Axles

[Searchers]

I think you'll find the springs to be the weakest link in the suspension system. At least that's the situation on my old 1999 2850RK. The axles are rated at 5200 lbs. but the springs are 2200 lbs. each and the tag on the left front of the unit indicate axle rates as 4400 lbs. each.

[bsmeaton]

Dave - I think you are relying too much on the brochure and website info. The website was changed in Jan 2007 for midyear changes, so they don't match. Neither are totally accurate as we have found on ours.

The sticker is your actual and the only thing to trust. You're gross weight is 12,725 lbs, period (10,400 lbs on the axles and 2,325 lbs on your pin). If you don't trust the GAWR for the axles on the sticker, check the info on your axles themselves to verify.

The cargo capacity sticker is based on total tire capacity, but should be a reasonable estimate.

Unless you had the opportunity to weigh your rig empty, you'll never really know that number, but it doesn't matter. Just make sure when you are fully loaded, you don't exceed the 12,725 lbs for the trailer. You can check that, as I have learned, by hitting a scale with the whole rig, the disconnect and weigh the truck only. Subtract truck from total and you have the total weight of the rig.

[keham]

And that is my biggest compliant on all the rv's listing and using axles at there max weight no safety margins. I feel a 14,280 gvwr should have 7000 lbs axles with springs and tires to match. minus the pin weight, then when you are little off front to back or side to side you are not overing loading tires or wheels. But then again someone would see 7000 lbs axles and say oh i can have 14000 on the axles and 2 to 3000 on the pin not a problem even if I am over the listed GVWR I am not over the axels individual ratings.

But RV do not build in the safety margin like the trucks do GVWR truck 9900 but axles 4800 6400 ok can do 11200. at least they try to put the safety margin in there.
ken

[Cat320]

quote:Originally posted by keham

And that is my biggest compliant on all the rv's listing and using axles at there max weight no safety margins. I feel a 14,280 gvwr should have 7000 lbs axles with springs and tires to match. minus the pin weight, then when you are little off front to back or side to side you are not overing loading tires or wheels. But then again someone would see 7000 lbs axles and say oh i can have 14000 on the axles and 2 to 3000 on the pin not a problem even if I am over the listed GVWR I am not over the axels individual ratings.

But RV do not build in the safety margin like the trucks do GVWR truck 9900 but axles 4800 6400 ok can do 11200. at least they try to put the safety margin in there.
ken

Ken...you cannot add the two axle ratings to get a new GVWR of 11200. The difference in ratings gives us the ability to be flexible in loading our trucks. You can load either axle to it's capacity as long as when they are combined they do not exceed the GVWR...9900 for a srw GM one ton.

As for Montana's axle ratings, the bottom line is that the only stickers that matter are the ones on the trailer listing GVWR and axle ratings. Keystone is always changing (improving) these things...the brochures don't get changed.

[Bill Frisbee]

quote:Originally posted by ashlandcpa

patodonn: Good thinking, the missing weight is the gel coat.

Now Bill, based on your math I am thinking that if the axle weight capacity is 12270, shouldn't the axles be heavier than 5200 each?
Yeah, I know, the new kid just keeps asking questions. haha Thanks for the answers.

Dave

Dave, I agree with Brad. What matters is what is on your rig, not what is on the website. The website changes throughout the year. My 3400RL is supposedly a 2005 model ... but it does not have the 2005 specs as shown on the website. It does have all the same specs as the 2006 model (as shown on the website). As has been noted many times and as stated in company literature, Montanas are constantly being upgraded and changed. All 2006 models are not alike. Somewhere along the line (I think it was around December, 2006) Keystone started putting 7,000 lb axles on some models. So people who bought a 2006 manufactured in November got a different rig from those who bought a 2006 manufactured in December. The website is interesting at a certain level but not something to be relied upon for accurate specification data.

Bill

[ashlandcpa]

Thanks to everyone for all the great info.

[bsmeaton]

I suspect the 7,000 lb axles only went on the large frames for the 38'+ rigs in December. Can't be sure because I am limited to what I have in front of me, but I believe the change was to streamline the ordering process through Lippert for build of the heavier Big Sky.