Uneven axle weight

figallegro · 08-26-2009, 08:48 PM

We own a 2002 Itasca Suncruiser 35U on a w-20 chassis and had each corner weighed at a recent rally. The Left front was 3620 and the right front was 3540 which was within the total axle 7500 max weight. The left rear was 5720 and the right rear was 6660 which was within the total axle max of 13,500. The problem as I see it is that the right rear side is 940# heavier which puts extra stress on the right rear tires. I measured the weight of every item I loaded into the coach and the most weight I can shift from one side to the other is 80#'s. The right side of the coach has the large rear slide, air conditioner, and kitchen, however the air conditioner should be offset by the generator on the left side. (the original owner never had the coach weighed)

I contacted Winnebago and was told not to worry about it since we are not exceeding the total axle weight. That statement seems to fly in the face of everyone including tire companies that advocate trying to get as balanced a load as possible. I was told to run the same tire pressure on both sides which I have done. The coach steers beautifully and we have not noticed any problems other than the uneven weight distribution.

Does anyone have any advice on if this can be corrected?

AFChap · 08-26-2009, 08:58 PM

It sounds very typical to me. In fact, your side to side weights are much closer than some I have seen. Mine is very similar to yours. The left front on my coach has the large lounge/galley slide. The right rear on my coach has bedroom slide, ac unit, & batteries. Some also have clothes closet there. I have no idea whether or not the fresh water and waste tanks are evenly distributed. Keep the heavy side in mind as much as you can when loading heavy items into storage compartments in the basement and inside the coach. Then set your tire pressure for the weight of the heaviest side. On a coach with air suspension, that will help to equalize the load a bit, but if no corner is overweight and the coach handles well, you are better off then some rigs out there!!!

MrTransistor · 08-27-2009, 10:12 PM

I’m in complete agreement with Paul. Set that tire pressure based on the highest weight side and place the heavy objects in the lowest weight side and enjoy the miles. It should not make a noticeable difference in tire wear over the life of the tires in typical RV use. If you were driving 100,000 miles a year, then and only then, I’d worry about it.

Happy driving!

figallegro · 08-30-2009, 07:40 PM

My concern centers around extra stress placed on the tires on one side axle of the coach. I have read several safety articles that indicate that this overweight situation can be responsible for tire failure even when you adjust pressure for the heaviest side on both sides of the axle. Am I off track in being concerned about this?
Tony

David K · 08-30-2009, 07:57 PM

As long as your weight on the heavier side does not exceed the weight limit for the tires on that side of the axle, I would not worry about it.

AFChap · 08-30-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

extra stress placed on the tires on one side axle of the coach. I have read several safety articles that indicate that this overweight situation

If it creates an "overweight" condition, then you are right to be concerned. If it does not create an overweight condition on either tires or axles, and you inflate the tires to the recommended pressure to carry the weight that is there, then there is no concern.