2291S - Chevy

[s1njin]

Hey Gang,

So I was evaluating a Rockwood MiniLite, but in a wild swing in the want/need/valuation scale my DW and I are giving the above a hard look.

The thing is, I've never owned a chevy or a chevy chassis anything before.

One of the things that calls to us w/ this floorplan is the huge amount of CCC available (3527). No way I'm going to fill it up so unlike some of the larger/longer C's on the Ford Chassis, weight isn't going to be a problem on this one.

I also have a small 5x8 low profile (can fit it in the garage) cargo trailer I was thinking I could hook onto the back. GVWR 3500 pounds, I seriously doubt I'd have even 1k pounds in it. More like 500 w/ bikes and a cooler and some other stuff?

What do you guys think? Am I missing anything here? The Chevy is giving me pause, but the limited amount I can fine suggests its a fine combination so long as you're shorter and lighter - which I am at 25'.

Thanks !

[Total Loss]

I tow up to 4200 with my 2251 Chevy. About 11k loaded for the RV.
Chevy 6.0 with the 6 spd does fine. I get 9.5 to 11 mpg depending on what I am hauling.
Not breaking the sound barrier but it does fine. More than that, I would want more power.

[Hoglou]

Our 2300 is a chevy 6.0. Bought it for the front end, steady like a "A" frame should be. The ford has a stronger (heavier) front chassis and can handle a larger sized coach, but lacks inherent ride and control. Just one man's 2 cents..

We toad a jeep, and carry just about everything with us. Now it won't fly up mt eagle on hw24 at any great hurry. But then I have never been passed by a v-10 either while climbing..

Power curve and torque are pretty close..

[s1njin]

Good to hear. I just put a hold on a leftover 2017 pending DW’s look over later this week !

[s1njin]

Originally Posted by Total Loss

I tow up to 4200 with my 2251 Chevy. About 11k loaded for the RV.
Chevy 6.0 with the 6 spd does fine. I get 9.5 to 11 mpg depending on what I am hauling.
Not breaking the sound barrier but it does fine. More than that, I would want more power.

Looks like the yellow sticker weight on mine is 10673. So it seems I’d be heavier than you, but still plenty to spare for a 2k pound 5x8 short wall cargo trailer.

My trailer has brakes so I have to get them to wire me a break controller.

[s1njin]

So far about the only negative I see on the coach is the Dometic AC. I really wish it had a Coleman on it. Is the Dometic as bad as I'm reading? Or is it simply there are more of them out there to complain about?

[retireearly]

No problems yet here on the a/c. Make sure the in-wall slide operates well, ours required some adjustments to the rollers. I wish we had been able to drive a Chevy, the Ford has been a struggle to get it to handle and track right.

[s1njin]

I was leery of the Chevy, but I was able to take it out on the highway and get stuck in traffic w/ it. Etc. Got it up to 65 and was able to steer it w/ one finger. And the suspension is much softer - not as jarring as the E450 I had on my prior 2 MHs.

I was pleasantly surprised. Hopefully the chassis is reliable.

[Total Loss]

Originally Posted by s1njin

Looks like the yellow sticker weight on mine is 10673. So it seems I’d be heavier than you, but still plenty to spare for a 2k pound 5x8 short wall cargo trailer.

My trailer has brakes so I have to get them to wire me a break controller.

I weighed mine with half a tank of water and gas and me out- standard stuff that stays in the rig- 10120

[rebellee]

Originally Posted by s1njin

I was leery of the Chevy, but I was able to take it out on the highway and get stuck in traffic w/ it. Etc. Got it up to 65 and was able to steer it w/ one finger. And the suspension is much softer - not as jarring as the E450 I had on my prior 2 MHs.

I was pleasantly surprised. Hopefully the chassis is reliable.

Just curious - why are you leery of the Chevy? What have you heard or read? We have a 2012 2250 on a Chevy chassis but have only owned it for about 18 months and it only has about 12K on it. No problems so far.

[s1njin]

Originally Posted by rebellee

Just curious - why are you leery of the Chevy? What have you heard or read? We have a 2012 2250 on a Chevy chassis but have only owned it for about 18 months and it only has about 12K on it. No problems so far.

Leery only insofar as I know Ford dominates the motorhome market and I can’t find much info from Chevy folks. Recent info anyway.

[Total Loss]

I did have to change a radiator under warranty- one of the tanks was seeping under pressure. (2015 chassis).
I heard this is pretty common.

[s1njin]

If I go through w/ this, hopefully mine won't be one of them !

[Forester Fred]

My 2301 is on a Chevy chassis. When I bought it I drove an extra 100 miles one way to a dealer that had the 2301/Chevy combination on his lot. I didn't want a Ford. There's a bit more legroom for the passenger in the Chevy and I had heard various complaints about the Ford doghouse getting too hot. My last motorhome (1986 Tioga Arrow) was also on a Chevy chassis and I drove it all over the country for 10 years. I've been cross country with my 2301 and other than changing oil and running it through a couple truck washes to get it nice and clean I haven't had to do anything to it. Also, it's rated to tow 5,000lbs.

[s1njin]

I’ve had two 32’ C’s with the E450 chassis. The doghouse does get hot.

[Total Loss]

Workhorse

[s1njin]

As in the chassis is a workhorse? Beast? Stout/reliable?

[Total Loss]

Originally Posted by s1njin

As in the chassis is a workhorse? Beast? Stout/reliable?

The 4500 is pretty strong.
The rear spring stack is way overkill for these short rigs.
You could throw the toad on the roof and be ok.
I hang about 500 lbs off the back and the rig rides better.
Front lower a/arms look kinda weak- nothing else. (alum).
These are made as 200k plus delivery vans.
I would still recommend doing the front alignment to add max caster, front shocks and a steer-straight stabilize. Worked wonders for my handling.

And I get 10.5 -11 mpg not towing- just the bikes.
I usually manually shift the tranny to keep it in the torque band with my throttle . Unless it's really flat. I love the 6spd tranny.

[Hoglou]

X2 on weight cap of a 4500 chevy w/short coach. DW could play lucy in the long log trailer collecting rocks and it wont care with 4310 ccc.

[s1njin]

I’m tickled pink with 3500 pounds I can’t imagine breaking 4K!