New owners of a Melbourne Prestige 24LP and (of course) questions

[rickj514]

Hi Everyone,

I just joined the forum as we just bought a new-to-us 2018 Jayco Class C motorhome. Just drove it home a couple nights ago and looking forward to learning all about it! You can find my initial thread in the Welcome Mat section HERE

The first order of business is to change out the base of the Thetford toilet as it's busted. I already have the replacement, and a buddy of mine who works on boats and RVs for a living is coming over Monday to help with that and to look over the new toy.

I'd like to pose a few questions if you don't mind:

- The previous owners had modified the suspension as they claimed that they didn't like how much it swayed and handled. They took it to La Mesa RV (well known RV dealership in the west), and they added 2 leaf springs and Fox shocks based on the paperwork that I saw. I think the sway bars are original. The result is that the RV handles pretty well well in turns and on the freeway when trucks pass it. It gets sucked over a little, but far less than the trailers I have towed. However, it's a pretty stiff ride, and the back end sits quite a bit higher the front.

According to the paperwork I've seen La Mesa RV they only added a total of two leaf springs, but I'm wondering if the original owner had also added a leaf spring or two. I've attached a picture in which you can see that there's a total of 9 leaf springs per side! Does anyone know how many it has in its stock form?

- Surprisingly, there's no spare tire! Looking under the back it appears that there's plenty of room for one. Does anyone know of a kit that can be added so that we can carry a spare?

The only real issue that we have with the Melbourne is that there's a lack of external storage. The interior storage is pretty good though. The plan is to get a storage rack on the hitch received, but it will have to be limited to 53" ones or it would cover the tail lights.

I'm planning on taking the motorhome on a trip up to Lone Pine, CA (4 hrs north) with the RZR in tow on a trailer. After that maiden trip, I'm hoping that Marilyn and I can take it out for an extended weekend of camping somewhere.

Thanks in advance!
Rick

 

[cpd1343]

Ours is built on a 2020 chassis and it has 3 leaf springs on each side with a spacer at the bottom. Yours has no spacer but extra springs. Our sits rear high also. I think they all do. We have the same shocks and they helped allot. We also have SUMO springs front and rear which helped with the wallowing.

 

[rockymountainRVer]

The spare tire solution for our 2021 Melbourne 24L is this Roadmaster spare tire system https://www.roadmasterinc.com/spare-tire-carriers/ Be aware it is fairly heavy (plus the weight of the spare tire/rim) and impacts the GCWR of the rig, which is alreay limited being a Sprinter chassis. This carrier still provides a hitch receiver for trailering. As for the suspension, I had Sumos installed on the rear only, which did minimize the sway issues. No other mods, and we have been very satisifed with our rig.

 

[Grumpy]

Can't answer any of your questions, but

 

[rickj514]

The spare tire solution for our 2021 Melbourne 24L is this Roadmaster spare tire system https://www.roadmasterinc.com/spare-tire-carriers/ Be aware it is fairly heavy (plus the weight of the spare tire/rim) and impacts the GCWR of the rig, which is alreay limited being a Sprinter chassis. This carrier still provides a hitch receiver for trailering. As for the suspension, I had Sumos installed on the rear only, which did minimize the sway issues. No other mods, and we have been very satisifed with our rig.

Thanks! That looks like a viable solution since it has its own hitch receiver. In one of the manuals there's a picture of a spare wheel bracket that wedges the wheel up under the floor at the rear, so I'm going to look at that as well.

In terms of the amount of weight the rig can carry and tow I'm trying to figure it out. The yellow sticker inside the driver's door says that the combined weight of the occupants and cargo should never exceed 1201 lbs. Pretty straightforward.

The GCWR from another sticker is 15,250 lbs and the weight of the RV with propane and engine fuel is 9829 lbs, so adding the cargo carrying capacity + the weight of the RV = 11,030 lbs for the GVWR.

I understand that the weight on the hitch would take away from the cargo carrying capacity, so I think that all translates to a tow capacity of 4220 lbs? GCWR (15,250 lbs) - GVWR (11,030 lbs) = 4220 lbs. Does that look right?

Much appreciated!

 

[rockymountainRVer]

Agreed with your calculations on the tow capacity. Some folks will recommend a buffer of 5% or more for safety. I know some fellow Rvers who don’t even worry about the weight they are towing (accident waiting to happen?). My Jeep Trailhawk puts me over the GWCR, so if needed, we just rent a car or jeep at our destination.

 

[Pfflyer]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your purchase. We have a 2016 Melbourne and on level ground we need to raise the front 2.5 to 3". We may have only 3 leaf springs like cpd1343. It gets annoying that the auto levelers raise the front tires off the ground when on level or almost level ground.

 

[rickj514]

Thanks for all the responses so far!

I had a friend of mine over earlier and we sealed the roof and looked it over, and he was impressed. He's looking at lift kits (spacers) for the front rather than messing around with trying to drop the back end down.

I take it out this Friday for its maiden trip. Marilyn and I were planning on taking it out this past weekend somewhere local for a night or two, but I've come down with a nasty cold. I'm on the mend though, so maybe I can get out with Marilyn in a couple weeks.

Thanks again,
Rick

 

[mjdcwo]

Spare tire

Although mine is not a Melbourne but a Greyhawk Prestige, I added a crank up spare tire holder up under the back of the camper, similar to my Ford pickup truck. It’s a little inconvenient to access but much better than not having a spare.

 

[Parella]

Spare tire for Melbourne, i have a example of how i solved that problem, i have pics and is east to fabricate and install

 

[Sam Lesko]

Spare tire for Melbourne, i have a example of how i solved that problem, i have pics and is east to fabricate and install

Please post the pictures and a description. I too have a Melbourne and have wanted to add a spare tire carrier. Thanks

 

[Pfflyer]

Please post the pictures and a description. I too have a Melbourne and have wanted to add a spare tire carrier. Thanks

x2. After all, this is we all are here for.

 

[USMC0311-JAY]

21 Melbourne RP Cracks

Any one with 20, 21 RP and hear slight popping sounds on slow turns? I had an issue and located bad welds.

 

[Pfflyer]

x2. After all, this is we all are here for.

Let me try again.

x2. After all, this is why we are all here.

Need to stop posting early in the morning or do a better job proofreading. Wish there was a longer time to edit.

 

[thirdktm]

We have a 2017 Melbourne with the Murphy bed.
Added Bilstein shocks and Hellwig sway bar. Both help but do not eliminate rolling and swaying.
WE tow a two-door Jeep Wrangler. It robs maybe 2 mpg.
Our best has been 14. Worst, 9, into a headwind.
Strongly that you buy straps to secure the fresh water tank. Ours fell off in West Texas, and we didn't know it.
Had to order a new one, pay it install it, pay to secure the straps. Huge headache.