Is my math right? X17Z loading question

[s1njin]

I have a serious question with regards to the above. I really feel like Jayco is playing loosey goosey with the numbers as far as loading capacities are concerned which quite frankly makes me a little concerned.

As I understand it a WDH sends approx 80% of the tongue weight to the truck with the other 20% going to the trailer's axle.

My trailer's axle has a sticker on it that says 3000 pounds max.

If I were to load my trailer up to 3500 pounds, which isn't hard to do considering I only have 350 pounds to play with if I don't drain the water heater, I'm over the axle limit. My yellow sticker reads 3046 pounds. Add battery and hot water tank fill and I'm at 3150. So that leaves 350 pounds.

3500 pound trailer
100 pounds for a WDH

Even at 15% tongue which would allow for the truck to take on as much weight as it can I'm still at 3068 on the trailer axle. 3600 * .15 tongue = 540 pounds. 80% of 540 = 432. 3600 - 432 = 3068 on the trailer which is over my axle rating. And that's if I hit 15% !!!

Unless I'm misunderstanding this I have a real problem with this. At 13% tongue I have 3125 on the rear axle.

I have read earlier model year X17z's had a 3300 pound axle. Jayco changed the frame for 2014 and I'm assuming the axle as well.

Am I missing something?

[Doug]

A quick note.
I believe the WDH is probably about 75 lbs maximum.
Probably 90% of that WDH weight goes against the weight of your TV GVWR.

I am surprised they have a 3,000 lb axle and your TT GVWR is 3,500 lbs.

You're going to be close at any rate.

Let's see what others chime in with. Rustic Eagle is our towing expert and he's usually here every day or two.

Best regards,
Doug

[s1njin]

I've also sent this exact question to the Jayco regional sales manager for my area. I feel if my math is right it wouldn't be a problem w/ a 3300 pound axle. So lets see.

[wmoses]

I suggest the OP go to a scale and get the RV and the combined rig weighed. The answer will then be self evident. Besides, in addition to some surprises, the OP will know how to handle RV load out. Discussing all this on paper is a waste of time without at least a one time as-weighed baseline.

[snappypics]

You are right, Jayco is playing fast with the numbers. I had a post on here regarding axle weights and problems. Jayco advertises that the trailer should be about 2800 pounds empty with a hitch weight of approximately 350 pounds. Well, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out if there is a 3000 pound axle then Jayco knows your tongue weight as to be 500 pounds to come up with the gross vehicle weight of 3500 pounds. When I was at the factory in Middleberry using Jayco's scales we determined my WDH added 100 pounds to the trailer axle. So, my 2013 with minimal camping supplies in it, (no food, bedding and the tanks empty) weighed 3520, with 560 pounds being tongue weight (this was without the WDH). I basically had a trailer I couldn't put anything in, or I would be overweight.

Here is what I ended up with
Axle Weight: 2960
Tongue Weight: 560
WDH Weight: 100
Total: 3620 (OVERWEIGHT)

Then add food, bedding, clothes … it doesn't work out.

[s1njin]

Yes, I'm really not happy w/ anything that runs at close to 100% capacity right out of the gate. That just doesn't seem like smart engineering to me in the least. Maybe its just me, but I always purchase one grade higher than what I intend to use it for; my belief being things last longer that way. It absolutely aggravates me that the rear axle is so close to max capacity without me even loading a sleeping back into the unit.

I had always intended to buy another Jayco the next time around, but this time I'm not so sure now.

[Leedawg84]

Has anyone changed to axle to a heavier capacity axle?

[mtn_bikers]

s1njin - We discovered the same thing 2 years ago with our first hybrid and didn't feel comfortable with it either. This made the decision to upgrade from a X17Z to the X23B a lot easier.

[ALJO]

Some are over rated and some seems under rated. It al depends on the size of the unit.


When I look at my 198RD


GVWR 5900 lbs = 84 % of the weakest link
Curb weight = 4303 lbs.
We're loaded up to 5550 lbs


2- axles rated at 3500 lbs. = 7000 lbs. [Weakest Link in the suspension]
4- springs rated at 2000 lbs. = 8000 lbs.
4- Dexstar Rims rated at 2150 lbs. = 8600 lbs.
4- Tires (Towmax) rated at 1820 lbs. = 7280 lbs.


Present TW = 714 lbs (around 13%)

[Leedawg84]

I spoke with dexter and they told me I could replace my 3000# axle for a 3500# and get new tires rated for more. I'm not too worried about it now but I'll probably do the upgrade when my 2yr warranty is up.

[octane]

I think that when calculating the weight the axle supports, you take the TT weight, and remove the weight of the axle and wheels, so that's a least 200# , same thing for the spring capacity, the springs don't need to support the axle and wheels...

[snappypics]

Read my link from the issues I had with my x17z. I eventually had to sell it because Jayco refused to fix it. Here is the link.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...ems-14190.html

[Raven]

Clearly snappypics got a lemon with a design flaw. I heard that axels have been changed since 2013 design.
Terrible bad experience he had, but it really could have happened to any trailer from any manufacturer.
I bought a x17z this summer and I am very happy with it