E450 GCWR increase

[The Shadow]

Inspected a new Itasca Impulse 26QP and was interested to see the details on the weight sticker. GVWR remains at 14,500 lbs for 2011 but GCWR has been increased to 22,000. I hope the manufacturers will start shipping them with 8,000 lb receivers.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Shadow I hope the manufacturers will start shipping them with 8,000 lb receivers.

That is not likely to happen from Winnebago Industries on that class of vehicle. For 2011 I am only seeing a GCWR of 20,000 pounds according to on-line specifications.

[The Shadow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer That is not likely to happen from Winnebago Industries on that class of vehicle. For 2011 I am only seeing a GCWR of 20,000 pounds according to on-line specifications.

Then you aren't looking in all the right places. I took a photo of the weight sticker and if you would like I'll send it to you. I also have the Ford brochure on RV and Trailer Towing. You can download at http://www.commtruck.ford.com/pdf/br...wing_Guide.pdf

Look down to Page 12 and read the 2nd feature.

Those are 2 pieces of evidence that make it pretty clear.

Now, you will find that some of the early 26QPs used the 2010 chassis with GCWR of 20,000 lbs. The one I examined at Forest City Motorhomes in London Ontario was on the 2011 and had a 2011 VIN number (B in the 10th place).

Interestingly, this gives the E450 better towing than my Kodiak Gasser and all of the diesel units like the Seneca (the next Seneca will, however, be on a Freightliner M2 chassis with an ISB engine).

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Shadow Then you aren't looking in all the right places. I took a photo of the weight sticker and if you would like I'll send it to you. I also have the Ford brochure on RV and Trailer Towing. You can download at .

You see it says; Up to 14,500 lbs. GVWR and 22,000 lbs. GCWR(a) A 7500 pound tow rating on that Chassis is an unlikely scenario when W24s and large F53s are only hauling 6,000 to 7,000 pounds. It will remain to be seen if WGO will offer more than a 5K rated Valley hitch on that rig.

I don't think that I would be comfortable driving a Class C vehicle under that type of load.

[The Shadow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer You see it says; Up to 14,500 lbs. GVWR and 22,000 lbs. GCWR(a) A 7500 pound tow rating on that Chassis is an unlikely scenario when W24s and large F53s are only hauling 6,000 to 7,000 pounds. It will remain to be seen if WGO will offer more than a 5K rated Valley hitch on that rig. I don't think that I would be comfortable driving a Class C vehicle under that type of load.

I earlier posted comments and they disappeared??? Will have to do a PDF print every time I post now.

It says "UP TO" because it also covers off the E350 which has a lower GVWR and GCWR.

In my disappearing post I noted that there are a lot of people using the E450 to tow far more than 5000 lbs. If you go to a race track you will see several E450s hauling race trailers heavily loaded. The 22,000 will be something they welcome. BUT if, with a heavy rated hitch, the maximum hitch weight doesn't increase to 700 to 800 lbs they will still have a problem. Many of these guys have been towing overweight for years and it doesn't bother them. It would sure bother me. We also see a lot of A's and C's on the Interstates towing heavily laden trailers that one glance makes you think they have to be overweight - especially when the enclosed trailer is 20 ft long and has a car in it.

The Itasca brochure shows GCWR of 20,000 and the first units off the line were on 2010 chassis. If you look at the VIN on this one you will see an "A" in the 10th place of the VIN - which means 2010.
2011 Itasca Impulse Silver 26QP Motor Home Class C at Lichtsinn Motors Forest City Iowa Lichtsinn Motors


The one we looked at (Forest City Motorhomes, London Ont) had a "B" in the 10th place of the VIN and that means 2011. So, if Winnie has used up its supply of 2010 chassis everything coming off the line now should be 2011 and the 22,000 GCWR.

[csdavis62]

What I wonder is what has changed to allow the additional 2,000 Lbs of capacity. I have a 2011 Coachmen with the 2010 Chassis which has the 20,000 limit. I noticed the increase in the 2011 towing guide as well but I cannot find what has changed i.e. rear end ratio, larger trans cooler, bigger brakes, whatever. So did Ford just reevaluate the platform and decide it could handle more if so is my 2010 capable of the same?

[The Shadow]

I think you are probably going to phone Ford and ask. If you do, and they provide an answer, do let us know what they did, if anything.

Don

[Ray,IN]

Perhaps just another saga in the pickup truck ratings war. My daddy can lick your daddy type of thing.

[The Shadow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN Perhaps just another saga in the pickup truck ratings war. My daddy can lick your daddy type of thing.

Why would you bother to make this statement here? IMO it is out of place here as this is not a Chev vs Ford "debate".

[nwcanopies]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Shadow Why would you bother to make this statement here? IMO it is out of place here as this is not a Chev vs Ford "debate".

My junk per the man is different than the coach builder. It will still tow 10k though. And its a C

[Ray,IN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Shadow Why would you bother to make this statement here? IMO it is out of place here as this is not a Chev vs Ford "debate".

I said nothing about brands, it was your conclusion. All pickup manufacturers seem to be increasing CCC, GVW, GCWR, without obvious upgrades to suspension or brakes. I speculated that has carried over to other truck models. Sorry if I ruffled your feathers.

[rough road]

Somewhere I saw a 10K tow limit for the E450 with the diesel.

[csdavis62]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Shadow I think you are probably going to phone Ford and ask. If you do, and they provide an answer, do let us know what they did, if anything. Don

I did call Ford and got the typical blank stare over the PH.

I then found

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/

If you look at Bulletin Q-193 42-way Connector Heat Shield Installation Kit you will see what looks like a fairly simply modification which will bump the CGVW by 2,000 lbs. I certainly am going to look underneath my unit to see if it is something I can do myself.

On the other hand as I think about it a particular RV manufacturer may or may not install the shield which looks like it is their responsibility so just because you have a 2011 chassis does not mean you have the shield and the resulting 2,000 lbs of additional CGVW. I would check it looks like it is between the manifold and harness mounded on the drivers side frame rail.

I attached the PDF for reference

Scott

[W4MBG]

so, let me get this straight: a little piece of tin, used as a heat shield for an electrical connector, would allow the chassis to pull an extra ton of weight? wow, that really beefs up the frame more than i thought! ???

gotta be something else going on there. just sayin'...