Weight distribution

[afrohman]

I have a question about the weight distribution. What is optimal when it comes to each axle? Is it better to be at max on the front or rear or some combination in between. My main goal is the best handling I can achieve. I have already replaced the sway bar bushings, added front and rear track bars as well as replaced the front shocks with Konis and rear with Bilsteins. It handles very well but I am curious about what is best. My Bounder has a 6000lb front axle and 11000lb rear maximum on a Ford F53 chassis.

Thanks
Adam

[Skip426]

Weighing the RV to make sure your not over weight, four corner weight preferred,( packed and full of fuel for travel) and setting your tire pressures according to the tire manufacturer's inflation charts. Is the next step.
Can't begin to balance the load if you don't know your starting point.
If the weights show an imbalance of over 200 lbs. side to side consider shifting cargo around to compensate, moving weight front to rear would depend on how close you are to you max axle weights, would be nice to be the same amount under weight front and rear , but not always possible, some of the heaviest things can't be moved . Fuel tank for example.

[JFXG]

The max limits designed into your chassis allow about 2/3 of the weight on the rear axle, and 1/3 on the front. The same ratio applies on my Dutch Star. If you're operating under max gross weight, I would think it reasonable to try to maintain approximately the same ratio for good balanced handling.

[ahicks]

35% front, 65% rear on our Endeavor DP, loaded. That's with a half full water tank (good for several days).

If I'm dealing with a lot of hefty cross winds (say, going across 80 or something?), I've noticed I can fill this tank, which is located just in back of the front axle, for noticeably better handling.