Weighed my Jayco Granite Ridge 3100ss yesterday. Came in at 250 lbs over weight, but 500 lbs over on the rear axle. Spent the day going through everything. Outside rear storage is empty and the front compartments on both sides half full with just essentials. Took out the tv/dvd player, went through all the cupboards and closets. Now have enough food for a weekend and clothes for 3-4 days. Overall took 175 lbs out of the rig and transferred another 50 lbs up front since the front axle has a couple hundred pounds to play with. Since we dry camp and do not have access to water, travel with full fresh water and empty grey/black tanks. I can probably save a 100 lbs by not capping off the gas tank. Ideas? Thanks, Jerry.

Jerry good for you on weighing your Rig, the truth is most people do not, and the roads are filled with overloaded RV's. If you are going to be keeping your RV find a reputable spring / suspension shop and spend some money on upgrades.....Rving should be about fun and having everything you want and need, not removing half your stuff so your not overweight......These manufacturers need to rethink the platform they use for building.....

It's a shame you're in that situation. I"m assuming you're on an E450 cab/chassis. If it's an older unit your GVWR would be 14,050# instead of the newer E450 with a 14,500# GVWR. The difference seems to be in the springs. The older E450s had 4600# front springs (combined) and 9,450# rear springs. The newer E450s have 5,360# front springs and 9,880# rear springs. You could upgrade the springs to give you the higher rating or go even higher (which might result in an uncomfortable ride). I really think with just rearranging and lightening your load you'll be fine. I'm sure going over the rating by a few pounds (relatively speaking), won't cause any problems. Your tires should be aired up to the max to support the weights they're carrying.tire inflation chartHow does it drive/ride now ?

I would add air bags to get to a higher GVWR. They sell some that live inside your front coils ($150). A set of rear bags would be $350.Jose

I don't like to encourage being overweight, but 5% over on the rear axle should be well within the design margins. If the tires aren't overloaded and they are properly inflated for the actual load, I'd probably add some air bags to rear and drive on, as long as it isn't a handling nightmare. If the tires are overloaded, I'd be looking for tires with a higher load rating. Tires with a higher load rating might steer one towards Rickson wheels.

What really is a shame is Jayco would build an RV with those limitations.

what to do with an over weight motorhome | Good Sam Community

DaHose
Explorer
Oct 31, 2013
I would add air bags to get to a higher GVWR. They sell some that live inside your front coils ($150). A set of rear bags would be $350.

Jose
Mich_F
Explorer
Oct 31, 2013
It's a shame you're in that situation. I"m assuming you're on an E450 cab/chassis. If it's an older unit your GVWR would be 14,050# instead of the newer E450 with a 14,500# GVWR. The difference seems to be in the springs. The older E450s had 4600# front springs (combined) and 9,450# rear springs. The newer E450s have 5,360# front springs and 9,880# rear springs. You could upgrade the springs to give you the higher rating or go even higher (which might result in an uncomfortable ride). I really think with just rearranging and lightening your load you'll be fine. I'm sure going over the rating by a few pounds (relatively speaking), won't cause any problems. Your tires should be aired up to the max to support the weights they're carrying.
tire inflation chart
How does it drive/ride now ?
GENECOP
Explorer II
Oct 31, 2013
Jerry good for you on weighing your Rig, the truth is most people do not, and the roads are filled with overloaded RV's. If you are going to be keeping your RV find a reputable spring / suspension shop and spend some money on upgrades.....Rving should be about fun and having everything you want and need, not removing half your stuff so your not overweight......These manufacturers need to rethink the platform they use for building.....

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