Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > MOTORHOME FORUMS > MH-General Discussions & Problems
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-12-2015, 09:31 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Algonquin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 331
RV model number versus actual length

I am curious why the model number of a motorhome always seems to be less than the actual length. My last motorhome was 32 feet 11 inches compared to the 32 in the model number, and my present 34Y Itasca Meridian is actually a full 35 feet according to the specs. I have looked at the specs for many other motorhomes, and the actual length is often close to a foot longer than the model number would indicate. I would have thought that manufacturers would have jumped at the chance to present a model number that would indicate longer coach. Is there a "truth in advertising" law that says you can't round up the length?
Algonquin is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 07-12-2015, 09:33 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Winnebago Owners Club
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Western WI
Posts: 688
Model numbers are just that, not a length. The specs are in brochures and manuals, so don't think you are on the right track about truth in advertising.
__________________
2001 Itasca Horizon 36LD Cat
Retired Air Force, One lovely Angel, 2 Cats and three birds.
the_vfox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2015, 09:37 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Algonquin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 331
Yes, I know they are just model numbers, but that doesn't answer the question of why the number is always less than the actual length.
Algonquin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2015, 09:37 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: FL
Posts: 1,355
No correlation between model numbers and actual length; darned if i know why.
__________________
--2005 F350 Superduty Crewcab, 6.0, 4wd, short bed, 3.73 gears
--2016 Montana 3711FL, 40'
--SOLD 2014 Wildcat 327CK, 38'
ralphie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2015, 09:42 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Thor Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,893
Ours is a 327RES 5er and its over 37 feet. I think its just a number, nothing more.
Fred1609 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2015, 10:50 AM   #6
Moderator Emeritus
 
Gary RVRoamer's Avatar


 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,563
The model number typically reflects the usable space rather than the overall length. On a motorhome it usually ignores bumpers or other protrusions, on a travel trailer it ignores the tongue, and so on. Similarly, the width in the brochure does not count protrusions such as awnings or side view mirrors, which is consistent with US DOT measurement standard for vehicles.

The distinction came about largely because of the long tongue on travel trailers. Overall length is not very meaningful if comparing to a 5W or a motorhome, so they try to give a "floor plan length" and that is what is typically used as the basis for the model number.

At the end of the day, however, a model number is just an identifier and need not have any numbers at all in it.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
Gary RVRoamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2015, 01:11 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Algonquin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 331
OK, approximate length without bumpers. That makes sense.
Algonquin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2015, 01:26 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
RodK's Avatar
 
Triple E Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Oakbank, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 282
My 1999 triple e commander 3503fs is 34'3". I am actually shorter than the number suggests.
__________________
1999 Triple E Commander 3503FS on 20,500 F53.
RodK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2015, 02:07 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Fleetwood Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 463
My Fleetwood 35A is 36 feet long
__________________
2008 Fleetwood Southwind
W22 Workhorse Chassis 8.1L Chev Vortec
Allison 1000 transmission
ramblinboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2015, 02:36 PM   #10
Registered User
 
mel s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,777
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred1609 View Post
Ours is a 327RES 5er and its over 37 feet. I think its just a number, nothing more.
Fred1609
I agree
Unless your RV is 327 feet long.

BTW my toad is a "Saturn ION" which doesn't describe the length..(nor does "CRV" indicate the length of my wife's Honda CRV).

Mel
36'-10" long 1996 Safari 3530
mel s is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2015, 08:07 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Rogers, AR
Posts: 2,601
A very long term dealer told me the number usually represents the interior length of the coach, which is pretty much what RVRoamer said.
alank is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-13-2015, 10:43 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
SpaceNorman's Avatar
 
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,188
My coach's model # is 43DFT .... but according to the specs on the brochure the overall length is 44' 3". Near as I can tell ... all it means is there's a decal on the coach that I can point to an say "look, it's just a hair over 40!" ... and NOT have to say "it's damn near 45!" when I'm trying to finagle my way into a spot with length limits. I've yet to run into a spot "labeled" as being sized for a 40 ... that wouldn't squeeze in my 44' 3" without it being a hazard.

I can't help but think that little bit of ambiguity works to my favor on occasion!
__________________
SpaceNorman
2012 HR Endeavor 43' DFT, 2022 Jeep Wrangler
SpaceNorman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-13-2015, 10:50 AM   #13
Moderator Emeritus
 
Gary RVRoamer's Avatar


 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,563
The numbers are typically related to the length and the letters to the floor plan, but there are no rules. The factory guy could use his grandmother's birthday & initials if he felt like it. Use them as a clue but don't expect accuracy.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
Gary RVRoamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-13-2015, 10:55 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
AFChap's Avatar
 
Forest River Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: ...East Texas
Posts: 5,325
Quote:
Originally Posted by Algonquin View Post
I am curious why the model number of a motorhome always seems to be less than the actual length. .... Is there a "truth in advertising" law that says you can't round up the length?
I would call that rounding DOWN...you got more coach length than they implied you would! However, in my case I got less as my 40e is actually 39' 11".
__________________
Paul (KE5LXU) ...was fulltimin', now parttimin'
2022 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB
towing 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
AFChap is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
RV Parking/Spots: Box or Actual length?? Zac808 Travel Trailer Discussion 7 06-22-2015 05:09 AM
Atwood part number for Endeavor door? landry Monaco Owner's Forum 5 06-09-2015 07:20 AM
Model number question Tagney Travel Supreme Owner's Forum 3 02-08-2015 11:11 AM
I read the dry weight listed is not actual dry weight of trailer on lot??? TXDIANIMAL 5th Wheel Discussion 23 07-11-2014 06:17 AM
Question about battery bank system and length of wire to purchase Jasper7821 RV Systems & Appliances 9 01-24-2014 02:48 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:13 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.