Buying New Class C Motorhome

[avfordguy]

Everyone has likes and dislikes about every coach manufacter, i have been in rv'er since the late 70s, i have had airstream ( now thor) very poor, bought a fleetwood 31w back in 97 solid unit rolled some 70,000 on it over 8 years, solis unit never a problem, traded that for a used 99 monaco diesel pusher 38 ft, nice coach,handeled poorly,replaced shocks made it handle ok, traded it for another monaco 40 ft dp, nice coach, just got tored of $200+ oil changes and air brake issues, sold that and bought a really low miles
07 fleetwood class c 31m got tired of the big class A could not get into some state parks, so just dw and myself as kinds are now gone, love the fleetwood class c 31m low miles, inside kept, looks like new, never lived in full time. Only drawback is we live in deep south texas and 1 15k ac barely keeps us comfortable
The e 450 with 7k on it performd well, and we tow a ford escape.
We went big and decided it was time to go back to a c class, love the way it handles yah a little more enone noise than the dp, everyone has there preference.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Originally Posted by Jacksonjack

I'm really close to pulling the trigger on a class C . I've looked at a bunch of floor plans. I plan on towing either my Harley in an enclosed trailer or my 4 seat razor on an open one. I'm a bigger guy so this is what I've come up with as important to me .... tow hitch rating - Winnie's are rated at 5000, Thor at 8000, shower size- the thors shower size is slightly bigger, the Winnie's queen bed is bigger 60 x 80 on some , Thor 60x75on all. I like where the sofa and dinette are sit up on opposite sides . It's really tough to decide. The Thor quantum WS 31, the Quantum PD 31, and the Winnebago spirit 31D are at the top of my list. Minnie Winnie's aren't very commen near me .

Since you mention Thor...

Back in the Spring there was a discussion about the Thor "8,000-pound-rated hitch," on one of their Class C models. The two links I have for those threads are below. For some reason, the first link no longer works for me; I include it in the case that it will work for someone else:

www.irv2.com/forums/f87/8-000-lb-trailer-hitch-for-23u-cannot-be-used-for-8-000-lb-towing-338733.html
8,000-lb Trailer Hitch Summary

The owner wanted to tow a heavy trailer. The problem was that even though the hitch was "rated" for 8,000 pounds, the label on the hitch on his coach indicated a maximum tongue weight rating of 500 pounds. His coach's GCWR - GVWR calculation was 6,000 pounds. All things being equal, his coach could flat-tow a vehicle up to 6,000 pounds, but only tow a trailer (at nominal 10 percent tongue weight) of 5,000 pounds. On an "8,000-pound" hitch.

The upshot is not to take any information about towing capacities at face value.

[Jacksonjack]

I agree about the tow info and thanks for bringing it up. It's also difficult to figure out from manufactures sites the carrying capacity for most coaches . The dealers don't list them or give you the coach weights to figure them out.

[Capt Steve]

Originally Posted by travelboy

We looked at every coach brand available in our area. We chose a Winnebago Minnie Winnie based on the floor plan we liked. One caveat: if you will be driving in mountainous areas, avoid the E350 V-8. The engine has to work harder on the inclines, speaking from experience.

Sorry, but that is simply not true. A recent model E-350 will have the same engine/transmission {6.8L V-10 with either the 5 or 6-speed Torque Shift trans} as an E-450 of the same vintage but will be several thousand pounds lighter. With the exact same power available and several thousand pound, less to haul the E-350 will outperform a comparable E-450 providing a smoother ride and better mileage.

My 2012 Nexus {2011 Chassis}, 24' Class C has GVWR of 11,500# {Ford upped this number to 12,500 on the 2012 chassis'} where the E-450's GVWR is 1,450#.

The 350 has a 4:10 differential and the 450 comes in at 4:56. If you plan to tow heavy, anything approaching 5,000# look for a late model 450 as their tow capacity rating has been upped to 7,500. Most of the 450's out there, 3 to 6 years old will have the same towing numbers as comparable 350's... 5,000#.

When looking at Class C's be aware of the often significantly reduced payload on the larger models. Just about anything over 30' will often have little more than 1,200 to 1,500# of available payload. The irony is that folks buy these models because they have large families and then are unable to load them to accommodate the family due to the lack of payload.

We have put over 41,000+ trouble free miles on our E-350 in the last 4 years. While we have traveled from coast to coast the majority of those miles have been in the mountains of the western United States. I often tow my Harley, bike and trailer weigh 900#, and have never had the slightest issue regarding power, ride, or handling and have consistently averaged 9.5 mpg including a little generator time.

IMHO: On any Class C 25' or less the E-350 is the way to go {be sure and get one with the 55 gallon fuel tank}. If you are going to tow/ load heavy or are looking for a C larger than 25' then consider an E-450.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV

[Capt Steve]

My previous post obviously focused on the differences between the E-350 vs E-450. There must be some 5.4L V -8's out there in an E-350 but I have never encountered one. My previous F-150 had the 5.4L V-8 and it was great motor but agree that I would not want one in a Class C. Sorry for my confusion...

[l1v3fr33ord1]

In post #16 I mentioned a thread I could no longer access. Well, come to find out our ever-capable forum moderators merged that thread into this one, which you can access:

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f87/8-000...ry-339505.html

I include this link because it gives background on the issue that user had with published towing capacity for a Thor 23U.

[travelboy]

Capt Steve, when I mentioned that I was speaking from experience, it’s true. In July, 2016 we purchased a Winnebago Minnie Winnie 24-footer on an E350 chassis and powered by a 5.4L V-8. The 5-speed frequently went to 3rd gear and engine rpm ~2900-3000 going through mountains. This was during a 6,600 miles coast to coast trip. I now own a 2016 Winnebago 28-footer on an E450 chassis powered by a 6.2L V-10 and 6-speed transmission. I drove the same terrain in a higher gear and lower rpm. I guess experience can vary, after all! 😉

[99dart]

We owned our 1998 Thor from 2004 until spring 2017. Never a mechanical failure in that time. Never a failure or issue with anything in the coach. We loved the floor plan, so found they made an almost identical plan in the Thor 31W & WS31. Bought a gently used (1391 miles) 2016 from the original owners for 40k less than they paid 10 months earlier.

[TourNut]

We are looking at Minnie Winnie 31K , hitch rating in brochures & on-line say 7500 lb hitch instead of 5000 lb. Local dealer was telling me 5000 lb until I corrected him , he looked it up at dealership info and it was indeed 7500 lb !

[rvtime2]

I have 2017 Spirit 31G, its rated 7500# tow I think. It's bunkhouse,outside entertainment,tailgate,and upgrade on mirrors and cameras made it to our liking. E450,6speed,quiet to drive,plenty of power,downshifts on hills, tows good,sleeps 8-10. Have fun, whatever you get. Before you buy, make sure seller will let you have a thorough PDI, see if they will let you try it out one night to check it out. There will things to fix, get it done as soon as possible in one year warranty.

[Capt Steve]

Originally Posted by Capt Steve

Sorry, but that is simply not true. A recent model E-350 will have the same engine/transmission {6.8L V-10 with either the 5 or 6-speed Torque Shift trans} as an E-450 of the same vintage but will be several thousand pounds lighter. With the exact same power available and several thousand pound, less to haul the E-350 will outperform a comparable E-450 providing a smoother ride and better mileage.

My 2012 Nexus {2011 Chassis}, 24' Class C has GVWR of 11,500# {Ford upped this number to 12,500 on the 2012 chassis'} where the E-450's GVWR is 1,450#.

The 350 has a 4:10 differential and the 450 comes in at 4:56. If you plan to tow heavy, anything approaching 5,000# look for a late model 450 as their tow capacity rating has been upped to 7,500. Most of the 450's out there, 3 to 6 years old will have the same towing numbers as comparable 350's... 5,000#.

When looking at Class C's be aware of the often significantly reduced payload on the larger models. Just about anything over 30' will often have little more than 1,200 to 1,500# of available payload. The irony is that folks buy these models because they have large families and then are unable to load them to accommodate the family due to the lack of payload.

We have put over 41,000+ trouble free miles on our E-350 in the last 4 years. While we have traveled from coast to coast the majority of those miles have been in the mountains of the western United States. I often tow my Harley, bike and trailer weigh 900#, and have never had the slightest issue regarding power, ride, or handling and have consistently averaged 9.5 mpg including a little generator time.

IMHO: On any Class C 25' or less the E-350 is the way to go {be sure and get one with the 55 gallon fuel tank}. If you are going to tow/ load heavy or are looking for a C larger than 25' then consider an E-450.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV

Originally Posted by travelboy

Capt Steve, when I mentioned that I was speaking from experience, it’s true. In July, 2016 we purchased a Winnebago Minnie Winnie 24-footer on an E350 chassis and powered by a 5.4L V-8. The 5-speed frequently went to 3rd gear and engine rpm ~2900-3000 going through mountains. This was during a 6,600 miles coast to coast trip. I now own a 2016 Winnebago 28-footer on an E450 chassis powered by a 6.2L V-10 and 6-speed transmission. I drove the same terrain in a higher gear and lower rpm. I guess experience can vary, after all! 😉

Sorry for the confusion... I got sidetracked in your intiial post and and corrected in Post #19. I don't doubt your experience and agree that a 5.4L V-8 has no place in a Class C.... just not enough power for most applications.

What you have now is a 6.8L V-10 which is the exact same motor as the 5.4 but with two more {identically sized}, cylinders. The V-10, like the 5.4L V-8 makes its power by revving. When your V-8 shifted down to third gear and revved to 3,000 rpm it was doing exactly what it was designed to do. Your V-10 will do the same thing as needed on long steep grades and under heavy loads.

The V-10 makes maximum Torque at 3,250 and max HP at 4,250 rpm. The six-speed trans is a big improvement over the 5-speed Torque Shift that my 2011 chassis came with. You can run that V-10 at 4,000+ rpm all day and do no harm {except to your wallet buying additional fuel}.

I hope you are running with the Tow Haul engaged as it will greatly enhance the efficiency of your coach. In other than flat or slightly downhill terrain with a tailwind, the Tow Haul should always be engaged. It adjusts the shift points of the transmission for improved performance. It also locks up the Torque converter which reduces friction which reduces your transmission fluid temperatures. Adding a Scan gauge {or other similar display devices} will show this clearly.

You will also enjoy greatly improved braking using TH. On long, 6 to 10 mile 6 to 8 percent grades you will be able to descend without touching the brakes. Using TH to allow the engine to provide the braking you can descend the entire grade without burning a drop of fuel.

The V-10 mated to the new 6-speed transmission is the ultimate power/drive train currently available in a Class C.

[nothermark]

Originally Posted by travelboy

Capt Steve, when I mentioned that I was speaking from experience, it’s true. In July, 2016 we purchased a Winnebago Minnie Winnie 24-footer on an E350 chassis and powered by a 5.4L V-8. The 5-speed frequently went to 3rd gear and engine rpm ~2900-3000 going through mountains. This was during a 6,600 miles coast to coast trip. I now own a 2016 Winnebago 28-footer on an E450 chassis powered by a 6.2L V-10 and 6-speed transmission. I drove the same terrain in a higher gear and lower rpm. I guess experience can vary, after all! 😉

You are doing and apples vs oranges comparison. When they went to the 6 spd they also dropped the shift points and probably the torque curve. The 5 speed and 4 speed ran well at 3500 RPM or so pulling hills but folks whined about the noise. The 6 spd is set up to reduce that.

[michiganmike]

"James Jake" I see that you are a new member, with 48 posts. As I look at your comment, I can't help but think that it looks like it was posted by someone connected to the industry, just copying and pasting a huge list of options.
Also seems odd that you do not list a city or state.
If I am wrong , I apologize....but could you at least post your location.

[Traxless]

Originally Posted by Capt Steve

My 2012 Nexus {2011 Chassis}, 24' Class C has GVWR of 11,500# {Ford upped this number to 12,500 on the 2012 chassis'} where the E-450's GVWR is 1,450#.

Capt Steve left out a zero (0) ... GVWR is 14,500#. But it's only a zero! Btw, his posts are usually error free unlike mine.