Thoughts on removing coil springs on A1R

[Ronmar]

Haha, that is always my answer to people who ask how to level their new truck/SUV -- instead of installing some hokey leveling kit, just add some weight in the back!

You can level all you want, that wont balance axle weights, and that's an issue if you run CTIS…

 

[hike]

You can level all you want, that wont balance axle weights, and that's an issue if you run CTIS…

After our off road experience in the empty truck showing a lack of rear traction and reviewing the difference between the tare front and rear axle weights we are planning to move more weight rearward in the habitat in an effort to attain more balance. We have also noticed while hauling debris to the landfill, adding a ton or more weight to the rear really smooths the ride characteristics overall—

 

[Ronmar]

Yep, thats why I am not concerned building my habitat out of steel like a ships hull(1/8X3 ribs, 14ga skin). The cab and chassis curbs at ~14.8K i removed a few hundred in the tire crane and lift bars, and am moving much of the mid structure(arch and tire) to the rear so I am starting a little under 14.5K. 1078 curbs ~17.7K, so i am figuring a all up weight approaching 20K should get me in the balance ballpark. now I don’t have the 600# of crew weight included in that curb figure, but I am not counting the added weight for the fairing and cab mods which will mostly cancel that out, or slightly lighten the front axle weight
i bought 4.5K in steel so far and I need a little more to finish the tire crane, mount and interior structure, so that will have me approaching 19K plus a few hundred for internal finish. Will have ~800# of water, but that is located near the trucks CG so that should mostly add axle weight equally…