Community Forums

hattitude · 08-28-2021, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mizzou

I am confused as to why the big difference in weight capacities between the Thor and Newmar when some use the same chassis and engines; and why Thor lowered theirs so much on the newer models. Is it because they moved to the Ford V8? But the newer Newmars use a FRED with a freightliner chassis but still have limited garage weight. I would really like to get a class A toy hauler because I don't like towables near as much but am I looking for the impossible wanting to garage a UTV/side by side and pull a Jeep?

Any help or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks!

On the Newmar, the garage weight is limited by the actual floor in the garage, not the RV chassis.

I have a 2014 3920 and wrote to Newmar about the garage weight limit issue. My coach DOES NOT have the bed or seats that slide up & down the walls in the garage... It's just an open garage.. I wrote to Newmar (via email) to see if my garage could handle more weight due to the lack of bed/seats in the garage.

Here was their response:

"Good Morning, Mr. Updike

This is what I received from engineering.

The garage floor max capacity is 1500 LBS.

Ramp is rated for a max of 2500 LBS.

Static load (stationary) 600# per bed.

Dynamic load (moving) 450# per bed.

Garage capacity will not increase without those options.

Greg Goldy
Customer Service Coordinator"

I hope that helps...

NWCycle · 09-04-2021, 02:12 AM

You don’t need to run the bike, been doing this for years, just pop in gear and use clutch as a brake 👍

NWCycle · 09-04-2021, 02:16 AM

I wish I saw this thread before I purchased our 40’ Monaco, is there any special web site to search or look for class A toy hauler?
I personally HATE trailers. Between lights, tires, wheel bearings, etc.
So I would sell mine in a blink if I found a toy hauler
Great thread !!!

mrdino · 09-29-2021, 12:09 PM

Wow, 65 pages has to be a record. Quite a popular topic. So my DW has issues with towing anything so I agreed a smart car in a toy hauler would be a good solution. Newmar says 1500 max, Thor about the same. So if that doesn't work, would be interested in a street legal weather protected vehicle that weighs under 1500 lbs. Any ideas appreciated. I will also read thru this entire thread when I have time but just wondering if there are an quick answers out there.

JeffAZ · 09-30-2021, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrdino

Wow, . . .a smart car in a toy hauler would be a good solution. Newmar says 1500 max, Thor about the same. So if that doesn't work, would be interested in a street legal weather protected vehicle that weighs under 1500 lbs. Any ideas appreciated. . . .

The first gen Outlaws have a garage capacity of 2500 lbs. The newer ones and the Newmars now list 1500. As I stated earlier, why don’t they make these newer rigs more capable instead of less? That only causes potential buyers like you to look at alternatives like a super C with a garage (Renegade or Showhauler, etc).

A Smart or a Scion iQ are the only “street legal weather-protected ” vehicles I know that will fit in these 10 foot garages, but again, you have to now consider the weights. The first gen Smarts are about 1800 lbs and the 2nd gen are 2300 lbs.

I have carried my 2nd gen Smart in my 2008 Outlaw about 10,000 miles without any problems. But I do have to watch the weight on the rear axle. So when I travel with the Smart I keep the the rear bins very light and travel with only 25% full fresh water.

Also the Smart is a challenge to tie down in the small space. I use 4 straps thru the wheels criss-crossed front and back. Since the Smart is very low it takes a lot of dexterity to get everything attached. If I do this on a hot day, I usually have broken a good sweat. For my Rzr I have a Mighty Tite system installed, so that is a breeze to tie down. But that system isn’t feasible for a car.

walkervalj · 11-21-2021, 08:02 PM

We have s 2017 Thor 37 BG Bought new, and after spending about a year getting everything right, we love it. The rather unique thing is, we haul a car in it. After some research, we determined the following vehicles would fit. Chevy spark (what we use), mit. Mirage, fiat 500. And of course Smart for two. We have to back our spark in, and run rear tires part way up fender ramps in bay. When we camp, we unload, drop powered beds down, rear bay is our bedroom aka “snoring chamber”. Hauling car does not effect handling, has negligible effect on gas milage. I have added sumos and upgraded shocks. Have weighed unit when loaded, and is within limits. We have driven motorhome almost 40,000 miles, without any issues. Made covers for hooks at bottom of ramp, after cutting two tires on car through carelessness, loading and unloading. Will attempt to attach photos.

JeffAZ · 11-26-2021, 11:49 PM

Nice, a Chevy in an Outlaw

The BG is an interesting floorplan with the deeper garage, but only made for a couple of years. Thanks for sharing.

cbigham · 01-22-2022, 07:41 AM

The outlaw 29j 2022 starting to grow on me. Not a class A, but still has all it needs, more really. Don't want the slide out, rather have the carrying capacity and frame rigidity.

swk · 01-24-2022, 08:02 PM

Something many don't think about with the rear deck. Thor does NOT recomend leaving the rear deck open while raining. Now some would question, why would you want to use the deck while raining? It is obvious we would not be "using" the deck during rain. However, Thor apparently expects the customer to remove all items from deck, collapse the railing and close the door anytime there is a threat of rain. Really? One of the sales features is the ability to use the rear door as a deck. Very inconvenient. What does everyone else do?

bross · 01-24-2022, 08:20 PM

Common sense would dictate that it depends on which way it's raining (driving rain) and how much? Also making sure the door/deck is angled down slightly so as not to let water run into the RV. But we all know how lacking common sense is now a days, hence Thor's advice.

I can see it probably NOT being a good idea with the inside corners of the wall being exposed allowing possible water intrusion. Trying to remember and I believe the wall to floor seam was caulked but I'm not sure about the very end where the door mechanics were. Our Canyon Star door/deck had a hump making it easier to load bikes, but negated it ever being used as a deck so never thought about leaving it open.

JeffAZ · 01-25-2022, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swk

Something many don't think about with the rear deck. Thor does NOT recomend leaving the rear deck open while raining. . . Thor apparently expects the customer to remove all items from deck, collapse the railing and close the door anytime there is a threat of rain. Really? One of the sales features is the ability to use the rear door as a deck. Very inconvenient. What does everyone else do?

I agree that it is preposterous for Thor not to have the ramp deck and garage floor water-proofed. I have an old OTL that pre-dates before Thor even made the deck available from the factory, so us old owners had to rig up our own cable system to make a "Don Deck", named after the originator back in 2013.

So I made that mod to weatherproof the deck and garage, with the help of another now absent OTL poster. Here is a link to my post and to the original poster on how to accomplish that. https://www.irv2.com/forums/f121/out...ml#post4836099

swk · 01-26-2022, 09:20 AM

I am not sure about the Canyon Star but the Outlaw has a rear collapsible screen door wall that should keep most rain out. I would agree the "wall" is lightweight and would not keep all rain out, however the garage floor seems to be able to tolerate some moisture. The garage does have a slight angle at the rear so any water that may intrude should drain out.

I like the idea of coating the deck\ramp for additional protection. I would also make sure the garage edges are sealed well. I may look into having LineX sprayed on the ramp and the angled part of the garage. Thanks for the replies.