Had to put my bus on Weight Watchers

[Danjo]

A few days ago I thought that maybe it would be a good idea to weigh my bus to see where I’m at. The last time it was weighed was when I went to the dump with it when, with the exception of the wheelchair lift, it was down to its tighty whiteys and they said it was 9760.

So yesterday I went to the scale with it loaded with a couple hundred pounds of tools, parts and junk. It weighed in at 12180!

The GVWR is 12,300!

And I don’t even have everything done yet!

I don’t have the interior wood or flooring in yet.

The good news, I guess, is that I have about 500 pounds of liquid in it that represents full tanks.

I need to find places to trim weight. There’s about 150 pounds of ballast, in the form of steel plate just behind the rear bumper. I put 1/2 ply over the existing 5/8 ply that maybe could be removed and replaced with 1/4”, and the bed platform is a little overbuilt and I might be able to glean 20 pounds by reworking that.

I was going to trim the interior in wood.
I might have to reconsider doing the ceiling.

Right now I have the AC condenser removed and under the bed. I’m thinking of looking into reverting to the cutaway’s AC.

Aside from being maxed on the weight it drives and handles really good.

A word of warning to those with cutaways, put your bus on a diet before it’s too late!

Thoughts, opinions, admonishments?

[s2mikon]

Did you get front and rear axle weights? That kind of lets you know if it is belly fat or butt fat.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

on my wifes 3500 with collins body.
even though getting rid of the auxillary/passenger A/C unit that doesnt way a whole lot.
i still have to keep the skirt condensor because it handles the dash A/C as well.
from what i can tell?
wish you could prove me wrong but i am not seeing a split radiator/condensor or anything close in my 2004.
but the front and rear weights as mentioned will help you decide where to shed the weight.
good luck

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by s2mikon

Did you get front and rear axle weights? That kind of lets you know if it is belly fat or butt fat.

Yeah, I’m 280 over on the front axle. It’s likely the full holding tanks. There’s not a lot that can be easily changed except to empty the tanks

[Beirdo]

I assume your weights are apples-to-apples... as in driver out or driver in both times? If not, don't forget to adjust for your own weight, which is also technically part of the GVWR...

Still, probably most of the difference would be your tanks.

[s2mikon]

Also don't forget to look at the sidewall of the tires for load rating. If the rear axle says 15000 pounds and you only have 12000 pounds of tires make sure that the rear axle weight does not exceed 12000 pounds. I always worry more about the tires than the wheel bearings and axles. But be reasonable. See what kind of tires are available to give you a little more load.

[sportyrick]

Give us a quick look at the weight plaque and give me a "show me state" looksee.

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by Beirdo

I assume your weights are apples-to-apples... as in driver out or driver in both times? If not, don't forget to adjust for your own weight, which is also technically part of the GVWR...

Still, probably most of the difference would be your tanks.

I was Standing on the front axle scale at the time.

The black and grey tanks are more forward and I figure they have close to 400 pounds of liquid in them right now

Did I mention that I’m on a diet now too?

[Danjo]

After looking at the Cat Scales website im starting to wonder if I was on the scale correctly and if it was an accurate weigh. I’m going to try again. Wish me luck!

[BeNimble]

You should not have both grey and black tanks full do you also have your fresh tanks full too for this weight? Is this a dually? My e450 is 14,500 gvwr. The 55 gallon fuel tank is very heavy steel, and when full is a lot of weight too. All your windows?

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by BeNimble

You should not have both grey and black tanks full do you also have your fresh tanks full too for this weight? Is this a dually? My e450 is 14,500 gvwr. The 55 gallon fuel tank is very heavy steel, and when full is a lot of weight too. All your windows?

All tanks full. I just filled up. I have a 1/2 tank of fresh and I know my black and grey are just about full. So, all accounted for, about 600 pounds of liquid, not counting fuel. That and the 200 pounds of tools and the ballast that I can remove, about 950. If I delete the bus body A/C, maybe 1100. I’m just going to have to be really minimal in the rest of the build.

[joeblack5]

Why would you fill up the black and gray? I would think fuel and fresh should be full. No need to overload just because you can.

Our E350 are has a max of 9600.
With 4*4 tools , solar and all it weighs 9200.
I am upgrading the wheels to 19.5" to have a lot extra capacity tire wise.

Johan

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by joeblack5

Why would you fill up the black and gray? I would think fuel and fresh should be full. No need to overload just because you can.

Our E350 are has a max of 9600.
With 4*4 tools , solar and all it weighs 9200.
I am upgrading the wheels to 19.5" to have a lot extra capacity tire wise.

Johan

They’re full because I need to go to the dump station. I didn’t realize how full I was, but apparently Cousin Eddie full!