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Desert_Captain's avatar
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Feb 15, 2017

Ridiculous lack of payload....

The new {March}, issue of Motorhome magazine hit our mailbox yesterday. The cover story is on the Fleetwood Jamboree 30D and as always Motorhome gushes {they never reviewed an RV they didn't love}. Looks like a nice coach, sleeps 6 without utilizing the jack knife sofa or dinette the only problem is that all the bunks will probably be empty.

The wet weight {water and fuel tanks full but no supplies or passengers}, comes in at 13,920# giving you a whopping 580# of ROCC {which was conveniently not available for publishing in the coach stats}. So you have no food, no utensils, pots and pans, spare tire, tools, patio chairs, firewood, BBQ, toys, family members or pets, personal items, etc., etc., and only 580# with which to work as you load your coach...:S

Are they kidding? This a $129,000, 32' Class C that magically get 10.17 mpg {sure it does...}, but maybe thats because there won't be much in it weighing it down. The model that was used for the review was found to be 60# over the rear axle weight limit with virtually nothing/no one inside.

MH does rave about all of the abundant storage {but don't even think about using it}, and outside kitchen and entertainment center... yep gotta have those to go with an empty coach. :B

If you are shopping for a Class C, especially a 30'+ take the time to investigate the weights you will have to live with. C's over 30 are problematic at best when it comes to ROCC {OCC, payload - call it what you like}, but this is nuts. :h

28 Replies

  • Rovin' Bones wrote:
    New isn't always associated with "improved" or "better".

    No but, it is always associated with a higher price tag. :B
  • What's the problem.....doesn't everyone camp in a completely empty and unstocked trailer....:S
  • srd1941 wrote:
    I read that article too and although not totally surprised it was worse than I thought it would be. Just goes to show you what sells motorhomes: floorplan, floorplan.
    Stan


    And who buys new motorhomes - people who are new to the hobby and don't understand what to look for.


    New Buyer - The countertops are beautiful and look how much space we have inside.

    2 years later - this thing drives terribly and is overloaded. Why do the cabinets keep falling apart?
  • Yep! The GVWR is probably one of the most important, but, overlooked specifications in MH's today. It's not just the overall weight that is important. The cooling system, brakes, wheel bearings, tires, transmissions, gear ratios, suspensions, towing capacity, etc., are all tied to the GVWR in some way. And people wonder why they experience early failures! Not me. Always stay at or below the properly balanced GVWR.

    I know, I know. Thousands will tell you they do it all the time and NEVER have any problems.
    Until they do!

    Chum lee
  • I'm surprised for a Class C that large that a 550 chassis was not used. That would provide for almost another 2000 lbs of rear axle capacity.

    I think they are taking advantage of the hot market right now and pulling the wool over peoples eyes. How many potential customers ever look at these numbers? I'm sure not many do until well after they purchased.
  • I read that article too and although not totally surprised it was worse than I thought it would be. Just goes to show you what sells motorhomes: floorplan, floorplan.
    Stan
  • We recently purchased a class C after 12 years in trailers. I was shocked at how low many of the CCCs were. I just assumed that a most are built on E-450 chassis so cargo would be no problem!

    Our 2017 Forest River Forester 3011 have 1,760 lbs. available which will accommodate us and the dogs nicely.
  • New isn't always associated with "improved" or "better". I'll stick with my 1983 24-footer until it can no longer serve it's purpose.