Bob --

Glad we could help. Here’s a couple more thoughts on the chassis and toad questions. With your chassis having 16” wheels and rear drums, and the fourth character in the VIN being “J” (10,000 – 14,000 GVWR), it’s almost certainly the smaller P Chassis typically used by Barth in their 24’ and 25’ models.

The Gross Combined Weight Rating for the P Chassis depends on the engine and the rear axle ratio. Your VIN indicates a Chev 454; with a 4.10 rear axle, the GCWR is 16,000 and with a 3.73 rear axle, 14,000. My 1989 25’ had the 4.10. With the 12,380 GVWR, that left 3,620 for the toad; with our 2800 lb Cabrio plus the dolly, we were pushing the limit. Experience proved it to be okay.

I refer you to http://users.sisna.com/cebula/...AlignmentProcess.pdf for a booklet on the P Chassis, which was written primarily about alignment but has lots of other good information in it, like GCWR’s, VIN breakdowns, tire inflation, etc. Bill NY says it’s also included on the Barthmobile CD. The author is on the website as “Relative”. This booklet should probably be required reading for all old Barth owners (oops, all owners of old Barths – but then again, I guess all Barths are old now).

Good luck with your projects.

Bill Beard
Barth Owner Emeritus (three times)

oh well, THAT'S why... our 1987 F150 weighs around 3900 lbs plus campertop (200 lbs?). But now I got a reason to buy one of this midget cars, a VW Beetle cabrio or maybe a little Triumph MG
Old blue (F150) got anywhere around 320'000 miles anyway.

320,000 miles? Sounds like the wear and tear from that could be more of a factor than the weight. Maybe a couple of Bill H's bungees would help.

I vote for the MG!

Bill Beard
Barth Owner Emeritus (three times)