MH Weights

[ViewRVs]

A visitor to my suggested a matrix of vehicle weights. What weights are available in the owner's manuals? Which ones should be used for a weights matrix?

One downfall is that I would need everyone to reply or e-mail me your unit's weights. Thanks in advance.

[87MH]

Fred:

The 1987 Owner's Manual covers the 290, 325, and the 345 series for that year.

The 290 is listed as 14,500 lbs gross.

The 325 AND the 345 are listed as 16,500 lbs gross.



FWIW, my stock as purchased empty weight– full fuel, no water, no driver, was 15,164 pounds.

With the extra parts I carry, the mods I have added, including the granite kitchen and dining table and the full floating Pergo floor I am pegging the 16,500 lb limit on almost every trip. I never carry more than 1/4 tank of potable water, and very seldom are there more than 2 of us in the unit when we travel. I estimate our food and clothing weighs 150 lbs all in.

The manual also says the factory sets the air suspension so that 3,000 lbs are carried on the tag axle - I am presently carrying only about 1/2 of that on the tag tires, but I am not anxious to adjust the air height control, as I am now running level and there is always the problem of the gas tank hanging way out there on the bottom of the rear overhang.

Anyone have any idea about how much the rear overhang clearance will be reduced by lowering the ride height in order to add another 1500 lbs to the tag axle?

[GlenCoombe]

Fred, before I start out to Florida next week I plan to weigh Airstream One. I planned to do this with full fuel and full water, empty holding tank. I'll have three weights for you, front axle, rear axle, total.
I am interested in seeing how balanced it is with all my stuff loaded. My coach is very different than most as the overhang behind the rear single axle is bare inside. The sixty gal. fuel tank is as close to the rear axle as they could get it. The black tank is not big enough to worry me from a weight standpoint.
I'll be interested to be able to compare my rig with those who have all the cabinets and larger tanks etc. associated with fully loaded campers.

[ALANSD]

coming thru Atlanta?

[ViewRVs]

Do the manuals list both GVW and GCVW?

Gross Vehicle Weight - MH empty, no fluids
Gross Combined Vehicle Weight - MH, fluids, stuff, and living beings

I think mine had a sticker that listed the max GCVW.

[87MH]

Originally Posted by 1985air345

Do the manuals list both GVW and GCVW?

I think mine had a sticker that listed the max GCVW.

The only placard in the MoHo regarding vehicular weight is the one in the pic below.

THe GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is 16,500 lbs, this is the weight of the Motor Home (the vehicle itself) and any other weight added TO THE MOTOR HOME (people, fuel, water, actual weight on the hitch (from trailer tongue or front wheel trailer), clothing, tools, parts, etc.)

The GCVWR (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating) is the MAXIMUM TOTAL weight of the Tow Vehicle (TV) plus the TOTAL weight of anything towed behind it (be it a toad or conventional trailer). I think the ratings for "GCVWR" were introduced in the mid-nineties.

Elsewhere in the Owners Manual there is a statement limiting any towed vehicle in the 345 to 2000 lbs. I believe these limitations to mean that the GCVWR (total of Motor Home plus the towed vehicle) is 16,500 lbs (GVWR of the MoHo) plus the 2000 lb limit on the towed vehicle (trailer or other) = 18,500 lbs.

More discussion of the various weights and meanings of additional abbreviations (and much more) can be found in the link below:

http://www.klenger.net/arctic-fox/weight/index.html

The author refers to it as "an excerise in reality" - really good reading for both MoHomers and Trailerites alike.

[GlenCoombe]

...and no I don't speak with a lisp...reminds me of a joke .

Took the rig out yesterday and dumped the black tank then went to the scale.
With full fuel (60 gal.) and 3/4 full water (20 gal.) the figures are as follows.

Front axle 4460 lbs.
Rear axle 7820 lbs.

Total weight 12,260 lbs.