Towing capacity of Sprinter motorhome
My wife and I are evaluating the purchase of a 2015 Winnebago View or Itasca Navion 24J. They in essence are the same motorhome except for color schemes. We previously full-timed for two years in ...
Forum Discussion
The main "issue" I see with the MB chassis and the various other smallish diesel and gasser RV chassis already in, or about to be introduced into, the U.S. small Class B+/C RV market is that their chassis sizing is just missing (under) the weight carrying and towing sweet spots. Of course "chassis sizing" includes their engine horsepower.
That sweet spot is right where the Ford E350 and Chevy 3500 fall - with their weight capacities in the mid-12,000 lb. range and towing capacities in the 5000 lb. range.
If the U.S. small motorhome market is "crying out" for a new/modernized narrower, lower, higher MPG chassis, then IMHO ... it needs to be one with about a 12,500 lb. weight capacity and 500 lb. hitch/5000 lb. total, towing capacity.
It seems to me that about a 240-260 HP compact 6-cylinder turbo diesel or high efficiency gas V8 (i.e. Ford EB, or RAM variable cylinder count style) engine - tucked into a Ford E350 (with slightly improved leg room) and/or Chevy 3500 size chassis -> would be an ideal next chassis for the U.S. small motorhome market.
By the way, narrow and/or less tall Class B+/C motorhomes can indeed be put onto the current Ford E-Series and Chevy 3500-series chassis. Phoenix Cruizer, LTV, and others offer models that achieve this.
That sweet spot is right where the Ford E350 and Chevy 3500 fall - with their weight capacities in the mid-12,000 lb. range and towing capacities in the 5000 lb. range.
If the U.S. small motorhome market is "crying out" for a new/modernized narrower, lower, higher MPG chassis, then IMHO ... it needs to be one with about a 12,500 lb. weight capacity and 500 lb. hitch/5000 lb. total, towing capacity.
It seems to me that about a 240-260 HP compact 6-cylinder turbo diesel or high efficiency gas V8 (i.e. Ford EB, or RAM variable cylinder count style) engine - tucked into a Ford E350 (with slightly improved leg room) and/or Chevy 3500 size chassis -> would be an ideal next chassis for the U.S. small motorhome market.
By the way, narrow and/or less tall Class B+/C motorhomes can indeed be put onto the current Ford E-Series and Chevy 3500-series chassis. Phoenix Cruizer, LTV, and others offer models that achieve this.
