Meritor Rear End # Rating

[EZDZIT]

Does anyone know if the Meritor rear end rating of my 2012 Dutch Star 3735 has been uprated from 20,000# to 23,000# ?

Or, was the Meritor rear end redesigned to achieve 23,000# ?

[Skip426]

Have you phoned Freightliner with your serial number to ask these questions?

1-800-385-4357

[Pigman1]

I'd watch the results you get from Freightliner real close. We had a 2008 Tiffin Bus and when I checked the Meritor model number of the rear axle, I found it rated for 18,000# in their literature. I questioned this while at Camp Freightliner as the placards inside the Bus and advertizing from Tiffin all showed it should have a 20,000# rear. After a bit of studdering, Freightliner admitted they raised the 18K rear to 20K. In other words, a bit of a pencil whip, but no one would say if Freightliner or Tiffin asked Meritor to push it to 20K.

[EZDZIT]

After a conference call with Newmar and Freightliner, Freightliner confirmed that on my coach the rated capacity of the Meritor rear end is 20,000#. Darn, I wish it were more as on the newer Dutch Stars but at least now we know not to bring much more on board.

Thanks for your responses.

[D Lindy]

I think a lot of the issue/confusion with the rating of the rear axles by Meritor is that they rate their axles for commercial use, i.e. semi's. When used in an RV application they're able to up the rating. Our Journey has a 19000 Meritor axle and is rated by F/Ler and Winnebago at 20000lbs.