Tires and Bus Weight - Why your GVWR is Important

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

The article discusses the challenges of managing a bus conversion's weight, mainly focusing on the importance of adhering to weight regulations to ensure safety and avoid legal issues. It shares an anecdote about the author's experience with weigh stations in Missouri and the potential problems caused by exceeding weight limits, such as tire failures and overworked components.

It explains that passenger buses (for now) are subject to weight restrictions based on their Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and axle limits. It highlights the importance of properly maintaining tires and monitoring weight distribution. It also touches on the impact of overloading buses and how regulators will likely focus on weight and tire inspections.

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[Jim Blackwood]

Does any of that ever become an issue with the 102DL-3? I would kinda doubt it given the full capacity passenger weight.

Jim

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Does any of that ever become an issue with the 102DL-3? I would kinda doubt it given the full capacity passenger weight.

Jim

If it is a conversion, I wouldn't think so, but if you added extra range fuel tanks in one of the bays and 250 gallon fresh and a 250 gallon grey/black tank as I had in my MC-7 Combo, and a washing machine, large refrigerator, built in ice maker and several other appliances, and if you carry a spare tire and lots of tools and spare parts in the bay as I do in my bus, then yo may want to have it weighed.  My personal opinion only. Others on this site may be able to provide more information than I can.

[plyonsMC9]

There have been several discussions on the forum re: proper tire inflation based on the weights carried at each axle.  I've seen situations where tires inflated to full amount listed on the sidewalls created a very harsh ride in our DL3.  I dropped PSI down just a small amount ( < 5 lbs) and it made a huge difference in ride quality.  I've not yet taken the last step, which will be to contact the tire manufacturer requesting the chart detailing weight and recommended PSI.  I've never seen such an item but it has been mentioned on this forum a few times.  I'm planning to do so in the near future, especially now that I've put my name on this post.  :-| 

I have had the DL3 weighed front & back. 

Hope this helps, Phil

[luvrbus]

The 45 ft buses of today are not your father's Oldsmobile,it takes very little to overload the front axle, that is why you see the 365/ 22.5 tires on the front axles now. Conversions are heavy Newell and Prevost are 55,000 GVW lbs now, my Country Coach was 52,000 lbs GVW. They are not using the old reliable straight axle any longer to carry the weight on conversion, they use  the independent suspension and it offsets the 130# psi in the tires ,you can check the Prevost VIP shells for weight and the conversion VIP shell  is rated higher than the passengers' model. Good thing about a DYI conversion you don't have to use all the Granite counter tops, stone floors and 4 slide outs folks want today