Thor Vegas 24.1 2018 weights

[gte534j]

FYI- in case anyone wants to know:

Thor Vegas 24.1 2018
Full of gas and propane
Empty water tank
Whole rv 11880 lbs
Front two wheels 4680 lbs (39.7%)
Rear two wheels 7160 lbs (60.3%)
Left side 5840 lbs(49.2%)
Right side 6040 lbs (50.8%)
Calculated
Front right tire 2380 lbs
Front left tire 2300 lbs
Rear right tire 3640 lbs
Rear left tire 3520 lbs

[DavidEM]

Appreciate the info. Any heavy options installed like hydraulic levelers?

With two people and minimal water that leaves about 200 lbs for gear until you hit the GVWR of 12,500 lbs.

David

[gte534j]

I do not have hydraulic levelers. The only significant weight additions I have added are the sumo springs and hellwig stabilizer bars (front and rear), so maybe 50 lbs of suspension upgrades. I have kitchen stuff, tool kit, some clothing and bedding, so maybe another 50 lbs of that stuff. That extra ~100 lbs is included in the RV weight along with my weight in the driver seat, 160 lbs.
Thanks for pointing out the GVWR of 12,500 lbs. That gives me 620 lbs to spare. With full 42 gallons of water (350 lbs), that leaves 270 lbs for extra weight. Probably good thing I dont add any extra weight like a spare tire, levelers.
I do tow a vehicle on a trailer sometimes and i make sure the tongue weight is around 500 lbs. I assume that does not count against your GWVR?

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by gte534j

I do not have hydraulic levelers. The only significant weight additions I have added are the sumo springs and hellwig stabilizer bars (front and rear), so maybe 50 lbs of suspension upgrades. I have kitchen stuff, tool kit, some clothing and bedding, so maybe another 50 lbs of that stuff. That extra ~100 lbs is included in the RV weight along with my weight in the driver seat, 160 lbs.
Thanks for pointing out the GVWR of 12,500 lbs. That gives me 620 lbs to spare. With full 42 gallons of water (350 lbs), that leaves 270 lbs for extra weight. Probably good thing I dont add any extra weight like a spare tire, levelers.
I do tow a vehicle on a trailer sometimes and i make sure the tongue weight is around 500 lbs. I assume that does not count against your GWVR?

Yes, it sure does.

[gte534j]

aghh... ok will have to just travel with a half or third full water tank when towing and any extra cargo in the tow trailer.

[ducksface]

Originally Posted by gte534j

aghh... ok will have to just travel with a half or third full water tank when towing and any extra cargo in the tow trailer.

What happens if you go over by 10 pounds or 100 pounds or 1000 pounds?

Does anyone have any statistics on
Dead
Dying
Destroyed
Regarding 10 percent overages on weight GUIDELINES?
20‰ over lawyer written weight limits?

ANY significant stories of crushed motorhome floors or inverted leaf springs or whatever overweight is supposed cause?

I'm pretty easily swayed.
Make me believe the weight limit is indeed a dropdead LIMIT and not a guideline.

[ducksface]

Op,
Thanks for the numbers.
If our little 24.1's are 64% rear biased, imagine what those monster long overhangs must be.

And
If we're that close to max weight, what's the deal on a 34 footer(or however long they go on a e450)?

[gte534j]

Originally Posted by ducksface

What happens if you go over by 10 pounds or 100 pounds or 1000 pounds?

Does anyone have any statistics on
Dead
Dying
Destroyed
Regarding 10 percent overages on weight GUIDELINES?
20‰ over lawyer written weight limits?

ANY significant stories of crushed motorhome floors or inverted leaf springs or whatever overweight is supposed cause?

I'm pretty easily swayed.
Make me believe the weight limit is indeed a dropdead LIMIT and not a guideline.

I think you are asking "what is the safety margin?"
I doubt the axle manufactuer (Ford) publishes what would fail the axle vs. their loading. A few percentage over probably will not cause an immediate failure but i try to stick to the manufacturer's guidelines as best as possible.
in my experience, i have towed with a full water tank and 500 lb tounge weight, so i exceed the GVWR by around 300 lbs. I wont do that again now that I am aware of the rating posted limits.

[DavidEM]

Vehicle GVWRs, GCWRs, and tow weight limits are made up of a lot of things: capability of the frame and suspension, tire weight carrying capacity, hitch strength, engine and transmission wear, brake capability, etc.

Is it an absolute drop dead limit? No of course not. 99.999% of the time going over even 100 lbs won't cause any harm. But you will be stressing the components a percent more than they were designed for.

Some components like the steel frame can be designed somewhat precisely and does have a safety factor built in, probably 100% to count for dynamic loads (bouncing and braking) and another 50% or so safety factor before the metal stretches permanently. Other things are somewhat subjective like brake wear and stopping performance. Engine wear is another very subjective criteria. How long does the manufacturer expect the engine to last running at full GCWR 100% of the time.

In regard to engine wear, it is interesting that the new E350 chassis has a 4.10:1 rear end ratio and the heavier F53 chassis has a 4.56:1 ratio. The numerically higher ratio lets the engine work at lower stresses or looked at another way, it lets the engine pull a heavier load while working the engine the same.

The one vehicle rating that I totally pay attention to is tow ratings. I have found when I pull something at 100% of the maximum rating, I am uncomfortable. I like to stay at 75%.

David

[gte534j]

Originally Posted by DavidEM

Vehicle GVWRs, GCWRs, and tow weight limits are made up of a lot of things: capability of the frame and suspension, tire weight carrying capacity, hitch strength, engine and transmission wear, brake capability, etc.

Is it an absolute drop dead limit? No of course not. 99.999% of the time going over even 100 lbs won't cause any harm. But you will be stressing the components a percent more than they were designed for.

Some components like the steel frame can be designed somewhat precisely and does have a safety factor built in, probably 100% to count for dynamic loads (bouncing and braking) and another 50% or so safety factor before the metal stretches permanently. Other things are somewhat subjective like brake wear and stopping performance. Engine wear is another very subjective criteria. How long does the manufacturer expect the engine to last running at full GCWR 100% of the time.

In regard to engine wear, it is interesting that the new E350 chassis has a 4.10:1 rear end ratio and the heavier F53 chassis has a 4.56:1 ratio. The numerically higher ratio lets the engine work at lower stresses or looked at another way, it lets the engine pull a heavier load while working the engine the same.

The one vehicle rating that I totally pay attention to is tow ratings. I have found when I pull something at 100% of the maximum rating, I am uncomfortable. I like to stay at 75%.

David

agree with you on the tow rating- both horizontal and vertial rating. Thats why i measure my tongue weight load when towing and check the trailer+vehicle weight.

[Korey & Tana Jackson]

Originally Posted by gte534j

FYI- in case anyone wants to know:

Thor Vegas 24.1 2018
Full of gas and propane
Empty water tank
Whole rv 11880 lbs
Front two wheels 4680 lbs (39.7%)
Rear two wheels 7160 lbs (60.3%)
Left side 5840 lbs(49.2%)
Right side 6040 lbs (50.8%)
Calculated
Front right tire 2380 lbs
Front left tire 2300 lbs
Rear right tire 3640 lbs
Rear left tire 3520 lbs

Is your 2018 24.1 on an E-350 chassis?

Our 2018 24.1 is on an E-450 chassis, with a 14,500 GVWR.

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by Korey & Tana Jackson

Is your 2018 24.1 on an E-350 chassis?

Our 2018 24.1 is on an E-450 chassis, with a 14,500 GVWR.

Good catch!
My ‘17 is on E450 with the higher GVWR

Factoid: the early Vegas/Axis models were E350, then switched to E450 in late ‘16 or ‘17.
Thor ran with the E450 for a while
And then in late ‘20 & ‘21, they switched back to E350

So his ‘18 is an E450

[Muggs]

For us the e350 based 24.1 would be to tight on weight. Fully loaded for track with spares and lots of water we have been very close to 19,000 combined. The trailer is at 5500, RV at 13,500.

Assume there is a degree of safety margin designed in but I do feel more comfortable being under ratings. Came through Smokies on 6 % grade without issues.

[gte534j]

I checked my vehicle sticker and it says 14,500 lbs gvwr. I have the e450 chassis. The website i looked at has the wrong weight of 12,500 lbs. Glad to see i have more margin.

[ducksface]

The 2018 and 2019 guys got it all.
The nice rounded cabinets and the E450.

[DavidEM]

I have a 2021 Axis on order and I am envious of the nice curved cabinets that were replaced with plain flat ones for 2020+.

Not sure what to say about the E450 chassis though. More GVWR than needed means a stiff ride. Other forum discussions of the Axis with the E350 indicates from the OCCC that it will be enough.

I know one thing Thor did to cut out weight- they deleted the outside TV, which is no loss to me. Saved maybe 30 lbs.

We will have to see when my Axis is deliverd.

David

[ducksface]

I'm not a fan of the outside TV.
I've had it on in the shop a couple of times.
It is a very handy place to store extra wiper blades.
And
Flip the door upside down and it would be a dandy place for an
induction stove.
A fish cleaning station
A metal backing and magnets on bottle bottoms and its a great bar
Cutting board/counter(since we have the BBQ propane right there beside it)

I don't fish or BBQ or cook outside so I won't do these mods.
But it would sure be an easy customization.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by gte534j

FYI- in case anyone wants to know:

Thor Vegas 24.1 2018
Full of gas and propane
Empty water tank
Whole rv 11880 lbs
Front two wheels 4680 lbs (39.7%)
Rear two wheels 7160 lbs (60.3%)
Left side 5840 lbs(49.2%)
Right side 6040 lbs (50.8%)
Calculated
Front right tire 2380 lbs
Front left tire 2300 lbs
Rear right tire 3640 lbs
Rear left tire 3520 lbs

Your RV’s weight seems a little higher than other 24.1 previously reported. Can you share what your OCCC sticker states?

[Muggs]

My 2016 24.1 the yellow sticker said 3,299 lbs. That is why we selected it over F-53 based and other e450 units. Some had 1200 OCC on sticker. Granted, not everyone needs extra capacity. We carry a ton of stuff when towing drag car.

The e450 has worked great for us.

[gte534j]

Originally Posted by Chance

Your RV’s weight seems a little higher than other 24.1 previously reported. Can you share what your OCCC sticker states?

My registration says 10,794 lbs emtpy weight, or 1,086 lbs less than what I weighted the RV. I did have a full fuel tank, full propane, me, and some other upgrades. The extra weight seems high, but maybe I did stuff a lot of extra things into the RV?