Had my coach weighted this morning at the Escapees near Livingston Texas. The difference in the rear side to side surprised me, I thought it would be more balanced, I figured I had my cargo pretty well distributed (maybe not). My coach is the CAI floorplan which has the splendide washer/dryer, toilet closet and refrigerator all on the left side. Here are my weights, all feedback is appreciated.
BTW, full water, propane and fuel...empty black and gray.
RF 5500
LF 5500
RR 9300
LR10150
How do the actual weights compare to your front and rear GAWR on the metal placard next to driver seat?
GAWR FRONT 13880
GAWR REAR 21000
Kool! Lots of safety margin there!
On the rear axel, I think you are supposed to set all 4 tires to the correct cold pressure for the "heavy" corner, IIRC.
Good job getting the corners weighed. Now you know. Use the LR at 10,150 to set the air pressure for the duals on each side. Go up to the next 5lb setting if you are between them on the pressure chart.
850 lb difference side to side seems like a lot but it probably isn't too uncommon. Being exactly the same side to side in front is probably just as surprising. Our RF was heavier than the LF by a couple hundred pounds. The refrigerator is pretty heavy and washer/dryer is no lightweight either. You can try rebalancing a bit if it helps. I have been making a serious effort to leave more at home lately and plan where things go in the basement better.
This seemed like alot to me however I have no idea if it is common or not, the person that weighed me said not uncommon to see on SOB's however stated Foretravels seem to be more balanced then this number..
Where are the batteries located and how many?
Bill,
Measure rear RIDE HEIGHT! Let us know what you find.
Spec: Top of top plate to bottom of bottom plate= 8 1/2". This is at the air bags in front of the rear axle. Am betting on the right rear being lower/ left rear higher.
You may be able to reduce the rear delta by raising the low weight air bag lever about 1/2 in. Of course that weight does not disappear, it will show up on the opposite nose wheel .
IMHO I would keep it as is , the balanced nose weight should drive very well.
If you're going to be heavy on one side that is the BEST side, called the high side. Because of road crown.
3ea located forward LH bay
Brett, adjusted rear ride height using makeshift gauge to very near 8 1/2" before departing Dickinson, after weighing and a few miles down the road I measured again using same gauge, I'm within an 1/8 inch of 8 1/2" on both sides.
Bill,
Interesting. That imbalance is acceptable, but more than we normally see on non-side coaches. Guess you now know which side to store you rock collection on!
And, all tire pressures on an axle the same and based on the heavier wheel position.
I would guess that the OREDs are right side heavy. 300# propane next to 300# of battery, next to the fridge, all along the curbside wall.
I'd actually like to purchase my own Truck scale! To me, after I weigh each quadrant, and adjust the Tire Pressures accordingly, the drivability is so much better! A Load Cell setup would be best, but unaffordable....5 Coach bucks or more!
If anyone knows of a Company selling a Suitcase Truck Scale, new or used at a decent price, I am interested! Thanks!
Just to make sure it is crystal clear: all tires on an axle get the SAME TIRE PRESSURE based on the heavier wheel position.
I'm surprised that some of the high dollar motorhomes don't offer a Central Tire Inflation System as either standard equipment or a option. Has been available to the military and the trucking industry for a while. Should be reliable enough for adoption on consumer vehicles. As to cost, if a person can afford a million dollar coach, adding CTIS would make little difference in the mortgage payment.
How Self-inflating Tires Work | HowStuffWorks (https://auto.howstuffworks.com/self-inflating-tire.htm)
Been standard on many buses in Mexico and Europe for decades.
I was able to get portable Haenni Scales WL 101 on a government auction site.
3 scales for less than $200. Missed out on the fourth but you really only need 2 to make it work.
Very nice , Swiss-made! Could not find a price, but might be a way to make a few bucks in campgrounds. b^.^d
You need a known good surface for 4 corner. Not so for total or 2x.
Do a search on eBay for wheel load scales. There are several used units there.