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From
http://vsw.fhwa.dot.gov/qa/qasearch.jsp?q=recreational+vehicle&btnG=Go#S0-39
What are recreational vehicles? (23 CFR 658.5)
They are generally a vehicular-type unit primarily designed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use that either has its own motive power or is mounted on, or towed by, another vehicle. (From ANSI)
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Are recreational vehicles subject to Interstate axle weight limits? (23 CFR 658.5)
Yes.
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Are recreational vehicles required to stop at State scale sites? (23 CFR 658.5)
Each State may set its own requirements.
More about maximum weight.
What is the minimum/maximum single axle weight limit that States must enforce on the Interstate System? (23 CFR 658.17)
It is 20,000 pounds or a higher grandfathered weight.
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What weight limit applies when the single or tandem axle, gross, or bridge formula limits result in different maximum weight limits? (23 CFR 658.17)
Whichever is the lowest. To do otherwise would violate whatever weight limit was exceeded.
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May States set weight limits on the Interstate System at less than the Federal maximum weight limits? (23 CFR 658.17)
No. When Interstate System weight limits were raised to the current levels in 1974 (20,000 pounds single axle, 34,000 pounds tandem axle, 80,000 pounds overall gross weight limits, plus bridge formula limits), States were not required to raise their limits accordingly, although most did. However, six contiguous States in the Mississippi valley, referred to as the "barrier States," did not and effectively limited the weight for all vehicles moving across them to their own limits. This was changed in 1982 when Congress established Interstate System weight limits as minimums as well as maximums.
Wanting to clarify on the 23,000 or 28,000 # axles, THEY are NOT illegal like I have been reading over and over again. My heavy duty trucks all have 23,000# axles. In tandem they can only carry 34,000 (w/o permit)(17,000 each)but they are still RATED for 46,000 in tandem.
What it means is that the bearings,brakes, wheels,tires and gears can be subjected to heavier loads without failing.
A 18,000# axle is much less robust built, cheaper quality and it not likely the kind of axle a quality MH will be fitted with. You can find them on a Ford chassis, maybe a Bounder but not a CC or a Newell for heaven sake.
So please, stop calling them ILLEGAL axles. It is only illegal IF you weigh more than the legal limit OR if you exceed the weight of the axle rating. Until you know what they loaded weight of the vehicle is on each axle, YOU cannot keep referring to "manufacturers putting on these illegal axles."
Hookum,
You're correct- A 28,000 lb axle is more "Robust" than an 18,000 lb axle. A manufacturer can put a 40,000 lb axle on if he wishes. Newell and others require such axles to carry the dry or wet weight of the RV without cargo. Driving with the axle over 20,000 lbs is illegal. These rigs have to.
A Newell has an advertised CCC of ~ 6500 lbs. ,therefore the drive axle is required to be well over 20,000 lbs. Probably over 24,000 without cargo.
The Blue Bird LXi450 is 22,000 on the drive axle without passengers or cargo.
I wouldn't temp fate by driving into a government weigh station without good shoes.
Modracer,
Seems your post struck a sensitive nerve with the dream of owning a Newell, over 3500 views & growing. Alright then, lets dream on, we hit the Lotto & limo off to Miami, OK. to order our 625HP Cat w/1900 llbs. of torque garbage disposal equipted spanking new custom 45' Newell.
A check for $1,426,200 is pried from your fingerstips, your state charges more in sales tax than you paid for your first three houses. Now you've got to built a custom garage in your now new home to park it. You trade in those clunkers you drive for new cars, god forbid you not be able to keep up with the Jones's- wait a moment you are now the Jones's!
How long before before your bored with it, how can you upgrade?
Where do you go from here, a yacht, a Lear jet, how about a trophy wife?
Gee, what a problem to have,
I'll think I'll make a $5 Lotto run.
2000 Monaco Windsor 40' 330HP
1988 Suzuki Toad
20' Enclosed "American" Trailer
250, 300 & 400 Honda Quads, Custom Golfcart
2007 GMC 2500 HD Sierra Duramax LMM
Proud Father of A United States Marine!
Mr Brew-Ski wrote: Modracer,
Seems your post struck a sensitive nerve with the dream of owning a Newell, over 3500 views & growing. Alright then, lets dream on, we hit the Lotto & limo off to Miami, OK. to order our 625HP Cat w/1900 llbs. of torque garbage disposal equipted spanking new custom 45' Newell.
A check for $1,426,200 is pried from your fingerstips, your state charges more in sales tax than you paid for your first three houses. Now you've got to built a custom garage in your now new home to park it. You trade in those clunkers you drive for new cars, god forbid you not be able to keep up with the Jones's- wait a moment you are now the Jones's!
How long before before your bored with it, how can you upgrade?
Where do you go from here, a yacht, a Lear jet, how about a trophy wife?
Gee, what a problem to have,
I'll think I'll make a $5 Lotto run.
I like the idea of a trophy wife but what do you do with them--mount 'em on a wall and dust them once a month or sit them on the mantle and polish when needed? Have had two wives neither was a trophy but damned if I didn't mount both of them--that cost me a fortune with the first one. Nope, win the lotto and think temporary trophy girlfriend.
dicnic wrote: Personally, for a really, really nice coach without so many frilly things I would just as soon have a Foretravel. So there!
I've got one of those - currently on my second. If I could afford a Newell I'd have my a nice older double slide in a heartbeat.
I love my Foretravel, but its not a Newell!
Dave Head
Oviedo FL
95 Foretravel U320C SE
M11, HD4060
We have a 04 U320 Foretravel and would take a used Newell any day of the week. It would be nice to have an 04 Newell with a steerable tag axle.
There just seems to be little information available about Newell coaches. Have not been able to find a newsgroup, nothing on Yahoo. We are on the Foretravel and Diesel RV bulletin boards on Yahoo. This thread has been great for supplying comments about this brand of motorhome.
Regards,
Reese
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