to drive and park? Will I be able to get into more campgrounds?
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If both are tags as you state, I do not see a significant difference in ride, handling and driving characteristics down the road. More importantly, what is the chassis wheel cut between the two?
Other very important considerations are floor plan, age, condition, maintenance records (unless new), if different manufacturers the reputation of the two? Maybe if you provide a little more specific information you would get a more complete answer?
In my opinion only real difference is the room inside and possibly basement, but that can depend on the mfg. Good luck in your decision.
__________________
Johnny Rotten
2009 American Eagle 42'
Trailering HD Road Glide and Saab 9.3 or Cadillac Escalade ESV
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10-27-2015, 01:33 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Fort Worth TX
Posts: 845
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Some national parks have coach limits to 40' which will keep a 43 footer outside the park, but then, most national parks have nice RV parks very close. Other than that, not a whole lot of difference.
__________________
2005 Newmar Dutch Star 4024
Pulling my 2012 Malibu w/Blue OX & Patriot brake unit
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10-27-2015, 02:28 PM
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#9
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Community Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,198
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HicksRA
Some national parks have coach limits to 40' which will keep a 43 footer outside the park, but then, most national parks have nice RV parks very close. Other than that, not a whole lot of difference.
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Nobody is going to take a tape measure to your coach....and nobody can "eyeball" it and
say "....yep, that look to be 43 foot instead of 40..." 😜
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10-27-2015, 04:13 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,328
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Since both are tags handling will be about the same, park about the same, get about the same mileage, etc. don't worry about the size, floor plan and amenities are the most important.
I have a Phaeton 42LH (43+ feet) and have no problem finding parks. Many state parks advertise 40 foot max but we have never been turned down when we tell them were in a 42 footer. Nor have we not been able to get into an assigned spot.
__________________
Paul, Kathy, and Tux the Mini Schnauzer
2014 Tiffin Phaeton 42 LH, 2013 Honda CRV
"When the time comes to look back, make sure you'll like what you see"
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10-27-2015, 11:38 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Today? Clayton, North Carolina
Posts: 5,093
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pasdad1
...nobody can "eyeball" it and say "....yep, that look to be 43 foot instead of 40..."
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Well yeah, pasdad, some people can do that. :-)
John & Diane, fulltiming since '12
'02 DS, FL, 3126, '04 Element
__________________
John and Diane (RIP Lincoln, 21 FEB 22) RVM103 NHSO
Fulltimers since June, 2012
2002 Dutch Star 40, Freightliner, Cat 3126, 2004 Element
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10-27-2015, 11:59 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JFXG
Well yeah, pasdad, some people can do that. :-)
John & Diane, fulltiming since '12
'02 DS, FL, 3126, '04 Element
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True!
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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10-28-2015, 12:06 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 754
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Larrikin
43 footer will be a tag, it will have likely 2000lb (+) more payload, and a much higher than that combined payload. Maneuvering ability depends on wheelbase, and more so on the "wheel cut" of the front suspension. It probably carries 50 gallons more fuel, which to me is impt, making fuel planning much easier and allowing me to easily pass by states with outrageous fuel prices, and/or virtually mandatory bio-fuel. Ride will naturally be better on a longer wheelbase and tag axle setup. Be careful in researching the CCC and axle/wheel loading on the 40 footer non-tag rigs. They are often very close or at max limits. (Meaning you can stuff more in the bus than the safe or legal limit).
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Depends on the unit. New 40' Ventana with tag has a NCC of 9900 lbs, while 43' model is rated at 9000. More room - yes. More NCC - No
Fully loaded and fuelled up I have a hard time reaching 7000 lbs. in my 2014 Ventana 4037
__________________
2014 Newmar Ventana 4037 / 4018
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd.
1940 Chevrolet Pickup
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10-28-2015, 08:57 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 14,890
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If both have tags the 40 will turn better than the 43 because of wheelbase - as long as both have the same front axle cut.
I am not a big fan of NCC or CCC as they seem to be estimated, sometimes very inaccurately. May be an indication of potential but only for estimation.
The final number or tale of the tape is what the coach actually weighs and the GVWR, GAWR (front, rear, tag) and the differences between the respective numbers.
__________________
Gordon and Janet
Tour 42QD/InTech Stacker
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