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Drivability
Hello Everyone, I’m a newbie here. Thank you for letting me join. I have been studying all of the awesome threads on this forum so that I can learn as much as possible. I currently am on my second motorhome. The first was a Winnebago Journey 39ft, and my current one is a 2014 Thor Tuscany 45 ft. I really like the Prevost XL models with no slides. Love the shiny sides and the simplicity of no slides. It is just my wife and I and we think the no slide would be perfect for us. My mechanic is in favor of the D60 with Allison trans and I agree. One unit I am interested in is a 2001 XL no slides has 115,000 miles and looks to be in good shape. The conversion is a Royale and we love the darker wood and warmer tones in the coach, as well as the floorplan. One question though, Would this model or similar models be more difficult to maneuver than my current mh that has a 60 degree steering? I have never driven one of these buses, but I hear they ride very nice. Especially compared to my current one which has the freightliner chassis under it. I’m sure there is no comparison. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks to everyone in advance. ED
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5 Replies
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I have only driven one conventional motor home and it was an experience I never want to repeat.
A Prevost conversion is built on the same chassis that is used for commercial seated coach service. Prevost has refined the handling of the coach to such an extent that I cannot comprehend how any chassis except ones with the millions if not billions of miles of service in commercial service can handle as well.
You sound as though you think what might be sharp turns on you motorhome are not going to matched in a Prevost chassis. The reality is you adapt. I have no idea how sharp your motor home turns and all I can say for certain is whether it is better or worse than what Prevost offers is does not matter. You will adjust.
I had three Prevost coaches now and two were solid axle coaches, one a 40 and the other a 45 and while I am sure that while their turn radii differed it had zero impact on my driving because only such a small part of driving involves in super sharp turns that I just accepted the turn radius for what it was.
My current coach is a 45 footer with IFS and it will make very sharp turns, but despite its limitations, if I cannot make a turn all at once, I stop and take a second turn. It may turn just as sharp as your current coach or not, but one thing is for certain, the turn radius is unimportant compared to the driving of a coach that was not as well refined as a Prevost. I can literally drive for hours without getting worn out, but I suspect a more conventional motor home without the steering refinement will beat you up and wear you out just from chasing the steering wheel for any length of time.
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Turning radius is something you encounter a very few times during your ownership but the build quality is something that is forever. The turning radius of any Prevost of the 1997 era or later will be very good due to the independent front suspension (IFS). However, even pre-1997 coaches turn pretty well even if it takes 2 turns instead of 1 to get to the intended destination.
I drive a 1988 and my next coach will have IFS. The other thing I know for certain is that my next coach (my 3rd coach) will also be a Prevost!
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Welcome Ed, if you ever drive a Prevost, you’ll be hooked, there is NO comparison. I don’t recall the wheel cut of our IFS coaches, but doubt it will be an issue for you.
Royale did a great job you can’t go wrong, but be sure the delam issue is addressed.
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Thanks for all the responses. It really enforces my decision to go with Prevost. About 5-6 hours a day on the road for 2-3 days in a row is about all we can take in our current coach. I looked at pictures comparing the chassis under mine to the Prevost and OMG what a huge difference. So now we are shopping via internet and seeing what is in our budget once we sell our current mh. A question though, do the XL models have fibreglass on the upper sides? I thought they were all stainless but I do recall reading something about the upper half being fibreglass. If so , its not a deal breaker for me, just have to be aware and to watch for any delam issues. Thanks ED
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Do not worry about delam if your target coach is an XL as opposed to an XLII. However if the XLII is your intended coach only Prevost can test and verify if you have a problem with skin adhesion. Just to emphasize, ONLY PREVOST can properly evaluate that issue.
On the XLII the panel above the upper belt line (at the bottom of the windows) is some type of plastic material, probably fiberglass. I have only heard of one coach that required adhesion repairs on the upper skin.
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