24 ft ClassC MH downsides

JaxDad wrote:

ron.dittmer wrote:
Just a tid-bit about the Ford E350 and E450 standard wheel base choices.
Last I recall, 3 wheel bases were offered. I don't know what is available for 2021.

- 138" (most often used in the ~21 foot lengths)
- 158" (most often used in the ~24 foot lengths))
- 176" (for the longer)

If the motor home you are considering has a wheel base other than the 3 mentioned, then the frame was modified, either lengthened or reduced by a Ford approved outfitter. The change does not affect the Ford warranty.

On a personal note, I am comforted in knowing that my chassis was not modified. The affected parts from such a modification are stocked well for my rig through the life of my motor home.

Taking as an example, a 24’ M/H, what the OP was talking about, and even if it’s on a 176” (14’ 8”) wheelbase (most aren’t), if for round numbers there’s even 3’ ahead of the front axle that means there’s still 21’ behind the front axle. But 21’ minus 14’ 8” means there’s 6’ 4” behind the axle (7’ 10” if it’s on a 158” w/b).

There’s definitely a stretch in the frame regardless.

As you stated, every motor home has a frame extension behind the Ford, Chevy, or Mercedes frame. My point pertained to "modifying" the frame to change the wheel base.

The wheel base of Sprinters cannot be modified like an E350/E450 or the 3500/4500. The only allowance is bolt-on frame extensions behind the chassis frame. Welding of any kind is not permitted on the Sprinter by the manufacture Mercedes and I assume similar restrictions apply to the Transit. The strength of the Sprinter and Transit frames are created through the use of higher strength but much thinner steel utilized in a box configuration. Heat from welding weakens the steel hence no welding. Cutting the frame to adjust the wheel base like is common with the E350 and E450, the box collapses, the strength is compromised, and all is lost. That is why if there is any frame damage on a Sprinter motor home, it is immediately "totaled".

I was at the Chicago auto show some years ago which displayed a Sprinter cut-away chassis. I took some pictures of it. I understood the frame is glued together, not welded for the reasons I previously mentioned.