Fleetwood Motorhome Association, Inc.

02/13/2015 1:01 PM

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Message # 3225552

Deleted user

I have just purchased a used 2007 Fleetwood Jamboree 26J. There is a factory sicker on the rear bumper that says the bumper weighs 800 pound. I have had confirmation from a former Fleetwood salesman that, yes, the bumper is filled with 800 pounds of lead.

I was wondering if anyone here has ever removed some or all of the weight? I can easily think of at least 400 pounds of cargo I could put on the bumper.

Anyway, not to start a debate of why or should.

Just want to know if anyone here has removed that bumper entirely or in part.

I wrote Fleetwood and they, true to their crappy customer service, have not responded.

02/28/2015 9:20 AM

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Reply # 3237731 on 3225552

Bill & Linda Johnson

I am sure this is the tongue weight rating for the hitch. This would be the maximum down force allowed. Find the Cargo Carry Capacity sticker in your motor home to varify. Most are located on the inside of a cabinet door.

03/01/2015 8:43 PM

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Reply # 3238566 on 3225552

Deleted user

No, actually, the bumper really does have 800 pounds of lead plates in it. You can see them stacked inside the bumper.

I have posted a picture of the bumper warning here:

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f87/800-pound-bumper-234160.html

The hitch is rated at 5000 pounds towing and 500 pounds tongue weight, as verified by the information sticker inside the wardrobe.

I'm not entirely sure why Fleetwood would add ballast like this except to unload some weight off the front wheels, which is rarely a problem in a class C.

Anyway, as I had originally asked I was wondering if anyone had removed some of that ballast partly or wholly. I've sent five emails to Fleetwood regarding this but they have not replied.

10/01/2015 7:26 PM

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Reply # 3555921 on 3225552

Deleted user

Recall Summary:	ON CERTAIN CLASS C MOTOR HOMES, THE FRONT AXLE WEIGHT, IN AN UNLOADED CONDITION, MAY EXCEED THE FRONT GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) OF 4600 POUNDS.
Hazard:	OVERLOADING OR EXCEEDING THE FRONT GAWR MAY CREATE AXLE FATIGUE OR FAILURE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR A CRASH.
Remedy:	FLEETWOOD HAS INSTALLED A HEAVIER NEW REAR BUMPER TO REDISTRIBUTE WEIGHT FROM THE FRONT AXLE TO THE REAR AXLE ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. FLEETWOOD ALSO CORRECTED AND REPLACED THE FEDERAL CERTIFICATION TAG AND THE CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY TAG. ALL VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED BEFORE SELLING.
Additional Info:	FLEETWOOD RECALL NO. 70629.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
NHTSA Source:	http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/recallresults.cfm?start=1&SearchType=QuickSearch&rcl_ID=07V308000

10/02/2015 1:44 PM

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Reply # 3557102 on 3225552

Deleted user

WOW. That is nuts.

I just upgraded the from end to all-new components from a 2014 Ford which has a much higher weight rating. In November I'll be at Escapees to get the coach weighed at each axle. I really doubt there's much I can do to get rid of the weight.

It's worth noting that 800 ponds of weight in the rear bumper only unloads the the front axle by about 350 pounds.

800-pound bumper