weights... New Allegro Bus

[dentmac]

Hi,
Interesting... in a new Allegro Bus
Placards GAWR front 16,000
GAWR drive 23,000
GAWR tag 11,000
Total GVWR 51,300

New Math?

[ernie ekberg]

common core math- makes no sense

[cvaughn]

The interstate Bridge law would allow 51,500# for that application.
That is for 3 axles and 240" wheel base. Some of the 45" buses are 267" wheel base. I think they are allowed 53,500#

[dentmac]

But the axles add to 50,000 ?

Single axle max is 20,000.

see:
http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/sw/faqs/qa.cfm#SO-100

[Itchintogo]

I see what your saying Ross, the numbers don't add up. 50000 even. Somehow they invent an extra 1300 in CCW. I am not sure what Charlie means. Hopefully he will chime in. Be curious to know if this is widespread or not. Maybe the Prevost crew can let us know how this is reported on their coaches. Is it a Tiffin thing?

[cvaughn]

Subtract the vehicle weight from the Gross vehicle weight. i.e. 1300lbs of malt beverage allowed. This all goes back to the Interstate Bridge Law.
Yes the law says a tandem axle is rated at 34,000 max. When you check the Bridge law you will find that as wheelbase increases the 34,000 limit increases.

Federal Bridge Gross Weight Formula Bridge Formula Table

http://www.imstransport.com/docs/Federal...ormula.pdf

[dentmac]

Hi,
Perhaps some confusion here.
Your reference is good
Stretching the wheelbase does increase the GVWR. I.E. 267 inch (12.25ft) will allow 52,500# Gross . The wheelbase stretch changes the gross numbers for the 3 axle vehicle, not the combination load capacity. (Looking a the two axle column is the gross for a non tag RV. The tandem axle still does not go above 34,000. Also single axle weight maximum is 20,000.

In the case of the Allegro:
1,The numbers don't add.
2,Looking at the 2016 Allegro, it has 17,000 Front GAWR 20,000 drive, 13,000 tag
This new 2015 had a 16,000 Front, 23,000 Drive and 11,000 tag
(The 2015 Allegro specs on line are 16,000, 20,000, 13,000) ...note 20,000 drives.

I think Tiffin has played with this overweight front end by decreasing the tag load to get the front under 16,000. In their rush to get it sold, someone screwed up the math.It has 315 tires.
Should be fraud.

[cvaughn]

I think all MH manufactures dance with the weight laws to their advantage. One or two motor coaches now have switches on their tag axle that adds weight to the tag by increasing bag pressure and this action will add weight to the steering axle to make the coach comply with regulations, temporarily while crossing weight scales entering Interstate Toll roads. Is this engineering?

Blue Bird, Country Coach and others have all had front axle rating problems.

[Itchintogo]

(02-25-2016 11:53)cvaughn Wrote:  Subtract the vehicle weight from the Gross vehicle weight. i.e. 1300lbs of malt beverage allowed.

Federal Bridge Gross Weight Formula Bridge Formula Table

http://www.imstransport.com/docs/Federal...ormula.pdf

Perhaps the Model should be the Allegro Kegger!