Air bags vs Leaf Springs - Turbo vs NA - Dirt Roads

[Dan Williams]

I will throw in my two cents worth.
I have owned a few fc’s and they are not off road vehicles as they came
from the factory. My experience has been they are limited to
pavement or very well maintained campground gravel or dirt roads. Consider
they are very heavy and have almost no ground clearance. I have only
owned the 250hp turbo engines and they pull very well. I had no trouble
pulling a 14,000 boat and trailer from vero beach
fl to Jackson,
ms.

Dan Williams

81fc33rb

Jackson, MS

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From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of barneja4

Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008
7:33 PM

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Air
bags vs Leaf Springs - Turbo vs NA - Dirt Roads

Hi --



k - I think I have read way too much to be able to make a good

decision now, but wanted to ask a direct question.



Goal - have something that can pull my 24ft trailer with 4 4 wheelers

and 3 motorcycles (7500#). I would prefer to go into the back

country a bit (ie, down some dirt roads). Once I get there I would

prefer to stay in the back country for a week or more (no hook-ups

and enough H2O to keep my wife happily showered after riding around

on her 4 wheeler).



So, the questions - first, I have been told that I want leaf springs

as opposed to air bags if I am to spend any time on dirt roads

(something about the dirt getting into the compressors). Is this

true? Same goes for the type of Wanderlodge - I hear you want the FC

so the engine is up front; thus, won't feel the effects of the dust

as much. ???



Second, I have seen all the debate on turbo vs na. On the one hand

it seems to make sense that if it isn't there it won't break down -

but on the other hand the argument that if you are at 190hp usage it

is 190 usage whether you are na or turbo. Anyone have any numbers or

real experience with both and have an opinion? The whole 35mph over

a mountain pass is okay with me as long as I can go 65-70 on the

flats.



Third - towing. I hear of folks pulling 16 foot cargo trailers and

their toads - but am I going to be okay in a FC w/ a 3208 na pulling

a 7500# trailer? (Not to mention the whole narrow dirt road with a

31-35' coach and then having another 30' of trailer behind me. Not

too many national parks will like the idea of me pulling into camp.



Thank you . . .



Jim