Understanding Vehicle Weight

JGallagher · 05-25-2020, 01:59 PM

Hi,
Made it to the CAT Scales in Bow, NH last week and got the Chateau weighed.

Front: 3740 lb
Rear: 7440 lb
Total: 11180 lb

The Thor door label states:
Front: 5000 lb
Rear: 9600lb

I want to understand how to best interpret these figures.

Does this mean I can load up with 3420 lbs of additional cargo?
Is 3240 the max weight I can tow?
Thanks for your input.

Bob Denman · 05-25-2020, 02:10 PM

My interpretation is that those numbers represent what the suspensions are rated for...
You should still try to weigh no more than the stated GVWR for your vehicle... and no more than the rated amounts over top of either end of your RV.

Muggs · 05-25-2020, 02:25 PM

Depends on chassis. One of the selling points for us with the e450 based Vegas 24.1 was as follows: 14,500 GVW, 22,000 GCVW. We tow an open trailer with my drag car on it along with generator and spare tires. Trailer weight is 5,500 average.

The yellow door stick for occupant and cargo capacity showed 3199 lbs. This is why we elected an e450 based unit over e350. The unit empty is a little over 11,300 lbs. Adding tools, food, clothes and water we are usually at 12,800 to 13, 800 because we always travel with water tank full. Sometimes carry extra water for multi day events.

When trailer added, we go down down road anywhere from 18,300 to 19,300. Well below the 22,000 GCVW rating.

Tricky parts of this are axle weights and tongue weights. I had to adjust placement of tools and heavier items to limit front axle weight without trailer. I also had to move racecar back on trailer to limit tongue weight.

We are both pleased with ability to merge and keep up with traffic with or without trailer.

**EA37TS** · 05-25-2020, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGallagher

Hi,
Made it to the CAT Scales in Bow, NH last week and got the Chateau weighed.

Front: 3740 lb
Rear: 7440 lb
Total: 11180 lb

The Thor door label states:
Front: 5000 lb
Rear: 9600lb

I want to understand how to best interpret these figures.

Does this mean I can load up with 3420 lbs of additional cargo?
Is 3240 the max weight I can tow?
Thanks for your input.

The GVWR of your coach will be the sum of the Thor label weights or 14,600 lbs.

Your CAT weight of 3740 for the front indicates you can carry an additional 2600 lbs over the front axle and 7440 indicates you can carry an additional 1560 over the rear axle without being over loaded on the axles.

You can tow GCWR - GVWR as displayed on the Thor label as long as the hitch supports that weight. Being under weights allows you to tow heavier (up to GCWR) as long as the high supports the weight.

Now I suggest that you use the CAT weights to determine the recommended tire pressure based on the tire manufacture's weight to pressure tables.

Happy camping.

pstandiford · 05-25-2020, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

My interpretation is that those numbers represent what the suspensions are rated for...
You should still try to weigh no more than the stated GVWR for your vehicle... and no more than the rated amounts over top of either end of your RV.

As far as how much you can tow, find the GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating). Subtract the weight of your vehicle from the GCWR and that is, in theory, how much you can tow.

JamieGeek · 05-25-2020, 02:35 PM

Are your sure your unit is an E450? Did you check the VIN? I ask because when I google for Chateau 23U they come up as E350 (your going to lose 1000 lbs if its a 350).

Go here and type in your VIN, what does it say:
https://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRegSelector.do

Bob Denman · 05-25-2020, 02:36 PM

"As far as how much you can tow, find the GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating). Subtract the weight of your vehicle from the GCWR and that is, in theory, how much you can tow."

You also need to take into account the tongue weight that your trailer is adding to what the rear axle has to carry...

JGallagher · 05-25-2020, 05:05 PM

Thanks for the replies and info everyone.

JamieGeek: Here's what your link to Ford returned:
Econoline, 6.8L SOHC EFI NA V10 Gas, Oxford White
There is a large badge on the fender that says E450 Super Duty.
Thor owner's resource page detail states: E450.

Dave (EA37TS): I don't follow your math.
Can you explain?

Also, not sure where I would put 1,000 lbs over the front axle!

James

**16ACE27** · 05-25-2020, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGallagher

Thanks for the replies and info everyone.

JamieGeek: Here's what your link to Ford returned:
Econoline, 6.8L SOHC EFI NA V10 Gas, Oxford White
There is a large badge on the fender that says E450 Super Duty.
Thor owner's resource page detail states: E450.

Dave (EA37TS): I don't follow your math.
Can you explain?

Also, not sure where I would put 1,000 lbs over the front axle!

James

Anything loaded in front of the rear axle will put weight on the front axle.

Anything loaded behind the rear axle will transfer weigh from the front axle to the rear axle.

Chance · 05-25-2020, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGallagher

Hi,
Made it to the CAT Scales in Bow, NH last week and got the Chateau weighed.

Front: 3740 lb
Rear: 7440 lb
Total: 11180 lb

The Thor door label states:
Front: 5000 lb
Rear: 9600lb

I want to understand how to best interpret these figures.

Does this mean I can load up with 3420 lbs of additional cargo?
Is 3240 the max weight I can tow?
Thanks for your input.

I hate to say it but you’ve gotten some incorrect information.

Your E-450 GVWR is limited to 14,500 pounds. You can not simply add front and rear axle ratings. Sometimes it works out that way, but not always.

As Bob stated, you can’t exceed front or rear ratings, “or” the combined rating of 14,500 pounds.

You’re limited to 3,320 pounds total (14,500 - 11,180)

Front axle limited to 1,260 pounds (5,000 - 3,740)

Rear axle limited to 2,160 pounds (9,600 - 7,440)

Note you can not maximize both front and rear or you’ll exceed GVWR by 100 pounds.

P.S. — On some chassis like E-350 the difference between axles and total is much greater than 100 pounds.

Chance · 05-25-2020, 05:46 PM

Also, the E-450 has Gross Combined Weight Rating of 22,000 pounds, so your tow rating can be as high as the rated 8,000 pound hitch (must check to confirm) as long as the motorhome’s weight stays at or below 14,000 pounds (22,000 - 14,000).

Towing a trailer you’ll probably be limited first by tongue weight. Check that on hitch also (often 500 pounds).

Hooligan2 · 05-30-2020, 02:26 PM

You cannot always determine GVWR by adding the axle ratings, My Sprinter has front axle rated at 4410# rear at 7720# my GVWR is 11030#.. not the 12130# sum of axles.. Some factor other than axles or suspension determine my GVWR (engine, transmission, brakes, frame ??)

Previous 36ft DP on Freightliner chassis was the same way. axle capacity exceeded the GVWR.

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