Prolly don't worry too much. But there is another thread on this recently. Various builds all over the place. Weight discussions often turn into a "weight weenie" focus. Worth noting that even the 30-gallon fuel tank is less than 200 pounds full; and a 30-gallon water tank is closer to 250. Folks will get wrapped up in those two numbers... but ignore the weight of the driver and/or passenger. The van seems to handle just fine with the fuel tank empty or full - so a 200 pound difference. It's not as big a deal as it might seem.
Yea skinny guy driver vs big guy with his teenage progeny in second row behind him = 250# difference on drivers side.
It does seem that weight capacity of the front axle can be an issue (especially w/o the HD axle?) .
Agreed on that. I'm surprised at the mounting of batteries above the floor, for example. Or water. Not huge weights, but the higher it is, the less preferable. Or piles of wood in cabinets or ceiling. 🤷♀️
In theory, for sure. In practice, I suspect one would almost have to go out of their way to overload the front - unless the water tanks and/or battery are across from the slider. Between the cab and the slider, it's not going to be easy to have more weight toward the front wheels than the rears as one adds. Maybe someone has pushed the limit... but I'd bet it's pretty uncommon - even if it's ignored.
Here is the posting that I remember raising the concern. Yes some heavy stuff on front and overall heavy build, but not a case of "going out of their way" . A very well thought out build with lot of stuff in a regular length.
Funny you should mention. My water and batteries (~350 lbs) are going on top of the wheel wells. That is one compromise for space utilization/access. Safely securing the weight there is proving to be a challenge. But at least the weight is directly over the wheels.
I suppose some of that weight is offset by the fact that there is more storage for other stuff, albeit less dense, that will be stored on the floor rather than higher up. About 1/4 of the impact of lifting almost the whole 9000 lbs a few inches or a couple hundred pounds of stuff on the roof.Ah... as you said, non-HD front axle that could be an issue. As @Michael Ophus says, not much room left to add weight to it. Good thing for the HD front axle, then!
Yeah... we struggled with that on the last rig as well. It's hard to beat using that space. We put 20 gallons of water over the passenger wheel. 🤷♀️Funny you should mention. My water and batteries (~350 lbs) are going on top of the wheel wells. That is one compromise for space utilization/access. Safely securing the weight there is proving to be a challenge. But at least the weight is directly over the wheels.
Yea just some real rough SWAG #'s to illustrate the jist of my argument. Just looking at the delta weight x distance from floor ... so assuming the starting COG is the floor. If COG is below the floor then this is a over estimate, if COG is above the floor then and underestimated.
you can also check out commercial recycling places, particularity metal recycling. they often use weight scales to measure the amount of metal you are dropping off, however, these are often raised platforms so it might not be possible to do only one wheel but you can do front and back. accuracy might be another issue. but for me i have one within one mile of my house, were as, i doubt there is a highway scale within a 100 miles
I states that have reasonable levels of consumer protection, those scales should be inspected/certified by the office weight and measures. The tare weight of my vehicle seems reasonable on the scale at the place I take my scrap to.
carlisletyrfil.com
