Class C choices

Going to a dealer this weekend just south of Annapolis, MD. They deal in Winne, Forest River, & Thor. I am adding Forest River to my search. Seems like you can get more cargo capacity with them and their hitch is rated for up to 7500lbs. Not excited about the 60 x 74" bed. Longer would be better and don't want to give up a U shape dinette. BUT that's life, trade offs right ?

We own a 2009 Greyhawk 31FS, bought new. The 31FS has 2 slides. The bedroom slide has 2 bunks. We love our Greyhawk. We did have a few issues when we first bought it. Most of them minor with the exception of the Generator failing after 3 weeks and the electric steps not working properly after about the same amount of time.

The Generator's fuel pump failed, so not really Jayco's fault. It was replaced under warranty. The step was probably Jayco's fault as the dealer said it was wired up incorrectly. That too was fixed under warranty.

The only other pain in the butt was the shower door. Originally it wasn't hung level and it eventually got to the point where it couldn't open or close. Had that replaced under warranty. After the door started acting up again about 3 years later, I just removed the door and replaced it with a curtain rod and shower curtain. Jayco no longer uses the style door we had and I don't think you would experience issues with the current shower door.

One thing that really bugged me about our Jayco was a large hole in the floor, probably about 6 inches in diameter, under the shower that was left wide open. There are a couple bundles of wires passing through the hole and Jayco did not seal it up. A similar hole under the refrigerator (where the invert, converter/charge, auto transfer switch, etc., etc. is) was sealed so I'm guessing they just missed the one under the shower. That was a big miss.

There are a few single slide Greyhawks that are really nice that shouldn't weigh as much as the 31FS we have giving you more Cargo Capacity.

-Michael

Any thoughts on the Forest River Sunseeker AND
What is ya'lls thoughts on a superslide vs multiple slides?
I like the Minnie Winnie one slide on the 31 K but anything longer I suspect might be a problem ?

Okay Jopopsy, I will re-review the Redhawk. Comfort, convenience are
important but safety overrules everything. I am still figuring this all out but will decide soon

Jopopsy wrote:

j-d wrote:


EDIT: 4600-lbs and 65-PSI are for 2007 and older E350/450's. Newer ones take higher since GAWR-F is 5000-lbs. 70-PSI if I remember correctly, but still not 80-PSI. A simple 5-PSI change will improve ride and tracking.

The placard will read 75 for the front axle.

Dropping it to 70 helped a good deal. I'd love to try 65 but I need it weighed.

You haven't weighed that thing yet. :B
Our rigs are similar, although yours is a little heavier, but for what it's worth, mine fully loaded, with two, not particularly light people in the front seats, weighs 4,120#. According to Michelin 55 psi is enough for 4,120#. I now run the front tires at 65#. I previously ran them at 60#.

OP:

Were I to do it over, I'd go with a Jayco Redhawk. Greyhawks are beautiful but HEAVY. You won't have a lot of cargo capacity in them. All that glitz and comfort features come w/ a weight penalty.

Compared to my Minnie Winnie, I find the Redhawk to be infinitely more comfortable. I can't comment really on the build quality between the two (my Minnie Winnie has been good to me), but the Minnie Winnie w/o the Premier package definitely feels more rental grade. You do NOT get that feeling in a Redhawk.

However, my 2900+ pounds of cargo capacity sure does make me feel good when I'm rolling down the road.

j-d wrote:


EDIT: 4600-lbs and 65-PSI are for 2007 and older E350/450's. Newer ones take higher since GAWR-F is 5000-lbs. 70-PSI if I remember correctly, but still not 80-PSI. A simple 5-PSI change will improve ride and tracking.

The placard will read 75 for the front axle.

Dropping it to 70 helped a good deal. I'd love to try 65 but I need it weighed.

p1conroy53 wrote:
Thanks all. I will pay pay special attention to the the weight factors. And thanks for the correction j-d gotcha on the 53%. I think that is what I meant but some times there is a disconnect between the brain and the fingers on the keyboard. H-dave, I understand the Itasca 31 is really the same as the Minnnie 31. I'm surprised that you max out the back so fast. Again I will look at this stuff closely. PAT

I just reread your first post and realized you are talking about a new Mnnie Winnie. They are completely different weight wise, from the older Sundancers and Minnies. You will find they have plenty of OCCC. Much more than a lot of Class As I've seen. You won't have a lot of the features of the older units, but you won't be carrying around the weight of those added features either. :B

Thanks all. I will pay pay special attention to the the weight factors. And thanks for the correction j-d gotcha on the 53%. I think that is what I meant but some times there is a disconnect between the brain and the fingers on the keyboard. H-dave, I understand the Itasca 31 is really the same as the Minnnie 31. I'm surprised that you max out the back so fast. Again I will look at this stuff closely. PAT

The RV Consumer Group recommends Wheel Base/Overall Length of AT LEAST 53%, NOT Less Than 53%.

GAWR-F = Max Axle Load for Front Axle
GAWR-R = Max Axle Load for Rear Axle
GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. The most a loaded coach can weigh
CGWR = Highest Weight Rating for Coach PLUS towed vehicle or trailer

A Truck Scale will give you Front and Rear Axle weights as well as a Total Weight. On a New or Empty Coach, GVWR - Scale Weight is what you can carry - People, Supplies, Food, Water, and so on.

Compare Front and Rear Axle weights with GAWR-F and GAWR-R. Be sure the Front has adequate loading (1/3+ of Front Weight) and the Rear isn't at/over/close to GAWR-R.

While you're looking at the placards in the Door Jamb, the max pressure for Front Tires is 65-psi, and that's based on full GAWR-F. You can safely go to 65 and you'll see better ride and tracking. With actual weights, you can likely go lower, using a Load/Pressure Chart from MichelinRV.

EDIT: 4600-lbs and 65-PSI are for 2007 and older E350/450's. Newer ones take higher since GAWR-F is 5000-lbs. 70-PSI if I remember correctly, but still not 80-PSI. A simple 5-PSI change will improve ride and tracking.