WB longer than 159 ins in a 23-25 ft Class C
Seems like most 25ft or shorter gas Class C's have a WB of 159 ins. The only ones I have found with a longer WB is a Four Winds 24 and 24M at 169ins. Are there any others out there?
Forum Discussion
29 Replies
carringb wrote:
I wonder why Ford can make a longer WB for the 3.5 eco boost engine and not the 450 or 350? The Wonder has a huge rear storage compartment. You can store bikes in there without having to remove the front tires. Only 33 gals of FW. Did not see the CCC listed but it is probably much lower than the 350 or 450 chassis.
One more... Leisure Travel Wonder all is on the 178" wheelbase:
https://leisurevans.com/wonder/carringb wrote:
One more... Leisure Travel Wonder all is on the 178" wheelbase:
https://leisurevans.com/wonder/
Note that of course (and unfortunately? :( ) Leisure Travel doesn't seem to offer any Class C models on the Ford E-Series chassis anymore.- They call this a "23-footer" but it's actually 26' overall. But it is on the 176" wheelbase:
https://coachmenrv.com/class-c-motorhomes/leprechaun/230FS/5146 - If Ford offers the E-Series factory-built with the 176" wheelbase - as carringb says - then the coach builders don't have to incur the additional cost to extend anything themselves in order to build a small Class C on the long wheelbase cutaway chassis.
I for one would not want our 24 ft. Class C to be on a 176" wheelbase for one other reason -> we can make a U-turn on most residential streets with our Class C's E450 158" wheelbase. ;) Gjac wrote:
carringb wrote:
What E series Class C 23-24 ft models come with a 176 in WB?Gjac wrote:
Does anyone now why Ford does not make a longer WB like the Sprinter chassis?
They do. The E-series come in 138”, 158”, and 176” wheelbases. And may be lengthened to 223”, without affecting any ratings or warranty provided QVM Q-18 is followed.
Likewise, the Transit Cutaway is available with the same options except the longest is 178”
Sprinter cutaway is only available as a 170” wheelbase.
I would like to know too. When you stretch the 158 to 176 you have to extend the frame, brake lines, exhaust system, electrical and who knows what else. That cost alone would probably not be economically feasible.carringb wrote:
What E series Class C 23-24 ft models come with a 176 in WB?Gjac wrote:
Does anyone now why Ford does not make a longer WB like the Sprinter chassis?
They do. The E-series come in 138”, 158”, and 176” wheelbases. And may be lengthened to 223”, without affecting any ratings or warranty provided QVM Q-18 is followed.
Likewise, the Transit Cutaway is available with the same options except the longest is 178”
Sprinter cutaway is only available as a 170” wheelbase.- I’m sure this has been tackled by rv engineers over time. I was under the assumption that the coach was designed to fit around the wheel- wells.
Isn't that why so many 24/25 footers are of only a very few floor plan designs ?
In other words, if you made the WB longer on the 24/25’ , the interior wells would dictate where and how appliances and such will fit. The whole interior design would have to be reconfigured and everything the old had might not fit in the new. The weight distribution might not work too well either.
Building the whole new rv at 24/25’ on a basement would make the entire package too tall. Gjac wrote:
Does anyone now why Ford does not make a longer WB like the Sprinter chassis?
They do. The E-series come in 138”, 158”, and 176” wheelbases. And may be lengthened to 223”, without affecting any ratings or warranty provided QVM Q-18 is followed.
Likewise, the Transit Cutaway is available with the same options except the longest is 178”
Sprinter cutaway is only available as a 170” wheelbase.- My 1987 E-350 (27 feet) had far more clearance than my 2005 E-450 (28.5 feet)
Initially I added a single wheel to the trailer hitch because it scraped the tail on the ground at almost all gas stations.
I moved to taller tires and replaced the rims which gained me about 1.5 inches in height. The roller is still place for "just in case" situations.
It also fixed the over load of the tires on the driver's rear side. They put all the water tanks on the driver's side--and did the same with the battery bank.
Now when I'm fully loaded (waste and fresh tanks full and ready to roll with two persons) I still am below the weight rating on the tires (and the axle, too, which or course different tires don't fix).
