Upgrade From Chieftain 34Y to Adventurer 35F?

[RetRVer]

We currently have a 2001 Chieftain 34Y, purchased during Covid, that we subsequently have learned we enjoy RVing! It is on the F53 chasis, and it has been a rough ride. We have added Sumos in the back, sway bar up front, and Kona shocks, that have improved the ride and handling, but still could be better, tires would be next to upgrade. Second, we're in the Arizona desert, the basement air can not keep up with the heat, so that's a challenge. So we are considering updating to a 35F, 2019 or older, thinking its longer wheelbase (+14 inches) may produce a little better ride. I think the transmission is a 6 speed that would help us up 6%+ grades (currently at 35mph prox), and the roof air would be superior to cooling to what I have.
The Chieftain has great craftsmanship, with solid cherry cabinets, I hate to lose that quality, hence the 2019 or before.
Any thoughts or input to what we're evaluating? Insights are appreciated!

 

[Waterbug]

I own a 2012 Itasca Suncruiser 37F and am extremely satisfied with it's quality and performance. The Adventurer 37F and Suncruiser 37F are twins, with identical floor plans and power trains. Badging and color schemes (inside and out) are the only differences. They are actually manufactured on the same production line. My 2012 has a 360hp V-10 and 5 speed transmission.

 

[RetRVer]

Thank you Waterbug. Our 34Y likewise has the Ford V10, however its 310HP on the 5 speed transmission. Your unit is slightly larger than mine, how do you do going up grades, and do you have toad? Thanks!

 

[Waterbug]

I tow a Hyundai Tucson on a dolly, with electric brakes. I live in Florida, so most of my travels are on the east coast. My coast to coast days are over, so I've never attempted the Great Divide. Our one trip to California in the Itasca was on I-10, which doesn't have many steep grades. I'm always more concerned about braking on steep grades than uphill speed. EDIT: The difference in the 310 hp Triton V10 and the 360hp version is that the 310hp has 2 valves/cylinder and the 360hp has 3 valves/cylinder and variable cam timing. The variable cam timing makes a big difference in the hp and torque curves. The hp number is peak horsepower. Diesel engines maintain near peak hp at low RPM. Gasoline engines typically reach peak hp at peak RPM. Variable valve timing provides near peak hp over a broader range of engine RPM.

 

[creativepart]

You will not be getting a better ride most likely. I owned a 2017 Adventurer 37F from new and put 60k miles on it over nearly 8-yrs. I put $5000 worth of suspension improvements into the coach not counting new tires. All the usual stuff, Sumos, Koni shocks, Steering Stabilizer, Roadmaster sway bar. And the ride was horrible until the day I traded it for my current Sprinter based C Class. ( The Adventurer did drive better, just not ride better.) Our new 2026 25’ Sprinter drives and rides great by the way.

All the “upgrades” in the world can’t help a solid axel, leaf spring suspension ride better than the big box delivery truck chassis it’s built on.

If you replace the suspension with the Liquid Spring suspension for about $30,000 or buy a diesel pusher instead you’ll achieve the ride you’re looking for. But that’s about it.