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Old 11-16-2019, 08:56 PM   #1
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Question No More Axis 450 Chassis?

We have a 2017 Thor Axis 25.2 with the Ford E 450 chassis. I was looking at the 2020 Axis online and see that there are three models/floorplans and they all have the E 350 chassis. At one time Thor Axis had transitioned from the 350 to the 450 and now back to the 350 chassis.

What gives?

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Old 11-16-2019, 09:20 PM   #2
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In 2016 when I purchased my Axis, I was told that Thor was having problems getting E350s so they took E450s instead. I’m sure it is a function of cost. It is too bad, however, because the 12,500 chassis limit on the E350 gives you very little leeway before you are overweight. With the extra 2000 lbs on the E450, I cannot overload it.
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Old 11-16-2019, 09:44 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oneilkeys View Post
In 2016 when I purchased my Axis, I was told that Thor was having problems getting E350s so they took E450s instead. I’m sure it is a function of cost. It is too bad, however, because the 12,500 chassis limit on the E350 gives you very little leeway before you are overweight. With the extra 2000 lbs on the E450, I cannot overload it.
Leave it up to them to make a better thing eventually worse.
Margins can't be that tight, can they? Jeez.
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Old 11-16-2019, 09:58 PM   #4
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I assumed it was a cost saving measure and a big step in the wrong direction from my perspective. We have weighed fully loaded and were 2,000+ lbs under gvwr. I can see no disadvantage to having the more robust 450 chassis which we now have finely and finally tuned to drive and handle so that it is actually a joy (yes, joy) to drive. Count me disappointed.

Thank you for your response.
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Old 11-16-2019, 10:32 PM   #5
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Hang on a sec: If you look at the Axis specs page it says E350 but the weight ratings (GVWR, GCWR) for the two models are E450 ratings (its just the 24.1 that has the E350 ratings):
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Old 11-16-2019, 10:40 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by JamieGeek View Post
Hang on a sec: If you look at the Axis specs page it says E350 but the weight ratings (GVWR, GCWR) for the two models are E450 ratings (its just the 24.1 that has the E350 ratings):
Attachment 21488
Jamie, that doesn't seem to make sense. Is it a typo? How do you pull an extra 2k and 3+k out of a chassis that has such little variation in what sits on top of it - and a bigger unit? I have to be missing something in the translation and, if so, my bad.
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Old 11-16-2019, 11:00 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by The_Breeze View Post
Jamie, that doesn't seem to make sense. Is it a typo? How do you pull an extra 2k and 3+k out of a chassis that has such little variation in what sits on top of it - and a bigger unit? I have to be missing something in the translation and, if so, my bad.
I'm sure its a typo, not the first time something on Thor's web page didn't add up

In all cases you can simply look at the VIN to see what kind of chassis it is.

Even the dealers know better: Look at this listing for a 2020 25.6 from General RV; they list it as an E450.
https://www.generalrv.com/product/ne...dot-6-982259-9
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Old 11-16-2019, 11:13 PM   #8
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A few years ago Ford stopped production of the E350 until they got some emission control stuff straight. I believe it also had to do with bringing out the Transit cutaway.

Specs can change without notice.
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Old 11-16-2019, 11:59 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by EA37TS View Post
A few years ago Ford stopped production of the E350 until they got some emission control stuff straight. I believe it also had to do with bringing out the Transit cutaway.

Specs can change without notice.
That was said before as well and consensus could reveal that's why they starting sourcing 450's. The RV market was hot. Anyone see the show GoRving on one of those off channels?

They weren't going to halt production if they could get their hands on 'Y'. The next cheapest alternative that could do the job without getting put out of business by lawsuits was the 450.

If they seriously put that land yacht back on a 350, it better come with some serious suspension changes to the RV market or the people who buy them have a very good chance of getting financially hosed - or worse.
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Old 11-17-2019, 12:03 AM   #10
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I wouldn’t believe anything on the Thor website without checking it out. When I bought my 2016, Thor said that they were now using the E450 and didn’t change their spec sheet from the 350 for a year. They have the disclaimer that they can change anything at any time — or not.
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Old 11-17-2019, 12:16 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by Oneilkeys View Post
I wouldn’t believe anything on the Thor website without checking it out. When I bought my 2016, Thor said that they were now using the E450 and didn’t change their spec sheet from the 350 for a year. They have the disclaimer that they can change anything at any time — or not.
So you're saying people who think they're sitting on 450s are sitting on 350s?
Not cool.
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Old 11-17-2019, 12:42 AM   #12
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Specs can change without notice but it really shouldn't be that hard to keep pace with an accurate spec sheet. And, yes, you can look at the VIN if you have one to physically look at. The conclusion is -- we don't know if the 2020 Thor Axis is built on a E 350 or E 450 chassis.
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Old 11-17-2019, 12:48 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by The_Breeze View Post
So you're saying people who think they're sitting on 450s are sitting on 350s?
Not cool.
If you bought an Axis, your dealer most probably did not tell you if the coach as in a 350 or 450 chassis and Thor makes it clear on its website that they can change anything, any time and not tell you. However, the Vin# tells you which coach you have. But you have to look.
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Old 11-17-2019, 01:02 AM   #14
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Look at the VIN
If the text in positions 5-7 is E3K its an E350 and if its E4K it is an E450

Call the dealer and ask for the VIN
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Old 11-17-2019, 01:10 AM   #15
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Here’s two window stickers from the Motor Home Specialist website:

24.1 is E350
27.7 is E450
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Old 11-17-2019, 02:12 AM   #16
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Taylorbob, that's interesting and good to know. I wonder if that is the case for all 24.1 and 27.7 coaches. Thanks for the info.
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Old 11-17-2019, 03:14 AM   #17
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Originally all Axis and Vegas were on E-350, keeping in mind original floorplans were smaller and lighter than some that followed.

The temporary switch to E-450 was due to emissions requirements. However, by the time some went back to E-350, larger and heavier floorplans had been introduced on E-450 that had to stay on E-450.

As far as I recall, the 27.7 floorplan has never been on E-350. The smaller and lighter 24.1 can be switched back and forth from E-350 to E-450, but I seriously doubt the larger and heavier units with two slides or full-wall slide will ever be built on E-350.

Because E-350 and E-450 chassis are essentially identical with only minor differences, I suppose it’s possible some could get interchanged by mistake. Not saying they have been mixed up, just that it’s not hard to imagine it happening.
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Old 11-17-2019, 07:21 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chance View Post
Originally all Axis and Vegas were on E-350, keeping in mind original floorplans were smaller and lighter than some that followed.

The temporary switch to E-450 was due to emissions requirements. However, by the time some went back to E-350, larger and heavier floorplans had been introduced on E-450 that had to stay on E-450.

As far as I recall, the 27.7 floorplan has never been on E-350. The smaller and lighter 24.1 can be switched back and forth from E-350 to E-450, but I seriously doubt the larger and heavier units with two slides or full-wall slide will ever be built on E-350.

Because E-350 and E-450 chassis are essentially identical with only minor differences, I suppose it’s possible some could get interchanged by mistake. Not saying they have been mixed up, just that it’s not hard to imagine it happening.
And Thor winds up with 350s on a 450 assembly line? Not good news.
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Old 11-17-2019, 01:35 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chance View Post
Originally all Axis and Vegas were on E-350, keeping in mind original floorplans were smaller and lighter than some that followed.

The temporary switch to E-450 was due to emissions requirements. However, by the time some went back to E-350, larger and heavier floorplans had been introduced on E-450 that had to stay on E-450.

As far as I recall, the 27.7 floorplan has never been on E-350. The smaller and lighter 24.1 can be switched back and forth from E-350 to E-450, but I seriously doubt the larger and heavier units with two slides or full-wall slide will ever be built on E-350.

Because E-350 and E-450 chassis are essentially identical with only minor differences, I suppose it’s possible some could get interchanged by mistake. Not saying they have been mixed up, just that it’s not hard to imagine it happening.
I had one of the first Vegas 24.1s in 2014 and it was in a 350 chassis. When I was full of water, fuel and supplies for a long trip (like to Alaska and back) I was right on 12,500 lbs. That did not make me comfortable on some of the rough roads in Canada and Alaska, but I felt I needed to keep my fuel and water tanks full. On the AlCan while I knew exactly where the next gas station was, it did not always have fuel when I got there. The E-450 on my 2016 Axis gives me 2000 extra lbs to work with. I would not buy another E-350 Axis or Vegas,
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Old 11-17-2019, 02:16 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oneilkeys View Post
I had one of the first Vegas 24.1s in 2014 and it was in a 350 chassis. When I was full of water, fuel and supplies for a long trip (like to Alaska and back) I was right on 12,500 lbs. That did not make me comfortable on some of the rough roads in Canada and Alaska, but I felt I needed to keep my fuel and water tanks full. On the AlCan while I knew exactly where the next gas station was, it did not always have fuel when I got there. The E-450 on my 2016 Axis gives me 2000 extra lbs to work with. I would not buy another E-350 Axis or Vegas,
Our 2014 Axis 24.1 is also one of the originals, also on an E-350. I've only scaled it once so I'm sure I'm heavier now than I was (um recliners instead of couch ?!?) but when I did scale it I was only at 11,500 lbs with full gas, water, and propane with 3 passengers on board. I would imagine with full waste tanks as well it would be approaching GVWR. (Not to mention that I've been pulling cars at least 3500lbs for the past few years but that only contributes to GCWR.)

Really haven't noticed any issues with the weight.
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