Thor/Four Winds Weight Distribution

December 17, 2007, 10:23:06 am

The Four Winds website is promoting their new 2008 Super C's with loads of cargo space in the rear portion of the RV....specifically, the Dutchmen/Chateau/Four Winds"Features list" , http://www.fourwinds-rv.com/show the Model 34G at 34'7" and a 213.5 wheelbase. My model 33K has a body length of 24'5," so the 34K likely has a B/L of 25'7."

GM has an "Upfitters" website, http://www.gmupfitter.com/publicat/md_2007.htmwhich provides specs on their products that are sold to Special Vehicle Manufacturers.
The document entitled Body Payload Weight Distribution - RV Cutaway on page 8 of their Conventional Cab publication for 2007, shows a chart with a formula for determining the front axle loading based upon a given body length. The 213.5" wheelbase is listed with a maximum B/L of 22,' which is also the frame rail length (CE).The formula is shown, with a disclaimer stating that "... front axle load is 6% or less is normally poor distribution."

After converting body length to inches, and using the 25'7" body length for the Four Winds Model 34G, the resultant front axle loading is a -2.58%.This would indicate that ANY cargo placed in that space will unload the front axle, creating a serious steering control issue.

If you want to "study" the publications in the Upfitters website, then I suggest you copy the pdf files to your desktop, because GM will remove the documents if this information is not in the best interest of Thor/Four Winds.

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