Weight

[g1g]

I had a concern about the weight on my rear weeles particulary the left one since everything seems to be on the one side. Well I had the oppertunity to get the back end weighed, unfortunatly I wasn't able to do the entire van but the rear weight was what I was concerned about. My left was 2100 lbs and the entire back end was 4100 lbs. I was basicly packed as If I were on a trip with half tank gas full water and 1/4 in the black holding tank(which is behind the left rear tire) I don't know how this compares to any other van but if it helps anyone that's my info.

[Photog]

Our rear axle weight is 4900 & front weight is 4200. 9100 total, ready for continuous travel.

[Mike]

I can't recall exactly, but I think we're just under 9,000 lbs. with full gas and water.
I'll see if we still have our weight ticket from the MTO scales from two years ago.
I seem to recall we were worried about crushing bridges or some such nonsense.
I still have a slight increase in blood pressure/pulse rate whenever we cross something
rated to support 5 tonnes.

[markopolo]

On my '97 GMC Custom B
Empty but with driver and passenger:

Front: 4020 lbs
Rear: 3860 lbs

Total 7880 lbs

No generator, No Air Conditioner.

I'll go again when it is loaded with gear, water, propane etc.

[markopolo]

I'm going to try to get to the weigh scale this week. I'll fill the fresh water tank and put the bikes on the rear. All my gear is loaded but I won't have food or clothing. It will give me a good idea of the weight though. I'll do it again with food and clothing.

Looking back, I've made many changes since my last visit to the weigh station: Extra battery, A/C, hitch carrier and additional wiring and lights etc. It all adds up.

When I last weighed the van I got the weights for the front and the rear. I'd like to get the weight at each wheel or at least one side in addition to front and rear.

Please post your van weight.

[markopolo]

Ok, two years ago:

Originally Posted by markopolo

On my '97 GMC Custom B
Empty but with driver and passenger:

Front: 4020 lbs
Rear: 3860 lbs
Total 7880 lbs

No generator, No Air Conditioner.

Today:

All of my gear on-board, driver and passenger, full water tanks, full cargo box and bikes on the hitch, some food in cupboard and fridge. Coleman stove, propane bottles, BBQ, screen room, 2 chairs plus 2 lounge chairs, tools, 3/4 full diesel tank and 3/4 full propane tank, pots, pans, plates, utensils .......... etc., etc. Added 2nd battery, air conditioner, inverter & more since last weigh-in.

Front: 4040 lbs
Rear: 4780 lbs
Total 8820 lbs

Pretty close to 1000 lbs heavier Not completely unexpected but a little shocking when I first saw the printout. My vans GVWR is 9500.

[Mike]

There goes the trailer pulling idea?
I had to figure all this stuff out as relates to trailer towing with the truck, before I started shopping for a trailer. Size matters.

[markopolo]

I just exited two trailer weight calculator sites and came back to the forum I think I'm still good to go with up to a 3,600 lb trailer which includes a safety margin. I wouldn't have the cargo box or bikes on the rear of the van. I wouldn't have much more gear if any and I could spread the gear out between the trailer and van to whatever is optimal.

In my case, a simple calculation of GCWR (13000) minus GVWR (9500) equal 3500 lbs which is close to what the calculator (with safety margin) comes up with. GCWR minus todays actual van weight leaves 4180 lbs. The max trailer weight for my particular van (if just an empty cargo van) is 6000 lbs. and that seemingly low capacity is caused by the 3.73 axle ratio. If I had the 4.10 axle the max trailer weight would jump to 7500 lbs.

It would be nice to see some others post their van weight. I'd really like to see some Sprinter weights posted.

[Mike]

Sounds good.
Wanna buy a trailer? Only 3800 lbs.

[Sagittaire]

1990 Roadtrek Popular, Dodge Maxivan B250 (3/4 ton chassis), 171,000 miles. Purchased in 2012 with 142,000 miles.

UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight):
Scale Weight: 7340 lbs. (CAT scale at truck stop)
Cargo and Passenger Weight: 957.5 lbs. (painstaking measurement of all removable interior items, including the rear seat and back cushions)
Resulting UVW: 6382.5 lbs. Yeow! GVWR is 6400 lbs.

1990 Roadtrek Specs:
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): 6400 lbs.
Base Weight: 5200 lbs.
Load Capacity: 1200 lbs. Sounds good. Only wish it were true.

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), Front: 2980 lbs.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), Rear : 3850 lbs.

Well, one month after I weighed the Roadtrek, the left rear axle broke and destroyed the axle carrier when it hit the road at 65 MPH. A whole new rear axle assembly required at cost of $2500 installed. Luckily, there is one rear axle assembly available at a salvage yard with the required 3.90 axle ratio. This after one week of calling salvage yards all over the USA. Cheaper than a new van, but very inconvenient. And people could have been killed when the left rear tire came adrift of the van.

So I'm getting a small cargo trailer and offloading about 850 lbs. from the rig, at the expense of adding back about 150 lbs. of tongue weight. Will still be overloaded, but not nearly as much.

Roadtrek should have used the B350 1-ton Maxivan.

[Photog]

Ref: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1802
I suspect the van is nearly the identical, B250 or B350.
The big difference will be the springs, axle, front suspension components, brakes, and suspension attach bolts.
A small trailer may still be more convenient and less expensive than upgrading the suspension components.