Class C bashing

udp8 wrote:
Agreed, many people pile top-of-the-line TCs on 3-series trucks that look like they are ready to tip backward. Of course, one is free to buy a 4-series instead. But what you cannot get with most hard-side TCs is such low overall height and associated center of gravity, so C class wins that for sure.

A fully loaded small Class C probably has a much lower center of gravity than a fully loaded truck camper. i.e. My Class C has it's 18 gallon propane tank and Onan generator way down low - even with, to slightly below, the Ford's frame - not up on the bed of a truck as in a TC. Our grey and black tanks hang from the bottom of the coach floor down in between the Ford's frame - not up on the bed of a truck as in a TC. Five of our seven steel enclosed and carpeted exterior storage compartments start at the Ford frame height and extend downward to end slightly below frame member bottom edge. This keeps the weight of stuff in these compartments down low, unlike the higher up storage bins of a TC.

udp8 wrote:
I'm not sure I buy that there would be as much difference if a TC owner chose similar engine, differential ratio and whatnot - except that a TC is normally much heavier, which is another plus for class C.

A TC is normally much heavier?? Our Class C weighs in at 11,800 lbs., partially loaded. A main difference between us and a lot of TCs is our weight is carried by a 1 1/4 ton chassis rated for 14,050 lbs., which is a healthy margin for it's springs, brakes, and cooling to deal with. Our weight is also carried by rear duals, which provide for a nice wide footing for great lateral stability on side-slopes and in highway crosswinds - unlike 3/4 ton SRW pickups and some special order SRW ton pickups.

udp8 wrote:
The 811 has the same or better water capacity and it gets much larger with the bigger models.

I think there's about 8 gallons in a 30lb propane tank, so that capacity is close but a win for your class C, which I hadn't seen before - for instance, the 24' Phoenix Cruiser I was looking at only carries 42lb. Tiger's monster Siberian only carries 50lb. Is yours unusual?

But does the 811 or bigger models have two full width dinette seats completely available for storage of a whole potload more water if so desired (instead of rocks .. as in our case) to use the storage that way? ... and does the truck chassis carrying the 811 or bigger models have enough payload margin to deal with the 60-80 more gallons that could fit under the seats if they had the room?

Our 18 gallon Itasca propane tank is/was offered on a lot of Winnebago Class C motorhomes. Derating 18 gallons for the expansion fill limit gives us around 60 lbs. of propane on board for the cooktop, oven, refrigerator, and furnace. The generator is fed from the 55 gallon V10 engine's tank.

udp8 wrote:
It's definitely nice to be able to use truck climate controls to affect the living quarters! From other responses, I've started to gather that a big factor for many people is the sense of space a class C gives you, while TCs can feel more cramped. I can understand that, but I haven't been seeing strictly money-to-specifications comparisons go the way of the class C. Smaller refrigerator is another item.

We once were rockhounding out in the middle of nowhere in the Texas Panhandle during a scorching August. The DW came close to a heat stroke. We hurried back to the Itasca and turned on both the coach A/C and the cab A/C to cool down the whole rig in short order ... to take the red out of her face and enjoy a comfortable lunch in outside temperatures not fit for man nor beast. Can one do that with a TC?

udp8 wrote:
On the contrary, I've been seeing class C floorplans where you might have two beds, but they always have to fold out. Or you have a bed in the cabover, but it's pretty small. Most TCs have large always-ready beds in addition to at least one fold-out. But it does sound like you have a lot in your short class C, so you've got my interest piqued.

One of our two queen size beds is always available. The other queen size bed in the cabover can be left in place always available or quickly folded up - one half of it onto the other half. Neither fully set up bed impacts the seating for seven more people - or nine more people counting the cab seats. What TC offers that?

udp8 wrote:
You do know that many TCs have a generator or space to add one, right? Given, you hardly ever see diesel generators - only LPG ones (I think?). Although I think most TCs have refrigerators that run on propane and class C don't seem to make that a common option(?).

I wouldn't have a diesel truck under a TC if I had a TC. The Ford V10 has been superb and pulls up steep highway grades right along with all TC's I have run beside ... horsepower is horsepower and that is ultimately where the power to do work is coming from. Many gears or long crankshaft arm lengths convert that horsepower into torque on a drive axle. That being said, the V10 does take high RPM to deliver the same torque to an axle that a like-horsepower diesel does at low RPM. The Ford V10 can also reliabily be idled for hours without engine damage to ultra-quietly charge batteries, heat the coach volume, or cool the coach volume.

Given that our Ford gas engine's tank is 55 gallons, the logical thing to have is a built-in generator fed from it. I also carry another portable generator for 120V AC backup and ultra-low noise (54dB at full speed) low power needs. How many TCs have room for a couple of generators?

udp8 wrote:
Now you really have me scratching my head! Storage in class C has been baffling me, as it seemed obvious that it should have much more but I wasn't seeing that was the case. Maybe I was mistaken or wasn't looking at the right class C. Definitely going to look at Itasca right now. But please do tell, WHERE do you fit all this?!?

Our Class C has seven (7) exterior storage cabinets, two completely available dinette under-seat cabinets, areas at the head and foot of the cabover queen size bed, an area in the corner behind the coach lounge seat, and a bunch of interior cabinets. All exterior storage cabinets are lockable, are made from steel, and have carpeted floors. "Secret" areas in the interior I also utilize are in behind and under interior cabinet drawers. You can carry such things as spare parts and extra galley water filters in there - plus maybe a small safe for valuables. These areas are NEVER mentioned in manufacturers' advertizing hype for their motorhomes!

Good luck with your research. I refuse to accept that the TC, TT, and 5'er folks are the only ones that can have fun!! ;)