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> Rear axle over weight, TC Weight Calculator

Frankcom
post Mar 18 2018, 11:11 PM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): Arctic Fox
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2014 Ram 3500 6.4 L
Type of Tiedowns used: Happijac, Happijac
Truck and Camper Setup: Ram 3500 6.4L, crew cap, long bed, SRW timbren-m-41.html">Timbren, Tire 4000 lbs, Arctic Fox 1150



I am new to the truck camper family and I have a question what maybe someone answered already. Sorry I couldn't find that topic.
We own a 2014 Ram 3500 6.4L crew cap, SRW, long bed
GVWR is 11400 lbs. Payload is 4500 lbs.
I went to the scale and got 4000 lbs. for the front axle and 3000 lbs. for the rear axle empty.
The camper weight is 4300 lbs. wet
We found the TC weight calculator and when I put my numbers in I got
that the truck and camper weight is below GVWR, the payload is below the sticker 4500 lbs.
but the rear axle is 330 lbs. above load rating (7000 lbs.)
My question, is that true that the whole camper weight is sitting on the rear axle and almost no weight is transferred to the front axle?
Thanks for reading and your response.
Frank
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Chief 2
post Mar 19 2018, 05:33 AM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): Lance
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2005 Chevrolet 3500 4x4
Type of Tiedowns used: Happijac with Quick Loads
Truck and Camper Setup: 2005 Chevy 3500 4x4 Edge Attitude, 4" exhaust, Airaid Air Intake, Ranchos, Air Bags, Hellwig Big Wig, Cabover struts. Lance 1172 loaded with 200 watt Renogy solar and Zamp controller



You will find once you weigh the truck with the camper loaded that there will be some of the weight transferred to the front axel. You also need to keep in mind that the posted weight for the campers is usually incorrect and that it runs heavier than the manufactures postings. The other factor is how much crap the wife packs in the camper and how much water you plan on carrying. It all ads up!
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RV_Tech
post Mar 19 2018, 07:37 AM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): Hallmark, Northstar, Outfitter
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: F-350 SRW 6.2 Supercab
Type of Tiedowns used: Happijack front, Torklift rear
Truck and Camper Setup: Hallmark Ute XL No modes to truck Torklift Fast Guns Fast guns had to be cut down to absolute minimum (14 1/2") to use with Happijac front tie down and Hallmark camper.



In my experience, what you found is not uncommon. Many TCs transfer very little weight to the front axle. Technically I am under my payload and GVWR, but if I fill my 30 gallon water tank, I am about 65 pounds over my rear axle rating. Not a big deal because I don't need to travel with a full tank and the overweight is very slight.

I have not found a simple way to change much in the way of weight distribution in a truck camper given the limited storage. As a pop-up owner I do not have closet or cabinets in the cabover other than clothes under the bed.

Predicting weight with truck campers is about as transparent as a bucket of mud. Personally I think the TC manufacturers need to do some work on COG placement and find ways to move it further forward.
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SidecarFlip
post Mar 19 2018, 08:50 AM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel
Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard
Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded



QUOTE(RV_Tech @ Mar 19 2018, 07:37 AM)
In my experience, what you found is not uncommon. Many TCs transfer very little weight to the front axle. Technically I am under my payload and GVWR, but if I fill my 30 gallon water tank, I am about 65 pounds over my rear axle rating. Not a big deal because I don't need to travel with a full tank and the overweight is very slight.

I have not found a simple way to change much in the  way of weight distribution in a truck camper given the limited storage. As a pop-up owner I do not have closet or cabinets in the cabover other than clothes under the bed. 

Predicting weight with truck campers is about as transparent as a bucket of mud. Personally I think the TC manufacturers need to do some work on COG placement and find ways to move it further forward.
*



Been my experience that the longer the camper is (the more overhang past the bed length and the more 'accessories' that wind up past the centerline of the back axle, the harder it is to get the weight transfer.

Having said that and also have a pop up, I tend to load my heavy stuff as close to the front of the camper as possible. My FW tank as well as my batteries are basically up against the front of the bed and I keep my genny inside the camper and it too is as fat forward as possible. On my unit, I have under bunk storage and I like to put the heavier stuff under the bunk.

TC builders don't seem to take into account relative Cg as it pertains to campers in general and just look at gross weight.

I look at some of the HS long campers and cringe because anything past the centerline of the rear axle puts the weight on the back axle and actually pulls weight off the front axle. That is why 'porposing' with a TC take place. The front is too light so the truck wallows over toad irregularities.

Has that issue with my Lance HS because Lance puts the wet bath, all the plunbing and in board genny BEHIND the Cl of the rear axle.
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wintertree
post Mar 19 2018, 08:06 PM
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All this info is true enough.....and it all heads back to having the right truck....TC builders are not stupid....they do try (to a degree) to put heavier things forward....for example most TC's have the fridge forward ...just before the cab over area....usually the fresh tank (which is the only one that is consistently full or near full) is located forward....Other tankage tends to be back.....but we dump as often as possible....We have a dry bath at the rear....but it adds very little extra weight....most of our storage cabinets are in the kitchen or the cab over area....Of all the TC's Iv'e worked on... not many were that different..But....There is always a but.....the latest offerings from eagle cap or lance (the big multi slide units) put a ton of weight towards the rear....and their brochure shows their triple slide on a single wheeled truck....makes my head spin....

The right truck / camper combo is not a mystery....It all goes back to $$....the common thread is usually a truck someone already has....and the camper they wish they could carry..

There is nothing like dual wheels! Especially when considering where a lot of the weight is on a TC...I have never put a good size TC on anything but duals(we are on our third camper)....No it does not go off road as well as a single wheels unit....But for most....the odd "goat trail" and many decent road miles is the norm...
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RV_Tech
post Mar 20 2018, 03:30 AM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): Hallmark, Northstar, Outfitter
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: F-350 SRW 6.2 Supercab
Type of Tiedowns used: Happijack front, Torklift rear
Truck and Camper Setup: Hallmark Ute XL No modes to truck Torklift Fast Guns Fast guns had to be cut down to absolute minimum (14 1/2") to use with Happijac front tie down and Hallmark camper.



QUOTE(wintertree @ Mar 19 2018, 09:06 PM)
All this info is true enough.....and it all heads back to having the right truck....TC builders are not stupid....they do try (to a degree) to put heavier things forward....for example most TC's have the fridge forward ...just before the cab over area....usually the fresh tank (which is the only one that is consistently full or near full) is located forward....Other tankage tends to be back.....but we dump as often as possible....We have a dry bath at the rear....but it adds very little extra weight....most of our storage cabinets are in the kitchen or the cab over area....Of all the TC's Iv'e worked on... not many were that different..But....There is always a but.....the latest offerings from eagle cap or lance (the big multi slide units) put a ton of weight towards the rear....and their brochure shows their triple slide on a single wheeled truck....makes my head spin....

The right truck / camper combo is not a mystery....It all goes back to $$....the common thread is usually a truck someone already has....and the camper they wish they could carry..

There is nothing like dual wheels!  Especially when considering where a lot of the weight is on a TC...I have never put a good size TC on anything but duals(we are on our third camper)....No it does not go off road as well as a single wheels unit....But for most....the odd "goat trail" and many decent road miles is the norm...
*



Agree. Nothing to add.
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SidecarFlip
post Mar 20 2018, 09:30 AM
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Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel
Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard
Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded



QUOTE(RV_Tech @ Mar 20 2018, 03:30 AM)
Agree. Nothing to add.
*



Nothing to add in my view either, other than it's why I have a pop up on a 1 ton truck and if I had the funds, I'd have a 4 Wheel Camper Grandby. I like light.

Always amazed (and alarmed me) to see a big hard side slide out TC on a single rear wheel truck. Problem is with that is, people see that and think (wrongly) that they can put that unit on their SRW truck and go down the road and be safe and stable and that is the farthest thing from the actual truth.

Sure you can and anything is possible with enough suspension enhancement but is it safe or practical...NO.
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Jknight611
post Mar 23 2018, 09:32 PM
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Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2018 Chevolet 3500 Duramax Crew Duelly
Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift with Fastguns
Truck and Camper Setup: Totally stock, nothing needed



Completely agree! We started with a Chevolet 2500 Crew Duramax SWB and our Northstar Adventurer. I had serious concerns about liability in case of a accident, (slightly overgross) so I upgraded the truck to a 3500 Crew Duramax LWB dually. As a career pilot there is no such thing as slightly overgross, you are or you aren’t. No in between. Can’t imagine a more different driving experience! Can’t have too much truck, darn sure can have too much camper for the truck!
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Frankcom
post Mar 25 2018, 12:12 PM
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Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2014 Ram 3500 6.4 L
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Truck and Camper Setup: Ram 3500 6.4L, crew cap, long bed, SRW timbren-m-41.html">Timbren, Tire 4000 lbs, Arctic Fox 1150



Thanks for answering my question.

Today I spoke to a Dodge mechanic and got some interesting news.
He said he cannot put anything in writing than nobody wants to take an opinion on that.
(Truck manufacture and Camper manufacture)
He said that the most truck campers are engineered, that 33% of the camper weight sits on the front axle. Some are closer to 30% some to 36%.

The only way to figure that out:
You have to weigh the truck, the camper and then the combination.
Maybe someone has done that already I would like to get some numbers.
Thank you.
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RV_Tech
post Mar 26 2018, 09:20 AM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): Hallmark, Northstar, Outfitter
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: F-350 SRW 6.2 Supercab
Type of Tiedowns used: Happijack front, Torklift rear
Truck and Camper Setup: Hallmark Ute XL No modes to truck Torklift Fast Guns Fast guns had to be cut down to absolute minimum (14 1/2") to use with Happijac front tie down and Hallmark camper.



QUOTE(Frankcom @ Mar 25 2018, 01:12 PM)
Thanks for answering my question.

Today I spoke to a Dodge mechanic and got some interesting news.
He said he cannot put anything in writing than nobody wants to take an opinion on that.
(Truck manufacture and Camper manufacture)
He said that the most truck campers are engineered, that 33% of the camper weight sits on the front axle. Some are closer to 30% some to 36%.

The only way to figure that out:
You have to weigh the truck, the camper and then the combination.
Maybe someone has done that already I would like to get some numbers.
Thank you.
*



The manufacturers post their COG measurements and some mark them on their camper. Unless that mechanic can source his statement of "alleged fact", my thought is he is simply offering an opinion.

I am not clear where you hope to go with this given you already have your own weights.
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