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Old 10-20-2016, 06:32 PM   #1
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Weight issues with class C

3170ds

We bought our 2017 3170DS and absolutely love everything about it. We took it on our first week long trip and decided to stop at the weigh station. We have 2 adults and 3 children
We each packed 5-6 pair of clothes, extra jackets and food for most of the time. When we weighed, we were surprised that we were 20 lbs over weight. I plan on taking it for over a month at a time with just me and the kids, but am worried about weight since we were over with only 5 days worth of stuff. This included 3-4 gallons in the fresh water tank, but others were empty. Anybody else experience weight issues?
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Old 10-21-2016, 12:34 AM   #2
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Yes, when loaded with 3 adults and all our provisions for the weekend of boondocking we are at or just above our weight limit on our 3171ds.
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Old 10-21-2016, 05:05 AM   #3
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Your just over the weight limit, and If it were me, wouldn't worry about it. Even adding a bit more water to your fresh tank might bring you 1-2 hundred lbs over, and still wouldn't worry. 4-5 hundred over and then it might cause a problem.
Remember, a lot of large class c's come from the factory at almost their weight limit, empty. Just keep your tires properly inflated and the air bags, if equipped, at the appropriate psi.
20 lbs though...not enough to worry about.
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Old 10-21-2016, 05:54 AM   #4
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I believe the back axle on the e450 is rated at 9,600 and the front axle at 5,000. I believe the load rating for the tires on the rear are 9,880 and the front are 5,360 (225 75r16).

I would be most concerned with going over the tire limits. I am sure the tires have some safety factor built in but the long overhang on the rear of the 3170 increases the dynamic forces on the tires.

I try to keep heavy items stored as far forward as possible. It helps a little.
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Old 10-21-2016, 07:12 AM   #5
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As long as you are not exceeding the weight rating per axle you should be ok. 20# is gone after burning about 3 gallons of fuel.

Weighed our 3011 packed and ready to go with 1/3 water, empty grey and black, full fuel and propane and was under weight on each axle. Add DW and the 3 furry kids and we are over by 120# or so. Once I am at 3/4 fuel I am good.
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Old 10-21-2016, 02:23 PM   #6
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Weight Issues

You don't have to stop at the weigh stations do you?

Did the weigh station let you continue or did you have to loose some of your load?

I dry camp all the time with full tanks just wondering

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Old 10-21-2016, 04:33 PM   #7
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All "C" with slides are close to max out the door,like somebody said watch tire load thats most important.
as far weigh station theyNEVER care in fact i use them all time to ck better then paying Cat or some 4 point weigh outfit usually $65,just go in ask they will say go around again ,even give print out in FL
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Old 10-22-2016, 09:07 AM   #8
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Another 3170DS owner with family of 5... Ours is a 2011 model. We too are right at the rear axel limit when loaded full for a 1-2 week trip.

Through the years I've done a lot of rearranging and worrying about it on our longer trips. 6 years latter I've relaxed and come to accept it and not worry. We have 40,000+ miles on the unit... No issues.

Try not to overload the big rear compartment... It's easy to do. It's so far rear ward that every 100lbs you add back there is like adding 133lbs to the rear and takes 33lbs off the front.

All my tools and such are in the side compartments with the heaveast in the most far forward compartments. Cases of bottled water goes in the one next to the propane tank.

In short keep light bulky stuff in the rear.

Post your weights per axel as I'm interested. Mine are posted on this form somewhere from years back.
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Old 10-22-2016, 09:19 AM   #9
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Forgot to add that we also tow either a Prius or our Odyssey on a dolly. So we are 18,500+ GCWR!
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Old 10-23-2016, 07:46 AM   #10
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Welcome Ssminnow. We have a 2017 3010DS. Ran it across the scales mid trip with full gas, 1/3 fresh, grey and black and a toad on an electric brake dolly. Had tools and 5 pieces of firewood in the back which we moved to the forward compartments and I no longer don't worry about weight.

As to the tire concerns, we do have internal TST TPMS on all wheels, including dolly and toad. It gives piece of mind since we are at the upper end of the weight limit and it alarms for over temp too.
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Old 10-23-2016, 08:25 AM   #11
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Angry

Just finished a 17K trip to Alaska and right before I got home I weigh the rv and when I saw the weight I thought there was mistake, a number I don't want to post, and the water tanks were low.
But still under axle weight, I'm going to be unloading a lot of stuff before I head out next time.
Still frustrating.
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Old 10-23-2016, 08:31 AM   #12
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Weight limits are a confusing issue to me.

If all of us exceeded the weight limit and the RV immediately broke down, then it would be clear to all of us that the weight limit needed to be strictly adhered to and safety/fudge factor arguments would disappear.

My arbitrary opinion/point of view is that 4-5 hundred under and it is unlikely weight will cause a problem to include invisible added stress on various components of the MH.

Low ccc, often ignored by low experience buyers, has been a critical factor in my declining to purchase some RVs. Being able to put a clear number on how much ccc "I" need takes some practical experience that I don't have enough of with my changed circumstances and needs.

My creative solutions are somewhere between inconvenient, impractical, and not top of my desired list. Despite my moving on decision to not buy a particular super C, I have grasped my towable guide and am heading out to the car dealerships to try to find a practical and convenient way of adding storage to a dingy towable. Most obvious would be to tow another truck 4 wheels down OR go to a dp Class A which opens up some interesting towable options. Towing a storage trailer is low on my list.
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