I think that the ratio of wheelbase to total vehicle length, while a good indicator, can be deceptive and difficult to relate to because the magnitude of the numbers don’t change as much as what we want to know.
I would prefer a ratio that addresses the rear overhang more directly since that’s what we are more focused on. Granted it will be more difficult to obtain because manufacturers don’t always list front or rear overhangs.
As an example, the Extended ProMaster van used to build the Travato motorhome has a rear overhang of only 34% of the wheelbase. By comparison, we can roughly estimate the Reno’s rear overhang at about 80% of the wheelbase (by assuming front overhang is in range of 36 inches long).
Rear overhang ~ 320 - 158 - 36 = 126”
126/158 = 80%
For larger 29M rear ~ 372 - 190 - 36 = 146”
146/190 = 77%
Axis 24.1 rear ~ 306 - 188 - 36 = 82”
82/188 = 44%
Even if the 36” front overhang guesstimate is off a bit, the Reno numbers are still very high (in order of twice as high) compared to a factory vehicle like the extended ProMaster used for the Travato. To me, anytime the rear overhang exceeds 50% of the wheelbase, the motorhome starts to look out of proportion. And I’d guess crosswind stability isn’t great either.
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