Weighing requirement

[Campnjoe]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

There's idiots out on the highways pulling overloaded 5th wheels with underrated trucks... with a 4-wheeler on a trailer in tow! We were in Tennessee this past spring. I lost count of these guys passing me on the freeway going at least 80. !!!

I cannot tell you how many 5th wheels passed us with their front-ends in the air doing 80 as well. If you ask, the answer is always it pulls fine.

[Muggs]

We see lots of stuff running down the road we would never consider doing. Our answer is always same regardless of what we are in, either pass and put behind or make a stop.

More often the government has trouble regulating anything. Do you really want them controlling what you can and cannot do?

As I used to tell my crews, safety starts with you. Take the time to understand what you expect to do and do a little research. There is a certain segment of population that Darwin theory will correct. Just be aware and stay out of way.

Amazing with the breadth of info available online there are so many clueless. It does make thing a challenge but you control your destiny more/better than any regulation.

That just my opinion.

[chunker21]

Originally Posted by Muggs

We see lots of stuff running down the road we would never consider doing. Our answer is always same regardless of what we are in, either pass and put behind or make a stop.

More often the government has trouble regulating anything. Do you really want them controlling what you can and cannot do?

As I used to tell my crews, safety starts with you. Take the time to understand what you expect to do and do a little research. There is a certain segment of population that Darwin theory will correct. Just be aware and stay out of way.

Amazing with the breadth of info available online there are so many clueless. It does make thing a challenge but you control your destiny more/better than any regulation.

That just my opinion.

My original post did not advocate any governmental regulation or intervention but rather an industry guidance or requirement such as RVIA. I'm also not advocating we have "weight police" although many on here would love that. I'll criticize people who behave stupidly but they have the right to be idiots and I have the right to avoid and laugh at them. Since vehicle manufacturers can be expected to twist and distort specifications and capabilities, I would like some usable factual information while I am looking and not have to wait until I own something before I know the facts.

As I stated I knew that with the Omni on the F550 chassis I would be in pretty good shape with what I take and how I travel. I also knew that with most gas C, especially over 30' length, the rear axle and tire loading limits will be stressed to near their limits with any significant loading. I just think a consumer should know up front what the facts are not advertising BS.

[The_Breeze]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

I guess you wouldn't want to ask her to clean the wax out of her ears, and the lint out of her bellybutton; as a way to cut down on the loaded weight...

I'm more curious about how you'd know that
JK

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by chunker21

My original post did not advocate any governmental regulation or intervention but rather an industry guidance or requirement such as RVIA. I'm also not advocating we have "weight police" although many on here would love that. I'll criticize people who behave stupidly but they have the right to be idiots and I have the right to avoid and laugh at them. Since vehicle manufacturers can be expected to twist and distort specifications and capabilities, I would like some usable factual information while I am looking and not have to wait until I own something before I know the facts.

As I stated I knew that with the Omni on the F550 chassis I would be in pretty good shape with what I take and how I travel. I also knew that with most gas C, especially over 30' length, the rear axle and tire loading limits will be stressed to near their limits with any significant loading. I just think a consumer should know up front what the facts are not advertising BS.

FWIW yesterday I was chased down by a State Police Trooper who escorted me back to a weight station and then issued a warning ticket because I did not obey the “All Vehicles Over 5Tons GVW Must Weight” since I knew my weight was well under GV and GC (towing the Grand Cherokee) it was just a matter of time wasted. My actual weight is 2240 below GVWR and 5600 below GCWR

This happened at the first weight station in Maryland coming from Delaware on I 95 South. After issuing my warning the Trooper took off after a fifth wheel.

[chunker21]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

FWIW yesterday I was chased down by a State Police Trooper who escorted me back to a weight station and then issued a warning ticket because I did not obey the “All Vehicles Over 5Tons GVWR Must Weight” since I knew my weight was well under GV and GC (towing the Grand Cherokee) it was just a matter of time wasted. My actual weight is 2240 below GVWR and 5600 below GCWR

This happened at the first weight station in Maryland coming from Delaware on I 95 South. After issuing my warning the Trooper took off after a fifth wheel.

Sounds like a rather uninformed and bored trooper. OI thought that weigh stations were concerned with commercial vehicles, not private ones. Are you planning to follow up with the state to find out what is going on? Looks like the RV weight police are alive and annoying.

I tried to look it up and with MD clear as mud.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by chunker21

Sounds like a rather uninformed and bored trooper. OI thought that weigh stations were concerned with commercial vehicles, not private ones. Are you planning to follow up with the state to find out what is going on? Looks like the RV weight police are alive and annoying.

No, their signs clearly state All Vehicles and yesterday it was being enforced. I have no plans of going back through Maryland in the near future so no follow up required. If I do go back through I will go through the weight station.

[chunker21]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

No, their signs clearly state All Vehicles and yesterday it was being enforced. I have no plans of going back through Maryland in the near future so no follow up required. If I do go back through I will go through the weight station.

I guess someone driving their F350 empty is expected to stop also. I also wonder about the 43' 5th wheel toy hauler being towed by the 250/2500 and obviously overweight what the outcome would be. Or many basic C motorhomes which have very little CCC to start. Maybe the Maryland state coffers are getting low.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by chunker21

I guess someone driving their F350 empty is expected to stop also. I also wonder about the 43' 5th wheel toy hauler being towed by the 250/2500 and obviously overweight what the outcome would be. Or many basic C motorhomes which have very little CCC to start. Maybe the Maryland state coffers are getting low.

In South Dakota I drove over/through the weight in motion sensors and the flashed the lights for me to pull into the scales. Pulled in and they green lighted me through by passing the scales.

[Muggs]

Originally Posted by chunker21

My original post did not advocate any governmental regulation or intervention but rather an industry guidance or requirement such as RVIA. I'm also not advocating we have "weight police" although many on here would love that. I'll criticize people who behave stupidly but they have the right to be idiots and I have the right to avoid and laugh at them. Since vehicle manufacturers can be expected to twist and distort specifications and capabilities, I would like some usable factual information while I am looking and not have to wait until I own something before I know the facts.

As I stated I knew that with the Omni on the F550 chassis I would be in pretty good shape with what I take and how I travel. I also knew that with most gas C, especially over 30' length, the rear axle and tire loading limits will be stressed to near their limits with any significant loading. I just think a consumer should know up front what the facts are not advertising BS.

Have they stopped using the yellow OCC sticker? I have not looked at new units except on internet.

[chunker21]

Originally Posted by Muggs

Have they stopped using the yellow OCC sticker? I have not looked at new units except on internet.

No it's still there, the Tire and loading sticker which shows available cargo capacity. But the question is where can that weight be loaded. In many motorhomes especially gas C, there is plenty of capacity on the front axle, not so much on the rear. Where is all the storage compartments, the rear. So while the available cargo capacity may be 2000# for example, you may not have the margin available on the rear axle to load that weight. That's why have a scale ticket for a vehicle would be nice and important. The buyer would know how much and where it could be loaded. RV manufacturers are not readily going to provide that information because it would show that even though you might have 2000# available, you don't have the capacity on the axle with the actual storage bins to carry it. Then there's the wimpy tire capacity also.

It's merely a wish list that will never happen. Keep the buyer uninformed. One trailer manufacturer, Grand Design I think, does give a weight ticket for the 5th wheels they make. Maybe bumper pulls too. Weighed after manufacturers just before shipping. Don't know of any motorized that do but it wouldn't surprise me if a high end like Marathon, Newel did.

[Muggs]

I was warned about weights from buddies who had issues. We tried to figure what we needed to carry and chose from there. Bigger class c units just did not give much room weight wise. Our first trip to scale was on edge of front axle, rear had a ton extra. Ultimately we still have extra capacity on rear, front is 10% under. We are planning second a/c as it will be right over axle and act as backup for main. I run will full fresh water all the time as we never know if drive home or stay overnight. If our was e350 instead of e450 we would be 1300 lbs over GVWR. Otherwise we fine. I did use the higher rated 225/75 C type tire for extra capacity.

Everyone needs to read/understand capacities before purchase. Our salesman was good but was not educated on weights, capacities and general GVWR and GCVW. The tech spent 4 hours going over systems/operation and explaining how converter worked. My general background probably helped but I got zero complaints with dealer.

We are into 6th year and unit has met or exceeded our expectations. The longest we lived in it was 3 weeks and the overall appliance type utility has been impressive.

A little education by buyers would go a long way toward minimizing disappointments. Take sales out of picture except negotiation.

[chunker21]

Originally Posted by Muggs

I was warned about weights from buddies who had issues. We tried to figure what we needed to carry and chose from there. Bigger class c units just did not give much room weight wise. Our first trip to scale was on edge of front axle, rear had a ton extra. Ultimately we still have extra capacity on rear, front is 10% under. We are planning second a/c as it will be right over axle and act as backup for main. I run will full fresh water all the time as we never know if drive home or stay overnight. If our was e350 instead of e450 we would be 1300 lbs over GVWR. Otherwise we fine. I did use the higher rated 225/75 C type tire for extra capacity.

Everyone needs to read/understand capacities before purchase. Our salesman was good but was not educated on weights, capacities and general GVWR and GCVW. The tech spent 4 hours going over systems/operation and explaining how converter worked. My general background probably helped but I got zero complaints with dealer.

We are into 6th year and unit has met or exceeded our expectations. The longest we lived in it was 3 weeks and the overall appliance type utility has been impressive.

A little education by buyers would go a long way toward minimizing disappointments. Take sales out of picture except negotiation.

That's interesting because I've more heard that the rear is the big problem. Sounds like you have it nailed. On my Omni with the F50 chassis I am in good shape. I weighed with full fuel, 65 gal, 1/2 water 35+, loaded for travel except for some clothes, food and no tow bar for the toad.

Scale GWWR or AWR
Steer 5680 7500

Drive 12440 14706

Total. 18120 19500

So I'm 1820 under FAWR and 2206 under RAWR and 1380 under GVWR. As long as I stay under GVWR I won't exceed an axle weight rating. Nice feeling. I figure that the tow bar equipment and additional supplies are 200# worst case. With this I like not being on the ragged edge.

[Muggs]

Since we are on an e450, total GVWR is 14,500. Front runs 4500 on 4950 rating, rear is at max 8800 on 9600 with trailer connected. It took a little time and scale trips as trailer tongue lightens front. Without trailer I move heavy stuff to rear bins to simulate tongue wt. Trying to match 500 lb tongue was a challenge, have racecar rear chain marked for when carry extra stuff on front of trailsr have to move racecar back. Overall handling is always better with trailer.

I would have thought F550 would have excess axle capacity.

Since we got 16" rims, when oem tires started to rot, went with commercial C tires with a higher static load rating per tire. Was significant boost.

[chunker21]

Originally Posted by Muggs

Since we are on an e450, total GVWR is 14,500. Front runs 4500 on 4950 rating, rear is at max 8800 on 9600 with trailer connected. It took a little time and scale trips as trailer tongue lightens front. Without trailer I move heavy stuff to rear bins to simulate tongue wt. Trying to match 500 lb tongue was a challenge, have racecar rear chain marked for when carry extra stuff on front of trailsr have to move racecar back. Overall handling is always better with trailer.

I would have thought F550 would have excess axle capacity.

Since we got 16" rims, when oem tires started to rot, went with commercial C tires with a higher static load rating per tire. Was significant boost.

Well I've got a ton available on either axle and that's loaded. My original available cargo capacity was 2300+- as I recall, yellow sticker. If I downloaded excess water I could probably mount a Hydralift motorcycle carrier and take the Harley. That would be that ragged edge though on the GVWR

[Muggs]

I just pulled slip for last scale trip. Not counting extra water we take for multi day out of town races we were 4460 F/8700 R/4940 trailer 18100 total. Setup for Disney trip with no trailer/spare parts-tools for racecar we were 4760F/7840R 12600 total. Most of racecar stuff is stored in past rear axle and levers front axle lighter. I reached point we leave racecar stuff in unless need storage now.

When we have to carry extra water/fuel it goes in racecar interior direct over trailer axles) or over rear axle of RV.

Great to see I am not only one looking at this stuff.

I have benefit of 188" wheelbase, buddy has a C with 158" wheelbase and is not as stable over 65 MPH as I am. I have LT rated tires on trailer and can cruise at 85 MPH if choose to. Usually we run 65 to 70.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by The_Breeze

I'm more curious about how you'd know that
JK

38 years in the trenches...

[16ACE27]

Just came across this tale of a new RV, OCCC issues, and a dishonest manufacturer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WupfFbSw5Jo&t=1232s

[The_Breeze]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

38 years in the trenches...

Case closed!

[chunker21]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Just came across this tale of a new RV, OCCC issues, and a dishonest manufacturer:

Scary makes a person rethink nexus as a choice. I can handle crap but don't tolerate dishonesty.