JUST GOT AXLE WEIGHT AT FMAC

[John Hennessey]

Discovered that we are 2000 lbs overweight on the front axle, the dually could carry another 10,000 lbs more and the tag axle could carry about 8000 lbs more.  We have a 2003 Beaver Marquis Sapphire.  Does anyone know why we are overweight on the front axle (and don't tell me driver and passenger weight)?  We have the 12.5 genset and the biggest Aqua Hot.  Could our ride height be to high in back and shifting the weight more onto the front axles or is that an impossibility?  Could suspension issues be the cause or is it probably the weight of the larger genset and Aqua Hot?


Thanks Linda Hennessey

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

John,
Do a search on "tire size" on the forum. Lot of good info there. It seems that Beaver installed tires that were marginal / under strength for the weight load carried. I just weighed my 2000 Marquis (no tag) yesterday and found my load range G tires were slightly under weight capability. I think the situation can get worse with a tag. Check out the thread.
Steve

[Sean Donohue]

Did you weight it with water tank full?

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Sean,
Assuming your asking me: yes, 150 gal fuel, 100 gal water, black & grey tanks each about 1/4 full and coach loaded with all household, etc.
Steve

[Tom and Pam Brown]

John,
You may need to take pressure off of the tag.  Any pressure on the tag increases the weight on the front axle.

[Sean Donohue]

Tag might be the answer, not the tires, the tag.

[John Hennessey]

The tag axle has much less weight on it than it is rated for. Also the dually middle axle is under also.  Our coach is rated for 55000 lbs and we only weigh 46000 with 25% fresh water, and 65% full gray and black water tanks full.

[John Hennessey]

forgot to add 3/4 full fuel tank

[Sean Donohue]

What pressure is the Tag set at?

[John Hennessey]

We are set at 48

[Tom and Pam Brown]

John, you may have to stay on the scales with the front axle to see what pressure would reduce the weight of the front axle.  The tag was designed to assist the rear with overloading.  If it is not neede for that purpose just reduce the pressure until the front gets within limits.
As you probably know the coach is like a fulcrum adding pressure on the tag puts more weight on the front.

Good luck.

[John Hennessey]

Do you have any idea what is the lowest you can set the tag axle?  We are under 2000 lbs under on the dalliys.  We just set it at 39 and are going back to the scales

[John Hennessey]

I should say 2000 under on the dually axle but our tires can take another 10000 lbs more.

[Tom and Pam Brown]

John, you are looking for balance and weight distribution.  I have no idea what the minimum weight or pressure should be without looking at the manual.  They do very with different applications.

I would say in your case get the front right and the rest will be fine.

[John Hennessey]

After adjusting the tag axle down and getting weighed again we only to 250 lbs off of the front axle with a 10 psi reduction.  Talked to Walter at RVSEF who told me that it probably is a combination of rid height adjustment and tag axle adjustment.  So we are still here at Gillette and will wait for the Escapees rally next week since Henderson's will be here.  I'll keep everyone apprised to what they say and how we fix it just in case someone else has this problem


Linda Hennessey