41',43' LXi Gross Axle Weight Ratings

[davidbrady]

(06-17-2015 15:57)halkading Wrote:  David,

Newcomer here. I have a just acquired double slide 2003 LX 40 that was weighed with numbers similar to Kurt's - steer 14,780, drive 14,920 and tag 12,300, for a gross of 42,000. Coach build date of 7/2002. Front axle is Dana # 161BN2081. Haven't checked tie rod ends yet. Coach data plate shows Steer axle rating at 14,600, drive at 23,000 and tag at 13,200 for a total of 50,800.

What change would you suggest to get the steer axle and tag axle loads down and the drive axle up? Also, we are looking forward to removing the anti sway bar, softening the shock settings and changing the caster for a better driving experience.

Hal Kading
2003 40LX
Las Cruces, NM

Hi Hal,

Short of moving around heavy components, all you can do to add weight to the drive and remove weight from the steer and tag is to bleed air pressure from the tag. This will have the desired effect. This is done by adjusting the air pressure on your tag axle air spring pressure regulator. On the LXi the air pressure regulator is located on the c-channel cross member just forward of your tag axle. I believe it's in the same location on your LX. Your drive axle is very light which isn't good because most of your traction, both in motive force and braking, is done by your duel drive axle tires. I'd definitely want to get some weight on the drive axle. My quick calcs show that if you drop your tag axle to 9000# your steer axle will come down to roughly 13500# and your drive axle will go up to roughly 19500# putting approximately 32% of your weight on your steer axle which is reasonable.