Small Class A vs Large Class C
We started RVing with a 34-foot Sea Breeze gasser in 2004, then upgraded to a 40-foot Newmar Class A DP in 2010 but sold it this year because it was just too big. We still want an RV, but this time ar...
Forum Discussion
Note in this link for typical late model Class C motorhomes, under WEIGHTS AND MEASUREMENTS for the E450 chassis, when offered for their motorhomes - Option (B) - that the Ford E450 chassis is specified for a CGWR of 22,000 lbs.:
https://www.winnebago.com/models/product/motorhomes/class-c/minnie-winnie?specifications=true
Even for my 2005 Ford E450 chassis, Ford spec'd it's GCWR at 20,000 lbs.. Of course CGWR refers to how much weight can be towed including the weight of the chassis doing the towing. It is not how much weight can be carried on the vehicle's structure.
As far as wheel diameters are concerned, it seems to me that assuming a steel (or better metal) wheel - one thing a larger diameter wheel/tire combination buys you is less per square inch tread rubber contacts per mile - which provides for longer tire tread life under heavy loads. If a 16 inch steel (or better metal) wheel/tire combination - at proper pressure - can carry the maximum weight for the vehicle's structure then, other than ground clearance or tread wear considerations, it should do as well as a larger diameter wheel/tire combination on any given vehicle.
I believe that a late model year E450 chassis is designed to carry a total of 14,500 lbs., including itself. So whatever fully loaded motorhome size can be used on that frame should be "OK". An equivalent size/loaded Class A may of course have more design margin if built on a chassis weight-rated higher than a 4XXX class.
What's difficult today is to find a small Class C that is built on a chassis that is specified for carrying way more weight in day-in day-out use than is required under normal circumstances. IAW, an overkill chassis under a smal motorhome is not easy to find new, should you desire one. ;)
https://www.winnebago.com/models/product/motorhomes/class-c/minnie-winnie?specifications=true
Even for my 2005 Ford E450 chassis, Ford spec'd it's GCWR at 20,000 lbs.. Of course CGWR refers to how much weight can be towed including the weight of the chassis doing the towing. It is not how much weight can be carried on the vehicle's structure.
As far as wheel diameters are concerned, it seems to me that assuming a steel (or better metal) wheel - one thing a larger diameter wheel/tire combination buys you is less per square inch tread rubber contacts per mile - which provides for longer tire tread life under heavy loads. If a 16 inch steel (or better metal) wheel/tire combination - at proper pressure - can carry the maximum weight for the vehicle's structure then, other than ground clearance or tread wear considerations, it should do as well as a larger diameter wheel/tire combination on any given vehicle.
I believe that a late model year E450 chassis is designed to carry a total of 14,500 lbs., including itself. So whatever fully loaded motorhome size can be used on that frame should be "OK". An equivalent size/loaded Class A may of course have more design margin if built on a chassis weight-rated higher than a 4XXX class.
What's difficult today is to find a small Class C that is built on a chassis that is specified for carrying way more weight in day-in day-out use than is required under normal circumstances. IAW, an overkill chassis under a smal motorhome is not easy to find new, should you desire one. ;)
