Front to back or side to side?

[PeteandCher]

Being of a geeky persuasion, I have weighed both axles on my van in both unloaded and fully loaded holiday trim so I know exactly what axle weights I have for any condition as I use the van as a second vehicle not just for holidays. Then I got to thinking how much was on each side, so on the RHS of my German PVC I have: Driver (always) sitting on large battery, sliding door, kitchen always with crockery, pans etc, fridge, wardrobe, 100l water tank in rear wing and loads of storage under bed all topped off with a wind out awning. On the LHS however I have : Passenger (sometimes) sitting on box of electronics, dinette (mostly fresh air), dog under table (sometimes), washroom (again mostly fresh air), Truma and some storage under bed, gas locker with one tiny cylinder as we have compressor fridge and diesel heating. Therefore I am probably much heavier on the RHS but as roads in the UK camber to the left this is probably a good thing. However, my question is this: before a trip abroad should I encourage my passenger (and dog) to eat more pies to counterbalance this?

 

[Roby2008]

Get them into Greggs asap...

 

[pappajohn]

Does it really matter, if stopped each axle will be weighed not each wheel.
As long as the axle is within tolerance it's ok

 

[PaulW2]

Being of a geeky persuasion, I have weighed both axles on my van in both unloaded and fully loaded holiday trim so I know exactly what axle weights I have for any condition as I use the van as a second vehicle not just for holidays. Then I got to thinking how much was on each side, so on the RHS of my German PVC I have: Driver (always) sitting on large battery, sliding door, kitchen always with crockery, pans etc, fridge, wardrobe, 100l water tank in rear wing and loads of storage under bed all topped off with a wind out awning. On the LHS however I have : Passenger (sometimes) sitting on box of electronics, dinette (mostly fresh air), dog under table (sometimes), washroom (again mostly fresh air), Truma and some storage under bed, gas locker with one tiny cylinder as we have compressor fridge and diesel heating. Therefore I am probably much heavier on the RHS but as roads in the UK camber to the left this is probably a good thing. However, my question is this: before a trip abroad should I encourage my passenger (and dog) to eat more pies to counterbalance this?

By design of the German layout you should have a LHD vehicle I think. I'm on the left with the gas bottles, my water tank and battery and much lighter passenger on the right.

(Actually, I'm pretty sure it makes no difference. When you drive a car with limited payload you're also on one side of it.)

 

[suavecarve]

However, my question is this: before a trip abroad should I encourage my passenger (and dog) to eat more pies to counterbalance this?

No.

Use wine boxes for counterbalancing.

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[PeteandCher]

Does it really matter, if stopped each axle will be weighed not each wheel.
As long as the axle is within tolerance it's ok

I was joking really!

 

[PeteandCher]

By design of the German layout you should have a LHD vehicle I think. I'm on the left with the gas bottles, my water tank and battery and much lighter passenger on the right.

(Actually, I'm pretty sure it makes no difference. When you drive a car with limited payload you're also on one side of it.)

True, but have you ever driven a Reliant 3 wheeler? Scary!

 

[TinaLes]

I think this is a very good point raised by PeteandCher, as we all know manufacturers do tend to place more load on one side of the vehicle to get the best internal layout, plus fit the essential services in also, same in some caravans.
One would imagine this could have some affect on how a vehicle handled when braking hard, especially in slippy situations, plus traction also.
I would measure how the van sits on the flat, distance between the tyre top and the underside of the wheel arch, both front and rear to see if there is any appreciable difference.
Any differences in ride height could be adjusted with the use of air bags on the rear axel, same if needed on the front, but this would be more expensive of course.
I guess a set of those Reich type individual weighing scales would be the easiest way to show the extent of any left to right weight differences.
I don't think many of us think about the left to right hand side weight variations, maybe we should and if possible load our vans accordingly.
LES

 

[gus-lopez]

But if you did wish to weigh side to side it is easily possible on many spanish weighbridges that are flat.

 

[Just smiffy]

I think you should eat less pies….

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[pappajohn]

True, but have you ever driven a Reliant 3 wheeler? Scary!

They tended to tip over both ways equally regardless of weight difference.

 

[Barriesimpson]

But if you did wish to weigh side to side it is easily possible on many spanish weighbridges that are flat.

Any ITV station can do this.

 

[1967bowesj]

True, but have you ever driven a Reliant 3 wheeler? Scary!

More scary as passanger in back with a large lad in, white knucle ride

 

[Nanniemate]

Being of a geeky persuasion, I have weighed both axles on my van in both unloaded and fully loaded holiday trim so I know exactly what axle weights I have for any condition as I use the van as a second vehicle not just for holidays. Then I got to thinking how much was on each side, so on the RHS of my German PVC I have: Driver (always) sitting on large battery, sliding door, kitchen always with crockery, pans etc, fridge, wardrobe, 100l water tank in rear wing and loads of storage under bed all topped off with a wind out awning. On the LHS however I have : Passenger (sometimes) sitting on box of electronics, dinette (mostly fresh air), dog under table (sometimes), washroom (again mostly fresh air), Truma and some storage under bed, gas locker with one tiny cylinder as we have compressor fridge and diesel heating. Therefore I am probably much heavier on the RHS but as roads in the UK camber to the left this is probably a good thing. However, my question is this: before a trip abroad should I encourage my passenger (and dog) to eat more pies to counterbalance this?

I think you need a run out somewhere as it appears you have too much time to think.

 

[PeteandCher]

I think you need a run out somewhere as it appears you have too much time to think.

That's retirement for you!

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[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Any ITV station can do this.

But only when the adverts are on!

I'll get me coat

 

[Minxy]

True, but have you ever driven a Reliant 3 wheeler? Scary!

They tended to tip over both ways equally regardless of weight difference.

More scary as passanger in back with a large lad in, white knucle ride

Oi you lot ... Nothing wrong with a Reliant if driven properly by someone who knows how to handle it. .. you can easily drive like you stole it and stay on three wheels! I did!

 

[Nikwilko]

Rear axle will be effected more than front as front has weight of engine & box balancing that axle to counteract the habitation layout.
Rear axle will be effected by layout, this is reason continental recommend a pressure that is normally 0.5bar above that specied for the same Rear axle weight of a Rear van (non motorhome/camper) axle.
The extra 0.5bar allowing for an imbalance of upto 200kg side to side.