How do they do it?

One thing we have found when looking at lites compared to others is the the holding tanks are smaller. You can save big time on weight there. (GVW)

anaro wrote:
Often times they shave cargo capacity as well.

Yes, you will notice the "Heavy's" have full width closets, where the lights have a shelf.

Ours at 32" weighs 9,820# Dry, and we tow at about 11,000#, I like to think that weight helps it feel stable in a good wind!

Often times they shave cargo capacity as well.

We've spent a lot of time trying to decide on a rig type for a very long trip we intend to take and have stumbled over this phenom a LOT. We haven't yet reached any decisions per unit/type, but for what it's worth here's something we stumbled over during this research phase:

When we looked closely at both "regular" and "light" Open Range fivers, we found that they all weigh pretty much the same per square foot; the difference is only a matter of size/square footage.

Here noting that we didn't see any "matching floor plans" in the choices offered, so maybe you're seeing something different. We just looked at specs pages for both types and did the math, which works out to about 28lbs m/l per square foot regardless of type. There are a few other small variables, but for the most part it's constant. You'll see what I mean if you try dividing gross wt. by sq.footage of the models listed at these two pages:
O.R. "Light"
and
O.R. "regular"

There appears to be little if any difference at all in construction materials, at least as indicated by the only page they have up per how they're built: Fifth wheel construction details..

DiskDoctr wrote:
Why do they do it?

every time the weight increases past the point of a class of truck (or any TV)you lose "customer base"
- sorry hunny you can't have granite counter tops because we only have a 1/2 ton-
Once in duely range the population of trucks goes down again and so does the customer count.

bpounds wrote:
This page shows some of the generic differences in the light version.

Open Range RV Light Vs Mesa

Tabs at the top allow you to compare other models.

Good deal...Well, I kinda figured something would have to be smaller or lighter...thx:)

DiskDoctr wrote:
Why do they do it?

Marketing and to save on manufacturing cost

Why do they do it?

This page shows some of the generic differences in the light version.

Open Range RV Light Vs Mesa

Tabs at the top allow you to compare other models.

I never did see what two "identical" models he was comparing....