Anyone here have a 28' DP Breakaway with the 147" wheelbase? Other than its funky chassis, it's about ideal for my two dogs and me - but my trips call for 10 hours on the road, some interstate, and some on none-too-great back roads.

How stable or jittery is the short-coupled chassis, and what do passing semis or crosswinds do to it?

Does anyone have hands-on experience?

I would guess, (without personal experience)
that with only a 37% wheelbase ratio in it's stock condition you should expect a pretty fatiguing ride. However, there are a plethora of addons to counteract this and should really make a difference.

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Thanks - I expect to look at stringmann's (formerly Larry Burrow's) 28' Breakaway sometime soon. I'd guess that a SteerSafe and heavy front shocks would tame the jitters and porpoising...the 28 Breakaway has a WB only 5" more than my 19' 1 ton van....

Maybe I could pick up a surplus C-47 tailwheel?

The wheelbase/length formula is just a rule of thumb. Its concept is valid, but its effect varies considerably depending how the coach is designed and loaded. Such things as front axle location, for example, enter in.

For handling, the center of gravity location is the determining factor, and length/wheelbase is only a rough indicator, affected by several variables.

However, for wind effects, the length/wheelbase formula will tell you a lot. It also is quite relevant if you tow.

And, the formula applies more strongly to P30s than other chassis, since they are already prone to wandering.

Thanks; I partially agree - but polar moment, along with damping also plays a major role. I suspect the polar moment with a heavy diesel hung out over the rear would increase that moment substantially - but if it's well-damped, less of a problem.

I intend to find out for myself by driving stringmann's in the next couple of weeks. I have a Breakaway 30 DP to look at as a fallback...