Community Forums

rmbarr · 04-04-2014, 02:27 PM

We currently have a 35' Class A, but for reasons of service and maintenance, are looking at a couple of Super C's (Embark & Dynamax). I've read posts that say the Super C's ride and handle much better. Being a technical kind of guy, I would like to understand the reasoning for that. And one would have to assume similar configurations, i.e. Freightliner chassis, similar GVW, air suspension. My guess would be it has to do with in a Class A, (not a FRED) the driver is over or in front of the steering wheels. But why does that transulate into better ride/handling ?

glarnold · 04-04-2014, 03:15 PM

Trucks (most A's) ride rougher than vans (C's).

JMHO

G L Arnold

Izzyblueye · 04-05-2014, 07:02 AM

My class "C" rode better than all the "A" 's I had. None were diesels. I attributed the better ride to the air bag system on the class C.

Easyrider · 04-05-2014, 08:50 AM

A super C is not built on a van chassis. So the truck chassis versus van chassis doesn't really apply here.

TCHB · 04-05-2014, 09:38 PM

Class A gas and some Super C ride on big leaf springs. These make for a rough ride. If they have air suspension everything gets better.

Normal Class C have coil springs up front which make it much nicer than any leaf. Remember the old Jeeps bouncing down the road. Now with coil springs much nicer.

Dune Hauler · 04-05-2014, 10:49 PM

I can tell you my Dynamax Super C rides tremendously better than my E450 Winabago.
It doesn't get blown around when a truck passes and can handle 50-60 MPH cross winds that would make me park a regular A or C. I am partial to truck cabs as I like the safety of all that steel in front of me, and driver and passenger doors for entry and exit.

rmbarr · 04-06-2014, 09:19 AM

Thanks for the thoughts. In retrospect, It may be theoretical, but is does make a difference in ride quality. Could it be that the driver in a Super C is closer to the center of gravity than in a Pusher ?. Kind of like sitting in the saddle rather than hanging from the neck.

rvten · 04-06-2014, 09:58 AM

A class A. You ride over the front axel. In a class C you ride between the front and rear axel. So you get a smoother ride.

Timoke · 04-06-2014, 10:18 AM

2000 GM pursuit
Need help- is it normal for my 35 ft GB to. Bounce when I go over small bumps on the road. I'm new to driving a rv and I don't know how gage the driving performance. Is it always a bouncy ride? It passed safety and the mechanic said it was structurally ok. Why is it so bumpy?

38Chevy454 · 04-06-2014, 06:34 PM

A real Super C is a truck chassis, that is not really much different design than a class A, as stated above as far as suspension. The difference, besides engine in front vs engine in rear, is that you are behind the front axle a little so it tends to make a bit nicer ride. If you want a super soft ride, a Super C is not for you. You can get air ride which is nice, but it is still a heavy duty chassis and physics of the weight. Plus you have big truck tires with less sidewall compliance.

TCHB · 04-06-2014, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dune Hauler

I can tell you my Dynamax Super C rides tremendously better than my E450 Winabago.
It doesn't get blown around when a truck passes and can handle 50-60 MPH cross winds that would make me park a regular A or C. I am partial to truck cabs as I like the safety of all that steel in front of me, and driver and passenger doors for entry and exit.

Blowing around in wind has a lot to do on how much the coach weighs. My new class c weighs in at 12,500 loaded. Wind will push it around a bit. I am going to install a rear track bar which should help the rear leaf springs stay straight.

Dune Hauler · 04-06-2014, 09:36 PM

TCHB
track bar will help some, I installed on my Winnebago Access 26QP, Bilstein shocks,Roadmaster sway bars, Blue Ox track bar, SafeTPlus steering stabilizer. All this made the unit drive-able to my standards. But I still prefer my Dynamax, so I gave Winni to my Kids.

CampDaven · 04-06-2014, 09:44 PM

I dont ask which one is better. I drive them. All of them. It costs nothing but time. That is what demo rigs are for.

az99 · 04-07-2014, 05:11 AM

I have had both. A 40' Winnebago Journey pusher and a Jayco Embark. I absolutely hated the ride and drive of the pusher. To me it was all the movement and rocking and roll from the air suspension. I just never felt in control. It felt like I was driving something much larger than it was. Just floating along.

The Embark is on a truck chassis with only rear air ride. When you are driving it is like driving a big pickup truck. You have a normal feel of the vehicle. It rides rougher than the pusher did but not bad enough to consider putting in air ride seats which I thought I would need.

I would never consider buying another A unless it was a tandem axle bus.