| Author |
Message |
gerald lancaster (206.104.216.7)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 27, 2002 - 8:36 pm: | |
My wife and I are about to go full time. We have a nice 4104 with a new motor. We are wondering about the pros and cons of selling it and getting a larger 40' bus.
Gerald |
TomNPat (63.24.226.145)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 27, 2002 - 9:20 pm: | |
If you have and have had a 35 foot bus, your experience with it makes you more of an expert with your needs than any of us. I know that we once went from a 33' to a 28' trailer and didn't forsee the shortage of space, but going larger is easier. Sit in your bus and think about what you'd do with the extra space.
Tom |
CoryDanes RTSII NE/IL (4.17.253.10)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 27, 2002 - 11:21 pm: | |
You also need to be aware that some campgrounds cannot handle a 40' coach, nor will they allow them to drive on the property. If your plans are to travel everywhere an RV can go, then you need to consider the 40' coach restrictions at the parks. Not all are restricted but be aware that some are. I think there might be some kind of restrictions at the national parks too.
- granted, the extra 5' space is nice but be sure you know what you are gettingyourself into. cd |
BILL BUTLER (65.58.158.150)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 27, 2002 - 11:25 pm: | |
GERALD: WE HAVE A 40 FT. 4905. WE LIKE IT VERY MUCH BUT WHEN WE HAVE OUR DINGY BEHIND WE ARE
FIFTY SEVEN FEET LONG. I THINK WE COULD DO WELL
WITH A THIRTY FIVE FOOTER AND A LITTLE LESS
CARE WHILE GETTING AROUND IN TIGHT PLACES.
I HAVE BEEN IN NUMBER OF THIRTY-FIVES AND THEY SEEM ROOMEY ENOUGH FOR ME. I KNOW OURS RIDES REALLY NICE. I HAVN'T RIDDEN IN A THIRTY FIVE.
I THINK IF YOU HAVE A REALLY GOOD BUS THE FIVE EXTRA FEET CERTAINLY WOULDN'T WARRANT A CHANGE. |
Jayjay (207.30.115.92)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 12:19 am: | |
Drop down the 'Board to Jan. 20,2002 and check out "The Disadvantages of A 45ft Coach" thread. Most of the stuff there will apply to you. It covers a lot of ground on how to make the decision. Me? I full-time in a 40 ft 4905, and have had no trouble with small parks. I don't boondock , so the Natn'l/State park issue soesn't apply. Cheers...JJ |
Don KS/TX (205.187.88.171)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 8:48 am: | |
I recently had the opportunity to drive a thousand miles in a 35 foot bus (GMC 4106), then a thousand miles in my 40ft 4905. Interesting comparisons. While I prefer the 40 ft by far for my use because you just cannot get a "full house" crammed into a 35 footer, the ability to drive like you were in a pickup with the 35 foot bus was dramatic to say the least. I actually had to get out the tape and measure the wheelbase when I got home with the 35, it seemed to be much more than 5 feet shorter! There seems to be some magical squaring effect on wheelbase addition that is beyond my ability to precisely calculate.
I have never found a campground that refuses 40 footers, nor a truckstop that I cannot get into
:-) |
Mike Eades (Mike14905) (206.62.200.107)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 9:19 am: | |
I ahve a 4905 that my wife and I full time in and I have not been refused yet. I don't do a lot of camping in the Northeast. I also pull a 25 foot trailer. Total length is 66.5 feet. I just make wider turns and have large problems.All truck stops I can get into. All Wally worlds are no problem except for around D.C. I try not to go that way when I can help it. The only other place is getting to Luke's Us Coach. Small road in and out. But lots of room once I am there. Mike |
CoryDanes RTSII N (4.17.253.106)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 2:47 pm: | |
Well,ok then.
I had read a couple of strings and talked to a bus nut or two that said to heed the small camps for 40' buses were not always invited. Perhaps they were talking about some older parks?
- Well, the fact that you guys have not had any problems getting in is all the better for me since my RTS is 40' long.
- I have heard also, that the 35s' steering is tighter than a 40', that makes sense since the wheels are 5' closer together, its all geometry LOL. Well just had to comment on the park thing as I was warned about admittance as well you should be too, always check ahead.
- AND should you travelers find some wonderful spot to share with us, the "PLACES WE STAY" board is up and running and already getting interesting places to see and stay. Any Takers? We all are looking for a nice spot, so lets hear it. One nice thing about this board, others can comment with yours, sort of a confirmation of a lovely sight to stay.
There is the other board but last time I tried, I could not delete my test page so it is not ready yet.
Happy camping - cd |
Jayjay (207.30.115.168)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2002 - 9:59 pm: | |
Hi Corey, just a quick addendum to your post... I have never been turned away because of 40ft. length, but have been refused several times because the 4905A was more than 10 years old!!! I hate to do it, but now when they ask, I prevaricate slightly, and complain that I need to upgrade to a newer rig, since this one is almost 9 years old and getting a bit long in the tooth. Works every time! Cheers...JJ |
Phil (204.89.170.3)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2002 - 8:10 am: | |
I recently received an coupon for a "free" stay at a luxury park from my RV dealer. The park was restricted to 10 years old or newer. While my coach is a 2000 factory built I won't go. Sooner or later it will be "old" and I don't want to encourage the practice of limiting RVers. |
Frank Merxbauer (198.81.16.33)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2002 - 1:57 pm: | |
There is a lot of things to take into consideration to determine how well a coach will get around if you have a tag axel is in the front or the back in the back it would be a steering axel tighter turning radius. The angle that your front wheels will turn some as little as 40 degrees some as high as 52 degrees will determine how well you get around. I'm doing a Neoplan 45 Ft. That will have a turning radius shorter than most 40 Ft. |
Rodger (63.28.244.8)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2002 - 10:52 am: | |
We have owned a 35' Prevost Champion for 3 years in which we take trips, so far, up to 4 months long, plus many shorter trips. In three years our total time living aboard is around a year. Presently we're in So. Texas for 3 months. Compared to several 40's I've visited, we have slightly less living space but not a great deal less. For living space a well planned 35' can compare favorably with a 40' coach. The only significant differences I've noticed are in the bathroom and mid coach storage areas. Galley, living room and bedroom layouts can be about the same. Available bay space is very similar since the 35's don't have tag axles. A 40' Prevost owner recently commented that our 35' has significantly more bay storage space than his 40'.
I appreciate our somewhat smaller turn radius, smaller parking space requirement, two fewer tires, fewer air bags, and our 8V71N has less weight to push.
For our use, I prefer a 35'.
I do envy the 102" widths of the newer coaches. |
John G Root Jr (Johnroot) (140.186.114.253)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 18, 2002 - 7:04 pm: | |
I've decided to buy a 35' because I like to stay in State Parks. I don't want any hassles about being too long and the road through most State Parks would be challenging for a tag axle coach. |
Don KS/TX (67.210.119.158)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 7:57 am: | |
Where you at Rodger? I am also in S Texas for a few months, email me at DonGeneda@bigfoot.com if you want to get together and talk bus stuff. |