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Topic: 1989 U280 36' CCC? (Read 739 times) previous topic - next topic

1989 U280 36' CCC?

I've been trying without sucess to find out how much stuff I could put in one of these without overloading it. I'm looking real hard at getting one, it's in great shape and in my (limited) price range. So far, it looks like it grosses out at 28k, makes sense, but am I really seeing combined axle limits of 29000? Only half a ton of cargo? That seems like an awful small margin. If I go look at it, I'll try and find a truck scale, because I can't seem to find out what this rig weighs and have no interest in only having a few hundred pounds of freeboard.
Jay
1989 U280 SE, 36', 3208T Cat, build 3292

Re: 1989 U280 36' CCC?

Reply #1 –
That's always the best idea before buying a new to you coach.  Full fuel, water, and propane tanks, empty black and gray, with normal occupants.  Weigh each axle.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: 1989 U280 36' CCC?

Reply #2 –
Welcome to the forum.

You have asked a great question, and back in January some of us had a long thread about just the same thing, about U280's and weights.  Read this to catch up:

Towing

About mid way down the first page, a U280 owner tells what he found when he loaded and weighed his coach.  Go to reply #13.  Their seems to be a huge amount of load capacity with a U280, for stuff or towed items, with a gross of 30,000#.

Good luck with your search, you are heading the right direction.  Again welcome to the slippery slope of Foretravel ownership.

Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: 1989 U280 36' CCC?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: twobus –
So far, it looks like it grosses out at 28k, makes sense, but am I really seeing combined axle limits of 29000? Only half a ton of cargo? That seems like an awful small margin.
The GVWR of 28K means that total gross weight is 28K. Based on your description, I expect that the GAWR are 10K front and 19K rear. The most conservative rating in each case should apply. That means you could load to 19K on the rear axle, but you would be limited to 9K on the front axle. Conversely, you could load to 10K on the front axle, but would be limited to 18K on the rear. A proportion based on GAWR would be a preferable distribution.

I expect you would have ample cargo capacity, but you should weigh. We have weighed our coach three times at truck stops. Cost was about $9 each time. We weigh with full fuel, full propane, full fresh water, empty waste tanks, food, clothing, "stuff," people, and dog. We have plenty of capacity for more stuff.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: 1989 U280 36' CCC?

Reply #4 –
That U-280 will only weigh about 24,000 # totally empty, perhaps less (i.e., empty fridge, cabinets, bays, grey and black tanks), so you really will have close to 2 tons of CCC.  My 280 weighs about 27,500# fully loaded for a 3 month trip.  Bays full, full fresh water tank, full propane tank, cabinets and fridge full.  The 28000 refers to Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (capacity).
Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.

Re: 1989 U280 36' CCC?

Reply #5 –
That's more like it. I'll weigh it anyhow, but it's good confirmation Foretravel wouldn't sell a big rig with that little freeboard. OTOH the P30 chassis I used to have was more than likely overloaded before I fueled it and climbed aboard. Thanks for the help.
Jay
1989 U280 SE, 36', 3208T Cat, build 3292

Re: 1989 U280 36' CCC?

Reply #6 –
The sellers made me an offer I can't refuse. I'll be bringing the insepction checklist found here (most comprehensive I've seen anywhere BTW, good job) to go look the thing over hopefully this weekend.
Jay
1989 U280 SE, 36', 3208T Cat, build 3292