Height above ground measurement with lift lit

[funpilot]

I absolutely measured to the bottom of my frame, Bill. I measured just behind the right tire.

[stormpeakco]

Originally Posted by funpilot

I absolutely measured to the bottom of my frame, Bill. I measured just behind the right tire.

Roger that. same.

[Bill]

OK, so TM is obviously doing something different. Let's continue the investigation, if you have a mind to do so.

With the TM closed, what is the height from ground to the highest point on the edge of the road side front shell - probably in the middle of the shell. Measuring on the road side is simpler because the awning isn't a factor.

With the TM open, what is the height from ground to that same high point on the edge of the front shell? I'll try to get to the storage lot and measure mine in the next couple days. But it appears that older models like mine were built one way, and newer models like your, Stormpeakco and Funpilot, are considerably different.

Bill

[Padgett]

Just a thought but I was told by Dexter that changing the clocking of the axle from 22.5 degrees like mine to 45 degrees would raise the coach by about 2". Also older coaches may have sagged a bit.

Finally a 5k axle would not deflect as much with a TM load as a 3.5k axle like mine.

Put them all together: clocking (2"), 5k vs 3.5k (1"), sag (1"), tires 205 vs 225, 14 vs 15 vs 16 (1/2"-1") and lift kit (2") and I could easily see a 6.5"-7" difference in the same model.

For those measuring 21", what is the tire size, how many bolts in the wheel (3.5k-5 lug, 5k-6 lug), and how much clearance is there between the top of the tire and the wheel well on the street side ?

[funpilot]

Originally Posted by Bill

OK, so TM is obviously doing something different. Let's continue the investigation, if you have a mind to do so.

With the TM closed, what is the height from ground to the highest point on the edge of the road side front shell - probably in the middle of the shell. Measuring on the road side is simpler because the awning isn't a factor.

With the TM open, what is the height from ground to that same high point on the edge of the front shell? I'll try to get to the storage lot and measure mine in the next couple days. But it appears that older models like mine were built one way, and newer models like your, Stormpeakco and Funpilot, are considerably different.

Bill

My TM is open now so I can give the open measurement. First, it is parked on a slightly uphill area so I am guestimating that impact when I say it is about 97 inches.

[tentcamper]

Wow! With height's of the newer models. Even if I subtract the added 2.5" lift from 21" = 18.5. I would need the low profile AC to fit in my garage. I think with my 15.5" frame to ground, I have about 2.5 - 3" clearance.

[funpilot]

Originally Posted by tentcamper

Wow! With height's of the newer models. Even if I subtract the added 2.5" lift from 21" = 18.5. I would need the low profile AC to fit in my garage. I think with my 15.5" frame to ground, I have about 2.5 - 3" clearance.

Remember that I gave an OPEN measurement, not a closed one.

[Bill]

I'm still kinda baffled by all of this. I'm working with StormPeakCo to get some measurements from his new unit, but it has not yet come together in my mind.

The TrailManor web site says that the outside height (closed) of the new models is 79.5 inches, including the air conditioner and TV antenna. In 2006 (the year of my TM), the spec height with the newly-available low-profile air conditioner was 79 inches - about the same as today.

And the interior headroom is listed as 6'4" in both cases.

So if TM raised the floor by 5 inches, but did not increase the exterior height or decrease the headroom, then the only answer I can find is that the new unit folds more compactly. In other words, the shells fold down lower over the box.

More road clearance. Same garage height. All in all, I think this a great move, and the TM design engineers have been busy. Good for them.

Bill

[Padgett]

I'd be surprised but if lift arms are still horizontal when closed then the lift arm length would need to change and to keep the same overall length, the center module would need to change.

So I suspect that we are not being "blinded by brilliance" but rather there is a threefer going on here:
Lift kit: 2"
Axle clocking & 5k vs 3.5k: 3.2"
Bigger tires: 26.7 vs 28.3 dia=.8"

This would change my decade old (maybe 1" sag) 13.5" frame to ground measurement to 20.5" for a new unit. No idea where 21.5" would be coming from.

I would be very surprised to find there is a difference in floor to ceiling measurement unless they have reduced the floor and roof thickness, would just require too many design changes.

[funpilot]

I re-measured and I now come up with 103 1/2 inches. for my outside front shell. I have no idea what I did wrong the first time. My inside measure from the floor to the ceiling is 78 inches. I have done this 4 times now with the same results. I took the inside measure right in front of the A/C and not reduced by the wire track.