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walkabout1997's avatar
walkabout1997
Explorer
Jul 27, 2014

How to deal with 1997 Tioga Walkabout above GVWR

I recently purchased a 1997 Tioga 23' Walkabout. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is 10500 lbs. The vehicle weight unloaded, but with no water or propane gas is 9640 lbs. So that leaves a carrying capacity of 860 lbs. My wife weighs 120 lbs and I weigh 150 lbs which gets the gross vehicle weight up to 9910 lbs when we're in it and leaves 590 lbs of carrying capacity before the Walkabout is over its GVWR.
My guess is our tools, water, propane, bikes, kites, surfboards, a stand up paddleboard, etc. will add about 850-1000 lbs, so the gross vehicle weight might be as high as 11000 lbs, 500 lbs above the GVWR. The front axle gross vehicle weight rating of the Walkabout is 3700 lbs and the rear axle weight rating is 7500 lbs for a total of 11200 lbs.
There have been a lot of these small motorhomes sold and my guess is that many of them, if not most, are operating above their Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings. I'm interested in suggestions about how to deal with my over GVWR Walkabout, any real world information about how people have dealt with C Classes that are over the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and if I'm correct that many or most operate above the GVWR.
Thanks for your help.
Class C
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Jul 27, 2014
    What chassis is this on?
    And, have you actually weighed it?
    Or, are you working off of specifications?
    Over the years, the Ford E350 (just as an example) has gone from a GVWR of about 11000 to the current model at 12500. You can see why. Still, we had a 1984 24-ft Holiday Rambler (built solidly which means heavy) on a 1983 E350. Weighed all four corners and they added up to just a hair below GVWR once we loaded our travel stuff.
    FYI, I think you're right. The net capacity of many RV's is really thin, so many probably ARE running above max. And most likely loaded lopsided too. Which is why Michelin has an "RV" version of their tire load/pressure chart. It's set up with Corner Weights. The "Light Truck" version of the chart is set up with Axle weights. At least get Axle Weights if you don't already have them. $10 to use the CAT scale at any Travel Center (politically correct term for Truck Stop).
  • Mike_Leslie's avatar
    Mike_Leslie
    Explorer
    Jul 27, 2014
    I'm interested too. We are 5000 under GCWR but we are 1100# over on the drive rear axle. Under 600 on the steer axle. How (where?) do we move the bedding, clothes, bag chairs and leveling wood forward???

    Therefore, we are interested in the answers to walkabout1997 questions.
    Mike Leslie
    29B Minnie 2003

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