coachmen starflyte

Nice rig, but Ive always like the design of the trans vans better, Whats ur opinion on the trans vans? I think starflyte makes better interior but the outside fiberglass design I prefer the trans van, N btw check out my youtube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMr-DGdHd1j_vBuTjLwOepQ

Gene,
thanks for the tip. I've hitch carried bikes for many years. If it's a long trip, they go in the funmover. I have a physics degree,and am aware of the effects of leverage. This topic does come up from time to time and people should be aware, especially in lighter vehicles. People do also need understand a 300 lbs cargo off the receiver is nowhere near as stressful to the vehicle as a 8000 lbs cargo, with 800lbs tongue weight surging up, down, left, right, in, out.

These class b vehicles are very handy for a couple days ride.

Thanks Bill. I have a coachmen tm18 van and have been impressed. The stuff is fairly solid, 16 gal water, about 11 blackwater, and it carries the bike like it's not there. (Gm manual says 700lbs hitch weight and 7200lbs)My only complaint is no real indoor shower. I would I think upgrade to a starflyte if one came up, a wet bath is fine for me, beats a no bath!
I assume a starflyte carries 20+gal of water? Good to go. With a v10, got to feel like a rocket compared to the 5.7L in the van. Starflyte sounds solid..

cbigham wrote:

I'm real curious about the hitch weight and tow weight, water capacities and how solid they are. Looks like with that v10 it's a bit of a rocket ship compared to my 5.7l van!

Thanks,

Chuck

Chuck,

A few years back, I had the opportunity to purchase a 1998 Coachman Starflyte on the Ford chassis with the V10 in it. It was being sold by the original owner, and had 50,000 miles on it.

It had been sitting in his yard and hadn't been started in six months. It was covered with grime and not very appealing.

But the price was right. I got it for $7,500.

I was able to get it started and took it home and cleaned it up. While cleaning it, I discovered how well it was built. The cabinets were real wood, the fiberglass exterior had no blisters and appeared to be thicker than on newer motorhomes.

The tow rating was over 5,000 pounds. Don't remember what the water tank capacities were.

Mechanically, it needed a new fuel pump (in the rear gas tank), new tires, new brakes and new brake lines, an oil change and a tune up. About $3,000 total.

After that, it drove like a dream. No problems at all. Plenty of power, and surprisingly good fuel mileage (average 12.5).

I drove it for two years and when I got ready to sell it, it sold for $16,500 on eBay.

The only thing I didn't like was the bathroom. A little cramped, but usable.

If you want to see what it looked like, check out my photo gallery at Starflyte Photo Gallery

Note: I no longer have it and it isn't for sale. But I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one - knowing in advance that it would probably need a fuel pump, new brakes, new brake lines and tires (because most older motorhomes will need these things).



Bill

cbigham wrote:
Anyone have one or know much about these? I've seen one a year ago shortly after I bought my van (coachmen ) I love the van but wonder if one of these starflyte rv's would be even better for what I do. .which is typically hang a xr600 off the receiver hitch and camp for a couple, few days. I like the idea of the enclosed bathroom so if I have guests over, fellow riders avoiding the cold, not such an issue using the bathroom as in a van type.

I'm real curious about the hitch weight and tow weight, water capacities and how solid they are. Looks like with that v10 it's a bit of a rocket ship compared to my 5.7l van!

Thanks,

Chuck

You might need to be a little clearer on your question. The Starflyte (Class C) is both on a Chevy chassis and a Ford chassis. From your comment about the V10, you likely are looking at a Ford. A quick search yielded several different wheelbases. The longer the unit, the longer the overhang, the less you can haul on the rear receiver hitch.

You mention a xr600, I presume you are asking about hauling a Honda XR600 off-road motorcycle. If you are, that one weighs about 300 lbs.

There are factors you need to consider whether the unit you are looking at can safely haul that extra 300 lbs.

This subject comes up fairly frequently. There are several things you need to check. You need to know what your current "ready to go" weight is on the rear axle compared to the GAWR. Know the capacity of the receiver hitch - usually 350 or 500 lbs.

There is a simple formula - Know the weight of your motorcycle. Add the weight of the carrier for the motorcycle. Measure the motorhome wheelbase (distance front axle to the rear axle). Measure the distance from the motorhome rear axle to the center of your motorcycle carrier. Now multiply the weight of the motorcycle plus the carrier by the distance behind the rear axle. Divide this answer by the distance between the axles. This is the amount you are lifting off the front axle (the see-saw effect) and adding to the rear axle. If for example:
1. motorcycle weighs 300 lbs
2. carrier weighs 50 lbs
3. motorcycle carrier is 8 feet behind the rear axle
4. wheelbase is 12 feet.
(300+50=350 x 8 feet = 2,800 divide by 12 feet = 233 lbs). In this example the motorcycle is lifting 233 lbs from the front axle and is adding 533 lbs (350+233) to the rear axle.