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Old 06-08-2005, 06:17 PM   #1
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2004 30' Classic
Johnson City , Texas
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Classic Weight Example - 2004 Classic

We just weighed our Classic at the Flying J in Anthony, TX (I-10, mile marker 0). Cost was $7.50.

Here's what we found:

1. GMC and Classic connected
GMC front axel = 4000
GMC rear azel = 4440
Classic 2 axels = 7480

2. GMC disconnected, trailer level
GMC front & rear axels = 7620
Classic tongue = 1000
Classic 2 axels = 7260

Didn't have time for individual axel measurements - another truck came to the scales.

From the way I read this, the trailer weighs 8260. The sticker GVWR is 8700.

That's with 2 full LP bottles, 1/4 water tank, 1/8 gray, empty black.

From your experience, is this about normal?

73/gus
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Old 06-08-2005, 06:34 PM   #2
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Gus.

You should have a little more weight on the front axle of your tow vehicle. Your ok now, but moving a couple of hundred pounds forward will give you greater steering stability.

Andy
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Old 06-08-2005, 06:44 PM   #3
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Thanks. The rule of thumb I've been using is keep the front and rear truck axels within 10%, or about where it is.

Is the trailer weight about normal?

73/gus
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Old 06-08-2005, 06:59 PM   #4
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gklott

Your weights are not bad, but they could be better. The trailer is OK, but you can improve the tow vehicle.

If you pulled up one more chain link, it would help.

Try it, and then get another weight reading.

You will be amazed as to how much weight you can move by increasing or decreasing one link on the torsion bars.

Andy
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Old 06-08-2005, 07:50 PM   #5
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From our 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD, crew cab, short box, 4WD, Diesel manual, page 4-75:
Maximum trailer weight = 14,700 lbs (limited to 12,000 lbs with weight distributing hitch)
GCWR = 22,000 lbs

Then in the GMC manuals notes: "Tongue weight should be 10 to 15% of the trailer weight up to 1500 lbs."

We have the factory installed hitch.

Using the Classic's 8700 GVWR, I am at 11.5%, which is right in the GMC recommended tongue weights. 15% is 1305 lbs.

The Hensley hitch manual lists 10,000 lbs gross trailer weight rating and 1,300 lb.max tongue weight rating.

What chain link do I adjust? Should I back off the Hensley's spring bar jacks a bit? We set them between the top two notches.

73/gus

73/gus
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Old 06-08-2005, 08:31 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gklott
We just weighed our Classic
Here's what we found:

1. GMC and Classic connected
GMC front axel = 4000
GMC rear azel = 4440
Classic 2 axels = 7480

2. GMC disconnected, trailer level
GMC front & rear axels = 7620
Classic tongue = 1000
Classic 2 axels = 7260
I have a very similar rig, a Ford F250 shortbed crewcab with a diesel and a 97 30' Excella. I recently weighed my rig and here are my numbers:

Front axle: 4200
Rear axle: 3920
Trailer axle: 7320
Total: 15460

I wasn't able to weigh my rig unhitched but my front axle weight is 200 lbs higher than my first weight because of a hitch adjustment.
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Old 11-05-2005, 12:02 PM   #7
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2004 28' Classic
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Not sure if this is germane or not:

Quote:
Originally Posted by gklott

[snip]

What chain link do I adjust? Should I back off the Hensley's spring bar jacks a bit? We set them between the top two notches.
We have a 28' 2004 Classic and use a Hensley hitch. Tow vehicle is a F350 with 6.0L diesel.

We set our jacks at the second notch from the bottom. If we set them anywhere near the location you've got them, the bars would be almost free-floating.

So I'm wondering if you shouldn't wind them up quite a bit tighter, as recommended above? Or am I misunderstanding your setup?
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