BAC Forum
General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: John Hennessey on June 22, 2013, 07:37:37 PM
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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
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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
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Did you weight it with water tank full?
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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
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John,
You may need to take pressure off of the tag. Any pressure on the tag increases the weight on the front axle.
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Tag might be the answer, not the tires, the tag.
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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.
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forgot to add 3/4 full fuel tank
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What pressure is the Tag set at?
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We are set at 48
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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.
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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
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I should say 2000 under on the dually axle but our tires can take another 10000 lbs more.
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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.
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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
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John,
I wouldn't have much concern about a 250 lb overage especially if is across the axle. Assuming you front axle weight is about 12K lbs, you are looking at only a 2% overage. If your air bags are at 10-10.5" at ride height and the coach handles fine, enjoy the ride.
Steve
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Not sure if you mean you are now only 250 lbs. over the weight limit for the front axle or that by reducing the pressure on the tag by 10 psi, you only affected the overweight condition on the front axle by 250 lbs.
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I also have a 2003 Marquis that was heavy in the front. You need to put your drive axle on a scale and adjust the tag until you have 20,000 lbs on drive axles. That is the best you can do. I was able to get mine down several hundred lbs. If you are in Oregon you can use one of their highway scales, many are left open and are usually unoccupied. .