Why tires fail

[Bill]

Ed -

Unless you have weighed your TM, I very much doubt that it weighs 3000 pounds. The dry weight is around 2850 pounds, and the air conditioner alone would bring it up to 3000, with the awning adding another 50. And this is before you have added any of your "stuff". I suggest that next time the TM is in ready-to-camp condition, you find a CAT scale (they are everywhere, and cost about $10) and weigh your rig. It's easy, takes only a minute or two.

As for parking on pressure treated wood - we'll wait to hear from tireman9, but I don't think the chemicals are good for a tire.

That said, your tires and the way you use them (pressure and speed) should ensure that you have little trouble.

Bill

[eddugo]

Hi Bill; I did weigh the camper. Living in the Florida humidity, I do not keep anything in the camper. It is kept indoors in totes - even the microwave. When we go camping, I bring my van up to the door, load the totes, clothes - everything but the cold food in the van, hook up and go. I set the camper up when we get to the site. When we pack up, everything again goes into the van and is unloaded from there at home. Also, I do not carry water and the chair is wrapped in plastic in my garage. Even the heavy foam mattress is stored as we use an air mattress. I try hard to keep the weight down and keep the tires intact. The scale said my camper weighed 2880. that was with everything out and 2 full gas bottles. Usually, I add about 150 pounds with some clothes and cold food and extra chairs. I try to keep it at 3000. Remember too, there is 600 pounds on the hitch. The 2880 was the weight on the tires

[Padgett]

Originally Posted by eddugo

Remember too, there is 600 pounds on the hitch.

My tongue weight is between 435 and 450 lbs. Why is yours so high ?

[Larryjb]

Did you unhitch your trailer on the scale? If not, the 2880 was only the axle weight.

You should also check the maximum for each axle on your TV. While I was under the tow limit for my Tahoe, I was slightly over the rear axle limit once last year.

[tentcamper]

I think the next time I go to the scale. I'm going to try to get the weight one tire, the axle, unhitch and combined TV/trailer. I think it will take 4 readings. I then will be able to calculate my load on each tire, total loaded trailer weight, tongue weight and how im distributing the weight between the TV and trailer.

[eddugo]

Right , 2880 was the weight on the tires. The scale was so busy, they would not do unhitched trailer weight. I am not concerned about total weight anyway - just want to know what the tires are carrying and keep the ratio of weight to total capacity low.

I have weighed my tongue weight several times using a couple different scales and it always comes up around 600 pounds. I did it by using a small scale and a lever. I thought it was heavy too. It may be that Padgett is weighing his loaded with weight in the back - generator. Mine is empty with 2 full gas bottles.

[Padgett]

No, was pretty near empty & was measuring directly (450lb capacity scale zeroed with jack stand alone on - under 15 lbs). Needle had been around. Was the second time weighed - first used two scales and summed but this was more accurate.

Have you added a WDH ?