Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
I've noticed in my research that most RV's have approximately 3K for cargo space and are on 6K axles. Once you're fully loaded, you'd be pretty much at the stops for capacity.
My question is, when ordering your RV, is it possible to get 7K axles? Would this give you a little more fudge room in packing and stacking?
Thanks in advance.
__________________
Dreaming and doing the homework necessary.
Looking at: F-350/Ram 3500 type truck, possibly an Airstream or a smaller 5th Wheel.
However, there is still time to change the configuration, just a plan.
Different brands and models come with varying axles, tires and carrying capacity. I don''t think you can make any assumptions. Quite frankly 3K CCC is generous and not too many models have it.
Generally speaking, if you upgrade the axles you have to upgrade the tire size and rating to enjoy any benefit. As a guide, you can think of 6K axles with E tires, 7K with G and 8K with H
Some manufacturers will allow upgrades and others no.
Didn't even think about the wheels and tires! Thanks Fred.
Yep, realized that 3K was a pretty good amount but if you have the extra weight rating on the axles, wheels and tires (along with the truck to handle it), it does give that extra safety factor.
That's what I was thinking on this.
__________________
Dreaming and doing the homework necessary.
Looking at: F-350/Ram 3500 type truck, possibly an Airstream or a smaller 5th Wheel.
However, there is still time to change the configuration, just a plan.
Also keep in mind some of the total weight is carried on the hitch, not all weight rides on the axles. So your axles may only be carrying part of the 3000 cargo capacity depending on where the cargo is placed.
I always thought it was strange that the manufacturer wouldn't have put in 7k axles for safety, just to have an extra cushion. Then I saw an article in trailer life showing the breakdown of the weight carried by the 5th wheel hitch and axles....simplified explanation, on our 5th wheel 3000 lbs is carried by the hitch in our truck, 5,000 lbs by each axle so our 13,000 lb total is spread out. Our 6k axles still have an extra 1000 lbs capacity. So in reality the manufacturer didn't need to upgrade to 7k axles for added safety (although the 7k axles do have bigger brake shoes).
Even a travel trailer has weight carried by the hitch.
Factories will upgrade axles or after market installers. In our area there is a boat trailer manufacturer that carries Dexter axles and he will change axles on travel trailers, horse trailers or 5th wheels.
__________________
"Small House, Big Yard "
"May the FOREST be with you" Alfa See-Ya 5'er and 2007 Kodiak C4500 Monroe
I'm not close to buying as of yet but I am taking some serious notes on what to ask for when I do get ready to plunk down the cash on the rig.
What is key to me is safety. Getting the Rig/Truck combo right is paramount. Don't want to be towing with something that isn't going to do the job safely. And I want to make sure that the rig has all the safety in the foundation as I can. Wheels, Tires, Axles and Brakes are the where I tend to concern myself.
__________________
Dreaming and doing the homework necessary.
Looking at: F-350/Ram 3500 type truck, possibly an Airstream or a smaller 5th Wheel.
However, there is still time to change the configuration, just a plan.