Ford 16k and 18k chassis are the same

[Brockx]

FYI the 24K and 26K Ford chassis are the same also, with the exception of rear spring rating. Both carry 30K GCWR.

Makes me wonder why they bother with the 16 and 24???

[aauummm]

Originally Posted by Brockx

FYI the 24K and 26K Ford chassis are the same also, with the exception of rear spring rating. Both carry 30K GCWR.

Makes me wonder why they bother with the 16 and 24???

Exactly. I was wondering the same thing also. I'd have to sit down with a Ford engineer and try to pinpoint the differences. I know there are different wheelbases as the 16K chassis has an available 158" wheelbase but the 18K does not.

So maybe the motorhome manufacturers only use the 158" wheelbase when using the 16K chassis and maybe they only use the 178" wheelbase when using the 18K chassis. They each have differing maximum payload capacities.

Also, we have only the specs that Ford has made available so there are probably additional specs that Ford hasn't included in their charts.

[LVRVLUVR]

Originally Posted by Brockx

FYI the 24K and 26K Ford chassis are the same also, with the exception of rear spring rating. Both carry 30K GCWR.

Makes me wonder why they bother with the 16 and 24???

I think because the harsh ride of unloaded GVWR

[LVRVLUVR]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Gross can mean 144 of something, or

"gross weight n
1. (Commerce) total weight of an article inclusive of the weight of the container and packaging"

It has nothing to do with maximum load, that's what the Rating (R) is for.

Some folks on the forum think they can buy a F-150 and by adding springs or air bags they can make it haul what a F-250 or F-350 can. That is false and leads people to expensive mistakes. I don't think forum members are acting responsibly when they suggest such a thing. I'm not accusing you of that, because I still don't quite understand the reason for your initial post.

I don't know, maybe read it holy weep'n jesus

[LVRVLUVR]

Originally Posted by aauummm

Exactly. I was wondering the same thing also. I'd have to sit down with a Ford engineer and try to pinpoint the differences. I know there are different wheelbases as the 16K chassis has an available 158" wheelbase but the 18K does not.

So maybe the motorhome manufacturers only use the 158" wheelbase when using the 16K chassis and maybe they only use the 178" wheelbase when using the 18K chassis. They each have differing maximum payload capacities.

Also, we have only the specs that Ford has made available so there are probably additional specs that Ford hasn't included in their charts.

mines a 16k on 178


the web site says I have a 18k chassis... but the sticker says 16k on the coach,... also the springs are painted 16k

so after searching it out found out from ford that the only diff is spring deflection..ever nut and bolt is the same... thought I'd pass that on...

the question comes up about the e350 vs 450... not the same ...e350 is way lighter duty and the rear end is smaller..

jus spread'n the word..

[Brockx]

Originally Posted by 2forcefull

I don't know, maybe read it holy weep'n jesus

[Brockx]

Here is a good Ford Chart lots of info. The 16K has 3 wb's the 18K has 2 (common to 16K) the 24K and 26K have 3 wb's common to both.

This has a different title than the one above, didn't compare them 2015 Ford Stripped Chassis Work Trucks | View Payload Specifications | Ford.com

[aauummm]

Originally Posted by 2forcefull

mines a 16k on 178


the web site says I have a 18k chassis... but the sticker says 16k on the coach,... also the springs are painted 16k

so after searching it out found out from ford that the only diff is spring deflection..ever nut and bolt is the same... thought I'd pass that on...

the question comes up about the e350 vs 450... not the same ...e350 is way lighter duty and the rear end is smaller..

jus spread'n the word..

OK, if the sticker and springs say 16K then that's what you've got. Looking at the Winnebago brochure for your MH it says the same thing, 16K, 178". Even if you had an 18K chassis, the maximum allowable combined weight is 23K.

[LVRVLUVR]

Originally Posted by Brockx

Here is a good Ford Chart lots of info. The 16K has 3 wb's the 18K has 2 (common to 16K) the 24K and 26K have 3 wb's common to both.

This has a different title than the one above, didn't compare them 2015 Ford Stripped Chassis Work Trucks | View Payload Specifications | Ford.com

interesting, thanks

[LVRVLUVR]

Originally Posted by aauummm

OK, if the sticker and springs say 16K then that's what you've got. Looking at the Winnebago brochure for your MH it says the same thing, 16K, 178". Even if you had an 18K chassis, the maximum allowable combined weight is 23K.

lol... sooooo.... how bout I go on a diet

[aauummm]

Originally Posted by 2forcefull

lol... sooooo.... how bout I go on a diet

What the heck, why not!

[Hikerdogs]

Originally Posted by Brockx

FYI the 24K and 26K Ford chassis are the same also, with the exception of rear spring rating. Both carry 30K GCWR.

Makes me wonder why they bother with the 16 and 24???

While they both have the same GCWR the weight is distributed differently. The 24K chassis only allows 24,000 lbs. to be loaded directly on the chassis. However it can tow an additional 6,000 lbs.

The 26K unit allows more weight on the chassis for larger motorhomes like the Winnebago Adventurer 38Q. However it is somewhat limited in towing with only a 4,000 lb. capacity.

[Brockx]

Originally Posted by Hikerdogs

While they both have the same GCWR the weight is distributed differently. The 24K chassis only allows 24,000 lbs. to be loaded directly on the chassis. However it can tow an additional 6,000 lbs.

The 26K unit allows more weight on the chassis for larger motorhomes like the Winnebago Adventurer 38Q. However it is somewhat limited in towing with only a 4,000 lb. capacity.

Actually my 24K has a 38'3" with 3 slides setting on it with a 30K GCWR and a 6000# hitch. My load capacity beyond curb weight is about 4500# to hit the 24K GVW.

The 26K example you are referring to would have the same hitch with the limitation the same @ 30K GVWR. You would only be limited to less tow weight if you exceded 24K total coach weight.

Winny #38Q has a 5000# hitch and a note saying that it will vary with GCW etc..

Fleetwood has not used anything bigger than 22K since they dropped the 38P floorplan in 2010.

[Hikerdogs]

Originally Posted by Brockx

Actually my 24K has a 38'3" with 3 slides setting on it with a 30K GCWR and a 6000# hitch. My load capacity beyond curb weight is about 4500# to hit the 24K GVW.

The 26K example you are referring to would have the same hitch with the limitation the same @ 30K GVWR. You would only be limited to less tow weight if you exceded 24K total coach weight.

Winny #38Q has a 5000# hitch and a note saying that it will vary with GCW etc..

Fleetwood has not used anything bigger than 22K since they dropped the 38P floorplan in 2010.

The point is that each step up the chassis ladder from the 16K to the 26K allows more weight to be carried on the chassis itself. The 16K and 18K have the same GCWR. The 20,500K and the 22,000K have the same GCWR. The 24K and the 26K have the same GCWR. However in each of the intervals the larger chassis has a larger GVWR.

Some manufacturers offer options that can add considerable weight on the chassis. A 4 door residential refrigerator for example weighs more than a smaller Norcold. It also requires a larger battery bank. A washer and dryer add weight. Some manufactures also install larger black and grey water tanks. All these things add weight to the chassis. The larger chassis allow for heavier options to be carried on the chassis itself. The trade off is less towing capacity should you decide to load the chassis to its maximum GVWR.