J Walker
Oakton, Va
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Joined: 06/12/2003
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One of the major benefits of a shorter DP is the much lighter weight and much greater MPG. I am getting between 11 and 12 MPG on my 36' DP, with about 25,000 lbs combined weight (includes my towed car). I have a 260 HP ISB and Allison 5 speed. There have been threads about downsizing and that can range down to a Winnebago View with a Sprinter chassis or Class B's. I feel that my short Class A is the best of both worlds. I would not gain that much MPG by greatly downsizing and I have many of the advantages of the really large MHs. If fuel prices increase in the future I will be very glad I don't get half the MPG I currently get. There are definitely trends in MHs. Not that many years ago a 34' MH was about as large as they got. In the last ten years or so they have grown much larger and now the 34' MH is considered small.
Jim Walker
2000 34' Damon Ultrasport DP
2009 Malibu
Brake Buddy
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Vectron
Perry, GA
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Joined: 02/15/2008
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We just received a 34' 2010 Winnebago Journey Express (34Y). Here is the floorplan.
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Jackha1949
Maine
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Joined: 07/16/2008
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We have a 34H 05 Winnebago Journey and it handles great. It is not affected by trucks passing nor winds of reasonable speeds. I say that because all MHs have problems with strong cross winds. We like the 34H floor plan as it has lots of room for us and a nice kitchen. This MH has a 350 Cat C7 engine with a 6 speed Allison trans so it has lots of power. Winnebago is building a 34Y floor plan in the Journey currently. We like the 34H as it has the split bath room which we prefer. I don't know how other 34' rigs handle but there is no problems with the 34' Journey. Good Luck & Happy Hunting
Jack & Peg
USN Ret AGC
K1ZMB
Phippsburg, Maine
05 Journey 34H
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texasrat
Las Crusas, NM USA
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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Just noticed something - Most of the replies voicing warning about short DPs appear to be from folk who do not have one.
Most of the replies positive about short DPs are from people that do have one.
I guess you just take the bad with the good - after all the folk speaking badly about short DPs are just as well informed as the other folk - or think they are.
TR
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kennyc
Bremerton, Washington
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Joined: 05/27/2007
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I have a Winnebago Vectra 34TD(turbo diesel) and love it. It is easy to get into tight spaces and has a tight turning radius. I have lots of friends with bigger coaches and it seems like what they have a lounge chair and a desk or perhaps s sitting area in the bedroom area. Other than that I have the same size bed, refrigerator. same dinning area, etc. Mine is on a Frieghtliner chasis and I have not experienced any handling problems.
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bent wheel
new york
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Joined: 04/04/2007
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Tiffin will show a 27' DP on their own chasis at the RVIA show in Louisville on Dec 3.. the engine on our 27-30 Allegro RED is in the rear. V-8 Navistar, 215 HP 560 ft. lb. torque at 1600 R.P.M. air brakes; 16,000 GVW and 19.5 Michelin tires and wheels.
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time_to_go_now
La Mirada, CA
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Joined: 03/10/2004
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texasrat wrote:Just noticed something - Most of the replies voicing warning about short DPs appear to be from folk who do not have one.
Most of the replies positive about short DPs are from people that do have one.
I guess you just take the bad with the good - after all the folk speaking badly about short DPs are just as well informed as the other folk - or think they are.
TR
But I have to wonder if one just gets used to what they have. We can only fit a 35' rig in our driveway. I test drove about a dozen 34' DP motorhomes of all years from about 2002 through 2007. It is hard to describe in words, but they all felt like they were rocking front to back too much. I'm certain it had something to do with the wheelbase and the weight of the engine being in the rear.
Now, that is no big deal to some. And everybody will jump on this and say that their 34' DP does not rock front to back at all! Good for you. But, I know what I felt and it made my DW motion sick. So, it was there. But, that is just us.
My suggestion is to make certain you give any short DP a good test drive before you buy. If you like the ride, then it doesn't matter what anybody thinks.
Good luck.
Jim and Deanna
Tiffin Allegro 35QBA
2007 Carson Trailer 22' Titan TH
Trailer Toad
Me, Wife, Boy/12, Boy/9, Girl/7
1985 Toyota 4Runner
FIVE quads, THREE kids, TWO motorcycles, ONE wife, ONE dog, ONE cat!
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BobGed
Coeur D' Alene, ID
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Joined: 07/28/2008
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Here's a little more info with some pics on Tiffin's small class A to be called the Breeze. Breeze
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J Walker
Oakton, Va
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Joined: 06/12/2003
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BobGed wrote:Here's a little more info with some pics on Tiffin's small class A to be called the Breeze. Breeze
Man, does that Breeze look short? The handling characteristics will be determined. The benefits of the shorter an lighter MH may be better MPG and lower cost to purchase. I can get about 12 MPG now on my 36' DP, 260 HP ISB. I can't see a reason to go smaller. BTW, if the Breeze is loaded down with luxury items its fuel economy and price advantage will suffer.
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hpdrver
Granbury, Texas
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Joined: 05/17/2007
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Tiffin's new Breeze will be a great addition to the choices available to motorhome users. It will be in direct competition with the Winnebago Via and it will be the better choice. I think it will win all the buyers who are looking for a quality built small coach.
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