Forum Discussion

2BLAZERS's avatar
2BLAZERS
Explorer
Oct 10, 2016

Center of gravity matters?

So using estimated wet weights from Truck Camper.com:
AF 1150 5129# and center of gravity is 55''
AF 990 4781# 55''
AF 992 4897# 46''

On a truck that weighs almost 9K#s how much difference would a 9'' move of the center of gravity feel like? 1150 compared to the 992.

Or just the weight change of 348# but no center of gravity change going from the 1150 to the 990?

Monday morning thinking!!
  • 9" doesn't have as much effect as you'd think.

    A 5000lb camper 9" behind the rear axle of the truck has the same effect as a 1000lb tongue weight on the receiver 45" behind the rear axle of the truck.

    On a 1-ton dually, you wouldn't think twice about hitching up to a trailer with a 1000lb tongue weight, and heading down the road without a weight-distributing hitch.
  • wnjj wrote:
    Multiply the camper's weight by 9 then divide by your wheelbase. That will give you the weight change to/from the front axle.

    I suspect 350# or a 9" change will hardly feel any different.


    So about the amount of change you feel when my dog goes from the back seat to the front seat. :)
  • Assuming your freshwater is at the front and the black/grey holding tanks are at the rear of the TC. How much difference does it feel to you when you have full grey/black compared to empty?

    I think it would be similar effect. Note: I could feel a noticeable difference with the SRW I had with the freshwater moving from the front to the black/grey. I don't feel much with the current truck.

    Of course, you can also feel a similar movement by going from a SRW to a CC.
  • wnjj's avatar
    wnjj
    Explorer II
    Multiply the camper's weight by 9 then divide by your wheelbase. That will give you the weight change to/from the front axle.

    I suspect 350# or a 9" change will hardly feel any different.