Weekend Warrior "C" designation?

[Ericunder]

Hello all,
Newbie here with a question. I have been researching Toy Haulers for a couple weeks now and am trying to find a used Weekend Warrior. I noticed some of the models have a "C" in the model name though they appear to be the same as those without (example = FS2800 vs FSC2800). Despite my best efforts and use of the search function, I have been unable to determine what exactly the "C" denotes.

Can anyone help me out with this?

Thanks,
Newbie

[Bedlam]

Even my 22' wide body WW was 7500 lbs dry. My tongue weight was a little better and I could keep it under 1200 lbs even when fully loaded over 11,000 lbs.

WW did make the lighter models that were slightly narrower and supposedly for the 1/2t crowd. This is where the quality and capacity dropped over their larger main line product. They were still too heavy for the Class 1 vehicles and most towed them with Class 2 or 3 trucks.

Torklift now has a 30K lb dual receiver and a WDH that can handle that weight. When I owned my WW, I was very aware of the limitations of the receivers and hitches available to tow these trailers. I was glad my F250 had the camper package and extra overload spring to keep that tongue weight in check. Even though my trailer was not that heavy compared to the longer ones, I carried over 1000 lbs of tools and spare parts in the bed when we went out to play.

[allcool]

double post deleted

[allcool]

Ericunder wrote:
Yes, listed GVWR is 13,000. I like the 28 foot and up models, they seem to be a step up in quality from the 26 foot and below models (maybe just my perception). Not that I'm dissing the smaller ones, I would have been happy with a nice 26 footer, this is just the one I found locally. I also like the side kitchen layout and the corner shower (no tub). My kids are 8 and 11 now so they don't need a tub anymore.
Eric

You're right on the quality of the bigger WW. Much better imo. Or maybe, its the smaller WW(and other makes also) were the lite weight models.
I don't care for the lite weight TH from all manufactures. The cabinets on many are like cardboard, the complete flimsy light weight construction is not for me, at all.
Guess thats why I've got a new F350 Platinum and probably the heaviest bumper pull TH ever made, lol...
From my experience, a good, big, well equipped TH, is not ever a lite weight'.

jmo

[carringb]

allcool wrote:


Very nice TH, you got now. I've done a few rentals in the past with that exact TH. Very similar to my fsw3200.

Make no mistake about it, If its like most WW of that type/era, very heavy TW and gvwr, no where near advertised TW.
Is it 13,000gvw ?

jmo

^Very good advise!

WW's spec'd weights were garbage. My actual empty weight was aver 11,000 pounds. My completely dry tongue weight was 1,800 pounds. If I had full tanks, and no vehicles in the back, it was 3,200 pounds! Granted, mine was an FSW 3200+2, and they added every inch of the 2 extra feet in front of the axles. Great for stability, and I'd take that any day over some of these new haulers with the axles in the middle (I'm looking at you Evergreen RV:M)

Anyways, first trip out tore apart my Hensley hitch. Pretty much ripped apart every weld. I had much better luck with a Reese Dual Cam hitch (although, I did break one of those too, but that failure was much less spectacular).

At the time, the heaviest receiver available for my van was only rated for 1,700 tongue weight, so I had to modify it (with P.E. approval of the design and fabrication work). Now, there's much better off-the-shelf receivers available. Just be sure the one you install will cut it!

[Ericunder]

Yes, listed GVWR is 13,000. I like the 28 foot and up models, they seem to be a step up in quality from the 26 foot and below models (maybe just my perception). Not that I'm dissing the smaller ones, I would have been happy with a nice 26 footer, this is just the one I found locally. I also like the side kitchen layout and the corner shower (no tub). My kids are 8 and 11 now so they don't need a tub anymore.

Eric

[allcool]

Ericunder wrote:

In conclusion, I made a deal with the owner of the FSC and will go back next week to make the exchange.

Eric

Very nice TH, you got now. I've done a few rentals in the past with that exact TH. Very similar to my fsw3200.

Make no mistake about it, If its like most WW of that type/era, very heavy TW and gvwr, no where near advertised TW.
Is it 13,000gvw ?

I'd go to the scales and get a baseline so you know what you're dealing with.

My TH tongue weight is more like a 5th wheel pin weight...

Get LT tires on as soon as possible if you want to protect the sides of your TH.

jmo

[allcool]

Blackdiamond wrote:


I remember at the time the 2800s were having issues with weight and around the 2007-2008 model year they switched to 3 axels, make sure the ones you consider have 3 axels if it is 2800 or larger.

Yes you're right. In 07 you could get them either 2 or 3 axle depending on how late in the year you got it.

[Ericunder]

Thanks for the info. I have considered upgrading my hitch to an aftermarket class V and I have airbags in the rear. The one I purchased (and am picking up tomorrow) is a triple axle. Not sure where I can go to get the tongue weight measured though?

Eric

[Bedlam]

My friend's FS2800 has over 1750 lbs of tongue weight which required a heavy Class V receiver and additional suspension additions to reduce porpoising (even with a properly set up WDH). I know my FB2200 was pushing axle limits when it was loaded with two SxS's and water, so I wouldn't be surprised about weight issues with something 6' longer on the same tandem axles.

[Blackdiamond]

Ericunder wrote:
I'm going to go look at an 07 FS2800 today. I guess I'm hoping that being 8 years old, if there are issues with the coach they will have presented themselves by now and I will be able to see something with a careful investigation.

Eric

I remember at the time the 2800s were having issues with weight and around the 2007-2008 model year they switched to 3 axels, make sure the ones you consider have 3 axels if it is 2800 or larger.

[Vulcanmars]

That's the hardest part of shopping for used. So many people out there with "just like new" ads and when you get there you want to punch them in the face for wasting you time.
Good luck with the new rig.

[Ericunder]

OK well I looked at two today, an 07 FS2800 and an 08 FSC2800. I looked at the FS first and was really disappointed after I saw it. Almost everything was broken, there were cracks in the front fiberglass cap, the exterior speakers grills were broken, they had a tire blow out at some point which tore the "tarp" thingy on the under side and did some wood damage which they never fixed. The coach was filthy with spilled food in the fridge and scrapes and holes in the interior walls. Then I walked into the front bedroom and almost fell through the floor it was so rotted, the only thing holding me up was the carpet. I asked the owner, "whats going on here?" referring to the floor. He said, "oh it's always been like that". At that point he offered to turn on the generator and I said no thanks, this ones not for me and got back in my truck.

With not much hope I started the 1 hour drive to the FSC. To be hones I think I prefer the layout of the FS to the FSC though the only real differences are the location of the fridge and the location of the bathroom sink but the differences are minor.

I knew going into this one that it needed a new awning but much to my surprise the inside was spotless. No softness in the floor, it felt solid as a rock, it was in great shape inside and there were no nicks or scrapes. Everything worked, there were no leaks and they have all of the their documents. I crawled underneath it and it looked good to me though I'm no expert on welding or frames. Generator had about 75 hours and came on just fine. I did notice a few cracks in some of the caulking on the roof so I will have to re-caulk that but this seems like regular maintenance to me.

In conclusion, I made a deal with the owner of the FSC and will go back next week to make the exchange. Best of all the sellers were really nice people (not that the first sellers weren't) and I always like doing business with nice people. For having such low expectations after seeing the first one I was pleasantly surprised in the end.

Eric

[big_buford]

Get on roof and check all four corners where roof meets front or rear cap.

[carringb]

In my case the bad welds were easy to see. There was no penetration. You could slip a piece of paper between the weld bead and the frame.