Why didn't builder do this?

[FatChance]

Originally Posted by trode

But my point remains, if the manufacturers are aware of the limitations of the designs.....?

But the other posters' point remains that the manufacturers are aware of the "good enough vs best" designs and choose to build to their market's demand at a price point...

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by trode

As I ponder yet another chassis/motohome upgrade, I can't help but wonder why don't builders do some of this "stuff"

Apparently everyone is aware of importance of a steering stabilizer in the event of a front tire blow out, in addition to the improved lane stability. They are aware of importance of TPMS for tires, that I am shopping for now. They are aware of improved ride from Koni Shocks, etc, etc....

So why don't coach builders make these improvements to the chassis to improve the appeal of their brand? They go to extremes to produce gimmicky little additions, plaster the whole coach with graphics and add on all sorts of creature comforts, but neglect what appear to be significant safety improvements.

Some manufacturers (like Country Coach) did, but then it puts them out of reach of most buyers. Rig came with Koni shocks all around, DynoMax semi-monocoque chassis, SmarTire TPMS, tires and wheels that are rated for far more than the rig weighs and the 20,000 front axle has two steering boxes. They even went so far as to use aluminum wheels on the inside duals that no one sees.

[TwelveVolt]

We stopped by an "RV Show" in a mall parking lot and had a look at some of the new DPs. One was a 45' $400k unit where both walls were mostly slide. A huge dance floor, lots of floor space in the bedroom, and a large dressing/bathroom/closet aft. To get from the bedroom to the aft bathroom, I had to walk through a one foot gap between the corner of the bed and the door frame. On the way in I inadvertently kicked the bed frame and on the way out I kicked the door frame. The doorway was beside the bed, instead of next to the open floor space. The salesman proceeded to show me the correct way to walk between rooms in an RV. He kicked the bed frame, stubled, grinned, and changed the subject.

We sat down on the couch for a few minutes. In that time three different women came through and each one dismissed the unit immediately because of the tiny kitchen. Sometimes the "Why they built it that way" is beyond the comprehension of mere mortals.

[Scarab0088]

There is an even more basic explanation...lack of competition.

For gas chassis' (4 sold for each Diesel), it's the Ford F53.

For Diesel, by far Freightliner has the lion's share with Spartan as the minority alternative.

As long as there is little or no competition, improvements will lag.

EXAMPLE: Workhorse offered a 6speed transmission in 2006...but with no competition, it took EPA regulation to force Ford to offer a 6speed in the F53 for 2016.5, DESPITE it being offered in their Super Duty Truck for a while...

But, of course for the SuperDuty, there was..............wait for it.............competition...
from Chevy and Dodge

Spartan teased about a gas chassis over 4 years ago, but Ford has cut the margin SO MUCH, I doubt we will ever see it
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f57/spart...is-144706.html

Safe travels

[Gordon Dewald]

I guess if you want a custom design and build you can get it but you have to be prepared to pay the price.

IMO even if you design your own there will be deficiencies discovered down the road.

[twogypsies]

Some motorhomes don't need modifications to drive comfortably. Ours didn't. We did add a TPMS.

[oakcreekeric]

I've said this many times... I don't know what everyone is talking about with all these "handling" issues... I seriously must have the most dumb luck of anyone.

I have a 2012 F-53 26K chassis... I think it rides good... and I've done NO modifications to my suspension or chassis... Does it ride like a DP with an 8 bag suspension... no... does it ride like my GF's Lincoln... no.. but, for my expectations, it rides just fine (quality of road does come into play)..

Why do I feel my chassis is "just fine", but so many others don't ???

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by oakcreekeric

I've said this many times... I don't know what everyone is talking about with all these "handling" issues...

...Why do I feel my chassis is "just fine", but so many others don't ???

What a GREAT POST!!!
We are in the same frame as Oakcreekeric.
The answer is (right there in the post) EXPECTATIONS.

Our RV does not ride as smooth as the Monaco DP of the same year that we test drove...nor does it drive like our Toad. But it is very nice on long trips and 8 hours in 1 day has not proven to be too much.

The one thing we did add (probably out of fear of a steering tire blow-out) was the Safe-T-Plus...but It did reduce that nagging steering pull in grooved highways and reduced the feel of potholes coming through the steering.
For this reason, I think a steering stabilizer is a good idea for any motorhome that does not have a system like it (Reflex, TruCenter, Comfort Steer, etc).

Safe travels

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by oakcreekeric

I've said this many times...

Why do I feel my chassis is "just fine", but so many others don't ???

You travel short trips, 4 or 5 times a year ?

You have it loaded with a lot of stuff, smoothing out the ride ?

We don't know.

[CampDaven]

84 C20 class C.
96 25Y P30 class A
I got used to handling the wheel with smaller corrections and anticipation/compensation for the push/suck of passing trucks.
Some compensate with "fixes". I simply got used to the rig.
Never stressed, uncomfortable, worn, tired, or disappointed.
Some freak and find ways to compensate for what they can't feel. The rest of us just drive.

[oakcreekeric]

Originally Posted by twinboat

You travel short trips, 4 or 5 times a year ?

Well... We've had the RV four whole seasons now and average over 6,000 miles per year... Our trips very from a couple hours to ten hours...

You have it loaded with a lot of stuff, smoothing out the ride ?

Loaded... funny... I always travel with a full 80 gallon tank and have a GF who has the idea that she can bring her entire wardrobe with her, cause we have room, ya know...

We don't know.

Neither do I, but I think Scarab0088 probably said it best.. I think it boils down to expectations.. I'm not sure what everyone expects when they drive an F-53 motorhome.. but if they've ever spent time driving a work/box truck.. they know, at the end of the day, it's a truck chassis with a house on it.. So, naturally, it drives like a truck... and as much as we'd like to have them "tweak" it, they probably produce far more for the commercial side, than the RV side... and until (as someone else mentioned) there's competition... we're gonna get what they want us to have...

What was it that Ford famously said... you have have any color car you want, as long as its black?

[Gordon Dewald]

I think as well there is an expectation that the "improvements" will actually improve whatever it was meant to correct. IMO many expect the improvement therefore it does.

That is why they do controlled double blind testing to try to get unbiased results.

[TwelveVolt]

Originally Posted by Gordon Dewald

I think as well there is an expectation that the "improvements" will actually improve whatever it was meant to correct. IMO many expect the improvement therefore it does.

That is why they do controlled double blind testing to try to get unbiased results.

Exactly right. How many of us are going to pay good money for a product and then admit that we can't feel the difference?
As my coach ages, I have had to troubleshoot and remove a couple of add-on items that previous owners added. One was a pneumatic /hydraulic steering enhancement. The other was the Banks diesel electronics. Neither was supported by the manufacturer. In both cases I simply removed the add-on, threw it away, and with no other changes could not tell the difference.

[triplewide]

I occasionally have to laugh at myself. When I'm shopping for a product I am motivated by price. Once the purchase is consummated, quality is my main focus.