Dual wheel conversion

[Chook]

For interest sake, had my Motorhome weighed yesterday..... two occupants (140 kg), full petrol tank (60 litres), LPG (60 litres), dual water tanks (140 litres), two spare wheels. Total weight 3.7 tonnes (holy cow!!). With no occupants and all tanks empty, 3.3 tonnes. No wonder I need rear duals. Scales say loaded rear weight is 2.5 tonnes, so tyres (195R14) cannot take weight. Tyre Co. tells me nothing I can have fitted will take weight. Even with tanks empty, can't understand why so damn heavy...!  Any suggestions fellas, apart from putting a match to it I mean......?         Chook. 

[Bedfordcrazy]

hey chook, 1st when was it built, 2nd i would look at what materials they used to build the camper. My guess is they have used heavy steel instead of alloy, and maybe thick heavy ply instead of something lightweight. Maybe  try to open up a small area and see what was used to build it. Good luck.

george.

[ben]

we have a caravan here that dad bought and it light enough my 55kg mum and move it around on her own. its called an ultra light:) i agree with george. rip the back off and replace it with something lighter like cardboard:) cardboard is wonderful stuff and ts free. when it wears out go grab some more for free:)

ben

[hotrod]

obviously you weighed it on a heavy gravity day
(must have been the same day my cook jumped on the scales)

[Chook]

OK guys, your humour is overwhelming....lol...  But I suggest nobody gives up their day jobs...... Seriously, I don't have any issues with the reputable mob and their weighbridge because they are just that.... reputable. Even a Certificate issued for registration purposes.  George, thanks for the common-sense. Cab chassis is 1979 but no idea when camper was built on it. Yeh, I can't believe it's so bloody heavy either (today I snapped a rear axle and am hastily searching for one) but soon as possible will take your advice on board and begin a small search to determine construction. Regards to all... Chook.

[Warren]

Chook

Yes the older motorhomes were BUILT At 3.7 tonnes shes some lady

If you are having trouble finding a Bedford dual wheel diff, broaden your search. Look at other brands of trucks, ford, toyota, isuzu etc.

A walk around a truck wreckers might be the thing to do.

I would do lots of messurements of your van ie chassis width, wheel arch openings, distance to the spring etc.

Also consider the diff ratio when purchasing as well.

If you find  diff that meets your requiremnts, but the mounting brackets are in the wrong place dont stress as they can be easily moved.

Warren

[Chook]

Warren, thanks for that info. Nice to know I'm sane. New problem has just come up. We are in Adelaide and have just snapped rear drivers side axle, 21 spline. Help, has anybody got one?? Towed to mechanic's workshop and now "living" inside workshop inside motorhome so situation extremely URGENT. My phone number is 0409040230 and email chook2011@hotmail.com    Regards Chook.

[Chook]

Warren, have located an axle and it is on its way to the mechanic. Fingers crossed everything goes OK. Ahhh! Bedford spares seem to be a problem...or is that an understatement?!.... Cheers.. Chook.

[Big Camper]

As my dear Dad used to say "The Impossible just takes a little longer"
Welcome to Beddy world!

[Worby876]

My 1976 CF Bedford Motorhome is also a big heavy old girl
She is registered with a GVM of 3353KGs and is a LWB with dual
rear wheels 7 x 14.6 so I can fully apprecate what your dealing with.
She is a fibreglass unit and much of the origional furnishings were heavy
particle board, but after Dad had here stranded in the flood waters during
Cyclone Larry he ripped it all out and replaced with stronger but lighter marine ply.

Still with full 80 litre LPG tank, 2 x 120 litre Water tanks and 2 x 55litre Fuel tanks
full fridge and other assorted praphanalia I bet she goes close to 4 Tonne all up.

No Wonder she is so slow on the highway and although it is powerd by a straight 6 202
with extractors, I think the current 4.1 :1 ratio of the 9" diff combined with a Munchie or Aussie
4 speed doesnt help either.

I would like to see her with a 3:55:1 hiway diff with a trimatic or a Celica 5 speed box.

I hope you figure out what you can do to lighten your load.

You can check out the pics of my Bedford Motor home on page 4 of the gallery under Worby876

Cheers

ian