COG Questions
New to TCs and researching my first purchase. I've recently read about COG and I have seen it measured in numbers such as .54 etc. does the mean the center of gravity is 4" in front of the rear axle? ...
Forum Discussion
RVIA sets the standards...
the manufacturers must make everything fit and balance to have a product that has the RVIA seal of approval.
RVIA certification effects everything from insurance to financing... while protecting the consumer.
The COG is the balance point of the truck camper... clear and simple.
When the manufacturer finished designing the TC model it should balance front to back and side to side at a point directly over the rear axel and centered from side to side.
Have you ever noticed that very little weight is added to the front axel of your truck when you load your camper on the truck?
My front axel gains 400 pounds with the very large TC loaded. That probable varies slightly as I add or consune water from my water tank/step to the cabover... Adding or using diesel to the trucks tanks wiould also make the front axel gain or lose a little weight.
Other necessary items that cause shifts in balance are the holding tanks, and propane tanks.
To make up for small variations some manufacturers make that balance point as much as a square foot (6" in front of the COG and 6" behind it.
One of the biggest factors about COG of a truck with a truck camper load or any other vehicle for that matter is stearing (too light in the front end you'll have problems with hydroplaning, porporsing, etc) and the loss of distributed braking between all of the wheels on both axels.
If too much of the Truck campers weight is placed on the front axel there will be accelerated wear to all of the stearing and braking componets. And of course tire wear
Most TC's seem to be designed for built in generators like my camper has... and of course a lot of people have aftermarket generators and fuel to haul... so in the end result the weight of a generator is the weight of a generator, some are a lot more convienent.
It is actually fun to try to do things correctly... a challenge.
Some things to think about!
If a truck camper was made like your favorite cake and you started making big changes in the recipe what would happen? would it still be perfect?
Cause and effect... think about it with ever modification or add on.
It's the middle of the night...and I'm
Sleepy
goodnight again
the manufacturers must make everything fit and balance to have a product that has the RVIA seal of approval.
RVIA certification effects everything from insurance to financing... while protecting the consumer.
The COG is the balance point of the truck camper... clear and simple.
When the manufacturer finished designing the TC model it should balance front to back and side to side at a point directly over the rear axel and centered from side to side.
Have you ever noticed that very little weight is added to the front axel of your truck when you load your camper on the truck?
My front axel gains 400 pounds with the very large TC loaded. That probable varies slightly as I add or consune water from my water tank/step to the cabover... Adding or using diesel to the trucks tanks wiould also make the front axel gain or lose a little weight.
Other necessary items that cause shifts in balance are the holding tanks, and propane tanks.
To make up for small variations some manufacturers make that balance point as much as a square foot (6" in front of the COG and 6" behind it.
One of the biggest factors about COG of a truck with a truck camper load or any other vehicle for that matter is stearing (too light in the front end you'll have problems with hydroplaning, porporsing, etc) and the loss of distributed braking between all of the wheels on both axels.
If too much of the Truck campers weight is placed on the front axel there will be accelerated wear to all of the stearing and braking componets. And of course tire wear
Most TC's seem to be designed for built in generators like my camper has... and of course a lot of people have aftermarket generators and fuel to haul... so in the end result the weight of a generator is the weight of a generator, some are a lot more convienent.
It is actually fun to try to do things correctly... a challenge.
Some things to think about!
If a truck camper was made like your favorite cake and you started making big changes in the recipe what would happen? would it still be perfect?
Cause and effect... think about it with ever modification or add on.
It's the middle of the night...and I'm
Sleepy
goodnight again
