Weight and capacity question

Actually it was the Tioga that was derated. But I think the entire confusion here is the fact that the Tioga has a 3500lb hitch, whereas our Chateau is 5000lb rating. I hadn't thought of that when I posted and figured the hitches were the same. So, I assume putting a 5000 lb on the Tioga would solve any issues towing my 3800+ pound Suzuki.

Sorry for any confusion. The main reason for posting was trying to figure out why the GCWR ratings were so different between the two, and it appears it is because of the different hitches.

Nevadastars wrote:
We are thinking of selling our Chateau 25c (27ft total length) and getting something like a Tioga 31w or Jamboree 31w to replace it. I was comparing weight specs between our Chateau and a Tioga and it shows the Chateau can carry more weight even though they are both on E450 a chassis. Although the 31 has a two feet longer wheelbase. Just thought it was odd that the shorter coach is listed as being able to carry more weight. Especially the big difference between the Gross Combined Weight.

I'm a little confused as to what you are actually trying to say. A motorhome's GVWR is its fully loaded weight. It's not how much weight it can "carry". To know how much weight a motorhome can carry you need to know how much it weighs empty, and subtract that from the GVWR. Chances are the Chateau can carry a lot more weight even though its GVWR is slightly lower for the simple fact that it weighs much less empty than the Tioga. As far as the newer E450s having more GVWR, if you look closely at the axle ratings, most of the extra weight capacity is on the front axle where it is of little use. Most class C motorhomes overload on the rear first. When I had mine, no matter how I loaded it I was always 4-500 pounds under on the front.

As far as GCWR goes, it's likely that the Chateau was derated due to hitch and/or frame limitations.

Remember to check the OCCC. That number is how much stuff you can carry no matter what the gross weight is.

Nevadastars wrote:
If I cannot flat tow my Suzuki Sidekick behind one, doubtful I will purchase one if that is the case. Can't imagine going on a trip without it as most of our trips are in the Nevada desert exploring with either the Sidekick or quads.

My wife really wants a walk around bed, and I like the Class A type storage doors on the "W" models.

edit: I found another site that lists the 2007 as having a 5000lb towing capacity and 19050 GCWR. Makes me feel a lot better as I have my eye on a low mile 07. Makes me wonder why the 06 is different.

http://www.campingworldofsacramento.com/class-c/2006/fleetwood-tioga/352977

My wife wanted a walk around bed also, and she felt that our 24' rear kitchen MH was just too small. I really like the overall mobility of the 24' and a previous 22'er we had. To get a true walk around bed you almost always have to go to a MH that's 27' and up. We ended up going all the way to a 32 1/2'MH. It's very nice but there are definitely places you can go in a 24'er that you can't go in a 33'er.
One model we saw and both liked, after buying our Itasca, was the Nexus 25P. It has a full length slide which includes a walk around bed. You do however give up a fair amount of storage space, because of that full length slide. I was surprised that it comes on an E350, although you can specify an E450. I asked what it weighed, and I believe it was 10,000# or maybe 10,500#
I'm surprised you would consider going from a 2010 model to an older (pre 2008) model unit. Aside from the increased GVWR of the newer units there are a number of other improvements in the newer cab/chassis.
As for as the the GVWR and GCWR figures, Ford says one thing, and then the MH builders, for various reasons, publish lower numbers. According to Ford, if the frame extensions were done to their specifications, the vehicle should have the same ratings as before the mods,, which in the case of the newer E450s are 14,500# GVWR and 22,000# GCWR.
One thing to look out for is the weight of some of these motor homes. It appears while some have plenty of OCCC, others are near or over the GVWR when they leave the factory.
Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

Yes, SideKick... I must be thinking of a different model (Tracker?) and thought about 2800 pounds.

I assume SK is my toad? If so, it is listed as 3685 GVWR, plus it has larger (heavier) tires/wheels and a heavy winch and bumper. So, it's probably pushing 4k.

Oh, the difference between 14050 and 14500 occurred with 2008 chassis years. So the chassis with 17550 is 14050 + 3500. Your SK weighs more than 3500? Some OP's here have upgraded their hitches to 5000, see what others say. From all the opinions given here, it seems that 5000 is within reason, just not weight-distributing. Read enough specs and you'll see Tow/Hitch ratings of 3500/350, 5000/500, AND some are 5000/350. Remember if you tow four-down, there is essentially Zero Hitch Weight.

If I cannot flat tow my Suzuki Sidekick behind one, doubtful I will purchase one if that is the case. Can't imagine going on a trip without it as most of our trips are in the Nevada desert exploring with either the Sidekick or quads.

My wife really wants a walk around bed, and I like the Class A type storage doors on the "W" models.

edit: I found another site that lists the 2007 as having a 5000lb towing capacity and 19050 GCWR. Makes me feel a lot better as I have my eye on a low mile 07. Makes me wonder why the 06 is different.

http://www.campingworldofsacramento.com/class-c/2006/fleetwood-tioga/352977

E450's GCWR has been 20,000 for years, maybe from the first year. Very new ones are 22,000.
I think that the GCWR of the Tioga was reduced by Fleetwood from Ford's actual rating. Probably has a 3,500 rated hitch, possibly related to their having a concern about the frame extension. But that's odd too, since Ford issues a spec for frame extensions and if the chassis stretching plant follows them, the GCWR (20,000 in this case) is preserved. Just don't use a weight-distributing hitch! You have to stay within the towed weight and hitch weight specified by the coach builder, Fleetwood in this case.

it depends on the year i think after 06 it went to higher # go to ford & look up cutaway or mh to see diff