32 replies to this topic

[EYEMLOST]

Only thing I see here that would worry me is the fact that the camper removes 260 pounds from the front wheels.  Less traction in front for steering, more tendency to understeer initially, with perhaps some snap oversteer too.  

The weigh-in did not include me; just the empty Bronco and the empty/half-gutted Granby.

 

 

I happen to weigh 250lbs.

 

Would my weight in the driver's seat be forward enough to cancel that weight shift?

[Wallowa]

The weigh-in did not include me; just the empty Bronco and the empty/half-gutted Granby.

 

 

I happen to weigh 250lbs.

 

Would my weight in the driver's seat be forward enough to cancel that weight shift?

 

 

The camper is nearly empty....it will I assume not stay that way...so your 250 lbs will be more than off-set when the camper gets loaded....good on you for thinking this through but at the end of the day is it getting "4 lbs of ---- into a 3 lb bag"...yes, it can be done...but should it be...I of course could be entirely wrong and this may make a great off road vehicle...

[EYEMLOST]

1) The camper is nearly empty....it will I assume not stay that way...so your 250 lbs will be more than off-set when the camper gets loaded....good on you for thinking this through

 

2) but at the end of the day is it getting "4 lbs of ---- into a 3 lb bag"...yes, it can be done...but should it be...

 

3) I of course could be entirely wrong and this may make a great off road vehicle...

1) Since I have a front hitch and a hitch rack; I plan using that for carrying water/fuel/future generator.

 

2) Such as life of an off roader! 

Seriously though; since I want to live and not put people around me in peril, I am thinking this through as much as possible utilizing 45 years of off roading vehicle knowledge.

 

3) You bring up a good/philosophical point:

Barring safety; where does one draw the line?

 

Example: 

I'm on this RV/camping website and one other.

One theme that is repeated over and over again on both sites is a truck camper set-up packed for a trip and is overloaded; exceeding it's GCWR.

 

My educated W.A.G. is that AT LEAST 60+% of trucker campers, in general, exceed their GCWR on a regular basis. 

 

 

Then there's me; taking a .25 ton rig and making it hold 1+ tons.

 

The front frame rails of my Bronco, firewall forward, is shared with the F-350.

 

However; behind said firewall all the way to the tailgate, the frame rails are shared with the F-150.

 

I installed 1 ton leaf springs and a 1 ton dually axle in the rear; yet it's still mounted to a .25 ton frame. 

 

I installed HMMWV tires that easily handle, and exceeds, my set up.

 

I installed 5.13 gear to put engine performance back to ideal RPM range.

 

 

Both these examples; where does one draw the line at being acceptable?

 

Because both can be argued as being dangerous/unacceptable.

 

 

 

Both are examples of exceeding GCWRs. 

[EYEMLOST]

Just thought of these questions:

 

1) Does this set up have the same issue of weight moving/shift back as mine did:

a) F-350 dually

b.) Biggest/heaviest truck camper

 

 

2) Does wheelbase affect weight being moved/shifted back, or not?

[Vic Harder]

I think wheelbase matters.  That's why I have an 8' bed truck for my Puma/Grandby.  And it is a balance... if turning tight corners and breakover height matter, then a shorter wheelbase is obviously good.  If good/stable handling is important, then weight distribution matters more.

[Zoomad]

The last time I weighed mine with the aluminum headed LS small block was 6500 loaded for a weeklong trip.  I know it's more with the big block I installed.  My camper doesn't even have a floor pack like most do.  The Blazer camper by itself is supposedly close in weight to the fiberglass top I removed to install it.  The difference is what you stuff into the box.  I can carry A LOT of stuff with me and my camper is a lot smaller than a Grandby.  

 

I bet loaded the setup is going to be closer to 7k.  If you got the balance right I don't think it's a big deal.  Yes technically it's over GVW, but last I checked cops aren't pulling trucks with campers over to scale them to see if they are over GVW or not.  I'd bet money that most campers on this site are running at or over GVW loaded for a trip.  

[EYEMLOST]

Went to weigh with this set up (240lbs of water in jerry cans on front hitch) :

 

 

And got this reading:

 

 

Moved two jerry cans to inside of cab:

 

 

Got this reading:

 

 

 

2,800lbs is front GAWR for the Bronco.

Edited by EYEMLOST, 22 July 2021 - 06:18 PM.

[EYEMLOST]

Added a 3rd through-floor bolt.

 

 

If the front wall is foot-0:

At foot-3 (3ft from front wall) I have a through-floor bolt at the centerline and driver side (of centerline).

 

Today's through-floor bolt install is at foot-5 on passenger side of centerline. 

 

 

All four corners have turnbuckles.

[EYEMLOST]

Did some more weight shifting.

 

Put all 6 water-filled jerry cans (240lbs) in the cab:

 

And got this reading:

[EYEMLOST]

As of now; I have 4 through-floor bolts and all 4 corner standard turnbuckle attachment points holding the Granby to the Bronco bed.

 

When is enough, enough (attachment/hold points)?

 

 

I plan on travelling/driving through the back country on both maintained and non-maintained fire roads (forest roads).

 

 

I air down when I'm off-the-road and drive at speeds of 3 to 5MPH.

 

Next week I'll take it on it's maiden off road test drive to see how it handles.