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Topic: LD 26 1/2' vs 30', payload & handeling (Read 5 times) previous topic - next topic
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LD 26 1/2' vs 30', payload & handeling
Yahoo Message Number: 377
My wife and I plan to tour and boondock in the boonies as vacations and weekends allow. The RV Consumer Group coined the term "serious RVer" on their web site in the context of what a "serious RVer" would bring along.

When we purchase a LD 26 1/2' or 30', we want to load it once and load it with all the "serious RVer" stuff...No more rental blues of loading, unloading and not having everything you need at hand.

Are there some "serious RVers" with a 26 1/2' or 30' LD out there who can give us some idea of what is in a serious LD payload and what it weighs?

The livability of the 30' sure is nice. But is the livability at the expense of a "serious RVer" payload and other considerations like handeling, and wilderness camp site availabilty?

Also, I am a little confused on the issue of handeling. The 2000 RV Consumer Group Ratings gave the higher highway safety and handeling rating to the 30' LD. The 26 1/2' is 1000 lbs less. A thousand pounds less is a thousand pounds less when stopping, cornering and accelerating. Also a shorter wheel base and coach length would seemingly help with manuverability and camp site availability.

Please forgive my rambling. But any experience covering manuverability, handeling, reactance to "serious RVer" payloads, and camp site availability will be greatly appreciated.
LD 26 1/2' vs 30', payload & handeli
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 378
You would have to ask either LD (talk to Steve, production mgr) or RVCG why the rating difference. However, we took delivery of our 26.5' midbath in March.
This rig in no way feels like a 14,000 lb, 26.5 foot, 10 foot tall vehicle. My "non-RVer" friends who have driven it are amazed with the V10 power and handling characteristics...and 3 of them have never driven anything larger than a mini-van. "Serious" RVers probably carry more clothes than we do, and maybe LESS food than when we go boondocking in one spot for two weeks. We don't plan on going to the store. On a "road trip", we tend to plan on stopping at the grocery store now and then so food is not likely to take up storage spots like the shower. You can't really carry more water when the tanks are full, and we usually drive with tanks half full then fill up when we arrive to save weight.
We like and need the versatility of the 26.5 midbath(two kids+friend, grandma or grandpa occassionally). All things considered...I think it comes down to your own personal preference and needs. These two models are very different in their layout. Buy whichever one YOU feel the strongest about...you are getting a quality coach either way.

Congratulations...you will be very happy.

Rob
LD 26 1/2' vs 30', payload & handeli
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 379
The higher handling numbers for the 30' result from the the higher ratio of wheelbase to overall length. The 30' is around 59% and that translates into better overall handling.

The longer unit does take up more space and you have to pay more attention to where you are going to park versus the 26.5'. But it does come down to personal choice.

I have the 30' and find the payload suitable. I don't think that you could really get that extra 1,000 lbs. of stuff into the 26.5' unless you were carrying lead bars (or lots of water).

My recommendation, pick the floor plan that works best for you. All models have sufficient payload for any user.

Glenn
LD 26 1/2' vs 30', payload & handeli
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 380
I think it is important to note that the RVCG rating system is in at least part arbitrary. The wheelbase-to-length ratio is only an approximate indicator of handling. It does NOT take into account the actual mass distribution patterns, which can make a significant difference in roll and yaw inertia about the rear suspension.
Furthermore, road tests are not done - such information is strictly anecdotal. All told, it is unlikely the 26.5' models handle worse than the 30' model based on the data determining the RVCG ratings.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
LD 26 1/2' vs 30', payload & handeli
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 381
I think it is important to note that the RVCG rating system is in at least part arbitrary. The wheelbase-to-length ratio is only an approximate indicator of handling. It does NOT take into account the actual mass distribution patterns, which can make a significant difference in roll and yaw inertia about the rear suspension.
Furthermore, road tests are not done - such information is strictly anecdotal. All told, it is unlikely the 26.5' models handle worse than the 30' model based on the data determining the RVCG ratings.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
 
LD 26 1/2' vs 30', payload & handeli
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 382
I think it is important to note that the RVCG rating system is in at least part arbitrary. The wheelbase-to-length ratio is only an approximate indicator of handling. It does NOT take into account the actual mass distribution patterns, which can make a significant difference in roll and yaw inertia about the rear suspension.
Furthermore, road tests are not done - such information is strictly anecdotal. All told, it is unlikely the 26.5' models handle worse than the 30' model based on the data determining the RVCG ratings.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit