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09-23-2018, 02:40 PM
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#1
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Tennessee
Posts: 49
THOR #3372
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Comments about turning radius of Axis and Vegas
I feel the turning radius of my 2016 Axis 24.1 is way to large. I Haven't measured it yet but it sure seems excessive. Has anyone else noticed this ? I'd like to hear your comments. Thanks
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09-23-2018, 03:41 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2016 Axis 25.2
State: Florida
Posts: 163
THOR #12340
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We just got back from a 5 week trip in the Smokey mountains. Two or three times we had to make U turns either to cross a median or a U turn as we were lost.
I agree, for the size of our 2016 Axis the turning radius seems a bit much. 3 or 4 Lanes are needed. Or a huge intersection!! It's not unmanageable but we had to plan more then I would have liked.
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09-23-2018, 03:41 PM
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#3
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Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
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Considering it is a stretched Ford van chassis; sure (Ford's don't have the best turning radius' to begin with and then you stretch the chassis which would effectively increase the radius).
Having said that I've been able to maneuver our Axis all around in tight spaces--even spun it 180 inside a campsite (we arrived late at night so I just pulled in forward and then spun it in the morning).
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09-23-2018, 06:26 PM
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#4
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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With proper planning, a bit of skill... and a whole lot of luck: you can park them anyplace that you'll ever need to!
Oh! I almost forgot about keep a bit of "overconfidence" handy!
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"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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09-23-2018, 06:58 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2016 Axis 25.2
State: Florida
Posts: 163
THOR #12340
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Oh, I agree. This RV handles great for an RV. We put it everywhere we needed to. Backed it into every spot without a hitch.
Then again, I used to drive a fire truck!
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09-23-2018, 07:30 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nick104
I feel the turning radius of my 2016 Axis 24.1 is way to large. I Haven't measured it yet but it sure seems excessive. Has anyone else noticed this ? I'd like to hear your comments. Thanks
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I agree it could be better, but as Jamie said, the longer they stretch the wheelbase, the longer the turning radius or circle will get. Unfortunately, the E-Series chassis doesn’t have a tight front wheel cut angle, so it can get pretty long when stretched. Your Axis wheelbase is stretched to 188 inches, which isn’t as bad as some longer Class Cs on same chassis that are stretched to over 220 inches.
I recall doing a U-Turn in Vegas in a long Class C (same chassis) and had to back up to finish the U-Turn across 4 lanes of traffic. Not my preference for a “fun-to-drive” vehicle, which is what I want when enjoying a vacation. This is but one reason many like smaller motorhomes.
Personally, I think the Axis/Vegas 24.1 could (should ????) have been built on Ford 176” OEM long wheelbase. That would help with turning radius some.
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09-23-2018, 07:34 PM
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#7
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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209" wheelbase here. . You just have to always have a plan.
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09-24-2018, 02:30 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 24.1
State: Florida
Posts: 126
THOR #4816
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My main comparison is between my previous 30 ft Southwind and current Vegas 24.1 and, yes, I was shocked at how much wider the turning radius was in the Vegas. Now I just plan ahead and adjust for the change.
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09-24-2018, 03:27 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
209" wheelbase here. . You just have to always have a plan.
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Having a plan is a great idea. Having a tight turning radius that doesn’t require one is even better. Peace of mind is priceless.
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09-24-2018, 03:39 AM
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#10
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: vegas 24.1
State: California
Posts: 84
THOR #12326
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driving a e350 plumbers van for 10 yrs and coming from a 40' DP, I think the turning radius is in line with its size. In all 3 I've never said ah, I'll just make a u turn and see what happens. The Vegas is def my favorite to drive.
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09-24-2018, 10:57 AM
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#11
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Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
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We frequently will also have a toad on a dolly so the planning process has to include that. Still so far haven't really had any issues navigating anywhere with the Axis toad or not.
In reality all your plan has to involve is a quick looksee and if you don't think you'll fit move along. Nothing more complicated than that.
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09-24-2018, 12:06 PM
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#12
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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Thank you: I agree...
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"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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09-24-2018, 01:46 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
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Since Nick had mentioned that he hadn’t measured the turning circle yet, I interpreted the question to be less subjective than most replies have addressed. I agree we can deal with most anything when we have to, but here’s some objective data to compare.
Fortunately, Ford manufactures all three motorhome platforms with a wheelbase that is very close to each other, so we can compare the numbers directly. And as expected, the E-Series is the worse.
For 176” wheelbase, E-Series curb-to-curb is 60.3 feet.
For 178” wheelbase, Transit curb-to-curb is 56.4 feet.
For 178” wheelbase, F-53 curb-to-curb is 49.7 feet.
It’s interesting that for the F-53 Ford motorhome chassis, we’d have to be at 228” wheelbase to nearly match the same curb-to-curb, which is 60.6 feet.
These are numbers from Ford specifications, to be interpreted any way we want. I see that the E-Series, for its size, doesn’t turn as tight. After dealing with it just fine for 200,000 miles, it would still be nice for it to turn tighter.
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09-24-2018, 02:40 PM
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#14
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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A solution exists...
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"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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09-24-2018, 02:40 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
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And in case we’re wondering how these curb-to-curb turning circles compare to other manufacturers, the RAM ProMaster is a good example because most test drivers notice and comment how tight it turns.
For 158” wheelbase, E-Series curb-to-curb is 54.8 feet.
For 159” wheelbase, ProMaster curb-to-curb is 46.8 feet.
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09-24-2018, 02:43 PM
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#16
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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By any "chance"( ): did they happen to list the 209" E-450?
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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09-24-2018, 02:51 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31S
State: Texas
Posts: 4,157
THOR #6411
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
By any "chance"( ): did they happen to list the 209" E-450?
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The F-53 chassis with 208" wheel base, turning circle is listed at 56.1'.
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Jim & Roy Davis
2016 Hurricane 31S
1961 Rampside in tow
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09-24-2018, 02:58 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
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Really Bob?
There is no such OEM wheelbase for E-350 or E-450. You’ll have to use math or a tape measure. Ford only manufactures 138”, 158”, or 176” for E-Series.
Since it doesn’t bother you, it shouldn’t make much difference anyway.
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09-24-2018, 03:00 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beau388
The F-53 chassis with 208" wheel base, turning circle is listed at 56.1'.
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His, being an E-Series, is way north of that.
P.S. — Roughly about 71 feet — give or take.
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09-24-2018, 03:34 PM
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#20
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chance
Really Bob?
There is no such OEM wheelbase for E-350 or E-450. You’ll have to use math or a tape measure. Ford only manufactures 138”, 158”, or 176” for E-Series.
Since it doesn’t bother you, it shouldn’t make much difference anyway.
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Aha! I see the source of my befuddlement!
You were discussing unaltered chassis...
and I wasn't!
Based upon some really "sketchy" Math: mine should be out around 71,6'
But I'd probably use over 140' anyway!
I was actually just curious about it; that's all.
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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