Maiden Trip in Our New TRX

I weighed everything, right at about 14,500.

Hi Betsy,

Is this a typo?  Does your TRX loaded up during a trip weigh a true 14,500 pounds?

Sorry, 12,500 not 14,500.  My error.  Guess I'm still tired,  LOL

Hi Hutch42.  We did get the slide-out model with sofa and dinette (La Mesa RV in San Diego). I stumbled across it, was looking for Class B but saw this one by accident. Loved it. So glad we did, makes all the difference. Just the two of us, and two dogs, I weighed everything, right at about 14,500. Includes about 12 gals fresh water tank, full tank of gas, full refrig, extra water, etc etc. I weighed the hoses, dumps stuff, clothes, you name it I weighed it, dog food, shoes, sheets, blankets, the two of us, the dogs, LOL  etc, etc.
Now driving through mountains, not too bad but around 52-55 mph. We tried to keep the rpm's around 4 - 4.5 when possible when going uphill. Took our time through the mountains. It shifted a lot when climbing, but I figured that would happen, so adjusted for it.  Looking back at my purchase, I was asked to sign that I was getting a 2021, didn't dawn on me why I was asked to sign this until later,  but in reality, I think we got a 2020, the engine booklet says the engine is a 2019 (This is when I got upset) I called my brother who worked for GM (Not Ford) he said companies like that buy engines in bulk, so to speak, and that is why it probably is a 2019. Live and learn.  Grrr on my part. But I read when it was built and it was early 2020.  I thought I was getting the turbo with a 10 speed, but totally my fault for not checking closer. I have the Ford  E350HD. A stupid mistake I'm sure, but when I looked up the pricing the newer engine was 10K more.   I like what we have and now don't mind a bit. The driving is great, did I feel trucks?  Sometimes but not bad at all. Sometimes they pushed us when passing but not all the time. I love how easy it is to drive and maneuver. Even made some u-turns.  LOL 
Oh, I had a 2007 Fleetwood Jamboree 31M before. No comparison. The PHoenix TRX drives so much easier and nicer.  Two reasons, newer, and also a lot smaller.

The TRX comes with a 350HD chassis, not an E350HD chassis.  It's GVWR is 11,000 lbs, not 14,500lbs.

Lookup the Ford VIN, you can use that to get a window sticker that will include where and when the chassis was made.

Thank you for all the info.  I will look it up.  Appreciate all your help

Hi Hutch42.  We did get the slide-out model with sofa and dinette (La Mesa RV in San Diego). I stumbled across it, was looking for Class B but saw this one by accident. Loved it. So glad we did, makes all the difference. Just the two of us, and two dogs, I weighed everything, right at about 14,500. Includes about 12 gals fresh water tank, full tank of gas, full refrig, extra water, etc etc. I weighed the hoses, dumps stuff, clothes, you name it I weighed it, dog food, shoes, sheets, blankets, the two of us, the dogs, LOL  etc, etc.
Now driving through mountains, not too bad but around 52-55 mph. We tried to keep the rpm's around 4 - 4.5 when possible when going uphill. Took our time through the mountains. It shifted a lot when climbing, but I figured that would happen, so adjusted for it.  Looking back at my purchase, I was asked to sign that I was getting a 2021, didn't dawn on me why I was asked to sign this until later,  but in reality, I think we got a 2020, the engine booklet says the engine is a 2019 (This is when I got upset) I called my brother who worked for GM (Not Ford) he said companies like that buy engines in bulk, so to speak, and that is why it probably is a 2019. Live and learn.  Grrr on my part. But I read when it was built and it was early 2020.  I thought I was getting the turbo with a 10 speed, but totally my fault for not checking closer. I have the Ford  E350HD. A stupid mistake I'm sure, but when I looked up the pricing the newer engine was 10K more.   I like what we have and now don't mind a bit. The driving is great, did I feel trucks?  Sometimes but not bad at all. Sometimes they pushed us when passing but not all the time. I love how easy it is to drive and maneuver. Even made some u-turns.  LOL 
Oh, I had a 2007 Fleetwood Jamboree 31M before. No comparison. The PHoenix TRX drives so much easier and nicer.  Two reasons, newer, and also a lot smaller.

Hi Betsy, I am so happy for you. I have been waiting to hear from someone that had purchased a new TRX for about 2 years now.  Regardless of the chassis year. the Transit is burning it up in the class B RV's and a great alternative to the Sprinter with far more engine options for the class C's..  It sounds like the folks at Phoenix have built a good quality coach.  FYI the 2019 Transit cutaway HD350 had a GVWR of 10,360 LBS and the gas engine is a 3.7L TI-VCT V-6 and 6 speed trans.  The 2020 HD350 had a GVWR of 11,000 LBS and the std engine was a 3.5L PEDI V-6 and 10 speed trans.  The new 3.5L Turbo only gets about a mile more per gallon (this on a 2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder.) so your not missing much.  You might want to double check the Total weight (loaded) of your TRX.  It should not exceed 10,360 or 11,000 GVWR which includes all cargo, water, and passengers for a 2020 or 2021.  Thanks for the report and looking forward to hearing more as time goes on.

Hutch 42

My friend with a Fusion Ecoboost says it’s not very eco in boost mode. On mountain roads that’s basically all the time.

Hi again Betsy,

You seem to be way over-loaded.  I can't help but think your declared weight is incorrect.

During your next trip while loaded up with all your supplies and such (including all passengers) get your rig weighed at a truck stop weigh scale to verify or correct your numbers.  Knowing your actual weight on the front and rear tires (weighed separately) will determine the proper tire pressure.  The front tires will likely different than the rears.  You don't want too much air, or too little air in them.  The right amount will provide the best ride and the best handling, and also reduce the threat of a tire blow-out.

Ron

Thank you for the info Ron, being a rookie at weights, I have a question. Can anyone stop at a truck stop weigh station to get their RV weighed?  Is this a weigh station like on an interstate? Never done that but sounds like something I need to do.

HI again Hutch 42.  Thank you for weight numbers. My VIN says it's a 2019 Ford Transit. So question, how do I know how much weight I can put in the RV? aka, food, clothes, dogs, etc.? I only went by what was listed on the website for the weight, and that was probably for a 2021.  I"m learning. But I will definitely need to find out the "dry" weight of the RV and then how lbs I can add to it.   

Thank you for the info Ron, being a rookie at weights, I have a question. Can anyone stop at a truck stop weigh station to get their RV weighed?  Is this a weigh station like on an interstate? Never done that but sounds like something I need to do.

Yes Betsy, you really should get your rig weighed to determine if you have over-loaded the vehicle, and also to set the proper tire pressure.

Regarding where to get your rig weighed......

Many truck stops (not all of them) have weigh scales called CAT scales..  You drive on and drive off.  If you see a scale on-site, it will look something like the picture.  CLICK HERE to watch a video for basic instructions.

You want to weigh the front tires separately from the rear tires so make sure to drive on so each end is on a separate section of the scale.  The last time I weighed our rig, it cost me $10, but that was in 2015.  I plan to weigh our rig again during our next big trip out west.

HI again Hutch 42.  Thank you for weight numbers. My VIN says it's a 2019 Ford Transit. So question, how do I know how much weight I can put in the RV? aka, food, clothes, dogs, etc.? I only went by what was listed on the website for the weight, and that was probably for a 2021.  I"m learning. But I will definitely need to find out the "dry" weight of the RV and then how lbs I can add to it.

Betsy---there's several yellow sticker labels located at various points of your Ford Transit.  Usually on the drivers side inside door panels also on the interior of your engine compartment.  The yellow label that your looking for is called the CCC or OCC label.  It will list what your TRX weighed when it left the factory.  It could also list the available cargo carrying capacity in pounds available.   If you have a 2019 Transit chassis you do not want it to weigh more then 10,360 pounds or 2020 chassis 11,000 pounds fully loaded.  Thats your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.  Because you will not be towing anything you do not have to worry about hitch or trailer weights.  In reality it should be somewhat less.   Attached is a video on how to read RV labeling.  Hope this helps.

Hutch42

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZA1Lhp6GyE

Hutch42, you are awesome, thank youo, I watched several videos, not I'm going to find a location and weigh my RV, soon.

Thank you for the info Ron, being a rookie at weights, I have a question. Can anyone stop at a truck stop weigh station to get their RV weighed?  Is this a weigh station like on an interstate? Never done that but sounds like something I need to do.

I did a quick search, here is a public truck scale list for your area. Looks like you have a good selection. 

https://apps1.cdfa.ca.gov/publicscales/view.aspx?c=36