Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Topic: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle? (Read 2283 times) previous topic - next topic

Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

September 19, 2014, 11:41:39 pm

Hi to all. I'm new to the forum. But I'm here because we just bought a U280. We love it. I'm sort of a GEARHEAD, should say I'm a mechanical NUTCASE. But I have a question. I was take a good look in under, around, and found something. Weight is a big problem. But why is there two large boxes of concrete in front of the front axle on our Foretravel. It looks to me it was an after thought. A recall? Or can I remove a half a ton of concrete. I'm sure someone else here has seen them before. If not any ideas?
Thanks for any help. Hammer2100

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #1 – September 20, 2014, 08:06:32 am

Keeps the front end from getting light when you exceed 100 MPH?

Photos! We need photos of this strange "accessory".

By the way, welcome to the forum!

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #2 – September 20, 2014, 08:19:36 am

The weights are needed to counter the weigh of the engine behind the rear wheels. Keep them there or the front will be too light for good handling.

Think of it as a teeter totter with Bubba sitting way out on the other two. A lot of weight up front was needed when the engine migrated to the back.

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #3 – September 20, 2014, 08:50:04 am

I have spent a bit of time under my coach, don't remember seeing any concrete. Just looked and there still is no concrete on the front of my coach.

Roland

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #4 – September 20, 2014, 09:02:30 am

I don't recall seeing any under mine, either. Please post some pictures.

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #5 – September 20, 2014, 09:17:28 am

To replace a generator that was there and may no longer be there???

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #6 – September 20, 2014, 09:59:12 am

The safe on my U280 looked like a block of concrete from under the front of the coach, it of course was obvious what it was when position was looked at from inside. Where is the safe in yours ? In front of the passenger seat ? Can't imagine what use blocks of concrete would be in a FT.
Gary B

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #7 – September 20, 2014, 10:43:37 am

Quote from: Tom Lang – September 20, 2014, 08:19:36 am

The weights are needed to counter the weigh of the engine behind the rear wheels. Keep them there or the front will be too light for good handling.
Think of it as a teeter totter with Bubba sitting way out on the other two. A lot of weight up front was needed when the engine migrated to the back.

Tom,

What's the name of the game where you try and convince other players your answer is the correct one? Not going for this one.

Tim, no generator up there. It's back further on the side.

Gary. You got it Toyota! Bottom of the safe looks like a block of concrete. A thousand Detroit Diesel playing cards and tips.

I'm under there all the time trying to figure out how to move the air tanks and mount the spare tire in the nose. No concrete anywhere.

Pierce

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #8 – September 20, 2014, 11:52:20 am

Ha could it be missing Jimmy Hoffa as I am sure he would have liked a FT??
JohnH

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #9 – September 20, 2014, 12:20:19 pm

Quote from: John Haygarth – September 20, 2014, 11:52:20 am

Ha could it be missing Jimmy Hoffa as I am sure he would have liked a FT??
JohnH

I was about to post the same thing. LOL

Craig

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #10 – September 20, 2014, 02:45:14 pm

The only reason he might have put concrete in front would be if he had a motorcycle mounted on the rear or perhaps pulled a heavy trailer and wanted a counter-balance. The generator is directly behind the front axle on the driver's side in a 280. I'd remove that concrete in a heartbeat. Unnecessary weight.

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #11 – September 20, 2014, 02:56:21 pm

What year 280 is it? I take it the generator is still there? An Onan 7.5KW diesel? Plenty of weight near the front.

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #12 – September 20, 2014, 05:36:11 pm

We had a '93 U225 ... no concrete, but the safe would be a very good bet, I am thinking. It was in front of the passenger seat up front ... many folks do not know it is there! We put a little bit of fishing line attached to the flap that conceals it, just to make it easier to get to.

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #13 – September 20, 2014, 06:08:38 pm

Ours is build #4539, 94 like yours - no additional anything up front.

I'm sure it's a owner added item, unless you have a special need for some kind counter weight, it's not a manufacturer item.

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #14 – September 20, 2014, 06:24:27 pm

I'm betting on a misidentified safe. If not, call James Triana at Foretravel. He was there when your coach was built and may well have worked on the crew building it.

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #15 – September 20, 2014, 10:23:31 pm

FYI: The safe should be protruding down only about an inch or so as visible from under the coach. The majority of it lies between the elevated front seat deck (floor) and main coach floor, right under the passengers feet. And should only have one safe.

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #16 – September 20, 2014, 11:27:24 pm

It's not the safe. I'll post photos Sunday. There is really two large boxes of concrete there. I though about Jimmy, but I also though about a owner and wife that always wanted to keep their Foretravel. Did anyone think of that one! I've already decided to remove them. Maybe lost treasrue,anyone want them. You'll all get a laugh.

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #17 – September 20, 2014, 11:32:32 pm

Quote from: Don Hay – September 20, 2014, 02:56:21 pm

What year 280 is it? I take it the generator is still there? An Onan 7.5KW diesel? Plenty of weight near the front.

Don, it's a 1994, Gen is 10kw.
Thanks Hammer2100 AKA Mark C.

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #18 – September 20, 2014, 11:43:49 pm

I am thinking you might want to sell them as is, or start a raffle. Someone may have encased bars of gold or other treasure for safe storage. No telling what valuable item could be hidden inside.

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #19 – September 21, 2014, 01:01:54 am

OK, I got a laugh outta this thread. I was all ready to guess floor safe y'all beat me to it!

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #20 – September 21, 2014, 01:09:06 am

Any idea what they weigh?

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #21 – September 21, 2014, 01:24:15 am

About 133 pounds per cubic foot.

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #22 – September 21, 2014, 02:37:22 am

I had a customer hide 150 pounds of gold in the same year and model coach. Real story.

Ex wife was upset as it was $1,000,000 dollars in 1989.

Always wondered what happened to Mr Robinsons coach/money.

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #23 – September 21, 2014, 06:51:25 am

Perhaps it's the most valuable U280 ever!?!

Re: Strange Weights found - boxes of concrete by U280 front axle?

Reply #24 – September 21, 2014, 09:01:59 am

I am not too ashamed to admit that I checked that floor safe with just a bit of "Geraldo opening Capone's secret room" drama playing though my head. Let's just say we didn't find a Right Front weight bias!

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