Community Forums

GaBounder36E · 10-06-2021, 08:59 PM

Question about the handling of Gas vs. Diesel Pusher Handling??? I am new to this and own a 2014 Bounder 36E and I am not impressed at all with the way this coach handles on the interstates at 65 - 70 MPH. I am wondering if a DP of about the same length would handle any better. The Bounder has all new tires on it and are inflated to 100 psi, also has upgraded shocks and Stabilizers. I have found I would rather drive on non-interstate roads at 55 - 60 mph. It seems to handle better at this speed. Feel like I have been in a fight after 3 hrs of Interstate driving.... Wondering if a DP would handle any better?

Mr. Jeff · 10-06-2021, 09:05 PM

Yes, a DP will handle differently (better) because of their weight, suspension and bigger tires. I prefer the state highways (better views, less traffic) and driving about 68.

MarvinG · 10-06-2021, 09:15 PM

Agreed, you will never get it to handle like a good DP. However several threads deal with improvements some of us have made to gain some handling ground.

For example, if you are having trouble with tail wag that can be largely addressed by adding a rear tracbar. At least it did make a world of difference for me in my older F53 chassis Bounder. The sum total of the things I’ve done allow me to feel comfortable at speeds up to 75 mph driving with on hand, though I don’t necessarily recommend you drive one handed ever, or at 75 mph, for that matter.

Feeling comfortable driving it does not mean I like the ride. I’ve gained a lot of ground on handling and ride comfort but it still doesn’t ride as comfortably as I believe DP’s do. Liquid springs I understand can make another large improvement, cheaper than purchasing and maintaining a DP but still a lot of expense.

Dutch Star Don · 10-06-2021, 09:22 PM

There are a LOT of variables! A well setup gasser can work and handle well. I base chassis DP in a short length can handle poorly. When it comes to rough roads, even a middle level DP will rattle your teeth.

For straight line driving on an interstate, a well setup DP with a medium to long wheel base and the extra weight can be more manageable. My 2005 Monaco Diplomat was a 36' DP. It was okay, but required several additions, like better shocks, correct tire adjustment and a steering device called TruCenter.

My current coach, is a 40' DP with a tag axle. The sheer weight and the tag axle make it track truer than a gasser and many non tag coaches. Newmar also offers a product called Comfort Drive. It corrects for road crown and wind push every few seconds. This is typically what wears you out at the end of the day, all the see sawing of the steering wheel. On my coach, I can pull in to get fuel, open the door and never know it was bowing that hard.

Winemaker2 · 10-07-2021, 05:12 AM

There are things you can do to improve the gasser but I dont think you will ever make it drive like a DP.
Have you done wheel or at least axle weights and adjusted tire pressure to your load? Over inflation can affect handling.
I have a 34ft Newmar Ventana and I absolutely love the Comfort Drive, especially after a long day on the road. I knew nothing about it when looking for a smaller DP but lucked out finding this one used. CD is not a gimmick, lots of posts in the Newmar section about it including an excellent summary of it by Ken Sherwin, the invrntor / developer that contributes here on iRV2.
There are lots of posts readout gas vs diesel but have to say I rarely see any DP owner say they wish they had their gasser back, and if so its not because of handling its because they are more expensive to buy & maintain.
If budget allows, by all means try driving a DP but be sure you are serious about it you will likely be hooked.

Sent from my SM-T387V using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

69Stang · 10-07-2021, 05:27 AM

Have you weighed your coach and adjusted your tire pressure using the tire chart? 100 PSI in all tires seems like a lot for a gasser.

Bylandorsea · 10-07-2021, 05:33 AM

I improved my 2015 Winnebago Adventurer 37F Ford F53 with SumoSprings, Roadmaster anti-sway bars front and rear I then added shocks and a steering stabilizer. After all that it improved but did not come close to my 2019 Dutch Star 4326.

00zx6r · 10-07-2021, 11:53 AM

My 22 years is old H/R Navigator 40' non tag still with factory installed shocks towing 20' enclosed or flatbed trailer handling the interstate and highway speed 70+mph with ease, passing and being passed by the semi no issue.
On the interstate without towing the trailer, I tried 80+MPH it handling great also.
After replaced 8 factory shocks with Koni FSD it improved a lot when passing the pothole on the rough road.

OnlyDP · 10-07-2021, 12:11 PM

I had a 2021 Thor Windsport 31C it was terrible on the highway especially side wind. I traded it in for a new 2020 Thor Aria 3901. the ride is exceptional and smooth. Handles very well in side wind and best of all super quiet. I can now actually have a conversation with the wife without looking like we are yelling at each other.
No regrets here.

kenbo800 · 10-09-2021, 05:42 PM

Best upgrade I did to my 32 gasser was trade it in on a DP. The ride is so much better, handles better, and it is so quiet, no gas engine roaring away on every little incline.

HighDesert · 10-09-2021, 07:01 PM

You can spend a ton of money on a gas, F53 chassis trying to improve the ride. I know, as we went through this with our 2019, 32SA. I came to the conclusion that the best improvement to a gas coach is either do Liquid Springs, or go to a DP. We got a 2017 Allegro Red DP last week and it is worlds apart from a gas rig in all respects.

SAS30 · 10-10-2021, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaBounder36E

Question about the handling of Gas vs. Diesel Pusher Handling??? I am new to this and own a 2014 Bounder 36E and I am not impressed at all with the way this coach handles on the interstates at 65 - 70 MPH. I am wondering if a DP of about the same length would handle any better. The Bounder has all new tires on it and are inflated to 100 psi, also has upgraded shocks and Stabilizers. I have found I would rather drive on non-interstate roads at 55 - 60 mph. It seems to handle better at this speed. Feel like I have been in a fight after 3 hrs of Interstate driving.... Wondering if a DP would handle any better?

Why not just drive 55-60 on the interstates? That should solve your problem! Just because 65-70 is the speed limit, doesn’t mean you have to run it! But stay in the far right lane!

NC25T · 10-10-2021, 09:46 PM

As someone else stated , try slowing down.

I had a 08 Bounder and would travel at your speeds, biggest issue was the fuel it sucked at those speeds! Lol….

When I was RV shopping ford and workhorse had chassis, the workhorse chassis was so much better, the ford chassis I drove wasn’t confidence inspiring at all to me. It was a pace arrow 38P ford vs Bounder 38P workhorse

As others stated, I believe suspension upgrades are available which you can do, pretty much converts leaf springs to air bag suspension which would transform the ride/handling. It’s just a matter of if it’s worth spending that on what you have now vs applying those funds to. DP. That being said there is a pretty significant difference between the different price points of DP’s, they do not feel the same going down the road. Drive as many as you can!

tuffr2 · 10-10-2021, 10:11 PM

The new Ford chassis with the 7.3 litre gas engine will handle better than the previous Ford gas chassis generation.

But from what I know and experienced never owning a Motorhome.

My dually truck towing a 5th wheel I would run fast. About 72 mph. I passed all motorhomes except tag axle motorhomes.

One time I was cruising at 74 mph and was in the way of a tag axle motorhome. I moved over and he wizzed by. This was on I75. I came to the conclusion that the tag axle motorhomes are in a league of their own.

But to answer your question. A single axle DP will be better than the V10 Ford gas motorhomes and also the new imported 7.3 Ford gas chassis. This is just a guess from what I have seen.

If a single axle DP is 100 points and the V10 Ford chassis is 50, the new 7.3 Ford chassis would be a 75.