Front end too heavy on p30?

[heavymetal]

I weighed the 92 allegro bay 27' motorhome I recently purchased and was a bit surprised at the results.
The front weighed 4950 and the rear 7080 for a total of 12000.
The tag inside the cab states the gawf is 4800 the rear 8000 and a total gvwr of 12800.
This vehicle is pretty much empty with the exception of 1/2 tank of fuel and about 1/2 tank of fresh water.
How can the front be so heavy and the total only 800 lbs from max.
I know the air bags in front need replacing but would that affect the weight front to back?
How much will this thing weigh when fully loaded?
This is my first motorhome so I appreciate any help.

Ed

[bdpreece]

First I would take it somewhere else and weigh it one more time, but don't be surprised to find that your numbers are close to the same. Many manufacturers over the years have built coaches that when loaded with only a couple of passengers were within a couple of hundred pounds of being overweight. Tiffin is still in business and is noted for customer service. Give them a call.

[mfire1339]

If your tanks are behind the rear wheels I believe your front will get lighter when full.


Mike

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by heavymetal I know the air bags in front need replacing but would that affect the weight front to back?

Ed, The air bags on the P series are not so much for weight but only for leveling the motorhome. There is a minimum amount of air that you need to run depending on which bags you have.

You can call Mike at Brazels RV to see if they have an aftermarket solution that will help you.

[ChrisNiemann]

little off the "help" subject for you but.... where did you go to get yours weighed in.. I've had mine for over a year now and have always wanted to weigh it properly just didn't know where to go without paying $27 for it....

thanks and good luck. I have a 93 on a P30 so i'll be following this closely, my tag says 5,300 front, 9,840 rear for 14,800.

thanks for posting!

[Wanabee FTer]

I had mine weighed at Flying J for $9.00, but they don't do 4 corner weight, just front and rear axle.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanabee FTer I had mine weighed at Flying J for $9.00, but they don't do 4 corner weight, just front and rear axle.

That's a good start .... it's better than not knowing anything.

[Wanabee FTer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by heavymetal I know the air bags in front need replacing but would that affect the weight front to back? Ed

I thought you could transfer some weight by adjusting one end of the MH higher then the other. Is this not true?

[InPursuit]

My 30 foot P37 has a similar weight on the front axle
but my rear axle weight is closer to 10000

This sort of 2:1 ratio is said to be *minimum*
that these trucks will behave better with MORE weight upfront.

I haven't moved the generator or bought 4 deep cell 6V batteries yet though.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanabee FTer I thought you could transfer some weight by adjusting one end of the MH higher then the other. Is this not true?

What you are trying to achieve is to level the rig. Will it shift the weight, center of gravity, maybe. What you are not going to get is any relief on an over grossed axle if the rating is insufficient. The movement of the CG is not going to be that dramatic as to improve the actual weights on the axles. The very best solution is to seek to level the rig using good technology and up-rate the suspension components.

The CG will shift dynamically when you step on the brake or step on the gas. Getting it right is what the engineers are supposed to have done.

[heavymetal]

I had it weighed at a loves truck stop on a cat scale. I also measured the ride height according to the p chassis for motorhomes article I downloaded
and it states that you measure the front metal to metal ignoring the rubber snubber. I get about 3 3/4" per side but there is really only about 3/4" suspension travel before the rubber snubber hits the crossmember so I don't think that's correct. In the rear I had about 5" fron the axle tubes to the frame but not sure what it should be.
Considering the age, the 71000 miles and what I've learned I figured the springs are probably ready for replacement and that is the main reason I had it weighed so I would know what springs to buy
I don't want to use this home untill I know all is well so I have been doing research and learning about this chassis and I'm not thrilled about it but it is what it is and I'll deal with it.
It troubles the wife and I that this vehicle is so close to the max weight already with no loading as we plan on traveling with several adults at times.

Ed

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by heavymetal I don't want to use this home until I know all is well so I have been doing research and learning about this chassis and I'm not thrilled about it but it is what it is and I'll deal with it.

Ed, You might also choose to go with Super Steer Coil Springs available at Brazel's RV Performance. Mike B. helped develop those I believe and if you go that way you don't need to buy new air bags. The SSCS eliminate the requirement for air bags and may up-rate your GAWRF. A good set of shocks and new coil springs might help however call Mike on Monday and talk it over with him ... you can tell him that I told you to call.

[bachler]

They have a Front coil spring up date; That you can put in..I did this; Now for the rest of the story; I took the coach and pulled it down Compressing the springs down to the rubber bumpers. here's what was happening. Becuse of all the pressure on the upper A frame The Frame was Bending Innword at the top of the frame. The engine crossmember is mounted on the bottom of the frame holding the Lower A frame But Nothing to hold the top; What was happening . As you were traveling down the road and the coach was moving up and down in front the Toe on the front wheels was changing And it would wonder all over, quite scarrie some times; Oh I Think When they Changed the Springs they Called It the P32 chassis; They never did fix the shock mount. It was only a addon; To repair it. You will just have to fight the overweight problem as many before you did; That is what drove Us to a Diesel Pusher; Freightliner Chassis; lots of room for all my stuff;