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Old 10-14-2017, 02:24 PM   #1
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Coach weight--something's wrong?

Weighed my coach the other day at a truck scale. First did both axles, then a re-weigh with only the DS on the scale. I then subtracted the re-weigh from the original to arrive at what I thought would be a fair approximation of what a true 4 corner weighing method would produce.

Surprise! There was a 1300# difference across the front axle, heavy on the PS. At the rear there was 480# difference, heavy on the DS. The coach basement is lightly loaded and reasonably balanced. Propane tank (on PS) is full, black and grey tanks at 1/3 and fresh water tank at 2/3). My passenger is 130#. DEF tank (also on PS) is full.

Thinking I might have a ride height problem, I went to the local Freightliner shop where the ride height was confirmed to be within spec. Technician said that the PS was probably lower than the DS when I did the re-weigh (thus shifting weight to the PS) and dismissed the 1300# difference as being "bogus."

Before weighing I had a quick look at the scale and it appeared be level with the concrete around it. If it was low, it couldn't be more than an inch or two.

I'm a rookie at all this RV stuff. Should I take the tech's word for it? Your thoughts would be appreciated.
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Old 10-14-2017, 03:36 PM   #2
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A re-weigh on a different scale would eliminate the possibilities but I would bet (if your math was correct) that the weight was accurate.
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Old 10-14-2017, 03:43 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Folio View Post
Weighed my coach the other day at a truck scale. First did both axles, then a re-weigh with only the DS on the scale. I then subtracted the re-weigh from the original to arrive at what I thought would be a fair approximation of what a true 4 corner weighing method would produce.



Surprise! There was a 1300# difference across the front axle, heavy on the PS. At the rear there was 480# difference, heavy on the DS. The coach basement is lightly loaded and reasonably balanced. Propane tank (on PS) is full, black and grey tanks at 1/3 and fresh water tank at 2/3). My passenger is 130#. DEF tank (also on PS) is full.



Thinking I might have a ride height problem, I went to the local Freightliner shop where the ride height was confirmed to be within spec. Technician said that the PS was probably lower than the DS when I did the re-weigh (thus shifting weight to the PS) and dismissed the 1300# difference as being "bogus."



Before weighing I had a quick look at the scale and it appeared be level with the concrete around it. If it was low, it couldn't be more than an inch or two.



I'm a rookie at all this RV stuff. Should I take the tech's word for it? Your thoughts would be appreciated.


I agree that a reweigh on another set of scales would confirm. It’s not particularly unusual for the side to side weights to be that far off.
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Old 10-14-2017, 04:48 PM   #4
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When I weigh, I put the DS on the scale, then the PS on the scale. Add them together to get the total.

My front PS was 500 lb heavy first time I weighed. Took about 15 min to tweak the ride height slightly, still had it in spec, and brought the weight to balanced.

Until if or when you get it adjusted, you need to set your front PSI's to handle the heaviest weight.
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Old 10-14-2017, 07:55 PM   #5
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When I weigh, I put the DS on the scale, then the PS on the scale. Add them together to get the total.

My front PS was 500 lb heavy first time I weighed. Took about 15 min to tweak the ride height slightly, still had it in spec, and brought the weight to balanced.

Until if or when you get it adjusted, you need to set your front PSI's to handle the heaviest weight.


Adjusted ride height or tag load?
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Old 10-14-2017, 09:50 PM   #6
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Thanks for the replies.

Re-weighing on another scale: good idea. Will try that when I can find one. Scale I used is the only one in my area.

Good to know that a 1300# diffierence may not be unusual. Still ... makes me wonder.

I could only place the PS off the scale I used. No access to hang the DS off the scale. It was a one-way truck scale at a truck stop.

No tag or toad was involved with this issue.
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Old 10-15-2017, 08:44 AM   #7
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If it rides and drives ok, I wouldn't be concerned about weights. To many other problems with rv's to be concerned about. Dave
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Old 10-15-2017, 10:35 AM   #8
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Getting accurate individual weights is best done on a level surface with individual axle scales. Using a platform scale can give you significantly inaccurate weights - even if it is less than an inch difference between scale platform and the pavement around it.

Have your ride height checked and adjusted by a shop that knows what they are doing. In the meantime you can use axle weights and use the simple formula to get close:

Make sure you know your tire model and load range and look those up in the manufacturer's inflation tables.

Axle weight X 1.05% / 2 Look the resulting weight up in the tire table, get your inflation pressure, and add 5 psi to that.

Do the same thing to your rear axle (table is usually for dual mounted tires)

A good place to get individual wheel weights are at rallies, FMCA rallies, Escapees, etc.
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Old 10-15-2017, 05:06 PM   #9
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Getting accurate individual weights is best done on a level surface with individual axle scales. Using a platform scale can give you significantly inaccurate weights - even if it is less than an inch difference between scale platform and the pavement around it.

Have your ride height checked and adjusted by a shop that knows what they are doing. In the meantime you can use axle weights and use the simple formula to get close:

Make sure you know your tire model and load range and look those up in the manufacturer's inflation tables.

Axle weight X 1.05% / 2 Look the resulting weight up in the tire table, get your inflation pressure, and add 5 psi to that.

Do the same thing to your rear axle (table is usually for dual mounted tires)

A good place to get individual wheel weights are at rallies, FMCA rallies, Escapees, etc.


Looks like you are adding 5% twice?
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Old 10-15-2017, 05:13 PM   #10
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Look up your local Masonry supply house, they usually all have scales for the rock trucks. Usually free, and don't seem to mind doing it.

Also did at the local scrap yard, and the lady came out and started yelling at me to leave... Was thinking, don't yell,,,charge... Free money.
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Old 10-15-2017, 08:33 PM   #11
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Quote:
Adjusted ride height or tag load?
I adjusted the DS ride height ever so slightly, to put a little more pressure on the front left tire. It's still within the Freightliner adjustment specs.
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Old 10-17-2017, 02:19 PM   #12
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Looks like you are adding 5% twice?
Big difference between 5% of 6000 lbs and 5 psi. So no, I didn't add 5% twice. The 5 psi is a safety or fudge factor if you will.
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