Community Forums

Harry Joe · 04-03-2019, 08:43 AM

We’re looking to replace our 2013 Thor ACE with a similar length gas class A. The Winnebagos all seem to be 3-4” higher off the ground than the Thor and have ~4” less room height. Because of the seemingly higher center of gravity, does the Winnie handle poorer than the Thor? My ACE isn’t bad.
Also, any particular make have less road shock & noise?

Mr_D · 04-03-2019, 08:54 AM

Look at Newmar's for better insulation/less noise

Podivin · 04-03-2019, 09:07 AM

Obviously I've never driven your Ace, or any Ace for that matter, so I can't compare them. But my Winnie handles just fine. No white knuckles from passing semis or anything like that. I've done the cheap handling fix to it, but no other steering/handling related mods have been done to it.

Mojim · 04-03-2019, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Joe

We’re looking to replace our 2013 Thor ACE with a similar length gas class A. The Winnebagos all seem to be 3-4” higher off the ground than the Thor and have ~4” less room height. Because of the seemingly higher center of gravity, does the Winnie handle poorer than the Thor? My ACE isn’t bad.
Also, any particular make have less road shock & noise?

I would think both being on ford f53 chassis would drive about same. I think

Massparanoia · 04-03-2019, 09:41 AM

Look at the wheelbase vs total length of the RV. You want the wheelbase to be greater than 50% of the RV’s length. The higher the number, the better the handling.

scbwr · 04-03-2019, 09:46 AM

Seems to me, any of the Ford F53 chassis based motorhomes have a lot of variables that determine how well they handle and there are quite a few aftermarket remedies that improve their handling. There is many hours of posts and articles pertaining to this subject.

Not knowing anything about your budget or preference for new or used, I will suggest that you consider a 29' motorhome from Newmar or Tiffin even if it means buying used. Both "gas entry level" lines of motorhomes from Newmar or Tiffin will be much better in overall quality and features. Or, look for a shorter Winnebago, but from one of their more pricey lines i.e. such as the Adventurer, Sightseer or Sunova. Don't do anything too quickly, but take time to really look and explore the differences.

We were lucky to find our 2012 Bay Star as it is in top shape and came with an extended warranty. A lot of friends that have seen it thought it was new...or much newer than a 2012. But, the handling on our rig has been improved by the previous owner installing Summo springs and a rear track bar. I'm about to have a Roadmaster RSSA steering stabilizer installed to help minimize semi and wind push and improve stability when you have to move to the edge of the road. But, with any F53 based gas motorhome you buy, you want to know what, if any modifications have been installed to improve the handling and if the front end was aligned AFTER the motorhome was loaded with gear and stuff as though you were headed out on a trip. Also, tires and proper tire pressure based on axle/wheel weights can improve handling.

There isn't any really easy answer....you could buy a brand new and more expensive rig and find it to be worse, the same or better than what you have. You just have to be prepared to make some mods, or be sure of the handling before you buy.

Good luck and hope everything works out well!

Harry Joe · 04-03-2019, 10:38 AM

Thanks, I guess that I just don’t want a new rig to handle poorer & be louder than my ACE—things that are difficult to judge from a 10-15 mile test drive. I’ve got the ACE handling decently with CHF, Panhard bar, correct psi & alignment and don’t want to be disappointed with a new purchase.

Dave-Oh · 04-03-2019, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Joe

We’re looking to replace our 2013 Thor ACE with a similar length gas class A. The Winnebagos all seem to be 3-4” higher off the ground than the Thor and have ~4” less room height. Because of the seemingly higher center of gravity, does the Winnie handle poorer than the Thor? My ACE isn’t bad.
Also, any particular make have less road shock & noise?

My first RV was an ACE 29.2 (2015)....aside from the excess vibration (see old post: Loose king Pins?). They have the smallest Ford Chassis without the optional Ford front stabilizer bars (not to be confused with sway bars) on the lighter chassis - which the 29.2 had (I believe 18K GVWR). I was very comfortable with turning radius, power and acceleration. The 5 speed transmission tended to downshift very quickly and the higher revs made it a bit noisy on the hills - the 5 star tune really changed this aspect of the ACE for me, keeping the shifts more "one gear at a time" rather than the down-2 gears that it did stock. The smaller 19.5" wheels were maybe a reason why it sits a bit lower than some of the bigger gassers on the heavier chassis with the 22.5" wheels.

My current RV is a 2016 Tiffin 32SA has a heavier chassis (24K lbs) with the stabilizer bars (but no Sumo Springs that were an option). Main complaint is the "Walmart Wobble" on the slow corners coming off an apron. Head room inside didn't seem different to me, it handles fine - but does seem a LITTLE top heavier - that's where the Sumo Springs would probably have helped. I am not pushed around on the highway like the ACE was even though I've not added a steering damper (I had added a Safe-T-Plus to the ACE). The ACE was a little more eager power-wise, but the Tiffin's 6 speed transmission is smoother than the ACE's 5 speed, and I prefer towing with the bigger Tiffin over the ACE. The Tiffin handles better overall, is quieter and I've enjoyed it quite a bit. Gave up about a mile-a-gallon, but gained a much nicer rig.

Good luck in finding another rig. It's fun. Go for a newer rig with a 6 speed transmission. It does make a difference. A heavier chassis seemed to make a bit of an improvement in handling as well (longer wheel base).

Enjoy your dilemma!

RWDJR. · 04-04-2019, 12:50 PM

If I were upgrading, I would go with the 22.5 wheels and the heavier chassis and new enough to get the six speed, regardless of brand.

Jimg · 04-08-2019, 10:20 AM

I agree with RWD. I have had 6 class a gas motor homes, and have found that the 22.5 inch wheels and heavier chassis make a world of difference.

Until my current RV I have never done any more than the CHF and have never had any sway or handling issues since going to the 22.5 inch wheels and heavier frame with my last 3 rvs. I got ones with at least 5000 lb difference between GVWR and CGWR. The heavier frames with GVWR of 20000 and over have much better suspensions.

On my 2018 37' Southwind on a 30,000 chassis with a GVWR of 24000 I have installed sumo springs for some extra stability when I carry a motorcycle on the back, but did not have any problem with the handling before the addition of the Sumos. I often tow 6000# and am still slightly under the GCWR and have no handling issues.

Yellowboat · 04-08-2019, 11:15 AM

Hi. If you purchase a new MH built on a 2016 or later Ford chassis it will be much quieter than your current MH. The 2016 chassis has a six speed transmission. Pre 2016 five speed rev up to 5300 RPMs and the 2016 six speed rev up to 4300 RPMs. The lower RPM operating range makes fo a much quieter journey.

As for handling a lot depends upon how well the designer distributed house weight on the chassis. You need to test drive to be able to know how well a coach will handle.

I'm a believer in the bigger gross weight chassis with 22.5 tires. My previous coach was 29' on a 2006 Ford chassis (19.5" tires) and my new coach is 24' on a 2016 Ford chassis (22.5"). Both were Winnebago Sightseers. My new coach on the 22.5 tires handles so much better than my old coach. White knuckle driving is a thing of the past.

Last words. Test drive, test drive, test drive.