How much weight is to much for torsion axles

[born-to-be-free]

I was reading about hail damage and it was mentioned that using bondo for repair adds to much weight for the torsion axles, so I was wondering about adding solar panels etc. would that be to much weight for the torsion axles.

 

[Padgett]

Depends on how lucky you feel. According to the chart on the sink drawer in my 2720SL the GVWR is 4217 lbs (max fully loaded) given 470 lbs on the tongue that leaves 3747 lbs on a 3500 lbs rated axle. I am thinking seriously about replacing the Dexter 10H axle with an 11H.

 

[Bill]

I'm not sure that this is directly relevant, but in the more than a dozen years that this forum has existed, we have had hundreds of reports of tire failures, but not a single report of an axle failure.

Bill

 

[rvcycleguy]

I'm understanding the OP to be asking about the torsion lift bars and whether Bondo filler on the roofs will affect the lifting bars.

 

[scrubjaysnest-TMO]

I was reading about hail damage and it was mentioned that using bondo for repair adds to much weight for the torsion axles, so I was wondering about adding solar panels etc. would that be to much weight for the torsion axles.

Solar panels will reduce what you carry in the camper by the weight of the panels; for us that is 34# for two 80 watt panels. I have ignored the controller weight. If you are talking about the torsion bars used to lift the shells they can be adjusted for the additional weight if there is adjustment left. When we put the panels on the rear shell there is a little difference in effort required but really not much. If I mounted them permanently I wouldn't even bother to adjust the bars.

 

[Padgett]

OK generally those are called torsion bars. Since the axle is also a torsion bar (Dexter TorFlex) I got confused.

I just removed the awning from mine and it is much easier to open now but a bit harder to close. Getting it right is a fine balance.

Unfortunately thusfar I have not seen the proper way to set the bars for the proper mix but suspect somewhere in the factory there is a chart of exactly how far the modures are supposed to pop up at each end and another of turns per inch of the adjustment to achieve the proper setting. I just set mine by guess and by golly but can say that a 40 lb difference made quite a change.

Now if you have no adjustment left, you have a different problem. BTW they take a 1 1/8" wrench like the one used for hitch balls. Box is best.