So Why Do Manufacturers Not........

[CGDG93]

I have been reading and always thought about this. So many RV's are much heavier on one side VS the other. Why don't manufacturers not pay attention to the weight disparity when designing and building. In stead stove, fridge, microwave TV pantry all on one side then the cheap light furniture and dinette on the other. This doesn't even make sense to someone as simple minded as myself. Why not build a more balanced rig and put Fridge (probably the heaviest of appliances) on one side and balance with stove pantry and the such on the other or even in the middle? Would some thinking in this direction help in the suspension problems that seem to be common?

[SteveTN]

Fridge and stove are on the same side to minimize the gas line run. I'm sure most of use would be happy to pay a bit extra but........

[Aridon]

Floor plan layout, aesthetics, costs etc.

You start moving fridges to the other side you really break up the kitchen areas and block a big part of the wall / slide that would be open and have a big window.

[cookinwitdiesel]

On propane lines, I have runs down both sides of my trailer anyways, since my kitchen and outdoor kitchen are on opposite sides.

I had my bearings/seals/brakes inspected on my trailer in preparation for a longer trip we have planned, the drivers side (water heater, kitchen, 3 slides, etc) showed much more signs of wear and use. The grease was further gone, the breaks had worked harder, the bearings were visibly more "used". It is a shame rigs are not better balanced - but many things about how RVs are built are a shame lol

[SolarPoweredRV]

I think in reality, the coaches are fairly well balanced. While you see the stove and refrigerator on one side, the larger slide is on the opposite side, additionally, the water tanks are probably installed to one side or the other depending on the center of weight distribution.

If you really want to know how well your coach is balanced, find a "Smart Weigh" station (sponsored by Escapees) and have your rig weighed, they will weigh each wheel individually and will let you know if your rig is out of balance. this will let you know if you need to load your heavy items on one side or the other.

[cookinwitdiesel]

I will add, that although it appears my trailer is not balanced side to side, the tire pressures and temperatures are the same per my TPMS (tire/stem temps, NOT hubs/bearings - no data on that currently)

[Cate&Rob]

@CGDG93,

You make an observation that is very true. The two most popular Reflection 5th wheels (303 & 337) carry 800 to 1000 lbs more on the left side because of where all the appliances and storage are located. This is driven by wanting the majority of the windows on the right side . . . overlooking your own campsite, not the neighbour’s.

This weight difference is easy to accommodate by putting stronger springs on the left side, but this is not an engineering concept acknowledged by Grand Design or Lippert. ((There are many threads on this topic on this forum.)

Rob

[Jims94vmx]

Saw an interesting video yesterday. Sumo springs now for towables. The guy noticed less body roll......

https://youtu.be/268RxFsUJsE

[avidcamper]

Hmmm, wonder if these work better than a pair of shocks? They are a little pricey for what you get.

[CGDG93]

Very good comments! My search started in Reflection and the axel and spring issues plague them. I do not want this to be a GD bashing or Reflection as the FPs are pretty much all the same across the industry. It seems so simple to make some changes for example in a RL to place the fridge in the middle against the bathroom wall or opposite the stove and water heater. I believe some subtle rearrangement making for a more balanced unit though might take some getting use to would be accepted once owners rationalize the problems that MIGHT be reduced. It might reduce some problems such as axel and spring failures slides not having to move so much weight etc.