Yes his unit is a little lighter. He is quite happy with it. He tows a Corvette with it to track. The Vegas gives a bit more living space and no corner bed. The only downside I have seen is towing above 70 is not something he likes to do. I think that relates to the 158" wheelbase. The 22 has a much longer overhang than our Vegas with the 188" wheelbase.
He got his unit ahead of us and helped motivate us to replace Suburban with RV.
Thor Chateau Class C are 99” compared to Axis/Vegas at 94” wide, plus Class Cs of that shape are assumed to have a higher coefficient of drag. Weight differences plays a much smaller role on fuel economy on the highway.
E-350 and E-450 are essentially the same except for the rear axle and springs, which adds a tiny bit of weight and “may” have different axle gear ratio. All E-450s are listed with 4.56 gears, whereas some E-350s (particularly older ones) may have 4.10 gears. If both have 4.56, MPG should be about the same when comparing equal units.
In my opinion all of these minor differences are still not going to make a huge difference even when combined in one unit. My previous Class C was narrow at 94”, light, and had 4.10 gears. Even then, I only got ~ 8 MPG on Interstates at 70 MPH. I only got 10 MPG twice while driving slowly out west sightseeing. Driving speed is as important as anything short of significant downsizing — it pays to slow down.
Thor Chateau Class C are 99” compared to Axis/Vegas at 94” wide, plus Class Cs of that shape are assumed to have a higher coefficient of drag. Weight differences plays a much smaller role on fuel economy on the highway.
E-350 and E-450 are essentially the same except for the rear axle and springs, which adds a tiny bit of weight and “may” have different axle gear ratio. All E-450s are listed with 4.56 gears, whereas some E-350s (particularly older ones) may have 4.10 gears. If both have 4.56, MPG should be about the same when comparing equal units.
In my opinion all of these minor differences are still not going to make a huge difference even when combined in one unit. My previous Class C was narrow at 94”, light, and had 4.10 gears. Even then, I only got ~ 8 MPG on Interstates at 70 MPH. I only got 10 MPG twice while driving slowly out west sightseeing. Driving speed is as important as anything short of significant downsizing — it pays to slow down.
the frame is also thicker, and a bigger fuel tank on the e450, my 2018 22e, sold it to my youngest son, pulled my triple axel loaded to 10k lbs with ease...but I did put 235-85's and sumo's on it..70-75 mph...8 mpg was the norm...
the other thing about mpg...where you live and drive...we live in vegas… no matter which way you go,.. it's up hill there and back...
here's how I tell If I get good gas mileage…. I fill up before I leave,if I can drive all day on the same tank... that's good mpg to me...not say'n who cares what you get,.. but, we're not traveling for months at a time..so if I get 7.9mpg, or 8.2.. I don't care, and don't wanna know...what gripes me is to listen to guys claim 14 mpg in their coach...then find out they drive 20mph under the speed limit in the fast lane...and go even slower on single lane double yellow line roads...
Agree. MPG is essentially meaningless. Though bought primarily as race trailer tow vehicle we have used as camper, mobile hotel room, living quarters, etc. The net impact when going local racing even for single race is at most 3 MPG. If I have good day and we finish late, stay at track and drive home in morning. We are in Central Florida and it is pretty flat that helps MPG. Going into gA, SC and NC the hills do not seem to bother much. At out of town races being able to shower and sleep at track is great improvement over get hotel. Fort Wilderness in off season rocks plus the dog is always up for a trip.
the frame is also thicker, and a bigger fuel tank on the e450, .....cut.......
Yes, the E-450 frame is a little thicker on Cutaway Chassis, but on Stripped Chassis (used to build Axis/Vegas), both E-350 and E-450 use same thickness. Regardless, weight difference due to chassis thickness that would affect fuel economy is very minor.
The “standard” fuel tank on E-450 is 55 gallons, whereas the standard on E-350 is 40 gallons. However, every E-350 motorhome I’ve ever seen had the optional 55 gallon tank, with exception of the single rear wheel E-350 chassis that only comes with the 40 gallon standard tank. The little Thor Chateau 19G based on SRW E-350 is an example of this exception. Not many motorhomes have been built on lighter SRW chassis due to limited GVWR; so by far most have 55-gallon fuel tanks.
Yes, the E-450 frame is a little thicker on Cutaway Chassis, but on Stripped Chassis (used to build Axis/Vegas), both E-350 and E-450 use same thickness. Regardless, weight difference due to chassis thickness that would affect fuel economy is very minor.
The “standard” fuel tank on E-450 is 55 gallons, whereas the standard on E-350 is 40 gallons. However, every E-350 motorhome I’ve ever seen had the optional 55 gallon tank, with exception of the single rear wheel E-350 chassis that only comes with the 40 gallon standard tank. The little Thor Chateau 19G based on SRW E-350 is an example of this exception. Not many motorhomes have been built on lighter SRW chassis due to limited GVWR; so by far most have 55-gallon fuel tanks.
the frame is taller on the e450's...like 2'' taller the length of the chassis...
Ford specifications list the frame rails for E-350 and E-450 as the same width and height. Only the thickness is a bit greater, and only for Cutaway. The Stripped E-350 and E-450 are listed as the same thickness in other documents.
my 2018 chateau 22e is a E350, 40 gal tank, skinny rail chassis
I’d have a serious problem with Thor if my gasoline tank was only 40 gallons when they show 55 gallons in their specs. For a vehicle that may only get about 8 MPG, that’s only 320 miles to empty, so refilling at about 250 miles would be required. And it could be worse if towing a large trailer and/or running the generator.
I thought the motorhome chassis option included the 55-gallon fuel tank, so if Thor deleted to save a few dollars, that would be unforgivable to me.
I have a 2015 Vegas 25.1 and haul a 1200# trike in the back with very little fresh water,
since we don't dry camp, a full propane tank and empty black & gray tanks, I get 8.2 mpg all day long regardless of terrain.
Got that exact Motorhome and have always got at least 9.5 and only a couple times a little over 10. Our driving is a little more hilly than a lot of people since we live in the true Northern California. Speeds are kept usually around 60 while cruising since I’m never usuyin a big hurry while I’m enjoying my home away from home.
You just have to take a peek under their skirts 
: before signing on the dotted line! 
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