Jim,

You bring up and excellent point.

In one of the earlier surveys I conducted I collect some actual 

weight data.

I have data on 30 actual van weight and some of them are by axle.

In a couple of cases you will see exactly what you are suggesting.

Front axle weight heavier than rear weight.

Note ... all AW's are heavier in the front by design.

I summarized some of this data and just posted the spreadsheet.

Here's the link:

http://www.roadhaus.com/Tires/Actual Weights.xls

larry chase

roadhaus.com

- - -

Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 10:17:18 -0600

From: jimt camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>

Subject: Re: Van Cargo

I have axel checked more than once as I have made changes on the interior of

my van.

The long of it...

What is often overlooked is the CB (center of balance) changes on the van

when you load up. The weight placard on the early vanagon reflects the

regular vanagon and not a westy load added to it. (can't say about later

vans as I only researched out what I considered discrepancies on my own

van). This is further off by any cargo and the weight of the pax in the

vehicle and where they are. I found a note that in the 80s most mfr used an

avg pax weight of 160 lbs each for 4 pax. This supposedly has been changed

to 175 lbs each now. (enjoying that bigmac?) if you added all that pax

weight to the empty vehicle balance of weight you have just added avg 640

lbs forward of the rear axel to be felt mostly on the front axel. Shifts CB

about 3 inches further forward. Add aux battery a tool box and two more aux

batteries CB now shifts another 2 inches. Add a camping cargo load to the

center of the van and possibly put the load on top of the van in the cargo

carrier and you now shift the CB another 2 inches. The front axel is now

the heaviest load by about 2 inches. Inflation needs to be adjusted

accordingly. (USAF tactical load planning skills put to work)

jimt