how is length determined on a class A

[Bilito]

I just bought a 91 Silver eagle Class A advertised as 28 feet, but it measures 30 feet from bumper to bumper.
is it a 28 or a 30?

[BudtheDiplomat]

That's always a mystery! I had a Fleetwood Class C "34" that measured 32'6" and now a Monaco Diplomat 40' that measures 41'7"!

I think the measurement people do part time work at the DMV.

[Wayne M]

Depends if the end of the tape measure is broken off.

X2 on the mystery.

[dons2346]

When some mfg's measure a coach, they do not measure the "safety equipment" ie. bumpers. Others measure the total length like mine. It is sold as a 40 footer but actually measures 39'11" bumper to bumper. Being a fiberglass coach, the bumpers are a molded part of the end caps.

[Steve Ownby]

Unfortunately, it appears that the brochure writers are in charge of the advertised length. If you have a personal length requirement that is important then be sure to look up the length in the specifications which should be accurate or take a tape measure when you go looking.

[Luckiest Dre]

I suspect that it is all in the marketing. If the mfg wants to compete with other 40 ft coaches he will call a 41Ft a 40 instead of a 42ft for that reason. However if he starts calling a 35 ft a forty they may have a problem with truth in advertizing! It is whatever they can get by with.

[DutchStar38]

Same as boat lengths. It depends on who is doing the measuring. On paper I had a 34ft sport fisher but when going to some marinas they wanted the LOA (Length over all) from end of bow pulpit to end of swim platform. Some marinas just took the stated regitration lenght.

[Mr_D]

It's what the manufacturer says it is!

[Clifftall]

My 35E Bounder is over 36'. I never understood it. If I were selling this product, I'd call it a 36' at least

[Hikerdogs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckiest Dre I suspect that it is all in the marketing. If the mfg wants to compete with other 40 ft coaches he will call a 41Ft a 40 instead of a 42ft for that reason. However if he starts calling a 35 ft a forty they may have a problem with truth in advertizing! It is whatever they can get by with.

I agree with marketing being the driver, but I think it's more marketing to fill a given segment. Our motorhome is advertized as a 32V. 32 being the length in feet and V being the chassis manufacturer (in our case Ford F53 chassis). The width was advertized as 8' 5.5" which would make it just under the 8' 6" maximum allowed without being required to obtain an oversize permit. The height is advertized as 11' 9" to the top of the highest standard factory accessory.

Now (as Pual Harvey would say) for the rest of the story. The advertized length of 32' is from the farthest forward surface of the front cap to the farthest rearward surface of the rear cap. This doesn't include the front or rear bumper, the rear tail light pods or the distance the ladder extends beyond the rear of the coach. The actual length is 33' 7" from the front bumper to the rear ladder.

The actual width of the body is 8' 5.5", but when you add on the awning, and mirrors it's 10' 6". We have to fold in the mirrors to get it through the 10' garage door opening. Even with the morrors folded in the width is 9' 11.750". That leaves .125" of clearance on either side to squeeze through the door opening.

The height was fortunately the most accurate. Our height is 11' 9" to the top of the shower sky light. We still have 3" clearance to the 12' door opening

For several years Winnebago has advertized the height to be to the top of the highest "standard" factory installed item. Thats fine, but if you have an optional satellite dome or an HD dish installed the actual height can be increased by up to 12".

The advertized width is still listed as 8' 5.5". While this is the actual width of the body itself, it still doesn't include standard features like the awnings or mirrors.

You can imagine our initial surprise when we tried to put the motorhome in the garage. I was expecting about 9" side to side clearance through the door, and 10' of extra space to store things either in front or behind it.

[WeatherTodd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckiest Dre I suspect that it is all in the marketing. If the mfg wants to compete with other 40 ft coaches he will call a 41Ft a 40 instead of a 42ft for that reason. However if he starts calling a 35 ft a forty they may have a problem with truth in advertizing! It is whatever they can get by with.

well if youre competing in the 40' class with a 41' or better... gives you an edge on the competition!

[WeatherTodd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D It's what the manufacturer says it is!

or what the registered owners want to "think" it is.
When I looked at storage lots... some of them told me they couldnt take rigs over 30'. Im guessing they didnt understand how units of measure work as there were a handful of diesel rigs and boats on trailer well into the 35'+ range.

[slickest1]

Our's is a 38' and actually measures 39.5'. Makes me wonder if they measure the inside.

[Mr_D]

Our DSDP is called a 40', actually measures 41'7" overall.

My parents had a 1958 Kencraft TT. Had a full, one piece, fiberglass roof and instant hot water heater. It was 18'2" overall, to get that measurement you had to include the taillight lenses!