P-series models explained

[parts_expert]

Really, there are only TWO. I'd like to clear up some confusion I've seen around here.

P32 is the official name for a light duty motorhome stripped-chassis from GM or Workhorse. Last official model year was 2005, replaced by the W16 and W18. P32s have been made with wide-track and standard track front ends, with both 16" and 19.5" wheels, with rear drums and rear disc brakes. Still a P32 with any of these combos.

P42 is the official name for a light duty stepvan stripped-chassis

"P57" and "P37" are not models, they are just vin sequences that would indicate a P32 chassis from different eras.

"P30" is just a generic term going back to the GM days for both light duty stripped chassis. This term is still used heavily in the aftermarket truck service and parts world (and state DMVs for title/plates) when describing both a P32 and a P42.

[TakerEasy]

Cool, Even in my factory GM books, the engineers couldn't figure out what to call them

[DriVer]

Mike T is one of our prominant members here and he says that that State of Massachussettes titled his (past) motorhome as a P30. Even in obsolence the model number remains confusing. Most likely the model type was furninmshed to the State by the dealer so it only makes sense that the dealer was at fault in providing the State with the proper information.

I previously wrote, "There ain't no such thing as a P-30" and this additional information reinforces that quite well.

[mike brez]

I was thinking about replacing my ball joints and ran across this


Posted December 25, 2005 12:48 AM Hide Post
Neil,

Remember to use lower ball joint # K6175 from Moog,this is a common mistake by parts suppliers that look up a P30 & give you a K6122.This has a much smaller shaft,although it looks the same.The K6175 is specific to the P32 chassis.You should expect to pay 185.00+ for this part.

Mike Bronzini
Brazel's Rv Performance
www.brazelsrv.com
Check out our new WEBSITE
Your safety & comfort is our Goal!




So what are these P30 parts for if there is no such thing???

[Ultra RV Products]

The P30 chassis has 16" wheels & rear drum brakes.

[DriVer]

Originally posted by Brazels RV Performance:
The P30 chassis has 16" wheels & rear drum brakes.

Mike, P32s have been made with wide-track and standard track front ends, with both 16" and 19.5" wheels, with rear drums and rear disc brakes. Still a P32 with any of these combos.

I'll ask Larry Watson tomorrow when I see him.

[parts_expert]

Originally posted by DriVer:
Mike T is one of our prominant members here and he says that that State of Massachussettes titled his (past) motorhome as a P30. Even in obsolence the model number remains confusing. Most likely the model type was furninmshed to the State by the dealer so it only makes sense that the dealer was at fault in providing the State with the proper information.

I previously wrote, "There ain't no such thing as a P-30" and this additional information reinforces that quite well.

I changed my original post to reflect that, yes, alot of states will title both P32s and P42s as a P30. Once again, it's a generic term to describe the GM/WCC light duty stripped-chassis. Nothing wrong with that though, if the owner knows what he really has.

I'll reiterate that a P32 can have rear drums and 16" wheels, though not too common.

Any time you break down a VIN at a dealer, the full model name will appear as, for example:
P31842, P31442, P30842, etc, etc= P42
P31832, P31932, P32032, etc, etc= P32
no full model name will ever end with a "30", therefore, no "true" P30 models.

also, if anyone cares to know, the three digit numbers in the full model names (308, 314, 320, etc) are codes relating to wheelbase.

[parts_expert]

Originally posted by Brazels RV Performance:
The P30 chassis has 16" wheels & rear drum brakes.

Mike, the 16" wheel and rear drum combination has been used on the shorter wheelbase (lighter)chassis. This may be the P30832 or P30842 model you have seen this combo on. I'm guessing that's where you or someone else is getting the "P30" name from. As my above post explains, it's the first digit and the last two digits of the full model name that is used to describe the chassis model, not the first three digits

[edgray]

also, if anyone cares to know, the three digit numbers in the full model names (308, 314, 320, etc) are codes relating to wheelbase

PARTSEXPERT: Thanks for explaining what has been a very confused issue for a long time. I'm surprised nobody has thought there was a P31 chassis due to the "314" code. How about finishing the job by deciferring the codes? What are the corresponding wheel bases in inches, please. ED

[parts_expert]

Originally posted by edgray:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">also, if anyone cares to know, the three digit numbers in the full model names (308, 314, 320, etc) are codes relating to wheelbase

PARTSEXPERT: Thanks for explaining what has been a very confused issue for a long time. I'm surprised nobody has thought there was a P31 chassis due to the "314" code. How about finishing the job by deciferring the codes? What are the corresponding wheel bases in inches, please. ED </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

these are not all, but a basic rundown

305= 110"
308= 125"
310= 133"
311= 137"
314= 157"
318= 178"
319= 190"
320= 208"
321= 228"

[parts_expert]

here's a few more honorable mentions to add to the original two (these are still serviced by GM). Same style model breakdowns- first digit and last two digits of the full model name.

P12- medium duty
P52- G-van style cab/nose cutaway RV
P62- G-van style cab/nose cutaway commercial (commonly known as a G30HD or P3500HD)

[edgray]

these are not all,

THANK YOU, partsexpert! Now I finally can understand why my W-22 series chassis (with 242" WB) carries a "model" # of P32522. It always puzzeled me why a W series was a "P" model. ED

[parts_expert]

Originally posted by edgray:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">these are not all,

THANK YOU, partsexpert! Now I finally can understand why my W-22 series chassis (with 242" WB) carries a "model" # of P32522. It always puzzeled me why a W series was a "P" model. ED </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

to acknowledge your confusion, the earlier W-series motorhome chassis' does not have a "W" in the full model name. Just go by the last two digits of that sequence. (16, 18, 20, 22, 24, etc.) The later units do have a W in the full model name

[edgray]

partsexpert: can you do me a favor? How 'bout we "fix" your screen name to read something like this: PARTSexpert or partsEXPERT. Ya see, I'm having problem with my bi-focals and every time I see your screen name it looks like: part SEX pert, and then I lose my concentration
Any body else havin' this problem? ED