Just became a motorcoach owner

[awellis3]

So ... after a lifetime (so far) of camping, I have bought my first MH, a 2022 Freedom Elite 26HE. What model-specific adventures await me? Electrical gremlins? Suspension trolls? What should I be wary of on this specific model?
What is the F350's track record in this application?

Thanks,
Wright

[Mr Sunshine]

Welcome to the forum!

The gremlins in your RV may or may not be the same as anybody else's. You can search the forum for Freedom Elite and entertain yourself for hours. Just don't expect to have all the same issues.

Enjoy the journey!

[chunker21]

I looked up the specs as best I could and a likely issue you'll have is weight and keeping under the rated weights for each axle. I suggest taking it empty to the scales so you know what a real empty weight and for each axle is, not just the the maximum passenger and cargo capacity subtracted from the GVWR. Many C are heavy in the rear right off the sales floor and unfortunately often that's where the fluid tanks are and basement storage compartments. The advertised cargo capacity thus can be difficult to load because there's no place to put it and stay within the axle weight ratings.

Weighing empty lets you know what it really weighs and where. Unfortunately few manufacturers provide a meaningful weight ticket on the empty coach. At 27.5' length you likely are at the limit for a E350 chassis.

Tires in E chassis can also be a weak link and you may be very close to tire loading limits. Again actually weighing empty and then again loaded will let you know how much margin you have and more importantly, what pressures to run on each axle.

Those issues and concerns are not a thor specific issue but all manufacturers across the spectrum. Load safely and within limits and enjoy many relaxing trips.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by chunker21

I looked up the specs as best I could and a likely issue you'll have is weight and keeping under the rated weights for each axle. I suggest taking it empty to the scales so you know what a real empty weight and for each axle is, not just the the maximum passenger and cargo capacity subtracted from the GVWR. Many C are heavy in the rear right off the sales floor and unfortunately often that's where the fluid tanks are and basement storage compartments. The advertised cargo capacity thus can be difficult to load because there's no place to put it and stay within the axle weight ratings.

Weighing empty lets you know what it really weighs and where. Unfortunately few manufacturers provide a meaningful weight ticket on the empty coach. At 27.5' length you likely are at the limit for a E350 chassis.

Tires in E chassis can also be a weak link and you may be very close to tire loading limits. Again actually weighing empty and then again loaded will let you know how much margin you have and more importantly, what pressures to run on each axle.

Those issues and concerns are not a thor specific issue but all manufacturers across the spectrum. Load safely and within limits and enjoy many relaxing trips.

I’ve “preached” on this for years now - to a mostly deaf audience. Being over the GVWR or axle rating doesn’t bother one owner in 10. “There doesn’t seem to be a problem” is a common reaction or the belief that posted ratings are “conservative”. I own a class B now and SO many of them are overloaded, especially at the back, and then owners add hitch mounted racks for a couple of e bikes on an extension. Then they complain when the tires fail without realizing that they are hopelessly overloaded. Oh well, to each his own.

[chunker21]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

I’ve “preached” on this for years now - to a mostly deaf audience. Being over the GVWR or axle rating doesn’t bother one owner in 10. “There doesn’t seem to be a problem” is a common reaction or the belief that posted ratings are “conservative”. I own a class B now and SO many of them are overloaded, especially at the back, and then owners add hitch mounted racks for a couple of e bikes on an extension. Then they complain when the tires fail without realizing that they are hopelessly overloaded. Oh well, to each his own.

You are so correct and when someone comes on defending those things you mentioned, I don't try and "reason" with them. But in the OP case, he asked what issues he may have so maybe the seed of thought about weights is planted. Not something I'm going to harp on say like thor quality or lack of, but just a simple comment.

Not sure about your part of AL but the southern part lost the nice cooler dryer spring and leapt into summer.

[LarryD]

Hey, Congrats! Sure, you'll face some frustrations here and there but the experiences you'll have and memories you'll make will make it all worth while. ENOJY!

[awellis3]

Originally Posted by chunker21

But in the OP case, he asked what issues he may have...

That's perzackly what I asked. Weight issues seem to be endemic to the RV world, towables and MH. I'll be hitting the CAT scales before my first trip. I tried to get by with a smaller unit, but my wife's "minimum requirements" made that undoable. Thanks for the heads up, chunker21.

[Elite Washington]

Congratulations on the purchase and have fun. As far as issues just make sure and make sure it’s all sealed up good. We have a 30fe and that was the biggest problem we had was a water leak. This can effect them all so just being vigilant is the key

[paulwadley]

Welcome and congrats on the purchase. All coaches will have challenges. Be prepared and work on them at your pace. Enjoy the ride on the open road.


Paul

[Chateau_Nomad]

The facts stated about the E-350 chassis weight ratings/limits are SO TRUE. Had my druthers I DEFINITELY would have bought a rig with the E-450 chassis... but that's water under the bridge.

I pull a toad, and decided to weigh last year. I am RIGHT at the very limit. This year we're shedding some weight and being very conscious of what we REALLY need on trips.

I found that not only total weight GCW is important, but ALSO the axle weights. Although TOTAL weight may be within limits, the rear axle might be over (and the front under) which was my case. It was slight, and easily rectified with better weight distribution.

Well, enough harping on weight... there's plenty of other gotchas - just elaborating on our situation.

[Pete'sMH]

Not sure about your part of AL but the southern part lost the nice cooler dryer spring and leapt into summer.[/QUOTE]

Actually I live in central Indiana. I have tried (and tried!) to fix that.

[Eeyore]

Congratulations... I really like our 2019 E350 Freedom Elite 26HE. I came to it as a first time motorhome buyer from years of 5th wheels which my last one was a 40' 5th wheel which just seemed to hard to hit the campgrounds we like to camp in.

As you already been warned, you will likely be overweight once loaded for any reasonable camping (but we carry a lot of stuff for cooking out). I would post my loaded weight ticket but don't want the forum weight police to come after me, once I purchase a better toad to use, I will load it with some stuff in the future...

My gremlins were typical of my experience of RVs, had a few water leaks, trim not glued, etc. but nothing bad except the shower door/curtain split up a seam and my gen never starts until the third try...

I have added several new features over the past few years: sumo springs, bigger sway bars, better steering stabilizer, radio with rear camera and coach speakers, valve stem extenders, solar system, Maxxair vent covers, RV levelmate Pro, etc. I am sure I am forgetting stuff...

[ducksface]

Weight issues are not the problem.
People happy to be regulated by legal parameters set by jr executives are far more of a problem.

The
Ounces Matter Confrontium
Loves misery and company.


Get close, worry not about a percentage over(you decide. It's your vehicle) and enjoy the enjoyment.

This psi to a pound and gvrw to a pound thing is exhausting.

We'll address any problem you really have.
Some Will address things just to make problems.

It's a great forum.
You'll have to sort who's who(that's the biggest RV challenge here)

The
Engineers are awful due to something,
Yet
Engineers are the ONLY word, to the ounce,
Thing
Is exhausting.

[chunker21]

Originally Posted by ducksface

Weight issues are not the problem.

Thing
Is exhausting.

I'll disagree with what's exhausting.

An overloaded motorhome, especially prevalent in C class types, where the rear axles is overweight unloads the front making poorer handling and stressful driving. That's exhausting.

An overloaded RV where the tires are overloaded, especially prevalent in certain C class types, can have tire failure resulting in poorer handling as it plows into a ditch or worse. That's exhausting.

Trying to operate the RV within established limits when someone tells you that the engineers don't know what they are doing but just follow them because they are smarter than the designers. That's exhausting.

The OP can have enjoyable experiences with his/her motorhome but it means being informed and likely careful loading to get the proper amount of weight in the proper location. Not rocket science actually.

At any rate my last comment on this and I'm outahere.