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Wheelbase differences of XLII chassis’s
Hi Everyone,
I’m still new here, having only posted in the general discussion forum about a ’97 Angola recently that my wife and I were considering purchasing. While we passed on that bus, ultimately because we decided the time isn’t right yet for us to purchase, I continue to read and educate myself in preparation for when it is right. As such, I have a fairly random question that I’m hoping the braintrust here can answer…
I’ve observed several XLII entertainer coaches that, despite being 45′, have the same rear overhang as a 40 footer… meaning they have a longer wheelbase than the 45′ private conversions that are the topic of most of the threads here on PC.
So, does Prevost build 45′ XLIIs in different wheelbases for entertainer coaches and private coaches? I’m defining “entertainer coach here as one that typically has 6-12 bunks and most likely has an aft lounge instead of a stateroom. Why would their be a difference? I infer that the longer wheelbase may ride a little smoother… also, maybe the addition of storage bays are needed to hold the gear of someone going from venue to venue for performances?
To illustrate what I am asking about, I have posted a couple of pictures I have found of an entertainer coach and a private coach… I don’t own either of these pictures, just found them via Google searches… I hope that is okay.
Thanks for the education!
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10 Replies
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The short answer is the longer wheel based entertainers provide a better ride and typically stay on major roads, so they don’t need the shorter wheelbase. FWIW, all new shells are only available in the longer wheelbase. Personally, I like the shorter wheelbase for turning. The rear overhang has never caused me an issue, unlike my 42-foot tag axle plastic coach.
I’m sure others can provide additional insights.
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The entertainer coach also has an additional bay for storage.
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The E is for entertainer. On mine I have observed the front wheel turning radius is sharper than it was on my previous 40 ft coach. I have been told that the actual turning radius is the same as the 40ft(previous coach) I have not noticed any real problems in moving it around since it is still under rebuild. The front wheels do turn much sharper! FWIW Bob
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Only in the latest models did Prevost make the wheelbase of the motorhome shell the same as the entertainer shell.
I have driven every iteration of Prevost motorhome coaches from 40 foot solid axle axle to 45 foot solid axle to my current 45 foot with IFS. The steering axle wheel angle allows for the sharpest turn on the IFS but as a driver I honestly cannot say any configuration stood out as far as being more or less able to negotiate campground roads.
Where I do see a huge difference between the XL and XLII 45 foot coaches compared to the X3 coach is how as drivers we have to compensate for entering or leaving a driveway or getting high centered.
The X3 and 40 foot coaches with minimal rear overhang and less likely to drag leaving a steep driveway onto a road, or to drag as the driveway ramps up quickly on entry. A local Pilot has a steep driveway at the truck entrance and the blacktop is scarred from all the vehicles trying to make the transition. I enter it at an angle instead of straight on to keep from damaging the coach.
One secondary road we cross somewhat regularly is high crowned compared to the crossing road and every time we cross it I can hear our plastic baffle in the center of the coach scrape. If we had the X3 longer wheelbase I would have to raise the coach before crossing that road.
Turning a coach becomes intuitive after a few trips and after a while as a driver you just know if you can make a turn. But changes in elevation such as highly crowned railroad crossings or steep driveways are likely to pose the greatest issues.
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Once again, thanks for the quick replies. It seems like all of the configurations have their pros and cons and I’m not surprised that Prevost has gone to one configuration on the X3 coaches… at least from the point of view of making a business decision to reduce part count.
As a follow-up, similar to the X’s, do the H coaches have different wheelbase configurations? I haven’t observed this…
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I don’t think so other than the wheelbase as a result of the overall length.
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FWIW, the Marathon salesman told me that the longer wheelbase of the X3 was no problem because “entertainers have been using them for years going everywhere”. Hmm. How can you tell when a salesman is lying?
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Fred,
I seriously doubt if you would notice the difference. If you were so dialed in on your 97 you knew to the millimeter if you could make a specific turn, it is probable if you were behind the wheel of the X3 you would think the two were the same. The X3 has a greater steer axle turn angle on the wheels than your solid axle 45 foot XL so the two would probably be very similar and you would likely agree.
It will have a greater turn radius than your current coach however, but we all can probably quickly adapt to the differences.
I still think that longer wheel base of the X3 is going to drag in the middle far more times than the XLII, but the rear will not drag as much on the X3 as the XLII.
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Floyd, When he’s talking of course.
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If you look at the entertainer coaches you will see on a large percentage of them damage on the last 1-2 feet,and I thought that the drivers were hired as professionals.
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