Chassis Choice?

[ronrathnow]

We're in the process of purchasing a new Winnebago Adventurer 35P. We have the option of the 22,000lb chassis or the 24,000lb version. Any opinions on this?

[RickO]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new purchase!

I'm sure some of our members with more expertise on those size chassis will chime in soon but I don't ever recall reading a post from someone who felt they should have purchased a lighter chassis.

Rick

[Mr_D]

Yep, order the higher rated chassis. Your rig will thank you and you'll feel much better when you load it and find out what it REALLY weighs!
Our DSDP had a NCC of 5,700#'s so I thought GREAT, no problem with loading, when we got it it only had 663#'s of CCC and ALL of that was on the rear axle. We were overweight on the front axle before we ever loaded a thing of go on board.
Did get Newmar to fix it with a new front axle.

[njs42]

Can't imagine a reason to get less chasis---I bought a W-22---before the W-24 was available-----if I were in the market I would opt for the heavier chasis. Mine is a good chasis---but the extra capacity makes a difference.

[Tyler6357]

capacity vs gas milage?

[stik]

Am I the only one that thinks "If your worried about gas mileage, you shouldn't buy a motor home"

I'm sure I will get lambasted for this, but I had to say it.

stik

[Luv2go]

I 100% agree, get the larger chassis, you will appreciate being able to actually use your large storage compartments without overloading the coach. There may be a slight difference in gas mileage, but as stik says you don't buy a large motorhome for it's gas mileage. One of the reasons we bought the Newmar Canyon Star instead of the Bay Star was because of the upgraded chassis.

[Hikerdogs]

Taking a look at the specs the smaller 22,000 lb chassis only has a GCVW of 26,000 lbs. That means if you load it to the max GVWR of 22,000 lbs you'll only be able to tow something that weighs less than 4,000 lbs.

The 26,000 lb chassis on the other hand will be able to tow something as heavy as 5,000 lbs when fully loaded. Technically there's 6,000 lbs of capacity left after loading it to 24,000 lbs but the hitch is only rated for 5,000 lbs.

The difference may not sound significant but take into consideration that we used to pull a Buick LeSabre on a dolly. The combination weighed 4,200 lbs. You couldn't pull that much with the 22,000 lb chassis if it was loaded to its capacity. We were able to do it only because we travel "light". When fully loaded with food water, clothes, dishes, and all the other necessary gear we usually tip the scales around 18,600. That allows us to use the full 5,000 lb capacity of the hitch.

[njs42]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stik Am I the only one that thinks "If your worried about gas mileage, you shouldn't buy a motor home" I'm sure I will get lambasted for this, but I had to say it. stik

Some things just go without saying------when I had a boat a friend of mine said he wanted one---I knew how much he earned per year----I said "let me tell you how to know if you can afford to buy a boat"; "Next time you are in a gas station take the hose to the gutter and run 50 gallons of the most expensive gas they have down the drain (figueratively), then go in and pay for it----if that does not bother you then you can afford a boat".

Same with RV's---on the other hand if the difference were say 5mpg as opposed to 8mpg---I might choose another chasis---but I do not think the difference between a 22k and a 24k is all that much.

The only people who ask me how many mpg I get is a guy next to me filling up his truck at a filling station------none of my RV friends even are curious.

As to the question I say again----heavier chasis-----better choice.

[bsimonds]

Is the GVWR the only difference between the MHs being considered? Same engine, same transmission, same floorplan?

[edgray]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsimonds Is the GVWR the only difference between the MHs being considered? Same engine, same transmission, same floorplan?

Based on what he stated in the OP, the answer is YES.

[ronrathnow]

Thanks for all the responses. I received more clarification here than I was getting at the dealer. Greatly appreciated. The choice has been made. Mileage is not a major issue and in this case it is the same motor, transmission, etc. So....24K it is and the order was placed with the dealer late this afternoon. Should see the arrival in 6-8 weeks. We're excited.

[Tyler6357]

Congratulations on your selection! Someone said that he couldn't think of any reasons to get the smaller one and the only thing I could think of is gas mileage. With gas prices sky high it is a real consideration for some of us. I'm not sure about tire ware on heavier rigs vs the smaller one, there might be some difference too. However, there are many many advantages to having the better heavier Chassis and I don't blame you for going for it. I hope it brings you many fun adventures.