Joe West
05-09-2005, 08:33 PM
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 19:21:37 -0500
From: "Norm Helmkay" <corvair@fan.net>
Re: <VV> fc load
Patton,
For what it is worth, my Ultra Van came out of the factory
at 3,420 lbs. It typically runs down the road around 5,000
lbs. with all the mandatory creature comforts, like roof
A/C, 2.8 kilowatt generator, TV, microwave, toilet, etc.
I have Chevy S-10 wheels (14"X6" designed for radial tires,
which original FC 14"x5" wheels were not). I run 195-75-14
light truck tires which last about 3 years (45,000 miles).
Rear axle weighs about 3,000 and front around 2,000. Side to
side weight is almost even.
Don't have any trouble with shift linkage (automatic cable)
or oil pan hitting the ground. I have the manifold logs
turned backwards so the twin mufflers stick out the rear and
have closed off the normal flaps at the rear of the heater
shrouds and replaced them with 2.5 inch trap doors in the
bottom of the heater shrouds. These hang open below the oil
pan whenever I don't need heat.
I also lowered the whole drive train 2" to flatten out the
drive shafts which were angled down quite a bit when I first
got the coach. I have also welded plates on the back of the
trailing arms to beef them up.
Brakes are a problem. The Ultra Van has Chevy 2 front drums
which have 9.5"x2.5" shoes. I believe the FC has 11"X2".
On very long downhill runs, I try to shift down and drive
down the hill saving the brakes as much as I can. There
have been occasions when I have felt the brakes fade.
Typically I go through a set of front shoes in about 20,000
miles. Will shortly try out a set of carbon-kevlar shoes on
the front-end ($79 per axle).
Norm Helmkay
- -------------------------------
Jim Davis wrote:
> Gross weight is 4600 lbs. That is with everything. The
> the net weight is simply the gross weight minus the dry
> vehicle weight. Ramps work with the weight as far
> forwarded in the bed as possible, otherwise at about
> 1500 lbs the rear bumper drags. You also risk loosing
> an oil pan. If the ramp is loaded with the weight
> forward, the shifting linkage (61-early 63 sticks) hits
> the ground at about 1700 lbs. Go to bigger diameter tires
> and the tires hit the wheel well bottoms at 1900 lbs
> (225/70-15). If you are going to exceed 1500 lbs load,
> watch the tire load rating and especially the brakes.
> Trying to get 4,500 lbs to stop from 60 mph is an
> interesting experience. Do I overload mine regularly? I
> got a set of camper rear springs rated at 2,000 lbs per
> axle if you are interested.
> Jim Davis
- ------------------------
Patton Dickson wrote:
>> Does that load include the passengers, or with them. I
>> want to load about
>> 1700 lbs. on a rampside, and want to figure out if it can
>> be done.
>>
>> How important is the weight distribution over the rear
>> axle?
>>
>> Can the suspension be beefed up any to add say 300 more
>> lbs.?
>>
>> Patton
------------------------------
End of Virtual Vairs Digest V1 #190
***********************************
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::::::::::::::
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 19:21:37 -0500
From: "Norm Helmkay" <corvair@fan.net>
Re: <VV> fc load
Patton,
For what it is worth, my Ultra Van came out of the factory
at 3,420 lbs. It typically runs down the road around 5,000
lbs. with all the mandatory creature comforts, like roof
A/C, 2.8 kilowatt generator, TV, microwave, toilet, etc.
I have Chevy S-10 wheels (14"X6" designed for radial tires,
which original FC 14"x5" wheels were not). I run 195-75-14
light truck tires which last about 3 years (45,000 miles).
Rear axle weighs about 3,000 and front around 2,000. Side to
side weight is almost even.
Don't have any trouble with shift linkage (automatic cable)
or oil pan hitting the ground. I have the manifold logs
turned backwards so the twin mufflers stick out the rear and
have closed off the normal flaps at the rear of the heater
shrouds and replaced them with 2.5 inch trap doors in the
bottom of the heater shrouds. These hang open below the oil
pan whenever I don't need heat.
I also lowered the whole drive train 2" to flatten out the
drive shafts which were angled down quite a bit when I first
got the coach. I have also welded plates on the back of the
trailing arms to beef them up.
Brakes are a problem. The Ultra Van has Chevy 2 front drums
which have 9.5"x2.5" shoes. I believe the FC has 11"X2".
On very long downhill runs, I try to shift down and drive
down the hill saving the brakes as much as I can. There
have been occasions when I have felt the brakes fade.
Typically I go through a set of front shoes in about 20,000
miles. Will shortly try out a set of carbon-kevlar shoes on
the front-end ($79 per axle).
Norm Helmkay
- -------------------------------
Jim Davis wrote:
> Gross weight is 4600 lbs. That is with everything. The
> the net weight is simply the gross weight minus the dry
> vehicle weight. Ramps work with the weight as far
> forwarded in the bed as possible, otherwise at about
> 1500 lbs the rear bumper drags. You also risk loosing
> an oil pan. If the ramp is loaded with the weight
> forward, the shifting linkage (61-early 63 sticks) hits
> the ground at about 1700 lbs. Go to bigger diameter tires
> and the tires hit the wheel well bottoms at 1900 lbs
> (225/70-15). If you are going to exceed 1500 lbs load,
> watch the tire load rating and especially the brakes.
> Trying to get 4,500 lbs to stop from 60 mph is an
> interesting experience. Do I overload mine regularly? I
> got a set of camper rear springs rated at 2,000 lbs per
> axle if you are interested.
> Jim Davis
- ------------------------
Patton Dickson wrote:
>> Does that load include the passengers, or with them. I
>> want to load about
>> 1700 lbs. on a rampside, and want to figure out if it can
>> be done.
>>
>> How important is the weight distribution over the rear
>> axle?
>>
>> Can the suspension be beefed up any to add say 300 more
>> lbs.?
>>
>> Patton
------------------------------
End of Virtual Vairs Digest V1 #190
***********************************
majordomo@skiblack.com with "unsubscribe virtualvairs-digest" as the first
::::::::::::::