Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

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Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

January 31, 2015, 09:10:59 am

It might be on the forum somewhere, but I was curious how much difference in weight there was between a 36' and a 40' from the various years. The info on Barry's sight dealt with the Nimbus', but was thinking along a 320.

Thanks,
Larry

Re: Weights?

Reply #1 – January 31, 2015, 09:52:39 am

Larry, Barry had some details in tech specs on all coaches as I recall. But you may want to include notations about whether each example has no, one or two slides and maybe add a 42ft?

I wondered too if you want to apply this to something you are considering, such as a tag or not, or toad weight you can pull, maybe tires. I have been there on a small scale, just what I was looking at for myself or someone.

Good luck,
Mike

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #2 – January 31, 2015, 10:28:36 am

Quote from: ohsonew – January 31, 2015, 09:10:59 am

It might be on the forum somewhere, but I was curious how much difference in weight there was between a 36' and a 40' from the various years. The info on Barry's sight dealt with the Nimbus', but was thinking along a 320.
Thanks,
Larry

I think if you look further down on the page you will see most Foretravels are there. You might have only noticed the Nimbus at the top
Foretravel Vehicle Weight

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #3 – January 31, 2015, 11:17:41 am

Larry, that ia a good question.

The 36' and 40' in the early 2000s had the same gross vehicle weight rating and the same towing capacity. The last year for a 36' U320 was 2001. They went to 38' in 2002.

For 2001 the 36 and 40 ft models had a GVWR of 34,800 lb. the 42 ft had a GVRW of 42,000 lb. I am pretty sure they had a tag axle. The 2002 38 ft had a GVWR of 34,800. There were a few 38' with tag axles that would have been at 42,000 lb.

All of the later U320s had a towing capacity of 10,000 lb.

All that said what the empty weight of a U320 36' or U320 40' is something I have not seen. Obviously a 40' is going to weigh more than a 36'. Two slides will weigh more than one silde and both weigh more than no slides. And from one year to the next the slide weights are probably different as designs changed.

All of this weight from length and slides cuts into your carrying capacity, you, your navigator, your stuff, fuel, water and in our case, lots of shoes.

Our 2001 36' U320 single slide with us and lots of stuff for being on the road for months at a time, full of fuel and water still has some weight capacity left. In a 40' or with 2 slides, we would have to leave some shoes behind.

Maybe someone knows the true empty weights of the various configurations.

I know we are biased but we really like our 2001 U320 36' single slide. Perfect for us.

Roger

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #4 – January 31, 2015, 12:27:49 pm

Larry, if you did not find on Barry site what you want in difference in coach weights, and the actuals that I have is not apples and apples, I can tell you actuals on two coaches

Prior 36 ft U270 with two slides, 2005, title weight was (no copy of title)
When we had it fully loaded for a trip, 30,460 lbs
this the 400 hp ISL, 3000 series Allison
It had receiver hitch at 18,000 lbs rating
Axle ratings very different than the coach below

Present 40 ft U320 with one slide, 2001, title weight was 29240 lbs
When we had it fully loaded for a trip, 33,340 lbs, and the toad 4720 lbs (not in coach weight of course)
this the 450 hp ISM, 4000 series Allison

Larry, not sure this data can really help you. Many variables, if want discuss, give me a call.

Mike

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #5 – January 31, 2015, 01:20:36 pm

I have an RV.org motorhome rating book for model years 1990-1999. It list the different models and floor plans along with what they call the "curb weight", which they use to calculate the cargo capacity by subtracting it from the GVWR. The book is not comprehensive; some models and floor plans are missing for some years, 1993 is missing altogether for some reason. One complication to this question is the floor plans. Some are heavier than others even for the same length coach. Which do you pick to compare? The only thing I could do was pick 36 and 40 models of U320s with the same floor plan designation.
Here's the delta in curb weight between 36 and 40 footer U320s (with the same floor plan designation):
1995 - no 36' U320 models listed
1996 - no 36' U320 models listed
1997 - WTBI: 1224 lbs.
1998 - WTFE: 1402 lbs.
1998 - WTME: 1322 lbs. (WTME: walk thru bath mid entry - rare but somehow it made the RV.org book?)
1999 - CAI: 1332 lbs.
1999 - WTFE: 1242 lbs.
Just for reference the delta in a 1991 U300 SBID is 1037 lbs.
I have no idea how they got theses weights. I have found a few errors in some of the information in the book-so read the data with that in mind. I haven't compared but I would guess the same delta would exist for U270 and U295 models since the 4 foot section that is added for the 40 footer is basement storage and living space and not power train.
As for later model years with slides I think the above data shouldn't be too far off if you assume the slides are the same size. I would guess the delta to be on the higher side since the unibody used in the 90's is a little lighter than an equivalent frame rail system that had to be adopter later with multiple slides.

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #6 – January 31, 2015, 01:57:35 pm

I posted on this earlier from an iPad but my post disappeared. Anyhow, I have an interesting comparison of two older model years, both without slides: a 99 36 foot 320 and a 95 40 foot 300. Both have M11s and the 4060 Allison. Both loaded the same with two adults, two dogs, full fuel and water and empty waste tanks. The 99 320 weighed 1,000 more than the 95 300.

The 320 carries 50 gallons more fuel but the 300 has a much larger LP capacity. There are a number of other differences too but the basic chassis appear almost identical. Interestingly, the 320 GVWR was 34.8 while the 300 is 30.
jor

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #7 – January 31, 2015, 02:13:23 pm

2000 single slide 40" U-320 - full water and fuel, empty grey and black -

weighed at GV pn RVSEF scales - basement full to the gills, most everything else full - inside coach

33,175 Lbs, less than 50 lbs. difference side to side weight.

My RVSEF Sheet says I have 955 Lbs more I could load on the Front axle and 750 lbs more I could load on my rear axle. Total available payload is 1,705 lbs, so GVW must be 34,880

Sorry - don't have an empty weight...

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #8 – January 31, 2015, 05:49:09 pm

Thanks everyone for the replies. I was actually thinking of the weight to HP difference when I posed the question. Sorry I didn't clarify. I also didn't think of all the different floorplans, slides, tags etc. when asking. What got me thinking was I found on ebay a 98 U320, 36' mid-entry late last night. Just went online to contact seller, it shows it has been sold an hour ago.

I thank you all for the responses and will go over your comments so I have them clearer in my mind. The search continues.

Larry

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #9 – January 31, 2015, 08:54:08 pm

Too bad you missed that 36' mid door, like mine.

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #10 – January 31, 2015, 10:33:41 pm

Larry, then you want to compare not only HP/wt ratio but also torque/wt ratios. I believe that my ISL torque was 1250, the ISM 1450. I did not post that in earlier response.

I recall there is a thread somewhere on our forum that does this, talks about some ideas of good and minimums that people like. Recall too that HP works for one part of your performance, the torque in another aspect. Just be sure you throw out that 36 ft of Dave M's, we cannot compete!

Mike

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #11 – February 01, 2015, 07:03:37 am

Dave,
I know. That was the first thing that Joy said when she saw the pictures. "It looks like Dave's coach doesn't it?" Your beautiful coach was the reason she decided against looking at GV's

Mike,
I was so excited about the coach on ebay that I wasn't even thinking about the torque. I appreciate your input on this, it will help me to keep a level head and remember better the next time, maybe

As I've said before on the torque, when I grow up I want to be just like Dave M

Thanks again everyone.
Larry

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Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

January 31, 2015, 09:10:59 am

Re: Weights?

Reply #1 – January 31, 2015, 09:52:39 am

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #2 – January 31, 2015, 10:28:36 am

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #3 – January 31, 2015, 11:17:41 am

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #4 – January 31, 2015, 12:27:49 pm

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #5 – January 31, 2015, 01:20:36 pm

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #6 – January 31, 2015, 01:57:35 pm

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #7 – January 31, 2015, 02:13:23 pm

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #8 – January 31, 2015, 05:49:09 pm

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #9 – January 31, 2015, 08:54:08 pm

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #10 – January 31, 2015, 10:33:41 pm

Re: Weights differences between a 36' and a 40'

Reply #11 – February 01, 2015, 07:03:37 am

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