CCC

[ItstheTrip]

We're full-timing and our little 2004 31' SeaBreezeLX has great CCC - over 3,000 lbs. - which we pretty much use completely. We still stop on truck scales along the way to make sure we're ok on weight. But we have to wonder...

As the gas and diesel rigs get longer, the CCC drops dramatically. So our question here (c'mon, be honest!)would be..

Are the rest of you full-timers in longer rigs:
a. Paring down your 'stuff' to stay within CCC
b. Ignoring the CCC and loading it on
c. "What's CCC and why should we care?"

We have a National brochure from a few years ago that braggs about National's high CCC compared to other brands, "Check the numbers!". They don't do that any more. They also don't list CCC on the company web site, so you have to physically GO to a dealer with the specific rig you're interested in and climb in to read the numbers. And if anyone from National is reading, that is SO very annoying. Post your numbers!! And no, we're not buying the bit about how every rig is different and so forth and so on... Post 'em! We'll forgive a couple hundred pounds one way or the other.

We now need more towing capacity and intend to go to a larger National rig, but have rejected just about all their gas models, and most of their diesel line, because of what we consider absurdly low full-timer CCC, e.g., 37' diesels with CCC under 2,000 lbs. Do we really have to go to a 40' motorhome to get a decent CCC, towing capacity, AND a decent pantry/kitchen? (For all those out there saying "Huh?", check the 8311 kitchen and pantry. Too bad National can't fit that kitchen into a 37' rig for those of us who actually cook in our rigs!)

So we're interested in the Pacifica with CCC over 4,000 lbs for the 40', and we are told the 37' has 6,000! (The 37' might be a lock, but it has no pantry - auggghh!.) We just didn't want to go a 40' rig. Any hope on the horizon for a smaller National RV rig that might fit the bill?

[ItstheTrip]

We're full-timing and our little 2004 31' SeaBreezeLX has great CCC - over 3,000 lbs. - which we pretty much use completely. We still stop on truck scales along the way to make sure we're ok on weight. But we have to wonder...

As the gas and diesel rigs get longer, the CCC drops dramatically. So our question here (c'mon, be honest!)would be..

Are the rest of you full-timers in longer rigs:
a. Paring down your 'stuff' to stay within CCC
b. Ignoring the CCC and loading it on
c. "What's CCC and why should we care?"

We have a National brochure from a few years ago that braggs about National's high CCC compared to other brands, "Check the numbers!". They don't do that any more. They also don't list CCC on the company web site, so you have to physically GO to a dealer with the specific rig you're interested in and climb in to read the numbers. And if anyone from National is reading, that is SO very annoying. Post your numbers!! And no, we're not buying the bit about how every rig is different and so forth and so on... Post 'em! We'll forgive a couple hundred pounds one way or the other.

We now need more towing capacity and intend to go to a larger National rig, but have rejected just about all their gas models, and most of their diesel line, because of what we consider absurdly low full-timer CCC, e.g., 37' diesels with CCC under 2,000 lbs. Do we really have to go to a 40' motorhome to get a decent CCC, towing capacity, AND a decent pantry/kitchen? (For all those out there saying "Huh?", check the 8311 kitchen and pantry. Too bad National can't fit that kitchen into a 37' rig for those of us who actually cook in our rigs!)

So we're interested in the Pacifica with CCC over 4,000 lbs for the 40', and we are told the 37' has 6,000! (The 37' might be a lock, but it has no pantry - auggghh!.) We just didn't want to go a 40' rig. Any hope on the horizon for a smaller National RV rig that might fit the bill?

[Fred and Bonnie]

Bryan, I understand your frustration. We jumped when NRV came out with a 3 slide Dolphin with a decent kitchen, model 6375.

2005 Dolphin 6375

We have "dreamed" of stepping up to something less than 40' but come back being thankful we have such a nice floorplan.

I believe some manufacturers frustrated customers with incorrect CCC listed on their web sites, I remember seeing units from Winnebago and Newmar with fewer than 1,000# CCC. I think the uninformed buyer just overloaded the coach and just "Kept on Trucking".

I grant you our 37 foot coach is probably a stretch for the W24 chassis, but I can keep up with big trucks in the mountains and that's all that matters. While we don't full time, we normally spend the summer months on the road, sort of "Some Timers". Our factory label shows 1,900# CCC, and we tip the scales under 24,000#, within axle limits, fully loaded.

We are saddened to see the triple slide gas models go away, especially since it's very hard to find a rig with decent kitchen space. I have been hoping the much promoted UFO chassis would afford the manufacturers more design freedom, but so far the floorplans have been disappointing.

Good luck on your search.

Fred

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

We full time, for the time being, in our 5376 Dolphin. Regardless of low or high CCC's we live pretty darn lean. It takes X amount of HP to move X amount of mass. Add a toad to the mix and you're really asking a lot of a gas engine to do that much work. We actually have a few empty outside storage compartments and live quite well carrying as little as needed. 4 plates, 4 bowls and 4 salad plates. Minimum (1)pots and (2)pans and other kitchen items. About 6 days of clothing in between trips to the coin-op. Other than a few snacks, food is purchased for a few days at a time at best. The water tank is barely 1/2 full while on the road and the black and gray tanks start out empty before a trip. A Laptop instead of a desktop, one small printer instead of a multifunction machine. We run our Neways business in the coach but that requires very little in the way of office materials, again, we buy what we need when we need it. Last time we weighed in we were well under weight. Short story, it's not hard to keep it light. when we finally buy a toad, (can't tow the BMW) we'll consider a Jeep wrangler or something lighter.

[ItstheTrip]

So your answer would be "A".

Yes, we understand how to travel light on the tanks and no, we don't have 12-place china settings -- which we encountered in one seriously overloaded rig. And yes, even in our little 31', we've got room in the bays. We do, however, refuse to live a minimalist lifestyle just because a coach has a ridiculously low CCC.

As an aside on Jeeps, our Liberty tows pretty well, but we've found that it weighs in almost 400 lbs more than the sticker claims. (Don't think we have that many maps in the glove box!) So like motorhomes, you might consider weighing it prior to purchase if possible.

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

Rather than be minimalists, I consider us having what we need and nothing that we don't. It's easy to get caught up in accessorizing a coach in to over-weightiness. We've pretty much drilled down to buying a Wrangler or Liberty but I'm leaning Wrangler for the toad.
Is your motorhome built on the W22 or W24 chassis?

[ItstheTrip]

We've got the W22 chassis and like it a lot.

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

We do as well. If you like the chassis as it comes from the factory, you'll love it when you put in a set of Koni FSD's. We did ours a few months ago. Gotta wonder why Workhorse doesn't just put them in as OEM.

[ItstheTrip]

Yes, we had a bit of a tussle with Workhorse over shocks. Seems there was a run of W22's in 2004 that went out with inadequate shocks that had the rig "wandering". Jumped through a few hoops, but ultimately had 4 heavy-duty Monroes installed free of charge. Rides fine now.

Really wondering if National will go to the new WH "UFO" chassis!

[Jeepster47]

We always change out things that we don't need on each trip to minimize weight. Saves gas too.

[rvgrandma]

We have a 2000 Sea View. We run with the bays full as are the cupboards. To our surprise, we are always below the limit.

I do know many RVers, both TT, 5ers, and MH's that do not care if they are overweight. We know one MH that consistantly runs 3000 lbs overweight and think nothing of it. They want the stuff with them, and that is it.

As for the kitchen area, we were at the Portland RV show looking at the new RVs. When we got to the NRV rigs, I asked the salesman from Paradise RV why NRV dropped the kitchen like we have. When you walk in the door, the sink parallels the steps which allows a bigger prep area. I use the backside sink for draining so it works out perfect. Otherwise, my sink, counter,stove is 'L' shaped. He had no idea except people probably did not like it.

They claimed they could have it special made if that is what it takes for us to buy a new one. Sorry - I love mine.

That is my biggest problem with RVs - lack of counter space due to poor design. As long as people do not demand it, they won't make it. Most salesman reply that the majority of RVers go out to eat, not eat in.

[Submustang]

Our Tradewinds has over 4K CCC, by actual weight. Although we are not yet fulltime, thanks to the real estate market, we have it loaded and still have plenty of reserve. Good idea to keep an eye on your weight since most of us tend to accumulate stuff rather than get rid of it.