How much does your Classic Winnebago Weigh

[MSN Member]

From: Beatty1950  (Original Message)
Sent: 10/17/2003 12:49 PM

I finally stopped in at Flying J truck stop in Fife, Washington and for "only" $7.50 they let me weight my 1975 D19 Brave.  I understand that gross vehicle weight is not to exceed 10,600 lbs for my D19.  My 1975 D19 Brave with 1/2 fuel, no water, and no passengers (except my teddy bear) topped the scale at 8,720 lbs. 
The wife and I will add 430 lbs.
16 More Gallons of Gas will add 96 lbs.
22 gallons of Water will add 132 lbs.
That will bring vehicle weight to approximately 9,400 lbs leaving 1,200 lbs for other cargo. 

I am trying to get to a good weight for tire pressure.   This Sunday I plan to visit the truck scale near Enchanted Park in Federal Way, Washington.  Last Sunday I stopped there and it was operational and allowed view of weight for free.   I plan to weight each wheel.

Am I being too exact ?   I think correct tire pressure will soften ride and extend tire life ??

Questions:
What tire pressure are others running
What do other Classic Winnebagos weight

Thanks for the help

Dave Beatty
beattyd@yahoo.com

Isn't it funny that you never notice typo's until you hit the send message button ??



From: Beatty1950
Sent: 10/17/2003 3:48 PM

Correction: 

I just notice on the sticker near the Drivers Seat that my 1975 D19 Brave has Gross Weight limit of 10,200 lbs ...

(Front 4,100 and Rear 6,200, funny they don't add to 10,200 ? ).

That means my net weight that remains for cargo should be 800 lbs ??

Seems a little low ? 

Is it common to be so near Gross Vehicle Weight limit ??

Dave Beatty



From: jbrt1989
Sent: 10/17/2003 7:55 PM

I've seen weight capacity become a rather heated topic on other boards, so, I'm aware there is a difference of opinion out there.  However, I would caution against taking your RV to it's limit regardless of what that true limit turns out to be.  I know it's easy to weigh your rig and think to yourself,  "I've still got  "X" number of lbs of stuff I can take along with me before I max out my rig... woohoo!!"... I've thought it myself  at times.  Also, keep in mind with your figures, you may end up hitting the road with a full fuel tanks, full water tank, AND full or nearly full black and gray water tanks, not to mention the "supplies" you carry, food, tools, hoses, power cords, etc. etc. .. the things you can't hit the road without.   

I think an margin of caution is appropriate, especially when one is talking about a vehicle that is well over 20 years old.  That maximum GVW sticker was put there back when springs, shocks, brakes, bearings, wheels, steering, frame, supports, flooring, walls, etc, etc, etc. was new fresh from the factory and not with 20 something years of sitting, weather elements, road stresses etc. . taking it's toll on those things.   How much of a margin is up to you. 

I don't want to discourage you, I just think it's unwise to "max" out any vehicle for any length of time.

But, to answer your question, from what I've seen, it's not uncommon for many RV's to weigh pretty close to their max with full fuel tanks, a couple passengers and something in the holding tanks.  Which, typically leaves very little room for "stuff", especially when you factor in food, supplies and nessicary hardware needed to operate the rig.

In the end, I would weigh the rig with both passengers, full fuel tanks, full water tank, food, supplies, tools etc, maybe even fill the holding tanks a bit as well.  Basically try to make it weigh exactly what it will weigh on a trip.  THEN look at your weights to determine if you are safe, have some extra space, or need to start re-thinking what's concidered a NEEDED item.

Like I say, I'm trying to rain on your parade, just one to err on the side of caution.

Jeff



From: jbrt1989
Sent: 10/17/2003 7:59 PM

PS, don't forget the weight of your clothes, hangers, toiletries, and the likes.  It's amazing how fast those little things can add up to quite a bit of weight.

Jeff

From: Beatty1950
Sent: 11/6/2003 12:17 AM

PSI   4 Rear  2 Front   Total
35    6300     3580        9880
40    6800     3880       10680
45    7280     4150       11430
50    7740     4410       12150
55    8200     4670       12870
60    8620     4910       13530

Above table assumes equal tire pressure in all 6 tires and are the numbers provided in the 1975 Winnebago Brave Owners manual.  Assumes Load Range D Tire.

So from this data, do I assume that my tire pressure shouild be set at 40 PSI max since the Gross Vehicle Weight of my D19 is 10,200 lbs...  Seems a little low ??  My tires are currenly set at 60 PSI.

Comments always appreciated ...

Dave Beatty



From: denison
Sent: 11/6/2003 7:35 AM

Myself, I would compromise on 50 psi. I havent the owners manual for my 72 D22, but the 7.50-17 tires I had on it for 40k miles had a maximum psi of 75 on the sidewall, for a corresponding load about 20% higher than my rig weighed empty. I ran those tires at 65 psi, though I could have run them at 50 psi and still met the recommendations of the tire table in my dodge service manual. After 12 trouble free years & 40K miles, they were all worn down close to the tread wear indicators, and I retired them out of pity.
You could do a test: Run 50 psi on one side of the rig, and 60 on the other, and see how much of a difference in tire temperature there was. Shouldnt be much. You could try running them at 40 psi too, and check the tire temperature about a 30 minute spin, and see if the handling makes you happy. denison



From: denison
Sent: 11/6/2003 7:50 AM

Forgot - my 72 D22 weighed in at 10,000 lbs with half empty tanks and none of my tools or spares. Its GVWR is labelled as 13000. I have carried about 3000 lbs, in the form of 70 bags of wood stove pellets at 40 lbs each plus my tools and spares. There was a minor difference in its acceleration and braking. When I got this winny the title said it weighed 4600 lbs, which I knew was wrong, hence the reason I drove it to the scale.
The title for my other 72 D22 says it is 10,500 lbs, but I havent weighed it yet - no brakes! It has a different floor plan. denison



From: mightybooboo
Sent: 11/6/2003 9:08 AM

Beatty,Im running 16.5 load range D tires on a 10,000 to 14,000 rated chassis on my minnie.I took the pressure from 50 to 60 lbs cold for my trip,ran much nicer with less tire flex,less sway,and didnt seem any harsher.Dont  know my wt.I vote for firmer than softer,seems better control to me.Also I heard FWIW that the ratings are 20% below safety level on vehicles as a liability thing by vehicle manufacturers,dont know how true or safe that may be.Also most people are running close to or over wt. ratings on RVs as per other boards Ive read.
BooBoo



From: Beatty1950
Sent: 11/6/2003 2:17 PM

Thanks for all the advise on Tire PSI.

Originally I was advised to run 75PSI.  I thought was a little much.

I will be running 60 PSI and see how the ride is ..  Trying to find best PSI for comfort, less sway, and tire wear... 

The Valve Stem Caps I purchased show green if PSI is 60, show yellow if PSI is 55 and show red if PSI is 50.    So I will run tires at 60 PSI...   

Dave Beatty



From: tshirtman
Sent: 11/6/2003 2:25 PM

I think mine are close to 80psi. It gets down the road. I do t-shirts for a truck tire place  18 wheelers and such, and that's what they suggested (and put in). Just my 1 cent worth!
                                                 John T



From: jughead5500
Sent: 11/6/2003 4:47 PM

my 77 brave is 26 ft long and weighs in at 12000 lbs 17.5 tires require 100lbs min...



From: jughead5500
Sent: 11/6/2003 1:47 PM

"my 77 brave is 26 ft long and weighs in at 12000 lbs 17.5 tires require 100lbs min..".

What load rating tires are you running?

BooBoo



From: dave76Chieftain
Sent: 11/6/2003 8:40 PM

My comment is the 73 thru 75 Dodge Motor Home Chassis manual agrees with Dave Beatty's info for 17.5 tires.  It does not go above 60PSI

Tire mfg pressure tables are based on the amount of weight that a tire is expected to carry.
The rims have pressure ratings also.  For these rigs, I doubt the rims are rated for greater than 90 PSI.
Many of the rims Dodge used were not rated for radial tires.
Overpressuring a rim or tire ends up with the same result when they let go.

Dave

From: Beatty1950
Sent: 11/7/2003 5:38 PM

Found 2 devices on the Web to help equalize tire pressure and display the common tire pressure.

One is called catseye and other is called crossfire.

Has anyone worked with these devices that connect dually tires Valve stems together to equalize pressure and display Air Pressure Level  ??

Note: price is steep.  A set of Catseye devices for 2 sets of rear dually tires quoted to me to be over $120 ($30 per wheel/tire).

Dave Beatty



From: jughead5500
Sent: 11/7/2003 6:13 PM

my new 17.5 bias ply tires states on sidewalls 100lbsmin



From: dave76Chieftain
Sent: 11/7/2003 6:28 PM

jughead5500,
If you are running the stock rims you may be way over their safety rating.  You might want to look at the tire again and verify it said 100psi.  Doesn't sound right from the info I have always seen.
 
Dave