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Old 03-26-2018, 11:13 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Outlaw 29H
State: Arizona
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2018 Outlaw 29H lift and bigger tires

Picked up my new 2018 Thor Outlaw 29H in January and decided the 5" of ground clearance under the front levelers wasn't going to cut it for places I want to go. I researched tires and suspension lifts and settled on some 235/85R16E's (over the stock 225/75R16E's) to add about 1.25" more clearance, and found a fab shop in El Cajon CA that specializes in E-series van lifts and started lifting Class-C RV's late last year using the same technology.

Tires - My choice was the Nexen Roadian Pro RA8 LT235/85R16E all terrain tire. It's a milder AT tread design and this size is about 2.5" in diameter larger than the OEM tires that came on my coach. Besides the increased traction another benefit is the added load capacity of 3042lbs @ 80PSI vs the OEM rating of 2680lbs. The stock tires are pretty close to the load limit when fully loaded I found out after getting my axles weighed at a local Loves truck stop. Fully loaded with my motorcycle in the garage of the RV there is about 12mm of clearance between these new rear dually tires.

New tires installed before lift:






Lift - Weldtec Designs in El Cajon, CA offers a 4" or 6" lift for E-350/450 chassis RVs. Initially I was going to get the 6" but after deciding on taller tires I decided the 4" was adequate giving me about 5.25" overall clearance increase. 7.25" (with the 6" lift) would have been too much for my needs. Jeremy at Weldtec (the owner) is super helpful and provided the contact info for previous Thor customer with the 4" lift (when asked) so I could get his input after this customer had driven the rig for a few months with the lift. That customer was very happy with the improved ride and handling and the work performed. Now that I've put about 400 miles on my lifted unit I'd agree. The handling is greatly improved with the substantial Fox shocks that are used with this lift. My rig was actually kinda scarry to drive on the interstate before the lift and required quire a bit of driver input to go straight. That has disappeared and it now handles the way it should have from the factory. Wind buffeting and semi trucks passing are no longer an issue, same with rain groves and bumpy/uneven roads . It's actually fun to drive now. To find out more about the lifts at Weldtec just google Class-C lift and both the 4" and 6" Weldtec lift pages will be first results.

Before lift stock tires:


After lift w/new tires:








Had treated 4x10 (3.5"x9.5") douglas fir beam sections cut to put under levelers due to lift:

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Old 03-27-2018, 12:45 AM   #2
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Thanks for the info. I was thinking about 2" but your report has peaked my interest. I realize 400 miles is too small to compute but wants your sense of fuel consumption, any worse?
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Old 03-27-2018, 02:57 AM   #3
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I didn't check mileage on the way back to PHX from San Diego. On the way there 8.75mpg
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Old 03-27-2018, 10:19 AM   #4
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Could you provide the class with your Google Username and Password so we can see the pictures? Otherwise, all we get are blanks:



Or maybe upload them here or another public host.
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Old 03-27-2018, 11:54 AM   #5
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Are you using your Outlaw to haul ATVs? The Breakover angle on them (Due to the short ramp and load height...) might pose some issues... Unless your Quads are set up for some SERIOUS fun!
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Old 03-27-2018, 03:25 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tfryman View Post
Could you provide the class with your Google Username and Password so we can see the pictures? Otherwise, all we get are blanks:
Sorry thought they were in a shared album.

New tires installed before lift:




Before lift with stock tires:


After lift w/new tires:








Had treated 4x10 (3.5"x9.5") douglas fir beam sections cut to put under levelers due to lift:
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Old 03-27-2018, 03:28 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
Are you using your Outlaw to haul ATVs? The Breakover angle on them (Due to the short ramp and load height...) might pose some issues... Unless your Quads are set up for some SERIOUS fun!
No issues. I use it to haul my adventure bikes. Before I lifted it I tested using the levelers raising it. The thing is if you need less ramp-to-RV angle you can lift the front of the RV up using the front levelers, which will lower the back using the rear wheels as lever point.

This angle doesn't look too bad does it? (after lift and bigger tires):
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Old 03-27-2018, 03:55 PM   #8
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My "Adventure" bike, is far more street-oriented...

But yours looks pretty good up in there!
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Old 03-27-2018, 04:05 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
My "Adventure" bike, is far more street-oriented...
So it's a street bike

This is an adventure bike
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Old 03-27-2018, 04:12 PM   #10
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VERRRY nice! i like the Desert Camo color.
I've outgrown the need to break my knuckles against tree trunks...

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1522167120
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Old 03-27-2018, 04:24 PM   #11
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Adverturize it!



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Old 03-27-2018, 04:32 PM   #12
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That is "Too Cool For School"!
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Old 03-28-2018, 04:21 AM   #13
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Nice. I need to crawl at an angle to keep those damn levelers from scraping. Jealous!!
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Old 03-28-2018, 06:39 PM   #14
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How far are yours up off of the ground?
(Almost six inches of clearance under mine.)
BTW: Welcome aboard!
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Old 03-30-2018, 06:46 PM   #15
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Quote:
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Nice. I need to crawl at an angle to keep those damn levelers from scraping. Jealous!!
Exactly. My only trip so far was to San Diego to get the lift installed. Been fixing all the crap Thor did half-assed since I picked up the unit and installing solar, fridge inverter etc getting ready for 14K mile AK, Can, East coast/FL trip this summer. Didn't want to get out somewhere remote with low ground clearance.
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Old 03-30-2018, 08:01 PM   #16
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Alaska? What's on your sightseeing agenda?
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Old 03-30-2018, 08:18 PM   #17
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I've always been a huge believer in bigger than OEM tires. My GMC 2500HD has 325.60.20's with a 6.5" lift. The cost is, you need to move a little faster to keep the torque and RPM's the same at a given speed or you lug. Looks stout! You'll probably take a bit of a hit on mileage but who cares if it's accomplished an objective. I've thought about ways to raise the 35SF just a little but saw a post on irv2 where an owner modified the jacks so they recess up a little further on the frame.
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Old 03-30-2018, 09:48 PM   #18
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You've only got one set of gears to change; to allow you to compensate for the taller tires...
Well... you might also have to re-program the computer for the tires (and gearing!)
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Old 04-03-2018, 07:56 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
Alaska? What's on your sightseeing agenda?
I'll be there about 6 weeks or so in Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage, and Kenai peninsula/Homer. Maybe hit Valdez then up to Dawson in the Yukon. Then head across Canada to Maine and down to DC for a family visit and a 1000 mile back country discovery route motorcycle ride there, then FL keys for a couple weeks or 3 and back to AZ when the weather cools off finally
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Old 04-03-2018, 08:01 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
You've only got one set of gears to change; to allow you to compensate for the taller tires...
Well... you might also have to re-program the computer for the tires (and gearing!)
The speedo reads 3% lower than actual according to GPS. So not too bad. It would be nice to be able re-program it.
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