|
|
05-14-2007, 07:35 PM
|
#1
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Fallbrook, Ca
Posts: 307
|
After a year of ownership, I finally was able to obtain a 4 corner weight when the rig was "camping ready". I was heading out on a 2 week trip and had the rig loaded. Full fuel, propane, 25% fresh water, and empty holding tanks. Full food and drink, clothes, and camping extras like fire wood. I have been running max recommended tire pressures by Winne, 110 Lbs in the front tires, and 95 Lbs in the rear duals.
The scales provided the following info:
Left front- #4100 Right front- #3920 Total, #8920 pounds total. Front axle max is #10,410 for a difference of #2390 Lbs under GAWR.
Left rear- #6960 Right rear- #7160, Total, #14,120 Lbs total. Rear axle max is #17,500 Lbs, for a difference of #3380 Lbs under GAWR. Total for the coach is #5770 Lbs under the GVWR of # 27,910 pounds. The GCVR is #38,910 Lbs, of which my #3,500 pound Wrangler is not even close.
The real surprise is when I checked these weights against the Michelin recommended tire pressures for a 255X80RX22.5 XRV tire. Being generous with the weights, and bumping the pressure another 5 pounds for a "safety margin", I still should be running #90 pounds in the front tires, and #85 in the rear dually's!
That is quite a bit under the Winnie info sticker of #110 fronts and #95 rears. All I can speculate is that Winnie recommends the weight that would be necessary if the coach was loaded to it's maximum legal load.
Since I just started a two week trip, I lowered the pressure to #95 front, and #85 rear for the next driving day. The coach handled the same, but I did notice a little less "harshness" being transfered to the steering and less vibration in the coach contents when hitting those road divits that are out there on every highway. (I did fudge the front tires another 5 pounds for sake of my nerves). I am curious to see what if any effect there is on mileage on the long run. My main concern is to treat these expen$ive tires right, and make them last for a very long time.
Moral of this story is "get a four corner weight". I was happily surprised, but that may not always be the case. Weigh and be sure, and above all, be safe.
Sarge
|
|
|
05-14-2007, 07:35 PM
|
#2
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Fallbrook, Ca
Posts: 307
|
After a year of ownership, I finally was able to obtain a 4 corner weight when the rig was "camping ready". I was heading out on a 2 week trip and had the rig loaded. Full fuel, propane, 25% fresh water, and empty holding tanks. Full food and drink, clothes, and camping extras like fire wood. I have been running max recommended tire pressures by Winne, 110 Lbs in the front tires, and 95 Lbs in the rear duals.
The scales provided the following info:
Left front- #4100 Right front- #3920 Total, #8920 pounds total. Front axle max is #10,410 for a difference of #2390 Lbs under GAWR.
Left rear- #6960 Right rear- #7160, Total, #14,120 Lbs total. Rear axle max is #17,500 Lbs, for a difference of #3380 Lbs under GAWR. Total for the coach is #5770 Lbs under the GVWR of # 27,910 pounds. The GCVR is #38,910 Lbs, of which my #3,500 pound Wrangler is not even close.
The real surprise is when I checked these weights against the Michelin recommended tire pressures for a 255X80RX22.5 XRV tire. Being generous with the weights, and bumping the pressure another 5 pounds for a "safety margin", I still should be running #90 pounds in the front tires, and #85 in the rear dually's!
That is quite a bit under the Winnie info sticker of #110 fronts and #95 rears. All I can speculate is that Winnie recommends the weight that would be necessary if the coach was loaded to it's maximum legal load.
Since I just started a two week trip, I lowered the pressure to #95 front, and #85 rear for the next driving day. The coach handled the same, but I did notice a little less "harshness" being transfered to the steering and less vibration in the coach contents when hitting those road divits that are out there on every highway. (I did fudge the front tires another 5 pounds for sake of my nerves). I am curious to see what if any effect there is on mileage on the long run. My main concern is to treat these expen$ive tires right, and make them last for a very long time.
Moral of this story is "get a four corner weight". I was happily surprised, but that may not always be the case. Weigh and be sure, and above all, be safe.
Sarge
|
|
|
05-14-2007, 07:44 PM
|
#3
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Murfreesboro TN
Posts: 90
|
Your guess is right, WI puts the pressure on the placard based on rated weight.
I think some of the best advise I've gotten was to get a four corner weight and adjust pressure accordingly.
I got our coach weighed a little over a year ago when we were fully loaded, somewhat over what we usually are, and found that we were well under the gross. I run my pressure 5# over the specs for a safety fudge factor, and find that this helps with handling issues.
Not sure if it really will make a difference in wear on the tires over the long run, as we only put about 8-10k/yr on the coach, and the tires will need replacing before they wear out, but surely it can't hurt.
Chris
__________________
Chris McVetty
Murfreesboro TN
|
|
|
05-15-2007, 12:16 AM
|
#4
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,520
|
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SargeW:
The scales provided the following info:
Left front- #4100 Right front- #3920 Total, #8920 pounds total. Front axle max is #10,410 for a difference of #2390 Lbs under GAWR.
Left rear- #6960 Right rear- #7160, Total, #14,120 Lbs total. Rear axle max is #17,500 Lbs, for a difference of #3380 Lbs under GAWR. Total for the coach is #5770 Lbs under the GVWR of # 27,910 pounds. The GCVR is #38,910 Lbs, of which my #3,500 pound Wrangler is not even close.
Sarge </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Sarge,
I think your front total seems a bit off.
Left front - #4,100
Right front - #3,920
Total - #8,020
Frnt max - #10,410
Difference - #2,390 Lbs under GAWR.
Your inflating for 4,100 lbs right?
Anyways your packing light and saving fuel, rubber and wear on your rig and thats a good thing!
__________________
Neil V
2001 Winnebago Adventurer WFG35U
|
|
|
05-15-2007, 01:10 AM
|
#5
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Seaford, VA
Posts: 1,046
|
How many folks have had the four corners weighed empty. Would show you how much Winnie is off on its numbers on a new coach and which corners/areas need the most weight when you load.
These numbers may suprise you in how much lower the coach weighs than what Winnie says.
__________________
Happy Trails! ICHN2GO, Seaford VA,
06, 34 Newmar Ventana
02 Jeep Liberty
|
|
|
05-15-2007, 05:35 AM
|
#6
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Fallbrook, Ca
Posts: 307
|
Neil,
Yes, I am off 180 pounds in the front, and 200 pounds in the rear. Not a lot really considering the gross axle weight of each axle. The tech that weighed my rig said that he weighed one last week that was off 2000 pounds from side to side!!
I think it would be an eye opener to see what the four corner weight would be when the rig was delivered completely empty from Winnie.
|
|
|
05-15-2007, 11:17 AM
|
#7
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Central FL
Posts: 166
|
Me think I saw a minimum front PSI in the Workhorse chassis manual for my W-24 on page 36 of 105 front and 95 rear for the XRV-235/80-22.5 tires. Minimums for the 22,000 lb chassis are also there for those interested.
__________________
2012 Phaeton 40 QBH, 2011 Ford Explorer & 2013 Jeep Wrangler Toads via BlueOx, TPMS by TTS, Delta Force toad brake system.
|
|
|
05-15-2007, 11:53 AM
|
#8
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Crossville, TN USA
Posts: 397
|
It is hard to get a true 4 corner weight on a trcuk scale. As the ground around the scale is not level. This causes a weight shift on the MH.
Best are the ones the State police (portable scale) use or a reg outfit that does 4 corner weight. Would be more accurate.
__________________
Tom & Bonnie
2008 Winnebago Aspect 29H
A Class C Not a B+
2010 Ford Flex
|
|
|
05-15-2007, 12:48 PM
|
#9
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Back at the ranch
Posts: 2,041
|
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SargeW:
--snip--
Since I just started a two week trip, I lowered the pressure to #95 front, and #85 rear for the next driving day. The coach handled the same, but I did notice a little less "harshness" being transfered to the steering and less vibration in the coach contents when hitting those road divits that are out there on every highway. (I did fudge the front tires another 5 pounds for sake of my nerves).--snip
Sarge </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Sarge - good for you for getting a four-corner weigh! It took us about 18 months to get that accomplished.
We found that our handling, body roll to be specific, was noticeably different from 95 to 115 pounds in the front tires. At 95 or 100 pounds the coach felt like it was going to roll over in a tight corner (not really, but it was pronounced) and at a higher pressure the body roll felt minimal. On freeway curves the coach now felt like it was firmly planted on the pavement; the downside of this as you have discovered is the transmission of bumps to the chassis and house.
What others have done, and we will follow suit at some point, is to change out the front tires for a Load Range H from a G. Then you don't need to run as much pressure for the weight.
__________________
--John
2005 Horizon 40AD, 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
|
|
|
05-15-2007, 01:12 PM
|
#10
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Seaford, VA
Posts: 1,046
|
We are fortunate to have a moving company with a modern facility. The scales are flush with the pavement and its easy to get a 4 corner weigh. They are very accomodating and will take you most any time..Good Miles
__________________
Happy Trails! ICHN2GO, Seaford VA,
06, 34 Newmar Ventana
02 Jeep Liberty
|
|
|
05-15-2007, 06:28 PM
|
#11
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Fallbrook, Ca
Posts: 307
|
John, wouldn't that extra step up in load range make for a stiffer sidewall? I could see the benifit for the extra load carrying ability, but it seems that the stiffer sidewall would make for a harder ride.
The scale I weighed at was a large pad scale. The surrounding area was fairly flat from what I recall. What it did provide was a lot of peace of mind. Now I know that 1) I am not over loaded on any wheel position or either axle, and 2) there is still room in each wheel position for any adjustments that I need to make later on. Roll on!
Sarge
|
|
|
05-16-2007, 03:49 AM
|
#12
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Back at the ranch
Posts: 2,041
|
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SargeW:
John, wouldn't that extra step up in load range make for a stiffer sidewall? --snip--
Sarge </div></BLOCKQUOTE>The benefit of an LRH vs an LRG tire is the ability to run the tire at a lower pressure for a particular load. In my case, I would probably be able to drop the pressure down to 95 or 100 pounds (I haven't looked at the weight chart for the tire, but this is probably ballpark). I believe Winnie went to the LRH tire on the 2006+ Horizon/Vectra since that front suspension is rated at 14,400 (or thereabouts) pounds vs my 12,000.
We always feel better when we know what our coach weighs and that we have the proper tire pressure.
__________________
--John
2005 Horizon 40AD, 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
|
|
|
05-16-2007, 07:29 AM
|
#13
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 81
|
Sarge, John Canfield is correct. I replaced the dry cracking, Michelin 235/80 with Goodyear G-670 255/70 load range H and was able to lower the pressures form 110psi to 95psi. The ride and handling are much better and the side roll is not nearly so harsh. Example: XRV 235/80 to carry 4675lbs needs 110psi, 255/70 G-670 "H" only 95psi.
|
|
|
05-16-2007, 06:27 PM
|
#14
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Fallbrook, Ca
Posts: 307
|
You know, on a heavier rig like yours John, I think that would be a good bet. On my 32T I think it would ride like a skateboard!!
But either way, knowing your weights is always the best way to go. I used to have a fiver, and hung around on various forums that were mainly fiver related issues. Reading the post by some of those folks would make me cringe...
|
|
|
05-17-2007, 11:05 AM
|
#15
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 81
|
Sarge, I forgot to mention our coach is a 32ft. Horizon, the sister to yours. It is a much better driving and riding MH now with the G-670, 255/70 load range "H". One difference in our coaches is the front axel specs. mine has a 9350lb.capacity. Sam
|
|
|
05-17-2007, 07:51 PM
|
#16
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Fallbrook, Ca
Posts: 307
|
My LRG's are rated at 5205 on a single application. That is for a 255X80RX22.5.
By dropping the pressure to 95 in the fronts has not as yet made a noticible difference in side roll or overall "softness" in the ride. I will log some more miles to get a really accurate impression. With a 10,410 front axle weight on the front of the Meridian, I have lots of room to spare. Michelin says that I could take them down to 75 pounds for the weight that I am carrying but that would be a little scary for me.......
|
|
|
05-18-2007, 09:05 AM
|
#17
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Fulltiming in AZ and CA
Posts: 64
|
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Oh-one:
Sarge, John Canfield is correct. I replaced the dry cracking, Michelin 235/80 with Goodyear G-670 255/70 load range H and was able to lower the pressures form 110psi to 95psi. The ride and handling are much better and the side roll is not nearly so harsh. Example: XRV 235/80 to carry 4675lbs needs 110psi, 255/70 G-670 "H" only 95psi. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
We just replaced our XRV 235/80 "G" tires with Goodyear G-670 "H" tires, also. Our coach delivered with very low CCC, so we run right at the max weight. Our coach is in getting annual service, so haven't had a chance to see if there is a difference in the ride/handling... But, we are going to feel much more secure with the G-670s.
With this change, will there be much diffence on the odometer and speedometer? If so, in which direction?
__________________
Click on the link to see our new Snowbird Home....
Our homes on the road
|
|
|
05-18-2007, 06:17 PM
|
#18
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Fallbrook, Ca
Posts: 307
|
It depends upon the circumference of the tire. The higher side wall rating may not change the overall size of the tire, but it could. If so, the tire would most likely be slightly larger than the one you took off. That would make the speedometer read slower than you are actually are traveling. How much depends on the size difference. It would also effect the odometer the same percentage as the speedometer.
Sarge
|
|
|
05-18-2007, 06:51 PM
|
#19
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Santa Clarita, CA.
Posts: 1,222
|
Sarge: Where did you get the 4-point weight at? Is it a public site? I'm still looking for one in N. LA County/ Santa Clarita, but you're right... theres not a lot of them around.
__________________
_______________________________
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350
|
|
|
05-18-2007, 06:58 PM
|
#20
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Fallbrook, Ca
Posts: 307
|
Jeff,
I went to a place called Dycorp in Anaheim on Ball Rd. The specialize in trailer parts and have a full size pad scale in front. I just shifted the rig around to catch each tire on the pad. Cost me $10.
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|