Slide weight

[Chance]

It’s not often we see two otherwise identical motorhomes with and without slides in order to compare weights. This leads to guessing and speculation.

Since subject of insufficient cargo carrying capacity (CCC) comes up occasionally for smaller motorhomes built on chassis with low gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), I thought I’d share information I saw this morning in case it’s useful to anyone.

Added weight due to a fairly small slide in a Class C is in range of 524 pounds.

As percent of total motorhome weight it’s not much, but as percent of cargo carrying capacity it may make a difference to some. Obviously if there are two slides or one large one, the impact on CCC is even greater.

I’m only posting this to make others aware that it’s easy for manufacturers to offer more space, but buyers should follow up on weight data prior to final decision.



P.S. — I’m in no way criticizing slides, just sharing fact-based data that some may find interesting and or useful.

[Bob Denman]

Question: Is that the weight of the slide and whatever is sitting in it; or just the slide and the mechanism necessary to make it move?

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Question: Is that the weight of the slide and whatever is sitting in it; or just the slide and the mechanism necessary to make it move?

Dinette sizes are different so you don’t know. Is there any additional weight for the larger dinette?

[Chance]

Most manufacturers don’t list their Unloaded Vehicle Weight, so it was great they did in this case.

Without slide = 10,100 pounds

With slide = 10,624 pounds


All other specs are the same down to chassis, dimensions, holding tanks, etc.

The motorhome without slide has a slightly longer dinette and wardrobe because they had to fill the space of the slide walls, usually about 6 inches or so per end. That weight difference should only be a few pounds.

The point is that slides or extra slides can add significant weight on motorhomes in 10,360, 11,000, or even 12,500 pound GVWR chassis. In this particular comparison the CCC is actually excellent for both.

Because both motorhomes are otherwise identical, I’d bet all 524 extra pounds are on driver side, which “may” adversely affect loading on that side in other ways.

[Bob Denman]

But they also add significant living space...

[Chance]

Here are two Sprinter floorplan examples (from other brand) that in my opinion need to be placed on a diet, or else need a chassis upgrade to increase the dismal Cargo Carrying Capacity.

I don’t blame slide weight for all excessive heft, as I’d guess that design is driven by features buyers want at a given price, and that practical functionality takes a back seat. Unfortunately, high-end features commonly associated with Sprinter motorhomes can weigh more.

Just saying that because buyers pay more to get more, it doesn’t mean they’ll also get more cargo capabilities — 1,079 or 1,082 pounds CCC isn’t much at all for that size and price motorhome. Low CCC should be a deal breaker on any RV.

Extra space as well as other features are indeed great, but what good are they if you can’t use them unless overloaded?

[JamieGeek]

So in the Sprinter example the difference is only 3lbs? Hardly anything to worry about (er slide vs no slide weght that is--as far as the ccc yeah it needs to go on a diet).

Ah but the Sunseeker 2400B & 2400Q: They both have slides, just one is bigger than the other:
2400B:


2400Q:


So they both have the mechanism.

Oh and one has the kitchen on one side vs the other which has the kitchen on the other side. Make it even more interesting that they are only 3lbs different.

Also note that the 2400W has a very similar floorplan (looks like it is now discontinued, however).

[Bob Denman]

Advertised weights have a habit of being "massaged" by the marketing department anyway...

[EA37TS]

How many people do you believe actually look at cargo capacity in terms of weight when they buy? My guess would be folks look at the size of storage compartments and not the weight limitations. Heck, I can't tell you how much my Weber Q weights but I can tell you it fits nicely in storage bin 3 on the passenger's side.

A lot of folks don't pay attention to the towing capacity of a motorhome either. They just hook up their large SUV to a motorhome with a towing capacity of under 4K. To a lot of folks hitch capacity = towing capacity which is wrong, wrong and wrong. The Thor Palazzo, Forest River Legacy and Winnebago Forza are prime examples of this in the DP realm.

It's a fact of life that many folks don't sweat the "small stuff". I would wager 50 percent of RV buyers don't even look at the yellow sticker before making an offer.

Also, in a motorhome that small (25 foot or less) most folks are not going to carry a lot of stuff because of the clutter it will generate inside the coach. Unless the driver and passenger are 300 pounds each traveling with a 100 pound dog 1000 pounds of capacity can be quite a bit if one is selective in what they pack.

Also, I notice on the specs you attached it is listed as CCC and not OCCC so that would require some clarification.

Just my thoughts.

[Bob Denman]

BINGO!!

[Chance]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

So in the Sprinter example the difference is only 3lbs? Hardly anything to worry about (er slide vs no slide weght that is--as far as the ccc yeah it needs to go on a diet).

Ah but the Sunseeker 2400B & 2400Q: They both have slides, just one is bigger than the other:
2400B:


2400Q:


So they both have the mechanism.

Oh and one has the kitchen on one side vs the other which has the kitchen on the other side. Make it even more interesting that they are only 3lbs different.

Also note that the 2400W has a very similar floorplan (looks like it is now discontinued, however).

Yes, they are both similar in overall size and with similar weight even though one has larger slide, which is why I used as an example to show that it’s not only slides that cause CCC limitations. I’m trying to remain objective while hoping to discuss issue of insufficient CCC brought up by others in a different thread. Concern is not limited to Thor.

Sprinter motorhomes appear some of the worst in this area. Maybe it’s low GVWR (11,030 pounds) along with high buyer expectations. Brands like Tiffin Wayfarer have received negative feedback related to weight.

I agree with Dave’s point that you can make +/- 1,080 pounds work if it’s a couple and pack light, but then what’s the point of extra seats, beds, and all that storage space sending buyers the message that the motorhome can easily accommodate four people.

For what it’s worth, a smaller Sunseeker motorhome built on a Transit chassis with GVWR of only 10,360 pounds has a listed CCC of 2,215 pounds. There seems to be little consistency in Cargo Carrying Capacity manufacturers provide, as if it’s an afterthought, or at least a low design priority.

Perhaps Bob will share actual data on his rig.

[Bob Denman]

I don't have the numbers readily available...
But it's nowhere near 1,000 pounds, and I really couldn't care less about it!
(The magazines always complained about the Wayfarer's low C.C.C.)
Yes: it's just the two of us, and we always pack light...

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

I don't have the numbers readily available...
But it's nowhere near 1,000 pounds, and I really couldn't care less about it!
(The magazines always complained about the Wayfarer's low C.C.C.)
Yes: it's just the two of us, and we always pack light...

Much less than 1,000 pounds then?


At RV show my wife said a Wayfarer was built like a tank. I replied it probably weighed as much as one too. I was right.

[Bob Denman]

Define that...

I'll try to get in the RV over the weekend, and see what the number is.
But I'm on crutches, and don't relish the idea of what the effort will entail.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Chance

...

I agree with Dave’s point that you can make +/- 1,080 pounds work if it’s a couple and pack light, but then what’s the point of extra seats, beds, and all that storage space sending buyers the message that the motorhome can easily accommodate four people.

...

Just because the manufacturer says a motorhome can sleep 4 doesn't mean you can travel with 4. 2 folks can follow in the car that is too heavy to tow.

My coach says it can sleep 10 but there is a problem with that. On couch was removed and theater seating was put in so that eliminated sleeping for 2. I still have seat belts for 10 but sleeping for only 8.

[Bob Denman]

Unless they double-bunk in creative ways...

[Chance]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

.....cut.....

Also, in a motorhome that small (25 foot or less) most folks are not going to carry a lot of stuff because of the clutter it will generate inside the coach. Unless the driver and passenger are 300 pounds each traveling with a 100 pound dog 1000 pounds of capacity can be quite a bit if one is selective in what they pack.

......cut.....

I can relate since we are in that group, interested only in small motorhomes under 25 feet, mostly travel light, and weigh under 300 pounds combined.

I’ll add that prospective buyers who have read this forum for a while should recall that it’s not that unusual for owners to make upgrades that add weight so should plan accordingly. Granted, most upgrades don’t add that much weight individually, but multiple upgrades combined can.

A couple of extra batteries, solar panels, a spare tire, a second air conditioner, leveling jacks or stabilizers, etc. can add up fast if starting with only +/- 1,000 pounds cargo carrying capacity.

Heavy cargo items like tools, air compressor, portable generator, hitch cargo tray, bicycles, cases of water, canopies, etc. are some of the items we carry often. While optional, they weigh more than our food, clothing, and personal items.

I completely agree that too many buyers don’t look at CCC before making an offer. And even if they did, new RVers probably don’t know how much they need.