Winnebago Trend - First Drive Impressions

ron.dittmer wrote:

Dakzuki wrote:

ron.dittmer wrote:

rjstractor wrote:

ron.dittmer wrote:
The Trend appears to have single rear wheels. That is concerning when considering all that is built on top, and all that can be added by the owner on trips. I would not feel comfortable with a SRW axle for this style motor home for fear of chassis over-load on a trip with 4 adults, food & supplies, fresh water and such. I feel it is asking too much from two standard rear tires. If they were massive like we now see on 18 wheelers turned into 10 wheelers, that would be different. I could not see towing anything with it either.

I understand your point for for a vehicle this light I respectfully disagree. The RGAWR on this chassis is under 5300 pounds, considerably less than a SRW 2500 or 3500 series pickup. As long as the tires have the correct load rating it's not an issue. I've hauled and towed very heavy loads with a SRW pickup and never had a rear tire failure.

CLICK HERE to read the specs on the SRW Trend chassis. The rear axle is understandably more capable at 5291 pounds. My Michelin "E" rated tires state 2880 at 80psi for single tire application. That leaves little margin, only 235 pounds between the max load of the tire versus chassis it carries. It's officially okay so your point is well noted.

I do wonder what an actual Trend weighs when loaded up, 4 people with all their food and belongings, full fresh water tank, propane and fuel. More concern with the rear corner double bed floor plan. I assume there is a lot of storage under the bed, more potential to over-load.

I just don't see single rear wheels fully accommodating the various conditions that motor homes face. If you travel as a couple with awareness to weight, I am sure you will be fine. But a family of 4 could exceed chassis weight limits, maybe even tire weight limits. The largest of class-Cs on the E450 often face those same concerns. It's a problem that has always been in discussion with some rigs, the Trend now included. It's too bad Chrysler didn't equip that chassis with DRW to increase it's capability. I think it would have a lot more going for it then. Maybe DRW is available and Winnebago simply choose not to work with it.

OCCC numbers I found on another thread:

2014 Trend 23L = 1437#
2014 Trend 23B = 1302#

That is quite good for that type of RV. In fact there are many larger RVs that don't have numbers like that.

I agree, the Occupants + Cargo limit at 1437 is a little tight for 4 occupants but surely can work.

My own circumstances with our rig, OCCC is 2200 but we are typically near 1000 pounds when it's just the two of us, one third of that weight being 41 gallons of fresh water.

The Trend-L happens to be close to our E350-V10 <24' rig in general floor plan & length. Purchasing either unit today would cost nearly the same. If gas mileage was "Priority One", then the Trend would be the buyer's choice. If our unit was their preferred choice but could not deal with 10-11mpg, they'd have to spend more to get the Sprinter version, or spend less for the E350-V8 to get a compromising 11-12mpg and less power. But if you'll never tow like with the Trend, you'll never need the V10 power anyway.

I consider the Sprinter class Cs a different animal. More power, more towing capacity and more room inside (they have slides) among a host of other things. I don't see how they compete with each other and apparently WGO thinks so also or they wouldn't have built it. At a smidge over 10 feet tall it can fit into some taller garages too. The Sprinter Winnies for 2015 have also grown in length a bit so it looks like they are trying to keep them more clear of each other.

The only time I travel with a full load of water is if I know I can't get it where I'm going. I usually travel with about 10 gallons.