Torque vs Class A RV weight

OK. GCWR to power ratio Calculations:

Winnebago Via 25' GCWR 15250 lbs. Merced 3.0L V6 188 hp 325 ft-lb.
(GCWR/HP ratio= 81 GCWR/torque ratio = 47)

Winnebago Soleil 34T GCWR 30,000 lbs. Cummins 340 hp 660 ft-lb
(GCWR/ HP ratio= 88 GCWR/torque ratio = 45)

So from a dead stop, it seems since these rations are so close, it seems pulling the same 4000 lb trailer they will go up at the same speed and have the same trouble going up the hill.

Barring noise, mileage, amenities I think the 34T would win because of trailer handling and stability and perhaps braking ability. I don't know if those Mercedes engines have Jake Brakes.

Thanks for the responses.

Twice the weight and twice the power.

Same result.

You need to use GCW not GVW since you are including the trailer.

I was a hard core gas man. We've had 2 gas MH's and now a DP. I wasted 75k upgrading. Buy your 3rd RV 1st. Our Discovery DP has a Cummins 8.9L 380 Hp, 1150FtLbs.
We arrive much more relaxed, sooner, more comfortable in luxury. Better MPG, can climb hills now pulling a car (I would not do with our gassers due to lack of torque).
Coffee, microwave and residential refrig look continuosly. I had a hard time convincing wife to buy a DP, but she would not go back now.
I bought new to get the warranties and to avoid buying other people's problems.

I think the answer depends on some other things like gearing as rgatjinet1 posted. Also if both are stopped at the bottom of the hill the larger one with more torque would climb better all other things being equal, if traveling 40 mps or higher when you approach the hill I don't think you would see much difference. If you look at HP/wt the smaller one would be 188 hp/15000 or .0125 and the larger one would be 340 hp/30000 or .0113. So they are close,the smaller one being slightly better so gearing would make a difference. I would test drive each and note the time it takes to go from 40 to 60 mph and the one with the lowest time would make it up the hill faster. In the end get the one one you like the best,considering layout,handling,maintenance, and other features.

Not the same but here is my experiance. I had a Sightseer 26p with 8.1 chevy with Banks upgrades and now have a Tiffin Red 38QRA with 6.7 Cummins. The Sightseer was a16k chassis unsure of actual weight and Tiffin is 29,500 chassis and weighs 29k. I pull a 20ft enclosed trailer with side by side and motorcycles in it. The 8.1 went 45mph up Donner and got as low as 4mpg on one trip in wind and as high as 8mpg. The 6.7 averages 7-8mpg all the time and goes 45mph up Donner pulling the same trailer. The Tiffin drives nicer and is much quieter.

The overall gearing is the most important. Some Allison transmission have the double overdrive and will allow a higher rear axle gear ratio for climbing and still allow good mileage for cruising on level ground.

You are forgetting something... add a 4K trailer to the 11K you have increased the combined weight by 37%. You only increase the other by 15%. How much is the MPG of the MB engine going to decrease when you add 37% to it's work load. 4K behind most DPs decrease the MPG by half a gallon or less. What is the MB going to get?

To go to 25' instead of 34' for better MPG and smaller tanks is short sighted at best. Most do not put enough miles on their MHs so the difference in fuel cost is what? Using 6K miles/year, diesel at $2.40 and 15 mpg and 10... $960 in the MB and $1440 in the Cummins a fantastic savings of $480/year to worry about making it up the mountain and have to go dump twice a week (instead of once a week) when boondocking. It's more likely you will boondock with the DP which will save you more than the $480 in fuel each year.

I always advise buying more MH than you think you need... ONE TIME. It cost me a fair amount of $$$$ to learn this. Your mileage may vary.

PS: Get the best MPG on the vehicle you put the most miles on and stop worrying about the MPG of a MH.

No, they will not pull the same, the larger Winny with the Cummins is going to walk (maybe run) away from the V6 on a hill. Also look at the hitch on the smaller MH, it may only be rated at 3,500#s.

Bill