Hello. I am looking at buying a 2002 40' two slide GV 320, previously had a 2003 u320 38' tag. Does anyone have personal experience on the non-tag handling characteristics of the GV. I am thinking it might be similar to the 1997 40' Country Coach one slide non-tag Magna I also had. I understand almost any tag axle coach will have superior handling compared to a non-tag, just want to know about the GV. Any hands on experience would be helpful ;)
GV's (GrandVilla's)after 1995 were few and far between... I think only about 6 or 7 made for special order.. ^.^d
Foretravel went to a tag axle for the 40 ft 2-slide coaches starting either late 2002 or definitely 2003 for a reason, weight issues. Particularly rear axle on the 320's due to slide, engine, and transmission weight.
Make sure you understand the NCC/loading limitations and the actual wheel weights (not just axle weights) of the GV320 in question.
Had a gas bounder 99 with a tag, and drove a 2011 Dutch star 43' with a tag for 8hrs through the mountains on I40. My 2000 GV320 no tag handles as good or better than either of those. However I did enjoy the DStar's independent front suspension. Made the turning radius so much better in close quarters.
I have driven a lot of coaches and many were Country Coaches, because our dealership sold them and other high line coaches. There is no comparison between a Foretravel and a Country Coach in my experience. The 8 air bag suspension of the Foretravel is far superior to the Country Coach suspension. I don't think that there will be a lot of difference between the GV 320 single axle from the 38 with tag axle.
Our 2000 GV320 single slide handles way better than any non-tag rear axle motorhome I've driven...close run to any w a tag that wasn't a bus!
Is the 02 you're looking at a 2 slide single rear axle?