non-existent wheelbase on E-350?
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non-existent wheelbase on E-350?
I recently bought a 1996 30ft RV (E-350, 460). All the original Ford documents were inside. According to the information in these various brochures and technical manuals, the 1996 E-350 RV cutaway chassis options came in wheelbases of either 138, 158 or 176 in. and engine options of 351 or 460 (or 444 diesel). The wb on this unit is 214 in. I have seen 1998 and newer E-350 class-Cs with 214 in. wb, but all have had V-10 engines (or were diesels). The VIN on my unit confirms 1996 is year of mfg. (and that the 460 is original equipment). While I am certainly happy to have the improved handling and stability of the longer wheelbase, I am concerned about the GVWR. The 1996 chassis specs on the documents that came with the RV show frt axle rated at 4600 lbs and rear axle rated at 8000 lbs with GVWR of 11500 lbs (with the 176 in. "maximum" wb option). The sticker inside the house says the GVWR of my unit is 14050 lbs. While this jives with the values I have seen for the later V-10 models with 214" wb, I am assuming that different axles are used in these later models. Or am I wrong? Anyone know what's going on here?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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From: Stephensville WI
It is common for motor home manufacturers to lengthen the wheelbase of the frames to suit their needs. Weld in an extra 38 inches, lengthen the drive shaft and extend the wiring and brake lines and you have a longer chassis.
As for the GVWR, the motor home manufacturer would have to re-certify the weight, since they altered the chassis.
As for the GVWR, the motor home manufacturer would have to re-certify the weight, since they altered the chassis.
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Thanks for the info. Common you say? Yikes! Cutting the frame certainly sounds disconcerting. Seems that alone would lower the GVWR by introducing weak points! Do you know how they manage to "recertify" the GVWR? What about the relevance (or irrelevance?) of the axle ratings?
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