chuck_neste
Atlanta, Georgia
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Hello All,
I am looking to buy a mid 90's class C around 30 ft w/ no slides. I want to occassional tow 4500 Lbs. Based on this information, What makes /models have a high GVWR/ GCWR. I was reading that the E 450 With the 6.8 V10 456 gears can pull 14K. What is the avearge loaded weight of a 28-32 Ft Class C Motorhome. Would 8-10 K in weight be average?
FYI
GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating) -- The maximum allowable weight of the combination of tow vehicle and trailer/ fifth-wheel, or motorhome and dinghy. It includes the weight of the vehicle, trailer/fifth-wheel (or dinghy), cargo, passengers and a full load of fluids (fresh water, propane, fuel, etc.). GTWR (Gross Trailer Weight Rating) -- Maximum allowable weight of a trailer, fully loaded with cargo and fluids.
http://www.rv.org/class_C.htm
Introduced in 1996, Ford's 14,050-pound GVWR cutaway chassis with V10 engine helped boost many class C's into the snowbirding classification. This chassis allowed mini motor home manufacturers to build their 28 to 30-foot motor homes without overburdening the chassis
Chuck
* This post was
edited 10/12/09 09:13am by chuck_neste *
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Chuck
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GrumpyandGrandma
CIncinnati, OH
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The GCWR on most of the current E-450/V-10's is around 19,500 +/-, with a GVWR of 14,500 +/-so that would leave you about 5000 lbs if it has the right hitch.
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chuck_neste
Atlanta, Georgia
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Hello All,
So the E350 will be underrated and should not be used to pull a boat. Using a rig that has the E450 powertrain and with proper frame support, Towing should not be an issue. Would that be a correct assumption and What type of gas mileage may I see with and without a trailer?
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carringb
Corvallis, OR
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The GCWR on all V10 E450s is 20,000 pounds.
The E450 came out in 1996 but was initially badged "E-Superduty"
Yes, I think you can safety tow 4500 pounds if you change to a receiver rated at least that high. Most E350 van receivers come with the shims to mount it on cutaway frames.
You will still have to pack with concern to overloading the rear axle.
Bryan
2000 Ford E350 DRW Wagon (14-pass all captains chairs)
V10 w/ Banks PowerPack, Diablo Predator, 4.56 LS, ~350,000 miles
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chuck_neste
Atlanta, Georgia
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Ok,So what is the GCW for an E350 Vechicle between 1993-1996. This would be the 460 drivetrain?
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dceggert
SE Michigan
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Chuck,
I, personally, have not seen the 6.8L in anything earlier than a 1997 MY coach. The chassis may have been 1996 but the coach was made as a 1997. It has to do with the introduction timing of the coach vs. the motorhome. By 1998 most were now the 6.8L.
A mid-90's Class C (1993 - 1996) would be the E350 chassis. I believe the GVW would be about 12,500lbs. A 28 to 30 foot would be in the 10,000 to 10,500 lb range dry weight.
The GCW is the total weight of the vehicle and trailer. The vehicle weight in the computation would be GVW. Most Class C's come with a class II hitch so they are limited to 3,000 lb towing and 300 lb tongue weight. The MH manufacturers listed the GCW as the GVW + the max towing weight of the 3,000 lb Class II hitch instead of the proper GCW rating calculations. By updating the hitch to a Class III (5,000 towing, 500 lb tongue weight) you can tow your 4,500 lb trailer without issue. The only thing to be careful about is that the rear frame extensions were wellded properly to the base frame to be able to handle the higher towing weights.
The base E350 is rated as capable of towing up to 10,500 lbs if the structure is properly constructed between the frame and the hitch.
Dan
regards,
Dan
1992 Coachmen Leprechaun 265RF
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carringb
Corvallis, OR
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I believe the GCWR of the E350 is 18,500 pounds. Since it has no slides, pulling 4500 pounds would still be okay EXCEPT the rear axle will be very prone to overloading. This will mean you would have to keep trailer tongue weight low, and pack the motorhome very carefully to avoid overloading the rear axle.
Do check the age and condition of tires.
For a motorhome that size, it would come with the 7.5L big block, which is nearly comparable to the first generation V10. It's actually a bigger motor than the V10.
Also consider adding airbags or helper springs to the rear. At that age, the stock springs are probably sagging a bit.
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chuck_neste
Atlanta, Georgia
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Thanks Carringb,
I think that was the answer I was looking for. Upgrading the springs would be the only immediate upgrade needed. I am mechanically inclined and would rather have the 454 but the 460 is a proven workhorse. I assume I would have about 400 Lbs of tongue weight . I appreciate all the feedback and I think I know what I should look for when buying a class C with the help of this forum.
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chuck_neste
Atlanta, Georgia
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Hello All,
After researching the site, Can I assume that the E 350 can pull about 17K? If I had a fully loaded trailer at 12K which may be close to the GVWR and pull another 4500 Lbs ocasssionally within a few hours of home, Would this be acceptable. 80 % of my use will come from instate camping and mostly from a site 20 miles away.
Thanks
Chuck
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/18417167.cfm
The E-350 Chassis is rated for 11000 lbs and the E-450 is rated for 14050 lbs.
The other differences are a heaver frame, axles, springs and lower rear gears. And there may be other differences, like engine oil cooler, larger transmission cooler, larger tires, and brakes.
Its generally a heaver duty chassis.
Also the standard engine in a E-350 is a V-8, and the standard engine in the E-450 is the V-10.
There may be other differences.
* This post was
edited 10/13/09 07:22am by chuck_neste *
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chuck_neste
Atlanta, Georgia
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Hello Again,
Would this type motorhome meet my needs?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290358490652&viewitem=&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D2&category=50056
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