2017 Octane 222 factory axles and load range C tires too low!???

[drummn22]

I have a 17 octane 222 and noticed that it has #3500 axles and Load C tires called out. Yet the GVWR is #8000!.... How does that work? If I load to the GVWR, those axles and tires (#1800 each max) won't be enough and could be very unsafe!!!
I have a friend that has an 2018 222 and they changed to #4400 axle and 6" wheel for 225 load range E tires!! Mine is the same weight as the 18... So, does that mean they corrected their mistake? What about the safety of the 2015-2017's?
Anyone want to explain this to me? If this is truely unsafe at GVWR this could bring a lawsuit.

[AmericanBiker]

On paper... You would have 7000lbs on the axles and 1000lbs on the hitch.
In real life, it depends on how you load the trailer. I would upgrade the tires and call it a day.

[drummn22]

If it were only that easy.. Most I could do is Load Range D 205/75. Jayco only put a 5" wheel and load E only comes in 225/75 requiring 6" wheel. I guess I could spend more money and upgrade wheels too.
Jayco should have done this when they introduced this model, not three years later!.... makes me question their engineering/design.

[Grumpy]

The tires are probably the GOODYEAR ENDURANCE and they have a load capacity of 2150 at 65 psi so that is 4,300 per axle or 8,600. ENDURANCE was a mandatory upgrade in 2017.

Everybody seems to forget that GOODYEAR designed the ENDURANCE with higher capacities.

[drummn22]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

The tires are probably the GOODYEAR ENDURANCE and they have a load capacity of 2150 at 65 psi so that is 4,300 per axle or 8,600. ENDURANCE was a mandatory upgrade in 2017.

Everybody seems to forget that GOODYEAR designed the ENDURANCE with higher capacities.

Mine is a 2017 and it did not come with Goodyear tires. It came with Westlake 205/75. They are still mounted and going to need replacing next season. Thus the reason for my questions about the major changes in 2018.
Also, no matter what tire you have the axles are 3500# x 2=7000# not the 8000# GVWR the octane 222 is rated for.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by drummn22

Mine is a 2017 and it did not come with Goodyear tires. It came with Westlake 205/75. They are still mounted and going to need replacing next season. Thus the reason for my questions about the major changes in 2018.
Also, no matter what tire you have the axles are 3500# x 2=7000# not the 8000# GVWR the octane 222 is rated for.

You must have gotten an early 2017 since 2017 on line spec says mandatory made in America Tires.. But as was said they figure the rest of the weight on the hitch. You will see that on 99% of the rigs.

[drummn22]

So, you mention hitch weight... Doesn't the distribution hitch move the some of the weight to the trailer? I thought that was the main purpose. If that is a fact then the total hitch weight is not completely on the hitch due to the WDH.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by drummn22

So, you mention hitch weight... Doesn't the distribution hitch move the some of the weight to the trailer? I thought that was the main purpose. If that is a fact then the total hitch weight is not completely on the hitch due to the WDH.

A properly adjusted WDH helps distribute some of the load to the front axle of the tow vehicle instead of it all being on the rear. When the WDH hitch first came out they demo'd it on a Olds Toronado wtih the rear wheels taken off.

[AmericanBiker]

Hope this helps...
Here's my CAT scale ticket of my fully loaded Octane 222SL being pulled by my F150. First without and then with the trailer.
Notice that the trailer axles are at 7480lbs.
13600 - 5400 = 8200lb trailer and WDH weight (truck was weighed without the WDH)

I had 1500lbs of Harleys in the rear and full fresh water over the axles. In other words... you can move weight forward to put more of the trailer weight on the truck.

My trailer also has fiberglass outside walls so it may be a bit heavier than those with corrugated walls.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by AmericanBiker

Hope this helps...
Here's my CAT scale ticket of my fully loaded Octane 222SL being pulled by my F150. First without and then with the trailer.
Notice that the trailer axles are at 7480lbs.
13600 - 5400 = 8200lb trailer and WDH weight (truck was weighed without the WDH)

You lost steer axle weight whcih should not happen. That number should have increased slightly..

Weight distribution works to distribute the tongue weight of a trailer up to the front axle of the tow vehicle so that it will sit more level and handle/brake better. That being said the systems do not "reduce" tongue weight or allow you to tow beyond the capacities of the vehicle.

[AmericanBiker]

I just posted that to show that not all of the weight is on the trailer axles.
That was taken when I was having a light hitch weight issue that was solved by moving one motorcycle forward. The steer axle would be several hundred pounds lighter without the WDH in place, hence only 80lbs lighter with.
Here's that thread... https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ght-70023.html

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by AmericanBiker

I just posted that to show that not all of the weight is on the trailer axles.

Gotcha...