Axle weights and traction

[Ethos]

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.

 

 

[lappir]

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

[Jaydrvr]

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

[jenandjon]

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. 

[packnrat]

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.

[rickeieio]

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.

[JGWALES]

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

 

 

 

[Randyretired]

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.

[noteven]

…

Edited August 9, 2023 by noteven
Too many words

[Ray,IN]

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.

[Second Chance]

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

[GlennWest]

Please quit calling it non commercial license. It is a Class B DL or a Class A DL.

[Ray,IN]

22 hours ago, GlennWest said:

Please quit calling it non commercial license. It is a Class B DL or a Class A DL.

So how else would you educate someone asking about needing a CDL for over-size vehicles? There is a Class A, B, etc commercial and non-commercial license in some states.

That is the most accurate way to separate the licensing requirements.. I'll continue that method unless you explain a better, easier way.

Edited July 11 by Ray,IN

[GlennWest]

But we have DL driving license. There is no commercial wording in this. And as long as we use these for our personal use, not profit, no CDL needed. You confuse people with commercial wording. We are not commercial and should not be concerned about it

[peety3]

On 7/10/2024 at 6:26 PM, GlennWest said:

But we have DL driving license. There is no commercial wording in this. And as long as we use these for our personal use, not profit, no CDL needed. You confuse people with commercial wording. We are not commercial and should not be concerned about it

This is extremely state-specific. By default, class A/B licenses are commercial; most states offer an "exempt" license (designed for farmers, firefighters, etc.), and these have an explicit commercial exclusion. Hence the reason someone above called it non-commercial exempt.

If someone walks into the DMV and asks to start the process for a class A or B license, the DMV will default to commercial unless one asks for an exempt.

[GlennWest]

Not if you ask for a driver's license. That is actually what I did. Asked for a Class A Driving License. He asked why I needed it. Towing over 26000 lbs. he says OK.

[GlennWest]

I believe there are a lot of people towing illegally. I can see a full size dually, toolbox loaded down, 3 fifth wheel that easily weighs 26k. That is actually the only reason we need the Class A is weight

[mike5511]

The CDL requirements are the same for every state. The rest of the nonsense the States come up with for a regular operator's license varies. You DO NOT need a CDL for an RV. Weights, lengths, and other DOT requirements DO NOT come into play for Recreational Vehicles as far as the Federal DOT are concerned.

[Truckman]

5 hours ago, mike5511 said:

The CDL requirements are the same for every state. The rest of the nonsense the States come up with for a regular operator's license varies. You DO NOT need a CDL for an RV. Weights, lengths, and other DOT requirements DO NOT come into play for Recreational Vehicles as far as the Federal DOT are concerned.

Unless said RV is being used commercially such as racing or other ma

[Ray,IN]

9 hours ago, mike5511 said:

The CDL requirements are the same for every state. The rest of the nonsense the States come up with for a regular operator's license varies. You DO NOT need a CDL for an RV. Weights, lengths, and other DOT requirements DO NOT come into play for Recreational Vehicles as far as the Federal DOT are concerned.

https://www.cdlknowledge.com/cdl-requirements-state-by-state/

[mike5511]

On 7/14/2024 at 11:04 PM, Ray,IN said:

https://www.cdlknowledge.com/cdl-requirements-state-by-state/

Seriously?

[mike5511]

On 7/14/2024 at 7:29 PM, Truckman said:

Unless said RV is being used commercially such as racing or other ma

Well then that Recreational Vehicle, as designed, would then be a Commercial vehicle. Much like our HDT, a commercial vehicle by design, become recreational vehicles when used solely for that purpose.

[Danfreda1]

3 hours ago, mike5511 said:

Well then that Recreational Vehicle, as designed, would then be a Commercial vehicle. Much like our HDT, a commercial vehicle by design, become recreational vehicles when used solely for that purpose.

After the title is changed to motorhome or recreational vehicle 

[mike5511]

7 hours ago, Danfreda1 said:

After the title is changed to motorhome or recreational vehicle 

Not necessarily.  Like I said before, each state can be different. If your state licenses it as recreational (no matter what it says on the title)  and you use it for recreational purposes only, the DOT will treat you like any other recreational only vehicle.

[rickeieio]

Wouldn't it be nice if all the states used the same criteria to decide what license we need?  Arizona, for one, won't license a class 8 any way other than commercial, requiring a CDL.  They don't recognize a MH conversion of a class 7-8.

At the other end of the spectrum, Colorado, for one, allows a class 8 to be licensed as a private vehicle, the same as a F-250.

If I had any hair, I'd pull it out.