Weight and capacity question

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.