Skip to main content
Topic: Coach weight (Read 1207 times) previous topic - next topic

Coach weight

Put the coach on CAT scales in SLC yesterday morning.  The results:
Steer Axle: 10,320 lb
Drive Axle: 18,220 lb
Gross: 28,540 lb

Had full fuel, full water, all of my "stuff," wife, and thee dogs.  The CCC is terrific on this coach!  Next, I need to find a place where I can have each corner weighed.
Brian and Jen

Re: Coach weight

Reply #1
Looks like load range G tires will work on that coach.
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: Coach weight

Reply #2
Brian,

What are your GAWR's (Gross Axle Weight Ratings)? What engine do you have and at what horsepower?

David Brady
'02 BlueBird LXi
David Brady
Asheville, NC
2004 Prevost H3 Vantare
2002 Wanderlodge LXi (sold)

Re: Coach weight

Reply #3
Hi David,

Here are the specs:

Front GAWR: 12,000
Rear GAWR: 19,000
Cummins C8.3  350hp  1050 torque
Brian and Jen

Re: Coach weight

Reply #4
Those weights and specs are very similar to our 1997 U295. We are about 100# heavier on the front and 400# lighter on the rear. We run load range G tires. Michelin charts show that we are well within the recommended ratings at pressures well below the max rated pressure for the tires. Our engine is C8.3-325 with a Banks stinger.

I thought 1997 was the last year for the C8.3 engines, but obviously they continued to use them in some later models. Fuel mileage is about 7 mpg. Fuel burned includes generator fuel. No VMSPC or other nice ECM information. We add fuel as required, travel, live, and enjoy.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Coach weight

Reply #5
Thanks Brian,

That certainly explains the spritely performance I've come to expect from Fortravels: 81 lbs/hp. :)
David Brady
Asheville, NC
2004 Prevost H3 Vantare
2002 Wanderlodge LXi (sold)

Re: Coach weight

Reply #6
JD, you seem to have the same 8.3 I have and I too have the B Stinger but on my 2000 I have been getting 9.7 to just a touch over 10 mpg and that is checked both by the VMS pc and by my calc .I hardly use the Gen as we are not fulltiming and have some solar (soon to be doubled in watts). I have the 36ft U295
John
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Coach weight

Reply #7
John,

I expect you have the ISC engine with 24 valves and electronic fuel injection. Our engine is the older C8.3 with 12 valves and mechanical fuel injection. The posts and information I have read indicates that the newer engines get better fuel mileage. It looks like the ISC was put into production in 1998. Our coach was built in November, 1996.

We usually drive with cruise control set at 65 mph. If roads are rough we drive a bit slower. We never use economy mode on the transmission.

Since we have owned the coach, miles on the odometer/gallons of diesel fuel measured at the pump has yielded 7.1 mpg. My understanding is that the VMSpc will not work with our engine because the data are not available. There is no ECM on the engine.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Coach weight

Reply #8
Vmspc can talk to ecm on engine or transmission. Isc is electronic, 8.3 is not. I defer to Dave Head on the Allison
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Coach weight

Reply #9
VMS could talk to the 6 speed, but all you would get would be what gear it was in.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Coach weight

Reply #10
VMSpc should be able to display the selected gear range, the gear you're in, and the transmission fluid temperature. At least it does on my bus.

David Brady
'02 Blue Bird Wanderlodge LXi
David Brady
Asheville, NC
2004 Prevost H3 Vantare
2002 Wanderlodge LXi (sold)

Re: Coach weight

Reply #11
The early HD4060/3060 models weren't that smart. The big software change came with the World series.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Coach weight

Reply #12
Oops, I posted some pics of my Wanderlodge, but they were removed. Apparently I'm violating some forum rules?

Dave, the doors are tied shut for chilproofing! :)

David Brady
'02 Blue Bird Wanderlodge, LXi
David Brady
Asheville, NC
2004 Prevost H3 Vantare
2002 Wanderlodge LXi (sold)

Re: Coach weight

Reply #13
Oops, I posted some pics of my Wanderlodge, but they were removed. Apparently I'm violating some forum rules?

David Brady
'02 Blue Bird Wanderlodge, LXi

Not removed Just relocated them to the right Forum topic to make them easier to find.    8)
Blue Bird Photos
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Coach weight

Reply #14
Oops, I posted some pics of my Wanderlodge, but they were removed. Apparently I'm violating some forum rules?

David Brady
'02 Blue Bird Wanderlodge, LXi

Not removed Just relocated them to the right Forum topic to make them easier to find.    8)
Blue Bird Photos

Thanks Barry. I appreciate that. :)
David Brady
Asheville, NC
2004 Prevost H3 Vantare
2002 Wanderlodge LXi (sold)