Motor home weights

[RKBob]

I heard (read) that Dynamax weighs each unit before delivery. I also understand that the new 30FW 4x4 is close to the front axel capacity on the front axel. Does anyone know what these actual weights on current units off the assembly line are?

[bgrattan]

I don't know the answer to your question, but if folks want to know where the claim of the front axle being at the max weight has been made, here is a link: Dynamax Motorhomes on Truck Chassis | MotorHome Magazine

[bclemens]

Correct, that was a 30FW prototype, 4x4 without the HD front end option and a full tank of water (and fuel I think).

HD front end we put on everything now so it raise the axle to 7250. If you are concerned about the front end weight, you can also do 4x2 which will take another 400lbs off. If you want the 4x4, load anything heavy in the back to help shift weight.

The other problem is if you have too light a front end...and you tow something heavy, you can end up with a bad ride that way.

Always a balance.

[Magnatudes]

So design a shorter model. Keep the 4x4. If a 30FW is actually 32 feet long then develop a 25RW that is actually 27 feet long overall. I may sound like a broken record but it seems like weight issues are on the extreme edge.

[bclemens]

If everyone is OK with the same capacities of the sprinter, then it might be doable. Because those are the tanks that will fit in the places that we need to fit them.

That still may not solve the front axle scenario. We have plenty of weight on the Ram...but the shorter you make it....the harder it is to shift said weight on the rear where all the capacity is.

[Magnatudes]

I would be OK with tank capacities if I could get more CCC. Raise the floor level a bit & lower the ceiling. Provide an option without the bunkover.

[bclemens]

Tha 30FW has anywhere from 2600 to 3000 lbs of CCC as it sits.

[Magnatudes]

It's too long. We need something that is a max of 27 feet long. The 30FW 5 feet too long @ 32+ actual feet. Cannot fit anything longer into covered storage. If I could, I would have kept our Country Coach which was 32 feet & had an 400HP ISL/Allison 6speed. The only reason why we went with an Isata 3 RW is length for numerous reasons. You get the room with rear slideout extended. Would be even better with 4x4 to get into shoreline & desert dry camping via trails, not roads, with some ground clearance & tire/wheel options. Shorter wheelbase & turn radius.

[FOURWHL]

Sounds like a earth roamer is what you’re after

[bclemens]

The best we have been able to do is 30' tip to tip. In that case, you give up the sofa...which isn't really worth it in my mind to get the 24" back.

If we take the exact same 24RW floor plan and put it on the 5 series...it would be at a the very least 28'. The cab is 24" longer right off the bat and the rear cap adds at least 12". That doesn't account for the electronics tower we normally put on the 5. So I'd say 29' to try and get a larger shower.

[Magnatudes]

Originally Posted by FOURWHL

Sounds like a earth roamer is what you’re after

Earth Roamers are cool, but @$450K to start on their low-end model is a bit much. And the floorplans are not even close. But thanks for the thought.

[Magnatudes]

Originally Posted by bclemens

The best we have been able to do is 30' tip to tip. In that case, you give up the sofa...which isn't really worth it in my mind to get the 24" back.

If we take the exact same 24RW floor plan and put it on the 5 series...it would be at a the very least 28'. The cab is 24" longer right off the bat and the rear cap adds at least 12". That doesn't account for the electronics tower we normally put on the 5. So I'd say 29' to try and get a larger shower.

Not sure why you could not clone the RW floorplan onto a Ram chassis other than wheel well locations.
The Dynaquest 264ST was 27.5 feet tip to tip with a decent size shower sofa bed, double bed, decent sized trunk & lots of fuel, power & GVWR.
Keep thinking about it Brian. You'll eventually come up with a winner.