2003 Patriot Thunder Weight Distribution

[Jerry Emert]

For those of you who have a 03 PT or similar.  Have you noticed a significant difference in weight from side to side or on any particular corner.  The reason I ask is that I have still not been able to conveniently, key word here is conveniently, find a place for a 4 corner weight.  I have checked CAT scales and have not been able to find one with enough room around that big square CAT sign that guards them all.  I am on my first long, "retirement" trip and I am not so concerned that I am going to look for weigh stations in the middle of a busy day or scrap yards to weigh.  I have been running 120psi all around as the placard indicates.  I do have a TPMS that indicates all tires run cool, usually in the 70-120 degree range depending on outside temp...so far.  By my weights, 12,140 front, 24,120 rear, tag was probably up when I weighed, I figure that I can probably cut the air down to 110 psi front, keep 120 in the rear and 100 in the tag.  So, any "significant differences from side to side in "your PT" that may contradict this plan?  Hankook 275/70R-22.5.  Thanks as always.
Jerry

[David T. Richelderfer]

Tire size?  Probably 295/80R22.25?  Michelin tires at this size are rated a bit over 8k pounds as a non-duel at their maximum psi of 120 or 123, depending upon the tire model.  They are 16 ply.

I run Dunlop 315/80R22.5 on the steering axle which showed 16.25k pounds with diesel and water filled.  These tires are rated 9.09k pounds at 130 psi.  They are 22 ply.  I fill them to 125 psi cold.  On hot days at freeway speed their psi goes as high as 140.

I have 295/80R22.5 Michelins on the other six tire positions.  I run 115 psi on the drive-duel axles and 110 psi on the tag axle.  The tires on the drive/duel axle on hot days at freeway speed will rise to as high as 130 psi.

[Jerry Emert]

I edited above to indicate Hankook 270/70R 22.5.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Jerry,

If you get to AZ, the Petro on I10 between Tucson and Phoenix has a Cat scale with very wide aprons. I've weighted 2 coaches there with no problems. It's at exit 200. Also most Freightliner shops can weigh the coach on all 4 corners for a price.

The corner weights on most Magnum chassis coaches vary from one axle end to the other. Here's my fully loaded weights for the 2 Magnum chassis units I've had as an example;
01 Contessa: FR: 4966,  FL: 5228,  RR: 8520,  RL: 9904
00 Marquis:    FR: 6140,  FL: 6440,  RR:10600,  RL: 11880

Steve

[Jerald Cate]

Jerry,

Like you I haven't done a 4 corner weigh yet, I've only been able to get a per axle weight.  To give you a better comparison, since we have the same year and model coach, below are the numbers I got the last time I weighed.  The only tanks that were full are the fuel and LP, the other tanks are empty.  I have Michelin tires same size as yours and I get a nice ride at these pressures without seeing any high temperatures on my TPMS.  I'll bump the pressures up about 10 PSI if I'm going on an extended trip or carrying my motorcycle.

Front  11100 lbs - 110 psi
Drive  20000 lbs - 100 psi
Tag      5900  lbs -  95 psi

Bruce Cate

[Bill Lampkin]

Jerry, If you are on the road, try Tom at Weigh to Go-He can do your 4 corner weighing. [url]http://weightogollc.com/[/url. Escapees, FMCA and RVIA also have 4 corner weighing programs. My 2005 PT Weighs out at 13,880 (front), 19,540 (drive) and 5,410 (tag). I run 115psi in front, and 95 in the rear (just to keep it simple).

[Jerry Emert]

I think I've about settled on 110 in front and 105 on drives.  Still contemplating tag psi.  According to the chart 90 psi will be sufficient.  That just seems low.  Probably go with it.  I'll be watching on the TPMS and adjusting with a portable compressor if temps seem to go up.  Thanks for help.
Jerry

[Lee Welbanks]

My front is so heavy I have the Bridgestones at 120, drives& tag 110 and drive, the suspension and shocks handle the ride and I don't worry about it. Most of the interstates in this country are so rough it doesn't make any difference with air pressure. In the trucking business you air'em up and go.

[Jerry Emert]

I often wonder what type of suspension those trucks have that allow them to go flying by as I wince at every bump?

[LaMonte Monnell]

They have those big air ride seats so they don't feel all the road hazards.