Class A chassis recommendations

[propcheck]

Ok so I am toying with the idea of buying a class A. Around 30-35 feet but I can’t see anything valid other than opinions on the best chassis out there. In the Rv forums it is a mostly a “well I have this so it is best” response so I am asking here because I know on RDP if I ask something like this it is based on facts more than feelings So far I have been looking at spartan chassis under the coaches more than the workhorses

 

[mash on it]

@2FORCEFULL

He might know.

Dan'l

 

[propcheck]

I remembered a thread a long time back but could not search it

 

[boatnam2]

What kind of info you looking for? I have a 29ft on a workhorse chassis.

 

[Ducksquasher]

Ok so I am toying with the idea of buying a class A. Around 30-35 feet but I can’t see anything valid other than opinions on the best chassis out there. In the Rv forums it is a mostly a “well I have this so it is best” response so I am asking here because I know on RDP if I ask something like this it is based on facts more than feelings So far I have been looking at spartan chassis under the coaches more than the workhorses

I am not sure about Spartan's (I think those are diesel configurations but I am not authority on that?) but I have an F53 with a V10 if I can help. 34 ft.

 

[propcheck]

Well I just started looking into a class a and some of the folks in the Rv forums talk about some of the chassis wandering as you are going down the road and another thread had some guys horror story about his frame rails twisting or some shit like that made it in allignable and he just kept burning through tires so I was wondering if there is really a better or worse chassis in the class A market?
I really like the v10 motor for gas applications.

 

[Ricks raft]

unless your going diesel not a lot of options. Ford it is. early to mid 2000 Ford or workhorse. The workhorse with 8.1 and Allison was the better choice. I’ve had both. The current Ford chassis seems pretty good and the newer v10’s are good or the new big block. I haven’t heard any widespread problem of frame twisting. Some issues of units with long extended overhangs off the back with heavy trailers.

 

[propcheck]

unless your going diesel not a lot of options. Ford it is. early to mid 2000 Ford or workhorse. The workhorse with 8.1 and Allison was the better choice. I’ve had both. The current Ford chassis seems pretty good and the newer v10’s are good or the new big block. I haven’t heard any widespread problem of frame twisting. Some issues of units with long extended overhangs off the back with heavy trailers.

Thank you, I am naturally drawn to the v10 I don’t know why but I liked it for power in the fleet trucks .

 

[boatnam2]

Well I just started looking into a class a and some of the folks in the Rv forums talk about some of the chassis wandering as you are going down the road and another thread had some guys horror story about his frame rails twisting or some shit like that made it in allignable and he just kept burning through tires so I was wondering if there is really a better or worse chassis in the class A market?
I really like the v10 motor for gas applications.

Well I can tell you my Model wanders down the road, but its not too bad, kind of like driving a boat through the channel slow, just small adjustments and its fine.

 

[boatnam2]

I can tell you this, mine is an 06 and is pretty rock solid compared to a lot of the newer shit falling apart. Don't look fancy but gets the job done with a budget. For me I wish I would of went 32-33 and got a couch and maybe one extra pop out, mainly a beach rig so far so it works good for that.

 

[69hondo]

I had a workhorse on my gasser. It was fine but parts for workhorse are a little harder to source than the ford chassis. My workhorse was ifs. I don’t know if they all are. All my friends with gassers have the ford chassis and are happy. In later model gassers I think the f series is your only option

 

[propcheck]

Well I can tell you my Model wanders down the road, but its not too bad, kind of like driving a boat through the channel slow, just small adjustments and its fine.

Thank you for the reply, this is what I am trying to figure out a good number of people talk about safe steer and new suspension components to improve thing and I am not against it just want to know what I am getting into.
as for older units I am down for older units. Right now we are drawn to the Itasca 36y with a v10

 

[Dan Lorenze]

I had a 2003 Bounder 34f with a Workhorse W22 Chassis, there was a big recall on that chassis for brake calipers/rotors. They are all cracked.. Be aware of this.

 

[River Runnin]

Depends! weekend warrior, full timing, or using a lot! --- If your thinking 35ft? go 40 and diesel 400hp minimum! the older Holiday Ramblers (I have), Monaco, and Beaver, are all good ones to look into!

 

[boatnam2]

Thank you for the reply, this is what I am trying to figure out a good number of people talk about safe steer and new suspension components to improve thing and I am not against it just want to know what I am getting into.
as for older units I am down for older units. Right now we are drawn to the Itasca 36y with a v10

Good luck on your new rig!

 

[wings_of_eagles]

I have a 1999 national Seabreeze on the ford chassis with the V10 it's been great. My buddy's RV on a chevy powerhorse chassis of that time had a narrower front end I think about 9", (if you see the 2 chassis next to each other, you can see how far in the wheels are in the wheel well on the powerhouse chassis) That was white knuckle ride, it would move over if you passed a semi or the semi passed you. My ford drives straight but it rides rough like a truck with stiff suspension, when I drive on the 10 fwy it shakes bad.

 

[TCHB]

I have had RVs in the past 12 years. All Ford chassis. I like the newer versions with the 6 speed transmissions. Some minor suspension upgrades help a lot.

 

[River Runnin]

Safe -T-Steer!

 

[DLC]

That’s a loaded question….

diesel or gas chassis

I had a F53 ford

But
if buying today I’d look for a pre Def Diesel.
W/ at least 50,000 miles and have some extra cash for a few Fixer Ups on the new to you rig


Most folks fall for floor plan and colors…

 

[pwerwagn]

I LOVED my 8.1/allison combo if that helps. My dad had a similar weight V10 with the Banks stuff on it and 5.29's, and my 8.1/Allison with 4.88's would run circles around it stock, at similar weights. Heck, my 8.1 would out pull my current diesel Super C at the same weight as well. I was super impressed with it.

 

[HB2Havasu]

Ok so I am toying with the idea of buying a class A. Around 30-35 feet but I can’t see anything valid other than opinions on the best chassis out there. In the Rv forums it is a mostly a “well I have this so it is best” response so I am asking here because I know on RDP if I ask something like this it is based on facts more than feelings So far I have been looking at spartan chassis under the coaches more than the workhorses

Look for a Class A like Country Coach or Monaco that utilized the Monocoque Chassis Construction.

 

[propcheck]

Look for a Class A like Country Coach or Monaco that utilized the Monocoque Chassis Construction.

Thank you. I have redirected to the Monaco line and have been reading up on them it is now on my short list.

 

[4Waters]

Thank you, I am naturally drawn to the v10 I don’t know why but I liked it for power in the fleet trucks .

2005 up V10's have the 3 valve heads and the torque shift trans. The ford's come with swaybars and swaybars on workhorse will need to be added unless a previous owner has already added them. They are both rock solid and have plenty of power.

2004 and down V10's have the 2 valve sparkplug spitting heads and the 4R100 transmission. Yes swaybars make a huge difference, I added them onto my in-laws Workhorse

 

[propcheck]

Good intel. Thank you that helps.

 

[Blackmagic94]

Look for a Class A like Country Coach or Monaco that utilized the Monocoque Chassis Construction.

Explain. I have a 06 cheetah so curious

 

[2FORCEFULL]

the only way to buy a 20 yr old coach is to drive it and see.... as for new.... here's my rule.... 30' and under get a gas powered coach, and over 32 ft get a pusher.... most all pushers start at 34' and are on freight shaker chassis... new is the best way to go as there where a lot of changes in the last few yrs, that and you get the warranrty.... they all need stuff.... but will work with out doing anything... next you have to kinda pick what you are going to do with it.. my Aria will tow 10k lbs and is rated to do so,... but the next model down, the palazzo won't... that's according to the GVWR... all the chassis' in the 2000 range were plagued there own problems,... not every one had them,.. but they were there... and like the OP said.... people bullshit alot... some people no matter what they buy , "It's the best"

 

[propcheck]

Ok so what do people dislike on the freightliner chassis? I started with the Monaco line but we like a Winnebago floor plan on a freightliner chassis. Is this a bad idea?

 

[69hondo]

Ok so what do people dislike on the freightliner chassis? I started with the Monaco line but we like a Winnebago floor plan on a freightliner chassis. Is this a bad idea?

I have the Freightliner XC chassis and I think its great. Its so quiet and easy to drive. The XC has IFS.