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Running Heavy This Year On Our 2007 E350, PC Model 2350

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Ron Dittmer

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  • OwnPC: Yes
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Running Heavy This Year On Our 2007 E350, PC Model 2350
« on: September 14, 2015, 03:45:55 pm »
Hi All,

We just returned from a 4 week trip from our home near Chicago to northern California & back.

During preparation to leave home, my wife decided to bring surplus supplies from home rather than purchase them during the trip.  We carried a lot of bottled water & contained drink, and even filtered water in milk-gallon style containers.  I didn't see any harm with it also anticipating a lack of water at our planned visited areas.

During our trip on Interstate 80, we gassed up our PC and tow vehicle at the Sapp Brothers in Ogalala NE where there happened to be a certified truck scale.  I never officially weighed our rig before and wondered what we weighed considering our extra supplies.  I was very surprised by the numbers.



According to the 2007 Ford E350 cut-away chassis specs, the max load is as follows.
front - 3100-4600 (Strange it is a range and not a specific number)
rear - 7800

We were officially 20 pounds shy of the max GVWR load of 11,500, and the load was not properly distributed over the front and rear axles.  The rear axle was around 400 pounds "OVER" max.  I moved what I could more forward, and also lightened the over-all load by reducing on-board water in the main fresh holding tank.  On our older 2007 model 2350, the fresh water tank sits against the rear wall where the weight is in the worst possible place.  I never did weigh the rig again after I shifted the weight around.

I learned something here with our older E350 with a max load of 11,500 pounds.  Even without a slide out, it doesn't take much to over-load (over-weigh) our PC.  Funny that our rig this year offered the most quiet ride ever with minimal squeaks & rattles.  The closer to max load, the smoother the ride.  I also noticed that after I improved the weight distribution between front and rear axles, the rig handled better.

For the record, all six tires had 65psi in them.

You people with a 2008 or newer E350 chassis do have a 1000 pound higher load range so you have a little more breathing room in that regards.  Your weights are 4600-5000 on the front axle and 8500 on the rear axle.

I am now back at work dealing with the old routine again.  :'(  Vacation Is Over!
« Last Edit: September 14, 2015, 11:31:34 pm by ron.dittmer »
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Ron (& Irene) Dittmer
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Carol

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Re: Running Heavy This Year On Our 2007 E350, PC Model 2350
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2015, 09:36:37 pm »
Welcome back, Ron and Irene--I hope your trip was wonderful!

I also have a non-slide rig, a 2015 model 2351 (one foot longer but same floor plan).
I am only one person, but I probably pack a bit more because I full-time.  I also like to travel with an almost full water tank because, well, just because that's the way I like to do it.  Plus I carry several gallons of drinking water.

I had all four corners weighed last winter.  Here is what I came up with:

Front axle total 3,440 out of a GAWR front of 5,000 lbs (drivers side front 1,690; passenger side front 1,750)
Rear axle total 8,290 out of GAWR rear of 8,500 lbs (drivers side rear 4,050; passenger side rear 4,240)
Total weight 11,730 out of a GVWR of 12,500 lbs

It was really helpful to have all four corners weighed and in the condition I normally travel when fuel and fresh water tanks are full (waste tanks empty), so that if I needed to do any shifting I'd have a good clue on what to tackle.  The driver's side total was 250 pounds lighter than the passenger side, so at least the weight of the 2350 or 2351 slide--if I had one--would be on the helpful side.

Just putting the numbers out there in case anyone else is curious about the weight issue.  Oh, and I travel with 65 psi in my rear tires and closer to 70 in the front (rather than the 75 psi recommended for the front, since it is well under the weight rating up there).  The ride is wonderful.

Carol

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Ron Dittmer

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  • Location: N/E Illinois
Re: Running Heavy This Year On Our 2007 E350, PC Model 2350
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2015, 11:22:30 pm »
Hi Carol,

Is your 2351 built on an E350 or an E450?

Like yourself, we like to head out on the open road with a full tank of fresh water.  Given our tank is over the rear bumper, it surly adds a lot of extra weight via the leverage.  We have been known to take showers in a Walmart parking lot when on the road for days.  I guess adding so much extra weight this trip just put us over weight on the rear axle.

Your figures having the passenger side heavier is in-line with the position of your fresh water tank.  Had the scales we used offered corner weighing, I would have done so.  Oh well.  I would have expected something similar.  Maybe even more of a difference but we do place lots of heavy stuff inside our dinette bench seats like bottled drink and my tools, jack, & 30 amp extension cords & such in hopes to balance the rig better.

Yes, posting our weights is very good data to share.  After our rig gets cleaned out, I am thinking of getting it weighed again somewhere local to see how it compares to the weight sticker.  I expect it to be a bit heavier given some things I have installed myself since bought in 2007.

Thanks for sharing!
« Last Edit: September 14, 2015, 11:36:14 pm by ron.dittmer »
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AMW

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Re: Running Heavy This Year On Our 2007 E350, PC Model 2350
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2015, 08:23:08 am »
In March of this year I also had the opportunity to weigh my 2015 PC and was very happy with the capacity and balance.  Because mine is a custom build with a 2100/2400 type floorplan on the uncut 158" E450 chassis, my numbers probably aren't as useful as a comparison, but here they are anyway:

Fully loaded (one person, two dogs, gear and food for 4-5 days) full fuel/full water/empty waste tanks, my coach weighed under maximum capacity by 3020 lbs total...1700 lbs under on the front and 1420 lbs under on the rear.  The passenger side was slightly heavier on the front by 100 lbs and on the rear by 280 lbs...probably because that is the side with my refrigerator and largest storage compartment under the bed.

I did reduce my tire pressure to a point between maximums and the recommendations on the tire chart...55 on the front, 70 on the rear.  The chart specifies that I can go lower, but I'm just not comfortable with that.  I recently had the alignment checked and it is also fine.  I have had no modifications made from the factory and the ride/handling are excellent.
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Carol

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Re: Running Heavy This Year On Our 2007 E350, PC Model 2350
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2015, 09:31:34 am »
E350
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Joseph

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Re: Running Heavy This Year On Our 2007 E350, PC Model 2350
« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2015, 10:36:01 pm »
Ron, interesting numbers.  I need to have mine weighed once loaded as well. I recently read that its estimated a high percentage of rvs on the road are overloaded. I think it stated four out of five but I may be mistaken.  I guess items seem to add up much faster than we anticipate
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Barry-Sue

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Re: Running Heavy This Year On Our 2007 E350, PC Model 2350
« Reply #6 on: September 18, 2015, 02:48:25 pm »
Ron

The reason that the chassis specs for a 2007 Ford E3450 is a range (3100 - 4600) rather than a specific number is because the front axle rating is based upon the specific spring combination installed.

Barry
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Running Heavy This Year On Our 2007 E350, PC Model 2350
« Reply #7 on: September 18, 2015, 03:25:48 pm »
Barry,

Given our 2007 E350 chassis has an 11,500 GVWR and our rear axle is rated at 7800 pounds, that concludes our front axle is rated at 3700 pounds.

Did I understand correctly?
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Carol

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Re: Running Heavy This Year On Our 2007 E350, PC Model 2350
« Reply #8 on: September 18, 2015, 06:24:16 pm »
Ron,
Mine is the newer model, so the GVWR is 12,500 (1,000 more than the older models).
The front and rear axle weight ratings (5,000 and 8,500 respectively) add up to 13,500.
I assumed this is to give the owner some flexibility on where they put their weight.
For instance, I am almost maxed on the rear axle (at 8,300) leaving me just 4,200 for the front (not the full 5,000 it is rated for).
Alternatively, should someone carry very heavy on the front and near the weight it is rated for up there, they would not be able to fully load the rear to its full weight rating.
Again, I assumed it was for flexibility.
On the other hand, we all know the definition of assume, so please, smarter people than I, send in those corrections!
:)
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Barry-Sue

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Re: Running Heavy This Year On Our 2007 E350, PC Model 2350
« Reply #9 on: September 18, 2015, 09:53:43 pm »
Ron,

The minimum rating would be 3700 pounds but it could be as high as 4600 pounds

In addition to the front and rear axle rating other items may affect the GVWR.  Some of the items that could affect the GVWR would be the engine, transmission, differential, tires, wheels, brakes etc.  Any of these items could reduce the GVWR.  It's only as strong as the weakest component.

Here is a link to a site that will help decode the PC VIN
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/vindecoder.php

This is not an official Ford site but it will give you an idea of what is on your particular vehicle. It is important to note the disclaimer that this is a general description of the information generated by the entered vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and some pieces of data may be general to that specific model and not entirely accurate for the vehicle specified. If you look under the equipment tab it will give you the axle ratings.   I would call the Ford Customer Service Group (800-392-3673) with your VIN and they can tell you the specific axle ratings for your particular vehicle.


Barry
« Last Edit: September 18, 2015, 10:29:40 pm by Barry-Sue »
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Ron Dittmer

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  • Location: N/E Illinois
Re: Running Heavy This Year On Our 2007 E350, PC Model 2350
« Reply #10 on: September 23, 2015, 04:40:22 pm »
Well, well, well.  I weighed our rig empty today during lunch time.

I had removed everything not considered "original-ish"  I did not remove the two TVs I had added after we bought the rig, and our 3rd captain seat did replace the original barrel chair.  My redesigned kitchen cabinet 3-drawer system is surely heavier than the original 5, and I had added an accumulator tank & wooden literature organizer, and a few other light weight items like the bathroom towel rack for example.  But I did remove everything not nailed down with exception to the dinette cushions & table, and the mattress....they stayed in for the weighing.  I even removed the 30amp cord, 6-ton jack, tire iron, even the door-stored coffee maker.  I also removed myself.  The spare tire remained mounted as I feel it should for the weigh-in.

Here is our weight empty (full tank of gasoline, 1/4 full of propane, no water of any kind in any container including the hot water & accumulator tanks).


I will take a picture of our PC weight sticker tonight and post it tomorrow.  I need to pay closer attention to what we take along on trips (including passengers) for we have just under 1600 pounds to work with.  Not what I thought was nearly 2300 pounds.

Had we gotten the optional slide-out (adding 400 pounds) we would have that much less to work with.
« Last Edit: September 24, 2015, 09:10:37 am by ron.dittmer »
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Running Heavy This Year On Our 2007 E350, PC Model 2350
« Reply #11 on: September 24, 2015, 08:59:45 am »
Here is our original "as-delivered" weight sticker in our PC.


The difference between the sticker weight of 9255 and our actual weight of 9920, is 665 pounds.  Considering the modest weight changes I made to our rig over the years, I believe our actual "delivered" weight was nearly 600 pounds heavier than the specs stated.  With this new revelation, we will pay closer attention over what we bring on trips, and where inside the rig they get stored.  I believe we never were over the limit.  Just very close to it, and are now better educated over weight distribution.

If you are concerned over the load inside your PC, I would surely get it weighed.  Don't simply do the math based on your PC sticker.
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Re: Running Heavy This Year On Our 2007 E350, PC Model 2350
« Reply #12 on: September 24, 2015, 09:50:14 am »
My feeling is the majority of Class C's going down the road are running at max or over weight.   A triple slide unit over 30' loaded with supplies for a family has to be way over max.  All the more reason to move to the Ram 4500/5500 or Ford F-450/550 chassis I do think.    Ths, Ron G.
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TomHanlon

Re: Running Heavy This Year On Our 2007 E350, PC Model 2350
« Reply #13 on: September 24, 2015, 10:27:20 am »
Ron, the sticker number need to be taken with a grain of salt. They where never correct and this type of sheet is no longer being used. For one the gvw was just a guess by the factory and your unit was never weight. Two the number of sleeping positions is listed as 4 and you only sleep two or three,. You need to add 154 pounds back into your ccc for each person you are not sleeping. Three you changed the front and rear suspension and have not taken this into account yet.

There has not been any reported problems with weight and over loading since the Toyota problem back in the 70/80's. Toyota was selling a one ton truck and the mini motorhomes where coming off the line way over weight. The rear axles were breaking on a lot of them. That is why Toyota stopped selling them. I saw a mini motorhome that broke the axle, they had four adults in it with all their gear for a week long vacation. Big mistake.

Stop worrying and enjoy you PC.
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Running Heavy This Year On Our 2007 E350, PC Model 2350
« Reply #14 on: September 24, 2015, 11:32:40 am »
Tom, I completely forgot to include our heavy duty sway bars, rear trac bar, and beefed up steering stabilizer and shocks.  Thanks for knocking me up side the head.  All combined the suspension upgrades likely added ~100 pounds compared to the parts they replaced.  When considering that, I am ~500 pounds heavier than the original weight sticker.

I learned a lot through this exercise.  I only hope I didn't confuse people instead of educating them.  I am tempted to delete this thread and start fresh, posting things clean, presentable, and in proper order so others don't read partially through and draw a real bad conclusion.

BTW:  We owned one of those Toyota chassis motor homes, a single rear wheel 1983 chassis model HERE.  Do I recall right that you also owned one?  In early/mid 90's Toyota supplied current owners a new free 90's DRW rear axle as pictured in a good faith effort at the time.  I had to sign anti-suit paperwork before getting the axle which I was fine with.  Installation was on us which cost ~$800 which included a few retrofit parts for the change in parking brake cable and drive shaft to work with our old 1983 chassis.  We also added 6 new tires, two 1983 OEM front steel wheels, air bags with compressor, and more so our total was a lot higher.  All the work was awesome, completely changed the way the rig handled for the better.
« Last Edit: September 24, 2015, 11:51:10 am by ron.dittmer »
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