228 inch wheel base 35 foot vs 37

[mikebrls]

how would the ride be between these 2 rv's one is 35.7 foot and the other is 37.7 foot so there would be 2 feet more over hang on the 37.7 footer . both have the same wheel base "228 " on ford chassis ..
I would think that the 35.7 footer should handle better but have not driven either one yet , so I thought I would get the irv2 family's opinion
the unit's are 2014 fleetwood 34b and 36h

thank you
mike

[Pirate]

I have a 37' on the 228 base. I was horrible until I put on a rear track bar. Now, now much different than my older 34' with a short wheelbase. It drives great.

[Selah]

228" seems short for that size MH. By comparison the 32" ft Allegro as a 228, the 35ft has 242" and the 36LA has a 252" wheel base. I don't know about other makes.

[speed racer]

The more overhang and weight you have behind the rear axle the more it will want to wander on the road. (Tail wag the dog)

[Razzman]

Imo it depends alot on the chassis and the manufactured weight distribution. I have an '06 Damon Astoria DP on a Freightliner chassis @ 37' 9" long with a 228" WB and it rides and drives just fine to me without any wag. Drive them both and judge for yourself.

[JFXG]

The 35.7 has a wheelbase / length ratio of 53%. This is marginal, minimally acceptable, but will still probably wander a bit. The 37.7 on the same chassis has a W/L ratio of just 50%. This is below standard, and will likely be squirrely as hell.
Builders will try to put as much box as possible on a smaller chassis because, frankly, its cheaper-- and it also immediately puts YOU into the market for aftermarket stabilizer systems.

Before you buy, check out the RV Consumer Group at www.rv.org They rate individual models as to quality, safety, handling, etc. They go into great detail about wheelbase to length ratio, and its well worth learning this. Good Luck.

[TCHB]

I would go with the shorter motorhome and put on a rear track bar. I have a 228 Wheel Base on our 34 Dolphin with the large 22.5 wheels.

[vsheetz]

Buy the one you like. You will likely end up with the cheap handing fix and a rear track bar on both of them, and then they will both handle pretty decent.

[mikebrls]

thank you