avidude
Southern California
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Joined: 10/21/2006
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Texan is clearly biased - just read his previous rants. If you are comparing an entry level Freightliner chassis to a Roadmaster RR8S (higher end), then no comparison the Roadmaster wins. But if you compare equivalent coaches & chassis then the difference is not so clear. Freightliner builds many different chassis depending on the coach builders needs. If I was looking at a coach that was on a Freightliner with side radiator and IFS suspension it would be a touch choice.
Ted
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'07 Bounder Diesel 38S
Cat C7 300hp, Allison 3000MH
Tow: '11 Chevy Tahoe LTZ
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The Texan
Home: Idaho - Location: Texas
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Joined: 01/16/2004
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Your right, but he did NOT ask about a Roadmaster RR4 chassis, he asked about an RR8 chassis, which Freightliner has nothing to compare to it. I would NOT buy a Roadmaster RR4 chassis if that is what you want to hear, but many have them and some like them and some hate them.
Bob & Betsy(FishNFanatic) - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever"
'05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins W/ 540w/35A solar system -Pulling our '05 GMC Sierra LT, CC, Z-71, w/ 2010 Silver Rzr in back.
Where the wheels are stopped
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larrythomson
jonesborough, tn
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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Brings up another question -- what is the difference / significance if the radiator is side or rear mounted? ?
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Vectra 400
Ashland, MA 01721
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Joined: 04/20/2004
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Hi
I own the Freightliner independant front end Evolution chassis with the Cummins ISL 400 HP side radiator. It rides great. No truck push and plenty of power. I drove many different coaches at the FMCA rallys. My coach rides as good as the best. I also had the coach weighed. Front left and right tires were the same. Guy weighing the coach said he never saw that before. Left and right rear were off 100 pounds. I moved my tool box and I am almost perfect even when you weigh the dog on the drivers side coach. I also loved the Freightliner school in SC and the tour of the factory. My local Freightliner dealer does all my PM. You can find dealers and service all over the country 24/7. Drive as many coaches as you can. That's what I did. I bet I drove some salesmen crazy. But I am happy with my choice. Get to a big rally and you can drive coach after coach so it is easy to remember how each one feels
Good Luck and Happy Hunting
I want to see it all!
04 Winnebago Vectra 40AD
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siggyd777
Northern Illinois
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Joined: 01/19/2005
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I agree with VECTRA 400, my 2011 Newmar, FL XCR chassis,ZF IFS front suspension, Cummins ISL 400,side radiator and the "Comfort Steering"
do give me a very fine ride.The wheel cut is 60 degrees.
Siggy
Happy Trails
Siggy & Ursula
2011 Dutch Star 4020,ISL 400,Compr.brake,FTL XCR,IFS
Allison MH3000
2005 Saturn VUE AWD V6 , Brake Buddy,Roadmaster Sterling,
Camping since 1975 Pop-Up,1986 22Ft.TT,1999 Gas MH,2005 KSDP,
2011 DSDP,FMCA 368283 , NKK 17385
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Diplomat Don
Moorpark, Ca
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Joined: 04/09/2005
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Larry.....You may be missing a more important aspect of the Camelot. It comes with an ISL 400, arguably one of the best motorhome engines on the market. Most of the other brands (until you get into their most exspensive units) will come with a smaller engine.
Don & Mary 
2005 Monaco Diplomat 36SKT
400 Cummins 
2010 Nissan Frontier CrewCab 4WD
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tyoungs
Brighton, Michigan USA
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Joined: 04/08/2003
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When you drive each of the chassis in question, try this one maneuver.
Make a lane change as quickly as you feel comfortable doing a lane change. My experience with 2 different Roadmaster chassis is that they will maintain a flat stance during lane change much better than other chassis I have driven.
Bottom line is you have to drive both to form your own opinion as to which feels most comfortable to you. A fast lane change at highway speeds may help you form that opinion.
Tom & Mary plus Snowflake the Bichon
2011 HR Endeavor 43DFT,
425 Cummins w/ Horton Fan
HRRVC #106803, FMCA #F358972
2007 Malibu Maxx toad
RV.NET Rallies attended - 6
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chastho
arkansas
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Joined: 07/27/2005
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If you buy a chassis instead of the floor plan you like you may be very disappointed in a short time. While you are test driving try maneuvering in tight places and see how the 60 deg wheel cut compares to the 45 or 50 deg cut of the straight axle. try making a U turn and remember you will probably have a toad and can not back up. Also drive both on some rough roads and see the difference. remember you wil probably spend a lot more time in the coach than you will in the drivers seat.
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DHart
Washington State
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Joined: 08/06/2007
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We just went from a 2004 Gulf Stream41' DP with Freightliner chassis to a 2011 HR Endeavor 43' DP with Roadmaster chassis and 10 air bags. Obviously the two chassis are years apart and different designs. But these are all I know first hand to compare.
The 2004 41' Freightliner chassis we had was very bouncey and tippy as compared to the exceptionally well-controlled 2011 10-airbag Roadmaster chassis. Swerves with the RM are level and very well controlled. Swerves with the FL were wallowy, for sure.
I think you just have to drive the particular coach in question to determine the ride handling characteristics, on a coach by coach basis, for yourself.
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eheading
Lakeland, FL
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Joined: 11/20/2000
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As others have said, the only way to get your answer about chassis choice is for YOU to drive both coaches you like and see for yourself. My own personal experience is I first had a Roadmaster chassis. It was fine. Then I went to a 5 year newer Spartan chassis. For my money the Spartan (similar design to the Freightliner - 4 airbags) was head and shoulders better for us. The ride was much smoother. Yes, it was a softer ride, but personally, I'm not looking for a sports car. We used to lead RV caravans, and there were a number of times when our customers were complaining about the wind and how they had to slow down, and we could barely feel the wind.
If you compare this post to someone like the Texan, you'll see that we all have different preferences, and the only way to know which one is right for YOU is to drive them yourself.
Ed Headington
2005 Revolution LE
2004 Tracker toad
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