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Topic: Weights and Tires ** on the liter side (Read 8 times) previous topic - next topic
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Weights and Tires ** on the liter side
Yahoo Message Number: 150540
Weight of campers has always been a problem and will continue. If you think MH have a problem it is nothing compared to that of a truck and slide in camper. You own a truck and deside to put a camper on. You always want to get a camper that is more than the truck will handle. The people who build slide in campers place a decal on the camper that is to be the weight of the unit but it is VERY deceiving because it states the weight with STANDARD EQUIPMENT (SE). "O" how those 2 words are over looked. SE is an ice box, no jacks to lift system, single pain windows, no roof air, no latter or roof railing, TV, tie downs, generator, radio, microwave, stove but no oven, carpet, battery for camper, small furnace or no furnace, single sink, slide out, curtains, single propane tank, sky light  or fan, stove hood, and the list keeps going on. You have now added 1,000 to 1,500 lb. Now you add the 1,000+ lb of things that you and me carry. Then the family 500 to 600 lb. Get the point.
 Our worst problem (MH) is that they build 12 or more units all on the same chassis and same 6 tires. Those of us that bought the 24' have no problem but as you go up in size the MH gets heaver. My 24' loaded and headed north to Alaska for 14 weeks was loaded to the gills, gas, food, water, close, tools, fishing gear, rubber raft; rear hitch storage basket, you name it. The camper weighted  (State scale) 3780 front axle 8560 rear axle. I had 820# on the front axle to spare and 890# to spare on the rear axle. And I had no more place left to store ANYTHING. I was 1710# under weight for what LD said I can carry.
 But the LD 31' unit will use all of that 1710# and go looking for more. Now you see why they do not make a unit with slide. Those with the larger unit also like to have power jacks and a few more extras which the smaller unit can do with out; really want/need or have little room for. Two extras that I never go with out is my little 1000 Honda gen and cheep/cheep 110 air compressor. They did not go to Alaska; I though they could grow legs and walk off. While the air compressor will inflate our tires to 80 PSI it will take time.
 I get the Motor Home magazine and one thing I always like to look at is the spec of the higher end MH. How much water and fuel they carry. This month they had a 44' Newmar diesel pusher. There front axle (17,000) will support  our whole MH. Yet if you look closely they are having to go to pushers because the front axle is becoming marginal for a front engine diesel.
 The F450 is fine for the shorter 25 foot MH but once you start going to the 30 foot MH the tires and chassis will not carry the loads we demand. Then look how many want one or two slides. When you see a 16" tire they will not handle the longer MH. They need to get into the 17.5 tire; and chassis that will handle the 17.5 tire. On our MH the 16' tire on the front is more than needed but the axle will not support the tire if inflated from 65# to 80#.
On the other hand the same tire on the rear will not handle the load. I really feel sorry for those that bought the LD years ago that had the Ford 350. Because they were not rated to carry the 25 and shorter MH. So they have the same problem that the 30' units have with the Ford 450.

George

Retired Plumber