Ethos Posted March 14, 2023 Report Share Posted March 14, 2023 I bought a rescue truck that I am converting to an RV. Firetruck chassis with ambulance rear. Being a firetruck chassis, the engine extends over the front axle a bit. Traction on icy conditions is very poor. Tires are in good condition. Steer axle weight is 11,500. Drive axle weight is 7060. Gvwr is 26000 lbs. Will adding some weight to the rear make much of a difference? I'm new to RVing and new to medium duty trucks. All advice is welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappir Posted March 14, 2023 Report Share Posted March 14, 2023 Congrats, please post your progress. Many have thought about it, but only a few have actually done. Traction on Ice is never good. My plan is to stay put unless something really important changes said plan. Be sure to check the dates on the tires. They may look really good, but maybe as old as the rig depending on how many miles are on it. My initial thoughts this morning. Rod Quote White 2000/2010Volvo VNL 770 with 7' Drom box with opposing doors, JOST slider hitch. 600 HP Cummins Signature 18 Speed three pedal auto shift. 1999 Isuzu VehiCross retired to a sticks and bricks garage. Brought out of storage the summer of 2022 2022 Jeep Wrangler Sport S Two door hard top. 2007 Honda GL 1800 2013 Space Craft Mfg S420 Custom built Toyhauler The Gold Volvo is still running and being emptied in July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaydrvr Posted March 14, 2023 Report Share Posted March 14, 2023 As you convert it to an RV, you'll be adding a significant amount of weight. That will help improve both the ride and traction. Putting some of your heavier items as far back as possible will help transfer some of that weight toward the rear and help balance out your axle weights. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted March 19, 2023 Report Share Posted March 19, 2023 Put your auxiliary freshwater tank of your generator fuel tank behind the rear axle. That is a good way to gain some weight in a hurry. Quote Farmer, Trucker, Equipment operator, Mechanic Quando omni flunkus moritati-When all else fails, play dead I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packnrat Posted March 29, 2023 Report Share Posted March 29, 2023 plan your weight right. as you only have 1000 pounds MAX to play with on that front axle. dot max weight is 12,500 pounds. and 500 pounds are a "given" extra as long as the rear is not up to it's max weight. not sure what the max weight is for that class, check first then build up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted June 19, 2023 Report Share Posted June 19, 2023 Well, no, max DOT weight on a steer axle is 19,000#, provided the rim and tire are wide enough, and the axle is rated for it. Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGWALES Posted August 9, 2023 Report Share Posted August 9, 2023 Much heavier than i thought they were. Converting it to RV puts you over the magic 26,000 lb mark. Im 18,000 loaded with clothing and food in the fridge. Without trailer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyretired Posted August 9, 2023 Report Share Posted August 9, 2023 6 hours ago, JGWALES said: Much heavier than i thought they were. Converting it to RV puts you over the magic 26,000 lb mark. Im 18,000 loaded with clothing and food in the fridge. Without trailer The magic 26,000 pound weight is not usually a problem with RV's. Many RV's exceed that, sometimes by a lot but do not require a CDL. Quote Randy 2001 Volvo VNL 42 Cummins ISX Autoshift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted August 9, 2023 Report Share Posted August 9, 2023 (edited) … Edited August 9, 2023 by noteven Too many words Quote "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted September 24, 2023 Report Share Posted September 24, 2023 On 8/9/2023 at 11:25 AM, Randyretired said: The magic 26,000 pound weight is not usually a problem with RV's. Many RV's exceed that, sometimes by a lot but do not require a CDL. Some states, like TX, do require a non-CDL class B license for over 26K RV though. Quote 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Second Chance Posted September 24, 2023 Report Share Posted September 24, 2023 15 hours ago, Ray,IN said: Some states, like TX, do require a non-CDL class B license for over 26K RV though. That would be a Class B for motor homes over 26,001 lbs. and a Class A Non-Commercial Exempt for towable combinations where the trailer is over 10,000 lbs. and the combination GVWR is over 26,001 lbs. Rob Quote 2012 F350 CC LB DRW 6.7 2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS, disc brakes, solar, DP windows Full-time since 8/2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.