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Old 07-22-2019, 08:11 PM   #1
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Turn Radius

Does a class A "gas" unit have a tighter turn radius than a class C unit?

I know the diesel units have a better turn radius.
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Old 07-23-2019, 07:12 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by k9jkfham View Post
Does a class A "gas" unit have a tighter turn radius than a class C unit?

I know the diesel units have a better turn radius.
Some might, but it also depends on the wheelbase of the units you’re comparing.
Maybe you can find the specs for the units you’re comparing as to their turning circle or the maximum angle they can turn the wheels.
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Old 07-23-2019, 09:30 AM   #3
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I have to say my 2012 has a better radius than my 02 Ford Excursion did, at least it feels that way! They did some improvements over the years and I think the 2011 chassis got a tighter radius as well as other minor improvements.
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Old 07-23-2019, 09:45 AM   #4
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The answer depends on who makes the chassis.
Much depends on how close the wheels and tires come to the frame rails when the steering is at full lock. More space between the wheels and frame usually allows a tighter turning circle.
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Old 07-23-2019, 10:01 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by k9jkfham View Post
Does a class A "gas" unit have a tighter turn radius than a class C unit?

I know the diesel units have a better turn radius.
Since most if not all gas Class A motorhomes are on Ford's F-53 chassis nowadays the answer as usual is "it depends". The picture is a screenshot from the 2019 F-53 Chassis Specification PDF. I, of course, have the one I highlighted which has the worst turning diameter and a 42-degree wheel cut.

I can't find the reference where I found that the 22.5" wheels on the 22,000 F-53 chassis has a 42-degree wheel cut but I think it was the only one that was that low. The others were 50-degrees as I recall. Even the 19.5" wheels on the 22,000 chassis has a 50-degree wheel cut.

That being said, the advantage of a smaller wheel cut is that you can begin your right turns when the front bumper has just entered the intersection and you're pretty much assured that the passenger side rear wheels will stay on the pavement because there is less off-tracking of the rear end.

The 50-degree wheel cut has larger off-tracking when the wheel is turned to the stop and there is more of a chance that the rear wheels on the passenger side will go up over the curb, sidewalk, fire hydrant, pedestrians, etc. When you have a larger degree of wheel cut you usually need to go further into the intersection before you begin a right-hand turn to avoid that problem.

My wife and I have found that the 42-degree wheel cut is much more "car-like" on right-hand turns. Does it make it a bit more challenging in tight areas? Sure, so we just do our best to avoid those. Since we will be towing a car on a dolly there's no way we're backing up and the larger turning diameter does make us more cautious.

HTH,

Ray
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