Comments on: Weighing your RV http://blog.rv.net/2008/02/weighing-your-rv/ RV Campground & Camping Information - RV, Motorhome, Camper, Travel Trailer & 5th Wheel Owners Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:40:31 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Al Grayson http://blog.rv.net/2008/02/weighing-your-rv/comment-page-1/#comment-871 Al Grayson Mon, 18 Feb 2008 10:50:29 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/2008/02/13/weighing-your-rv/#comment-871 Oregon has a welcome policy of leaving roadside scales "ON" when they are not in use by the weight enforcers. Tire manufacturers publish load rating/inflation pressure charts for each model and size of tire. Go to their web sites or contact them by mail or phone. "LT" (Light Truck) tires generally have a maximum rated speed of 75 mph. "ST" (Special Trailer) tires generally have a maximum rated speed of 65 mph. Increasing the tire pressure above the maximum rating of the tire (molded on the sidewall) does not increase the maximum speed or load ratings. If the load range of the tires installed on the vehicle is increased (like from "C" to "D"), take care not to raise the tire pressure above the pressure rating of the wheel. Also do not exceed the load rating of the axle. Even if the load on different tires on an axle or in a set (like all four tires on a twin axle trailer) is different, the tire pressure of all the tires must be according to the chart pressure for the most heavily loaded tire on the axle or in the set. Due to friction in the equalizer bushings the load on each axle in a set may be different. Trailers with nonequalized axles (like "rubber" axles) must be set up dead "level" (parallel to the road surface). Good policy is for the tires on a vehicle not to be loaded above 80% of their rated load capacity (Ha!). Always dump wastewater holding tanks as soon as practical when leaving the campsite (a couple of gallons of fresh water left in each one to keep residues from drying is OK). Hauling the weight is unnecessary, and the sloshing of water in a partly filled tank does not improve vehicle stability. Do not rely on increasing tire pressure above the chart recommendation to counter sway. If a trailer sways when traveling straight down the road with no side gusts or passing rigs, there is a design or balance (trailer distribution) problem that must be corrected. Sway control is ONLY for countering sway induced by side gusts and passing large vehicles, not for controlling a poorly balanced or constructed trailer. Oregon has a welcome policy of leaving roadside scales “ON” when they are not in use by the weight enforcers.
Tire manufacturers publish load rating/inflation pressure charts for each model and size of tire. Go to their web sites or contact them by mail or phone.
“LT” (Light Truck) tires generally have a maximum rated speed of 75 mph.
“ST” (Special Trailer) tires generally have a maximum rated speed of 65 mph.
Increasing the tire pressure above the maximum rating of the tire (molded on the sidewall) does not increase the maximum speed or load ratings.
If the load range of the tires installed on the vehicle is increased (like from “C” to “D”), take care not to raise the tire pressure above the pressure rating of the wheel. Also do not exceed the load rating of the axle.
Even if the load on different tires on an axle or in a set (like all four tires on a twin axle trailer) is different, the tire pressure of all the tires must be according to the chart pressure for the most heavily loaded tire on the axle or in the set. Due to friction in the equalizer bushings the load on each axle in a set may be different. Trailers with nonequalized axles (like “rubber” axles) must be set up dead “level” (parallel to the road surface).
Good policy is for the tires on a vehicle not to be loaded above 80% of their rated load capacity (Ha!).
Always dump wastewater holding tanks as soon as practical when leaving the campsite (a couple of gallons of fresh water left in each one to keep residues from drying is OK). Hauling the weight is unnecessary, and the sloshing of water in a partly filled tank does not improve vehicle stability.
Do not rely on increasing tire pressure above the chart recommendation to counter sway. If a trailer sways when traveling straight down the road with no side gusts or passing rigs, there is a design or balance (trailer distribution) problem that must be corrected. Sway control is ONLY for countering sway induced by side gusts and passing large vehicles, not for controlling a poorly balanced or constructed trailer.

]]> By: jim conner http://blog.rv.net/2008/02/weighing-your-rv/comment-page-1/#comment-691 jim conner Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:10:12 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/2008/02/13/weighing-your-rv/#comment-691 Mark, this blog of yours was & is very imformative. Thank you. Jim Mark, this blog of yours was & is very imformative. Thank you. Jim

]]> By: Chris Bryant http://blog.rv.net/2008/02/weighing-your-rv/comment-page-1/#comment-680 Chris Bryant Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:09:23 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/2008/02/13/weighing-your-rv/#comment-680 This should be made s sticky! Most people have no idea what their rig weighs, or how much stuff they manage to cram in to it (I know I didn't), and it's probably the biggest factor in both safety and staying out of the repair shop! Good job! This should be made s sticky! Most people have no idea what their rig weighs, or how much stuff they manage to cram in to it (I know I didn’t), and it’s probably the biggest factor in both safety and staying out of the repair shop!

Good job!

]]>