It would be interesting to learn what exactly was replaced on their Zephyr in the front end and what model year coach they had.

One issue that affects all longer wheelbase motorhomes is the front axle weights. As the wheelbase lengthens on a coach, more and more of the weight is distributed to the front end. Today with full tile interior options, the motorhomes are carrying a good bit of front end weight.

Several years ago, Winnebago increased their front axle GAWR to 14,600 lbs from the previous 12,000 lb rating on their 40' Vectra. Today many (if not most) 40' rigs have 14,600 front GAWR. As the rigs stretch over 40' the front axle ratings are often increased to allow carrying additional load. Tiffin just this year increased their front tire size on the Allegro busses to increase the front GAWR from 14,300 to 14,600 on the 2008 rigs. Not that the 300 lbs is very different, but the larger size also allows running a slightly lower air pressure to carry the same weight.

Looking at the Zephyr specs, I noticed what may be a typo, or perhaps they have increased the front axle capacity. It appears that in 2007 and earlier, Zephyr's had a 14,600 front axle, but that is listed in their 2008 Zephyr Specs as currently being 16,600 lbs. Since the listed tire size is still 295/80R22.5 I'm suspicious that there might be a typo either in the weight or tire size. If the tire was increased to a 315/80R22.5, they could have the 16,600 weight, but I think the maximum on a 295 tire is somewhere around 15,600. It would be good to verify with either Spartan or Tiffin.

The Spartan K2 that the Zephyr is built on is a fantastic chassis on which much heavier rigs are often built on so I would think the chassis would be plenty heavy enough.

Jersyman,
Maybe they are changing it over and installing a comfort Drive system.......LOL !

quote:

Originally posted by Raca-roni:
Jersyman,
Maybe they are changing it over and installing a comfort Drive system.......LOL !

Dreamin again?

The official Spartan Chassis Spec Sheet shows the front axle to be a 14,600 GAWR. I haven't heard of any retrofit jobs on the Zephyr but Koe's point is right. With a tag axle coach you tend to leverage more weight to the front and the longer the coach, the greater the effect. I try to keep my heavy stuff, like my rock collection , near the back. But, there's nothing I can do to the rocks in my head. They wind up right over the driver's seat.

I'm visiting Lazy Days and three 08 Zephyrs are on the lot with 315/80 tires.

quote:

Originally posted by Jersyman:
I'm visiting Lazy Days and three 08 Zephyrs are on the lot with 315/80 tires.

Thanks for the info. It does look like Tiffin has done some upgrading this year in the front end carrying capacity. Perhaps the Spartan chassis specs havn't been changed yet to reflect the tire size increase and higher GAWR in the front.

If the front GAWR is indeed 16,600 lbs as in the Tiffin brochure, and carried by the 315/80 tires, that front end has plenty of carrying capacity.

quote:

I haven't heard of any retrofit jobs on the Zephyr

Hi Mark! When we were at Spartan back in Oct. we met a guy who had a 2007 Zephyr. Spartan was changing out his complete front axle and front tires. I believe they were doing the rear tires also. He had someone who was purchasing the old ones. He told me when he weighed his coach he was over the limit and called Bob Tiffin complaining. He was sent to Spartan, on Tiffin's dime, where they were going to change the front axle and tires, to the higher weight limit. He was concerned that Tiffen was not weighing their coaches before delivery, at the time he purchased his. He also told me they were stepping up to the heavier front ends, and tires, on the newer Zephyr's, because of exceeding the weight limits. I hope this info helps anyone with this problem. I am not sure if Tiffen is currently weighing their coaches after they are built. I would have posted this earlier but I thought it was an isolated issue. Paul

I have owned two Newmars and a Travel Supreme and been to Indiana at least a dozen times, but management or the reps never took the time to come out and meet the customers. I've met Bob Tiffin twice and discussed many ideas and I don't even own a Tiffin. When TS and Newmar are long gone....Tiffin will be around because he LISTENS!

Tiffin does weigh all of their coaches before delivery. I know that all of the RVers who visit Red Bay can drive their RVs across the scales at the neighboring dog food factory to get in-cab weights. Actually, if I recall, that's where Tiffin weighs them too (after all, it is Red Bay, Alabama ).

The problem is that they're empty. Once you load them up, things change, especially if you load heavier near the front. As I see the CCC go down every year (all that ceramic tile, solid surface counter, hardwood, etc has to weight something ) I can certainly see the need for higher CCC ratings. That's one of the secrets to the popularity of the tag axle coaches. Unfortunately the front axle also needs to keep up. I think a 16,600 lb front axle with adequate tires on a Zephyr would be a perfect fit. The 42' Bus can get "challenged on the 14,600 lb front axle too, depending on how you load it. I think most DPs are ready for an upgrade.

quote:

the 14,600 lb front axle

Hi Mark! I was hesitant in doing a post because I did not want to come off as a "some other brand" picking on Tiffen. We have looked at their products many times and love some of the thing they do. Now that the topic is out there, I think Zephyr owners should check their front axle weights. The Gentleman who had the problem at Spartan called Bob Tiffen in front of me, and led me to believe he had a personal relationship with him. With that said, he was clearly upset that his coach did not have any record of factory weights, and led me to believe his front axles were either right at the limit or over with an empty coach. I am not going to repeat the rest, as it gets to strong, and serves no purpose. He was happy that Tiffen was footing the bill. From what I have read on your forum about Tiffen, I am sure if other Zephyr's are having front axle weight problems, Tiffen will do the right thing. That is the great thing about these forums, they allow us to share info, and be proactive. We have sold our coach and are in the market for a '09. We are certainly looking at Tiffen along with other brands. Paul