Road Clearance March 25, 2003, 01:33:38 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20271LDs are built close to the ground; has anyone experienced any "tail- dragging" when entering or exiting even-slightly-steep driveways? Or, is there any other problem with clearances in a variety of road conditions? My interest is in the 23.5', and the rear overhang is less that the 26.5' or the 30', but the low "set" of the RV looks like it could pose problems in some conditions.
Re: Road Clearance Reply #1 – March 25, 2003, 01:55:19 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20272QuoteLDs are built close to the ground; has anyone experienced any "tail- dragging" when entering or exiting even-slightly-steep driveways? Or, is there any other problem with clearances in a variety of road conditions? My interest is in the 23.5', and the rear overhang is less that the 26.5' or the 30', but the low "set" of the RV looks like it could pose problems in some conditions. This is an interesting observation - I have never thought the LD models were built any lower clearance than anything else. Perhaps they so appear due to the rear fender-skirts, but I can scoot under ours to work on it with no problem. Dragging the rear entering or exiting steep lot ramps is another issue altogether, and can certainly occur with the extended step-bumper when compared to the high-mounted flimsy jobs on many class-C's. This just takes good judgement to avoid - exiting or entering at an angle is one solution. Never any problem on the road (22').Steve
Re: Road Clearance Reply #2 – March 25, 2003, 02:48:25 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20273I have 'banged' the rear of both the 22' and 23.5' a few times but it is because I was not paying attention to the steepness of a driveway. You will learn to judge such things after a while. You can usually negotiate a steep driveway by exiting or entering at an angle rather than driving straight out or in. If you do hit, it usually does no damage, other than scrapping the receiver hitch.It sure makes a terrible noise when you do hit.I have found both the 22' and 23.5 to be very maneuverable in most conditions except very narrow ones. The rear end swing can be annoying in tight service stations. Watch the protective bollards next to the pumps.Larry
Re: Road Clearance Reply #3 – March 26, 2003, 10:56:11 am Yahoo Message Number: 20311QuoteLDs are built close to the ground; has anyone experienced any "tail- dragging" when entering or exiting even-slightly-steep driveways? I have experienced tail dragging coming out of a gas station driveway with my 1990 camper van (not LD) and damaged my sewer connection plumbing located at the rear bumper. This is a vulernable location not only for driveways but also for backing up. The various LD models have steel skids engineered to be the point of contact in these situations. I measured the skid plates on the 26.5 MB at the factory. I found the skid plates to be 14" above the ground. The skid plates are located between the rear wheels and the rear bumper, though I do not recall the distance behind the rear axel at this time.Previously, I emailed the factory and asked if caster rollers could be installed by them at the factory at the rear bumper. The answer that I received was "NO." The explanation was the the caster rollers inevitablely strike the ground at the wrong angle and the caster wheels are then damaged. In a campground I have seen an LD with non swivel rollers on the back bumper. Apparently these were added later by the owner. Possibly these may not have been effective because the skid plate might strike first (don't know.)Damaging the sewer connection plumbing on the 26.5 MB is unlikely because the black water connection is between the front and rear wheels. Grey water connection is near the rear wheel.For other models, one would have to do their own checking. I would think that the design LD would use would protect the plumbing with the skid plates.My advice would be to enter/exit driveways at an angle as the LD manual says. Also, I would say proceed very slowly. If you hear/feel the skid plates make contact possibly you can backup and make another approach. I have seen RVs going fast strike bottom and then bounce up and down hard. Going fast might also bend/damage the skid plates. When backing into a campsite, it is helpful to have an observer outside checking for branches and for obstructions that could damage things on the underside of the RV. My $.02.Happy CampingKen, Patty and little Stephanie in San Diego 03 26.5 MB blue on order
Re: Road Clearance Reply #4 – March 26, 2003, 11:16:01 am Yahoo Message Number: 20313KenAdding rollers or casters decreases the clearance and makes it more likely that you will hit the rear. Every LD I have looked at has the plumbing safely above the point that will hit first. I consider the receiver hitch to be the sacrificial skid plate. If you manage to seriously damage it, it can easily be unbolted and replaced.Larry
Re: Road Clearance Reply #5 – March 26, 2003, 08:53:31 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20342Hello JCT, If you want to drive and experience a low to the ground Class C, drive a Born Free for a while. They have castered rollers on the rear frame extension. Ours 'exercised' those rollers quite often and they served their purpose very well. No damage resulted over our three years of use.Our 2001 26.6 LD MB does not have drag rollers, nor does it need them. It does have drag "structure" that is designed to protect the rear bumper, tow hitch receiver, etc. for those time when you cannot avoid unusually steep departure angles. LD mothership has designed them well and welded them on the frame extensions quite securely. They do not drag on the same places that our Born Free put its rollers on the tarmac because the LD is built with more rear ground clearance. Pretty neat design - built higher but with a lower center of mass than what we had before. I had planned to add a roller kit to our LD drag bars but after a couple of years of use, it just is not needed for our use. Can be added, though, for those with steep departure drives and an aversion to metal drag bar on pavement noise.Keep
Road Clearance Reply #6 – March 25, 2003, 06:33:07 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20283Quote From: "jctaylor1941" To: Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2003 1:33 PM Subject: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Road ClearanceLDs are built close to the ground; has anyone experienced any "tail- dragging" when entering or exiting even-slightly-steep driveways? Well, I have only put about 12,000 miles on my 23.5, and I have yet to have a problem with a steep drive. That said, I do try to be careful when approaching a drive that is excessively steep. I had trouble backing my old pop-up into my drive, but I have never had one with my LD.Allen
Topic: Road Clearance (Read 11 times)
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Topic: Road Clearance (Read 11 times)
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