Escapees SmartWeigh

[Elliott & Vicky]

I posted this on the "other" forum, but thought that I would post it here as well as the results were enlightening.

While traveling through Livingston, TX, we stopped for a few days and were weighed through the Escapees SmartWeigh program. It was pretty enlightening. Each wheel of the tow vehicle is weighed separately, and then the trailer is hitched on and each wheel of the tow vehicle and trailer is weighed. The tow vehicle, when weighed, has a full fuel tank and the people and other stuff (pets, tools, etc.) normally carried in it, and the trailer has full LPG tanks and fresh water tank, while the gray water tanks are empty and about 5 gallons of liquid in the black water tank.

I don't have a dish washer or washer/drier, but my driver side trailer weight was 760 pounds heavier than the curbside. The weight on the driver side tires was 3400 and 3440. My storage compartment is weighted toward the curbside, and my generator in on the curbside.

I'm glad that I have G tires and not E's, but wish I had 8000 pound axles. My total weight would allow a washer/drier to be installed, but would be pushing the axle limit. I wish that I had this information before I ordered the unit.
Here's how it weighed out:

Truck without trailer: RF: 2730 LF: 2770 RR: 2060 LR: 1990
Truck with trailer: RF: 2710 LF: 2770 RR: 3910 LR: 3830

36RE: RF: 3230 LF: 3400 RR: 2850 LR: 3440

Weight on each axle of trailer: F: 6630 R: 6290
Pin weight: 3690
Total weight: 16610

However, I never travel with more than 30 gallons, so this puts me about 400 lbs below the GVWR of 16500.

Although we are loaded under the axle rating, the difference from one side to the other bothered me. I'd like to hear your thoughts.

[Dave&Ginny]

Unfortunately, I think you'll find this in most RV.

[AlanN]

We wondered about the obvious unequal weight distribution we saw in almost every fiver we saw at various RV shows, and concluded that these engineers must know what they're doing, and that the axels must be engineered well enough to handle this. Now that we've seen where the hanger pole has been placed in the nose closet, however, all assumptions about the quality of engineering planning has evaporated. :-) My wife glares at me when I suggest that we repack all the canned goods and stack them under the dining table when we move, but that might not be a bad idea. We only anticipate moving 4-8 times a year, so it's not a big deal. We were enamored with the Heartland rear kitchen design a few years back - weight evenly distributed side to side, but mostly behind the axels; not so good either. But they discontinued that model, so that was that.

[Dave&Ginny]

I wonder what difference the extra weight makes. Is there enough tolerance in the axles and tires to withstand these weights? I'm not going to worry about it too much but I will watch the tires for unusual wear patterns. There are several reasons why I chose the 36RL and it's carrying capacity was one of them. According to the brouchure I have 3500 lbs to play with however in reality I have about 2600.

[atom ant]

With a gross weight of 16,500, why would you sweat 760 lbs?

I'm a firm believer that too much information just causes unnecessary stress sometimes. I don't care what my tire temperature is, what my exhaust temperatures is, or how much weight I have on each tire. Just give me a light when its broken

[Dave&Ginny]

It's not a perfect world and I figure there's always problems somewhere. These problems I can live with.

[Elliott & Vicky]

The tires seem to be alright after 7k miles. I guess the axles must be fine with it. I'm not as worried about it now as when I got the results at the scale. All weights are fine as to individual components, so I'll continue to roll with it. Only wish I had ordered the 8k axles.

[Oriana]

While not having had each tire weighed individually, I know our FL would have similar results.

The difference is in the kitchen which has the fridge, cupboards, quartz counters and huge slide on the drivers side and a fairly light table on the passenger side. Most RV's we looked at were similar, so figured they engineer accordingly.

[atom ant]

Too bad we can't lower a trim tab on one side and level-er up like a boat

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by atom ant

Too bad we can't lower a trim tab on one side and level-er up like a boat

I was thinking the same thing Boats and airplanes have trim taps why not RVs? I guess we'll have to add another little wheel back there.

[mhs4771]

Don't know about Boats and Planes, but what you're talking about is one advantage of the Mor/ryde IS. They weigh each wheel and setup their suspension to match.

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

Don't know about Boats and Planes, but what you're talking about is one advantage of the Mor/ryde IS. They weigh each wheel and setup their suspension to match.

Can that be adjusted at will? Or is it a one time setup?

[Dave&Ginny]

A few years ago I saw a trailer that didn't have axles. It had spindles for each wheel and each one had it's own shock and air bag. I don't remember who had it but I thought it made since. This unit had valves on it to keep each wheel in tuned and level while in transit. This also eliminated the weight of the axles.

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by Dave&Ginny

A few years ago I saw a trailer that didn't have axles. It had spindles for each wheel and each one had it's own shock and air bag. I don't remember who had it but I thought it made since. This unit had valves on it to keep each wheel in tuned and level while in transit. This also eliminated the weight of the axles.

Dave,

Was that trailer a 5th wheel with the name "Americana"? The Americana was a semi-custom upgraded trailer that we looked at for about 4 years. One of the options they had was a Kelderman air suspension system that could be added. This option replaced the standard axel based suspension system and could actually be used to level the trailer side to side and forward to aft.

Guy

[rcflame]

I would think that trying to balance the weight, and still have a unit that had a good layout would be difficult. Putting the refrigerator on the opposite side of the other kitchen stuff might help balance the trailer, but I don't think a buyer would go for it.

[lwg]

Originally Posted by elliott-maine

The tires seem to be alright after 7k miles. I guess the axles must be fine with it. I'm not as worried about it now as when I got the results at the scale. All weights are fine as to individual components, so I'll continue to roll with it. Only wish I had ordered the 8k axles.

You could always have Mo/Ryd install 8K axles and Disc Brakes. It sounds like the factories 8k axles ride a little rough so it's a trade off.

I'm with Atom a bit though. Keep in mind everything is over engineered quite a bit, probably in the area of 10-25% or more. I wouldn't stress about it too much.

[Elliott & Vicky]

I only stressed for a little while. I really put it up for people to see the results.


Disk brakes are in the near future, so maybe I'll upgrade the axles at the same time.

[atom ant]

I've not noticed that my 8K axles ride rough - that might be a rumor.

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by hoosierguy

Dave,

Was that trailer a 5th wheel with the name "Americana"? The Americana was a semi-custom upgraded trailer that we looked at for about 4 years. One of the options they had was a Kelderman air suspension system that could be added. This option replaced the standard axel based suspension system and could actually be used to level the trailer side to side and forward to aft.

Guy

I'm not sure. The owner of Kelderman (Gary) said he could put air ride on my trailer but I didn't know he was talking about this set up. Maybe I should call him again. He's an RVer too.

[ksaltman]

Can someone explain to me why RW doesn't offer a 3 axle configuration?