8k axle upgrade

[gkurts]

Hello! We are planning on trading our current FW in for a Paradigm 395DS or Valor 44V14 some time this winter or next spring. If we go with the 395DS, I would like to order it and get the 8k upgraded axles from the factory. Does anyone know what it does to the GVWR of the camper with the upgraded axles? It has a GVWR of 16,800 with the 7k axles so I'm assuming it would add about a thousand-ish pounds to it? Thank you!!

 

[darrell]

No, the axles are only part of the equation. I am not sure it would change the number at all because frame, tires, wheels, pinbox, and axle ratings are all part of the equation for GVWR. If I were going to spend money on a upgrade, I would strongly recommend morryde independent suspension, but it is spendy.

 

[gkurts]

Thanks for the feedback! That is a fair point about the Morryde IS and definitely one that is on the table. We had considered it for our current rig but ended up deciding to not put that kind of money into it. I would expect (that's questionable in the RV industry as a whole) them to make frame and other changes needed to have value in upgrading to the 8k axles from the factory, though. Otherwise, you aren't really gaining a lot of benefit. Oh well, we have time before we get there and I'm very anxious to see what comes out in the RV industry in the next 6 to 12 months.

 

[darrell]

I will not say it is possible, but I would be shocked if they did anything other than put heavier axles on the same frame. Otherwise they have to stock separate frames for each option. I suspect they would not be doing that. I think you will get a rougher ride on your trailer without increasing GVWR on it. But you should probably reach out to them directly and ask if they rate them differently based on the axle change.

 

[gkurts]

I had asked on Facebook and someone replied with this. It's really hard to see but there's a line there that shows 8k axles with a 19k gvwr for several models including the 395ds. Good to know!

We got the upgraded 8k axles on our early 2023 model and our GVWR sticker reads 19000 lbs and our CCC is 4484 lbs.

 

[darrell]

Interesting, and good to know as you say.

 

[2 Allies]

Hi gkurts,
We upgraded our '24 395FL and it bumped the GVWR to 19,000lbs from 16,800. This also got us the H rated Cooper tires with 17.5 in rims.
This really helped keep us from being overweight as we added washer dryer as well. The 385 has a huge storage tray in the rear and we would not have been able to fill it without the upgrade.
Hope this helps,
Bruce

 

[darrell]

Hi gkurts,
We upgraded our '24 395FL and it bumped the GVWR to 19,000lbs from 16,800. This also got us the H rated Cooper tires with 17.5 in rims.
This really helped keep us from being overweight as we added washer dryer as well. The 385 has a huge storage tray in the rear and we would not have been able to fill it without the upgrade.
Hope this helps,
Bruce

This makes a lot of sense.

 

[2 Allies]

gkurts,

You may check with your salesman to check with Alliance as they may be installing 8k axles on new 395 and 385 models. Not saying they are, but heard a birdie saying that may be the case.

Bruce

 

[Bozo]

If you want a truly robust frame, you are going to have to go to a manufacturer who builds their own instead of using lippert stuff. Spec’d to manufacturer or not, they are not my idea of a quality, robust, structure.

 

[Lantley]

Having better axles and a better overall suspension is not the the same as having a stronger more robust frame.
Regardless of the quality of the frame, a better suspension will wear better and apply less stress to the frame.

 

[RockDr896]

I have a 370FB and it did affect the GWWR. It did however, increase how much I could pack into the trailer.

 

[darrell]

Having better axles and a better overall suspension is not the the same as having a stronger more robust frame.
Regardless of the quality of the frame, a better suspension will wear better and apply less stress to the frame.

To a point. Heavier axles and suspension will generally result in a rougher ride at the same weight. Kind of how a 350(0) rides rougher than a 150(0).

 

[2 Allies]

Actually the 385 already had 8000 lb springs, so the ride is fairly comparable and you get the higher rated tires as well. Highly recommend this upgrade to prevent a overweight RV.

 

[Midnight Rider]

IMO it has a lot to do with what you plan to do with the rig. Do you really need all the extra weight? If you see yourself overweight immediately with what you have now then upgrade? But just be careful Next thing you get the tail starts wagging the dog and now you need a new truck to tow all this new weight you got? It’s easy to get carried away with it all. Just make sure you need all this extra capacity before you make an expensive upgrade investment, it’s not cheep?

 

[gkurts]

Thanks for all the responses! We're considering going back to full timing and, with a teenager, we would hit the capacity pretty quickly (clothes, washer/dryer, generator, batteries, etc). Currently, we have a Jayco Eagle 355mbqs that we full timed in for a season and the cat scales showed that we were within 100 lbs of capacity. I'd rather have a little extra capacity and not need it than to be over loaded.

 

[terminalhour]

Hi, we got our 395DS last December and I had the 8k axel’s, dual pane windows, and gen prep added. I got the 8k’s because I knew that we would quickly approach (or surpass) the stock 16.8k GVWR. We had it somewhat stocked on our trip out to Texas back in April so I weighed it at the CAT scale. Had about 1/4 tank of fresh water, all the other tanks were empty and the camper came up right at 17,500lbs. As far as the ride going from northeast Georgia to east Texas, I can’t complain. The 8k’s and H-rated tire combo did a great job!