The topic about COG got closed for reasons I don't have to understand, but IMHO it shows how little owners understand the technical issues.
So big TC owners are between truck manufacturers who recommend camper COG in front of rear axle and camper manufacturers who build big campers with COG behind rear axle.
I am pretty observant with loading and even with all heavy tools, water and other heavy stuff in truck cabin, having only light cloths in camper rear cabinets, my COG still comes behind rear axle.
With empty holding tanks in the rear and full water tank of front the camper takes 200-300 lb from front axle.
That doesn't seem to create immediate problem with my dually, who seem to handle perfectly without modification, but leaves me no margin for carrying waste water as single try proved significant difference in handling.
I understand that we are small group in whole industry but is there anything we can do, like sending group email to truck manufacturers?
I think Ford's "camper package" for dually actually lowers the safety of using the combo and I simply take it that Ford engineers have never seen heavy camper on their design?
We do have good number of educated people on the forum, who COULD make a change.
So shall we?
So big TC owners are between truck manufacturers who recommend camper COG in front of rear axle and camper manufacturers who build big campers with COG behind rear axle.
I am pretty observant with loading and even with all heavy tools, water and other heavy stuff in truck cabin, having only light cloths in camper rear cabinets, my COG still comes behind rear axle.
With empty holding tanks in the rear and full water tank of front the camper takes 200-300 lb from front axle.
That doesn't seem to create immediate problem with my dually, who seem to handle perfectly without modification, but leaves me no margin for carrying waste water as single try proved significant difference in handling.
I understand that we are small group in whole industry but is there anything we can do, like sending group email to truck manufacturers?
I think Ford's "camper package" for dually actually lowers the safety of using the combo and I simply take it that Ford engineers have never seen heavy camper on their design?
We do have good number of educated people on the forum, who COULD make a change.
So shall we?
What is it with some members who have nothing to add to the topic, yet they have to bring their venom?
And again, your assumption about lack of CDL is wrong.
We are not talking about buying F450 for camper alone.
We are talking about camper and heavy trailer.
Without WD bars, that situation will happen and question is how much the bars will help.
My new F350 has 22,000 lb tow rating.
But it is not useable at all once I drop long camper on it.
All becouse of COG behind the axle.
We are not talking about buying F450 for camper alone.
We are talking about camper and heavy trailer.
Without WD bars, that situation will happen and question is how much the bars will help.
My new F350 has 22,000 lb tow rating.
But it is not useable at all once I drop long camper on it.
All becouse of COG behind the axle.
You assume wrong facts to support your theory.
Everything was perfectly legal. Just not engineered too well.
Would F450 had axle moved back like F550 or mentioned camper special, the situation would never exist.
Everything was perfectly legal. Just not engineered too well.
Would F450 had axle moved back like F550 or mentioned camper special, the situation would never exist.
burningman wrote:
You are fundamentally correct that moving the axle rearward so the camper has less overhang is good for weight distribution and towing.
However, in the real world, a diesel F450 is gonna handle any camper just fine and still have plenty of weight on the front end.....
Not that easy.
My previous F450 flatbed not only had 7.3 Powerstroke, what probably is the heaviest engine you can get on F450, but also had longer wheelbase with 10' bed.
One time I was hauling trailer with one of those 12,000 lb manlift. Due the shape of the machine, I had to put big part of the load weight on hich.
When pintle hook was mounted as close to the axle as it was possible (few inches forward the rear bumper) the trailer weight took so much weight from front axle that my front wheels were skidding on any heavier braking. The truck had ABS only on rear axle.
That made heck of white knuckle driving, where I was using trailer brakes manual override for smoother braking.
That is where I start noticing that it takes F550 to get truck design for hauling, not grocery getting.
And BTW, do F550 with normal bed exist?
