Weight distribution

[pengyou]

How important is weight distribution in the planning of our new chariots? When they were school busses, I think the weight of 60-80 passengers on a bus probably made this a less important decision, but once we rip all of the seats out (pretty evenly distributed throughout the bus) and no longer put 140 pound bodies on each one of them, how will the bus handle? Should things like fuel tanks (diesel and propane) as well as water tanks be put in the middle of the bus so that as the fuel and water are used the weight distribution of the bus is not affected?

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by pengyou

How important is weight distribution in the planning of our new chariots? When they were school busses, I think the weight of 60-80 passengers on a bus probably made this a less important decision, but once we rip all of the seats out (pretty evenly distributed throughout the bus) and no longer put 140 pound bodies on each one of them, how will the bus handle? Should things like fuel tanks (diesel and propane) as well as water tanks be put in the middle of the bus so that as the fuel and water are used the weight distribution of the bus is not affected?

That pax load was distributed more or less evenly. It still is important to properly distribute water tanks, generators and other heavy stuff.

Take your empty bus to a scale, it will give you front and rear weights for $8.

[Tango]

Generally speaking...

it's a good idea to try and keep anything heavy between the axles. Another tip is to put your water supply tank and your holding tanks on the same side. That way, as water is used, the weight distribution stays pretty much the same.

Good news is the springs on Skoolies are set for max loading and it takes a lot of weight to affect them. Even if a full load of kids ran from one side of the bus to the other it would barely be noticed.

[Robin97396]

I can remember the bus driver's screaming at us if we all went to one side of the bus. Occasionally we'd be passing by a car wreck and everyone would move to one side of the bus to see as much as possible. It always got a strong verbal reaction from the driver.