Community Forums

2016RoadglideCVO · 11-18-2014, 08:10 PM

Hi everyone, time to get out the calculators and let me know if I am doing this right. As you recall, I am going to put a Hydralift motorcycle lift on the rear for my 2014 Harley Limited. The bike weighs about 850 lbs and the lift is about 300 lbs.

I weighed my 2008 Beaver Contessa empty and one axle at a time. The GAWR on the rear is 23,000lbs. The actual weight empty on the rear was 20569. The wheelbase is 272" and the distance from the rear axle to the receiver is 124". I allowed 30" from there to the imaginary centre of my bike.

If I did everything correctly, I came out with a number of roughly 1800 lbs added to the rear axle. So 20569+1800=22369 lbs on the rear. I am 639 lbs under the GAWR. Does that sound about right or am I off the mark? (I do not have a tag axle on the coach).

Thx in advance for your input.....

P.S. I have been reading the forums every night and learning a lot.

Mentor · 11-18-2014, 08:26 PM

How to calculate your motorhome's safe weight limits - Caravan Guard Blog

Peralko · 11-18-2014, 10:07 PM

Your calculations are correct. Keep in mind the difference between the added weight on the rear minus the actual weight on the bike is how much lighter your front end will be.

jacwjames · 11-19-2014, 07:55 AM

Question???

Did you have the motorhome completely loaded as if you were getting ready for a trip, full fuel tanks, Fresh Water Full, Food, Cloths, toys etc.

What was the CCC of the RV in total.

2016RoadglideCVO · 11-19-2014, 08:55 AM

Hi Jim,

The coach was empty. The total weight of the coach was 33,047 lbs. The front axle at 12,478 and the rear at 20,569 lbs. I do have about 100 gallons of fuel on board in a 130 gallon tank.

oakcreekeric · 11-19-2014, 09:31 AM

I don't know if this matters... but according to Harley, your bike weighs 896 in running order.. add in anything else you have in your bags.. you might want to estimate the weight of your bike to be 950.... I know its only a 100 more pounds.. but I'd rather over estimate, than underestimate...

2014 Touring Ultra Limited | Harley-Davidson USA

Good luck !!

Gary RVRoamer · 11-19-2014, 10:53 AM

Since you don't have a tag axle, you may already be overweight on the rear axle. In 2008 the max rear axle weight rating for highway use was 20,000 lbs. That said, it is not unusual for a motorhme to be equipped with a 23,000 lb axle but derated to match the federal and state highway regs in effect at that time. Recently the max for motorhomes was increased to 23,000 lbs.

If it were my coach, I would be doing the weights with the coach loaded for normal travel. Empty is not how I drive it! And I would be very concerned about how much lighter the front axle was going to be with the bike on the back. That can have a dramatic effect on steering.

tankcj · 11-19-2014, 11:37 AM

As long as you stay under the 23,000 lb max rear axle rating (this is the amount in the Beaver brochure) I don't see a problem. Some may argue that with that much weight hanging over the rear, you reduce the front axle weight to an unsafe amount but honestly I don't see it. Especially when you add the 130 gal of fuel and two people right over the front tires. I think that will offset the bike and lift to some degree. With that said, never exceed the mfr weight limits.

tomckeon · 11-19-2014, 11:57 AM

[QUOTE=Newintown;2316195]Hi everyone, time to get out the calculators and let me know if I am doing this right. As you recall, I am going to put a Hydralift motorcycle lift on the rear for my 2014 Harley Limited. The bike weighs about 850 lbs and the lift is about 300 lbs.

I weighed my 2008 Beaver Contessa empty and one axle at a time. The GAWR on the rear is 23,000lbs. The actual weight empty on the rear was 20569. The wheelbase is 272" and the distance from the rear axle to the receiver is 124". I allowed 30" from there to the imaginary centre of my bike.

Ron, I just measured from the very distal end of original receiver to center of wheel track (plumb bobbed) on lift (while in raised position) and it was 36". We are in Coos Bay OR right now but will be home by end of month we think. If you would like to see my install, we are just across the border in Bellingham.

Tom

koda59 · 11-19-2014, 12:27 PM

I have a 2008 Thor Mandalay 41 ft and the gross rear axle is rated at 20,000 lbs. I called the axle company and they verified that is my max rear axle weight. Unless you have a sheet in your rv saying your max rear axle weight is 23,000 lbs I would call the axle manufacturer to verify what you really have.

tankcj · 11-19-2014, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koda59

I have a 2008 Thor Mandalay 41 ft and the gross rear axle is rated at 20,000 lbs. I called the axle company and they verified that is my max rear axle weight. Unless you have a sheet in your rv saying your max rear axle weight is 23,000 lbs I would call the axle manufacturer to verify what you really have.

OP has the same coach as me and the weight tag is 23000 for the rear.

2016RoadglideCVO · 11-19-2014, 03:04 PM

Thanks everyone for your replies on the motorcycle lift question. I will do more research try some new numbers in the formula. i.e. 36" to the centre of the bike (I was using 30"). You would think the dealership installing it would be able to give you some proper direction, wouldn't you? If they just go ahead and install it because they were told to do so, I would think it would be negligent on their part to do it if it was unsafe and/or exceeded limits?

Thanks again,