I was looking at this model and the specs. With the dry weight of the rig being over 14,000lb. are the two 7000lb axles enough???Also those hugh slides scare me..

Mountain Mama wrote:I was looking at this model and the specs. With the dry weight of the rig being over 14,000lb. are the two 7000lb axles enough???Also those hugh slides scare me..At 16,000 lbs. there would be 3,200 lbs. on the hitch, so just 12,800 on the axles.Jerry

Mountain Mama wrote:I was looking at this model and the specs. With the dry weight of the rig being over 14,000lb. are the two 7000lb axles enough???Also those hugh slides scare me..I agree. They seem =very= marginal for a 17k GVW rig. I'd certainly dump the E-rated tires PDQ and see if there's an optional heavier axle/tire combo offered.Lyle

MFL wrote:Mountain Mama wrote:I was looking at this model and the specs. With the dry weight of the rig being over 14,000lb. are the two 7000lb axles enough???Also those hugh slides scare me..At 16,000 lbs. there would be 3,200 lbs. on the hitch, so just 12,800 on the axles.JerryNearer 17k GVW, Jerry, if you add the Net CCC to the published dry wt. Taking 20% of 17k, that's 13.6k, way too close to the max cap of those axles.Lyle

laknox wrote:MFL wrote:Mountain Mama wrote:I was looking at this model and the specs. With the dry weight of the rig being over 14,000lb. are the two 7000lb axles enough???Also those hugh slides scare me..At 16,000 lbs. there would be 3,200 lbs. on the hitch, so just 12,800 on the axles.JerryNearer 17k GVW, Jerry, if you add the Net CCC to the published dry wt. Taking 20% of 17k, that's 13.6k, way too close to the max cap of those axles.LyleI agree with you Lyle, if loaded to the max, it would be getting closer. Close is often the norm anymore, but hopefully it would not be loaded to the max.I would think the E-rated tires, would be the first bigger concern.Jerry

MFL wrote:laknox wrote:MFL wrote:Mountain Mama wrote:I was looking at this model and the specs. With the dry weight of the rig being over 14,000lb. are the two 7000lb axles enough???Also those hugh slides scare me..At 16,000 lbs. there would be 3,200 lbs. on the hitch, so just 12,800 on the axles.JerryNearer 17k GVW, Jerry, if you add the Net CCC to the published dry wt. Taking 20% of 17k, that's 13.6k, way too close to the max cap of those axles.LyleI agree with you Lyle, if loaded to the max, it would be getting closer. Close is often the norm anymore, but hopefully it would not be loaded to the max.I would think the E-rated tires, would be the first bigger concern.JerryHow much more would it cost for 7.2k axles? I'd certainly pay for it, if offered as an option on this FW. Same with factory-installed disk brakes and better tires. :h You can't tell me that the mfrs can't undercut after-market installs on stuff like this if offered, and =still= make a ton of money.Lyle

Lifestyle 5th wheel question | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

pcm1959
Explorer II
Mar 19, 2015
On the subject of tires, I opted for the 17.5 due to: 1) the fact they are offered by several quality manufacturers compared to the Goodyear RST G614 - it the only heavy duty 16" tire with a decent reputation and even they have an issue now and then. The 17.5 tire is the same diameter as the 16 inch G614 but it has a max psi of 125 lbs vs 110 on the G614. 2) the additional thousand pound capacity p/tire. 3) its rare to hear of anyone having and issue with the 17.5 tire.
Independent suspension is an option that at times I regret not getting. Those with it swear by it. I don't have the cost of that option.
Mine did come with the Nev-R-Bearings but not sure if its an extras cost or not......maybe standard with the 8K axles. Phillip
rskeans
Explorer
Mar 19, 2015
I just took delevery of a '15 Lifestyle LS36FW two weeks ago. It had the 8,000 lb axles with disk brakes. The tire's rating went up to the 'H' rated tires. The GVWR went up to 19,100 lbs! The disk brakes are awesome. I had to back the gain down so as not to lock the brakes on the LS. It is a great feeling not to worry about tires, and brakes. It's a good option! BTW, my old 5ver had E rated tires and I had to two blow outs, lost the tread on another which I found accidently when at a roadside rest stop when I noticed the black streakes down the side of my fiver, and another flat of which I don't remember why.

Spend the coin and get the axle upgrade. It's a good investment.
MFL
Nomad II
Mar 18, 2015
pcm1959 wrote:
When I ordered our 2014 LS36fw the 8K axle with Dexter disc brakes that option was $3975. The upgraded 17.5 inch wheels/tires on mine was $1425.

Thanks for posting some figures Phillip! The disc brakes on the 8K axle was more than I would have guessed. I know the 5200/6000 axle is pretty much the same, maybe just bearing difference. I thought maybe the 7K/8K would be similar as well, and not all that expensive. I'm sure the disc setup, was a big portion of the cost.

Nice to not have to worry about the standard tires/wheels. A good upgrade there!

You have a really nice rig, hope you are enjoying it!

Thanks again, for posting!

Jerry
pcm1959
Explorer II
Mar 18, 2015
Gregk55 wrote:
I also own a 2015 LS36. Ordered it with 8000lb axle's, disc brakes & the 17.5 H rated tires. The sticker on the unit now list a weight of 19K lb. Not enough room to put that much stuff in this unit. BTW - could not be happier with the full wall slide. Also, never expected the stopping performance on a big 5er to be this good. I would highly recommend the axle brake and tire upgrades.

Mine has a GVWR of 19k, as well. Placard says I can add nearly 5100 pounds of payload.
pcm1959
Explorer II
Mar 18, 2015
When I ordered our 2014 LS36fw the 8K axle with Dexter disc brakes that option was $3975. The upgraded 17.5 inch wheels/tires on mine was $1425.
MFL
Nomad II
Mar 18, 2015
Gregk55 wrote:
I also own a 2015 LS36. Ordered it with 8000lb axle's, disc brakes & the 17.5 H rated tires. The sticker on the unit now list a weight of 19K lb. Not enough room to put that much stuff in this unit. BTW - could not be happier with the full wall slide. Also, never expected the stopping performance on a big 5er to be this good. I would highly recommend the axle brake and tire upgrades.

Good post, it seems most that would order, would want this upgrade. Lyle mentioned earlier, about paying the cost to upgrade.

I would be curious how much an upgrade like this would cost? If it is not that much, you'd think a wise dealer would order this setup for his own inventory.

Jerry
Gregk55
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
I also own a 2015 LS36. Ordered it with 8000lb axle's, disc brakes & the 17.5 H rated tires. The sticker on the unit now list a weight of 19K lb. Not enough room to put that much stuff in this unit. BTW - could not be happier with the full wall slide. Also, never expected the stopping performance on a big 5er to be this good. I would highly recommend the axle brake and tire upgrades.
neal10a
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
8K axels are offered as an option that is a must. 7K axels are at the margins and would be a constant worry for those who put on a lot of miles.
Mountain_Mama
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
pcm1959 wrote:
I'll put in my 2 cents as a 2014 Lifestyle LS36fw fifth wheel owner. We ordered ours with 8K axles and Dexter disc brakes. The 8K axles increased the payload to a point we will never see.
Scaled the way we travel for a 3 or 4 night trip with 1/4 tank of fresh water and empty holding tanks, no generator or washer/dryer: trailer weight 15320lbs, pin weight 3400, weight on axles 11920.
Very happy with our rig. The full wall slide has been around since about 2009. Lifestyle improved the drive system. Should not be an issue.
Good luck Phillip

I'd rather have too much than not enough! Don't know if I'd ever convince DH on that huge slide tho!
Don-T
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
banjo wrote:
Saw that model at RV Land in Kyle, Texas. They ordered it with 8k axles and disk brakes. I'm tempted.....

We bought our Alfa by Lifestyle from RV Land. It too came with the 8k axles and 17.5 wheels with G rated tires.