DP Weight distribution?

[Bucky1320]

I have a 99 Harney on a Magnum chassis. It says by SMC on the tag, which I think I have figured out is Spartan.

It has been great, but when it is windy, the front seems to get re-aimed a lot. Kind of like the front just doesn't have enough weight on it. It is a bit worse when we have the trailer hooked up.

Here are the weights:
Front: 4660 lbs
Rear: 15,420 lbs

That is with 1/3rd tank of fuel and 1/2 tank of water. So I think I could have 700lbs or so more on the front axle full. I am way below the front capacity. I am sure I have too much air in the front tires, as I was assuming that I had more weight up there until I recently weighed.

Is this a pretty low front weight percentage? Anyone ever mount ballast up front or find room for a tank up there? My generator is in the back, so I miss out on that weight in the nose.

[Bucky1320]

wolfe10 wrote:

FunTwoDrv wrote:

You may also want to weigh it with your trailer attached just in case that affects the front axle... just a thought.

Gary

Yes, any tongue weight will adversely affect front axle weight, as it adds more than its actual weight to the rear axle and SUBTRACTS WEIGHT from the front axle.

I didn't want to muddy the waters, but those weights are with the trailer attached. I don't have the without trailer numbers with me, but I recall about 350#'s difference on the front. Does the coach do better in the wind without the trailer? Yes. I'm sure that has to do with weight on the front AND a 28' billboard catching additional wind behind us. Adding my car in the trailer reduces tongue weight some, but not every trip is including both cars.

[wolfe10]

FunTwoDrv wrote:

You may also want to weigh it with your trailer attached just in case that affects the front axle... just a thought.

Gary

Yes, any tongue weight will adversely affect front axle weight, as it adds more than its actual weight to the rear axle and SUBTRACTS WEIGHT from the front axle.

[Gjac]

I would think about adding a motorcycle storage up front or a large tool box. Being in front of the axle you would get some leverage.

[Bucky1320]

Good suggestions. I need to make a plan and look for some material.
Thanks!

[FunTwoDrv]

Maybe consider moving, and possibly expanding, your battery bank as suggested if the generator is too much of a project. Adding a 7' piece of 6" solid bar could increase your axle weight by around 750lbs. That and moving the batteries should help.
You may also want to weigh it with your trailer attached just in case that affects the front axle... just a thought.

Gary

[Bucky1320]

wolfe10 wrote:
Wait-- your OE generator is propane. What gasoline generator???

Can't see wanting to add a third fuel source-- already have diesel and propane.

I converted it to gasoline. Propane is a complete pain in the arse for me. I may run the generator for three days or more straight each race weekend. Even with a fairly large propane tank, I can't make it through the weekend. And there is no place handy to fill propane, and the only place I can is only open during the hours I work. Gasoline I can get anywhere and anytime.

[wolfe10]

Wait-- your OE generator is propane. What gasoline generator???

Can't see wanting to add a third fuel source-- already have diesel and propane.

[Bucky1320]

The fuel tank I would like to add in the nose is for gasoline for the generator. If I made a very heavy frame for it, and squeezed as many gallons up there as I could fit a tank for, it could add some usable weight.
The only concern I see (other than room) is that the air conditioning heat exchanger is up there, and I don't want to cut off airflow to it. But then it probably forces air with the fan anyhow. So maybe that isn't that big of a deal.

[wolfe10]

4,660 actual weight on a 8,900 pound GAWR front axle explains it all. And, this is common on those year products because so

I have no idea how technically skilled or motivated you are, but yes it is a lot of work to move the generator, and the logical place is to isolate the forward most section of the basement on the right side of the coach. Access is no different than where it is now.

The other, and easier solution is to go to a scrap metal yard and buy some scrap metal to bolt to the front end.

Your fuel tank is already forward, as is your potable water tank. So house battery bank and inverter, and generator are the two "likely suspects" for moving weight.

[Bucky1320]

Oh, 8900 is front capacity.

[Bucky1320]

So is SMC Safari Motorcoach?
Would love to move generator, but in the nose they left very little room....not enough for that I would say. Plus, access would be a nightmare for service. But that sure would be ideal. Slide out access would be best, but beyond what I want to tackle with the bodywork and all.
Behind the front tires is all basement. Would have to segragate it off of the rest of the basement, and cut the bottom out. Less fun yet.
I would love to get a fuel tank up in the nose. And that isn't out of the question. Would want to extend frame up around it. I have a propane generator, and that has been a pain fuel wise. So I converted it to gasoline. I added a tank in front of the drive wheels, but it is small and didn't put weight where I really need it.
I don't mine putting ballast in the front. Kind of keeping my eyes open for ideas and materials to use.
Thanks for the responses thus far. Please add more if you like!

[wolfe10]

Yup, in that time frame, Safari owned Safari, Harney and Beaver.

[Ivylog]

Some of the short Beaver DPs of that vintage actually had a large steel weight bolted to the frame up front. Moving the generator up front would help. If there is room behind the front cap I'd be tempted to move it there running side to side, But it will be harder to service.

[wolfe10]

No you do not have a Spartan chassis-- at least, I suspect you are on a Magnum chassis, as Safari (Safari Motorhome Corp) owned Harney.

They did a TERRIBLE job of weight distribution. Yes, moving weight forward is an excellent idea.

I have photos of a friend with a Safari who moved the generator from the drivers side "tail pipe" to just behind the passenger's front wheel. Made a big difference.

Ideally you want the same percent of GAWR on each axle. Suspect your front axle is substantially UNDERloaded. This will result in a rough ride, as there is insufficient weight to cause the springs to deflect. Said another way, the motion of every bump is transmitted directly to the chassis rather than being absorbed by springs and shocks.

Do you have air suspension or torsalastic?