Community Forums

RVPioneer · 01-16-2020, 07:38 PM

The GVWR and GCWR for the 2500 is 33,000lbs.

Ray,IN · 01-16-2020, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodday2020

Need advice, new to RV's. I purchased a 2011 Monaco Cayman with the expectation of towing a 6500lb horse trailer. The ratings on the playcard are; front axle 13000, rear axle 18000, gvwr 31000, gcwr 38000. Hitch rating 7000 and 500 tongue. Ccc 4400. All looked good. Once got home, weighed with coach empty, all cabinets empty, no water, no sewage; 10600 front axle, 17460 rear axle. Also found tranny is Allison 2500; rated 33000lb max. Crawled under vehicle, got rear axle model number, more bad news; Spicer 17060s, rated17000lb.

Am I in trouble or should I just ignore and enjoy? I knew power plant was marginal, cummins 340. The coach is beautiful. Kept in pristine condition. Has anyone ever changed rear axle to a more heavy duty axle? I can live with tranny limitations, but does make me wonder how a coach manufacturer could have a gcwr of 38000 and tranny limited to 33000.

Were this my MH, my first step would be to contact Monaco Coach, and verify the actual weights, including the rear axle. Then you a verified base from which to make further decisions.

I would reasonably think publishing a GRAWR of 17, 460#, when the vehicle actually has a 17,000 rear axle is unlawful.

RVPioneer · 01-16-2020, 08:28 PM

The OP stated that Monaco rated the rear axle at 18,000lbs.

17,460 is the actual weight with an empty water tank and empty cupboards.

Mudfrog · 01-16-2020, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

The OP stated that Monaco rated the rear axle at 18,000lbs.

17,460 is the actual weight with an empty water tank and empty cupboards.

Manufacturing a rig with 17,460 lbs on an axle with a gawr of 18,000 lbs should be unlawful.

nathaniel · 01-17-2020, 04:03 AM

Go on a short trip, I bet you will not notice a bit of difference in how it drives or feels. Fact is you wont feel much when horses shift in trailer. You will be fine. Check air pressure in tires and go... you might be over analyzing this. As you know from towing livestock you cannot drive like in a sports car when in your truck so same with RV

Goodday2020 · 01-17-2020, 04:14 AM

Good ideas, I will check the ride height and get back to the forum. The front axle has lots of room to spare, 10600 now compared to 13000 rated. I have also thought about beefing up the tranny, not sure who would do this. Than would be a nice option. Then maybe like one of you said, things will be fine and I should stop worrying.

George Schweikle · 01-17-2020, 07:12 AM

Rather than assuming things will be fine, monitor the transmission health by adding a temperature gauge. If it runs too hot, consider adding a supplemental cooler.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodday2020

Good ideas, I will check the ride height and get back to the forum. The front axle has lots of room to spare, 10600 now compared to 13000 rated. I have also thought about beefing up the tranny, not sure who would do this. Than would be a nice option. Then maybe like one of you said, things will be fine and I should stop worrying.

RVPioneer · 01-17-2020, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodday2020

Good ideas, I will check the ride height and get back to the forum. The front axle has lots of room to spare, 10600 now compared to 13000 rated. I have also thought about beefing up the tranny, not sure who would do this. Than would be a nice option. Then maybe like one of you said, things will be fine and I should stop worrying.

Bear in mind that the coach currently weighs ~28K and you have either a 30K or 31K GVWR, depending on which rear axle rating you choose to accept. Add water, stuff and 2 people. Was the coach weighed with a driver and passenger onboard?
Now add ~500lb tongue weight and a 6500lb trailer to a coach with a 7K towing capacity and a transmission rated at 33K.

Some have offered encouragement that all will be fine traveling at or above rated capacities. Can you load it up, hook up the trailer and drive to your destination with an overloaded rig? Certainly. By some estimates, 60% of RV’s are overloaded. You’ll be in the majority.

How much time and money are you willing to spend swapping axles or transmissions? Might you be better off swapping coaches for one more suited to your needs?

Goodday2020 · 01-18-2020, 12:15 PM

Received ride height specs from Monaco. As soon as the weather clears up a bit, I will take the measurements and get back to this site. Very rainy and cold the next few days. I am hoping the rear is low which would allow me to raise the rear and move some of the weight to the front.

johnfr80504 · 01-21-2020, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodday2020

Received ride height specs from Monaco. As soon as the weather clears up a bit, I will take the measurements and get back to this site. Very rainy and cold the next few days. I am hoping the rear is low which would allow me to raise the rear and move some of the weight to the front.

Please explain why you think raising the rear of the coach an inch or two is going to move any weight forward? Simple Physics will show that raising the rear of the coach would not change the weight distribution at all.

twinboat · 01-21-2020, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnfr80504

Please explain why you think raising the rear of the coach an inch or two is going to move any weight forward? Simple Physics will show that raising the rear of the coach would not change the weight distribution at all.

On following this post for the same reason.

Get back with the new? axle weights.

RVPioneer · 01-21-2020, 02:35 PM

Set ride height to spec.
Weight 4 corners.
Move heavy stuff fore or aft as needed.
Weigh 4 corners.
Make additional ride height adjustments as needed to transfer weight.

SlowJoe · 01-21-2020, 05:09 PM

It sounds to me like you should sell it. You are almost overweight while empty. When you add the trailer, fresh water, waste water, people, personal items, food, horse supplies, etc you will be way over. If this was going to be a one time trip, it would be a different story. I think you should get something else which is up to your needs instead of trying to make what you have do something it's not cut out to do.

Dynadave · 01-21-2020, 07:12 PM

A lot depends on how and where you intend to use it. I personally would not be comfortable doing travel out west thru the Rocky Mountains on the steep inclines, however I wouldn’t worry much if I were traveling in the Midwest or other relatively flat areas. I would change all fluids and make sure the brakes, tires, etc. are in excellent condition and then give it a try. You understand your rig is maxed out, drive accordingly. I think you will be fine.