Forum Discussion

Snowbird67's avatar
Snowbird67
Explorer
Oct 27, 2015

cargo weight

Has anyone ever weighed how much cargo they carry in a full time rig? What is the average?
  • Another thing to watch with a Ram truck that has air bags is cargo weight. That is if you overload the cargo weight the truck's senors on the air bags will tell on you by sending information to the truck's computer. This can void your truck's service contract. I went through this problem with a 2014 Ram Eco Diesel Limited. Spent months in contact with Ram and their Engineers, only to be told if you overload the cargo weight you void the service contract. They also told me how they can tell if you are towing more than the truck's weight limit.
  • Snowbird67 wrote:
    Has anyone ever weighed how much cargo they carry in a full time rig? What is the average?


    It depends on how you travel, or =if= you travel. Full-timers are likely to travel pretty heavy, since that's their literal home. Weekenders will tend to travel pretty light most of the time, but may travel heavier depending on the length of the trip and their destination. I know I do. Personally, I have 4k+ of CCC and don't know how I could get that much in my FW, even with 3 full 45 gal holding tanks. Speaking of tanks, don't forget that there could come a time where you might need to travel with full, or partially full, tanks, and that needs to be taken into account. For a short trip, probably not an issue if care is taken, but for a longer trip, you =do= have to be aware of it. I once had to drive down from our annual boondock trip with near-full black and grey tanks because the dump site I normally use was closed and I didn't want to make a 10 mile round trip to the next-closest dump. Yes, I =could= have dumped the grey, but it was raining cats and dogs and it was muddy enough without me adding to it. :-)

    Lyle
  • We have 50ft deep sites at our rv park. 5 ft back from the street for the front so 45 ft left for the rv. New fifth arrived when we were gone up the street so I did not see them arrive so a short walk last evening to see it and it is 2 ft short of 45 ft long. This morning I could see the truck towing it and it is a short chev pickup. WOW is all I can think about that set up.

    chevman
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Snowbird67 wrote:
    We have a dodge big horn 2500, with air bags.. short box.. bought a redwood 38 GK hoping to not overload,. I know we are on the edge.


    Not over loaded on the 5th wheel, or the TV?
    Redwood 38 GK specs
    GVWR 16,500#
    Payload 2,422#
    Hitch Weight 2,594#
    Axle Weight 11,484#
    Exterior Length 41' 5"
    Exterior Height (with A/C)13-2"
    Dry weight 14,078#

    Well the trailer will carry 2,422#.
    The Ram will for sure be over GVWR, and depending on the year might be over GRAWR.
  • Wow, that's a heavy unit for a 2500...What year is your 2500? Looks like GVW on the 5er is 16,500#...with CCC of 2422#...guessing it's 14,078# empty...Air bags will level the load, but doesn't add anymore cargo carrying capacity.

    What does your drivers door placard show rear axle weight rating is. I could see pin weight hitting 3K plus fairly easily.

    I towed a 39' 9" 5er with a GVW of 16, 950#, and it had a pin weight of 3460#.

    Nelieve you'll be pushing the limits of your truck
  • Snowbird67 wrote:
    We have a dodge big horn 2500, with air bags.. short box.. bought a redwood 38 GK hoping to not overload,. I know we are on the edge.


    You are not on the edge, you will be overloaded period. Around 3300 pounds of pin weight plus hitch! Hope you are getting the Andersen Aluminum one. Oh, wait, short bed and may need a slider. My manual slider and picture frame weigh 270 lbs. Sorry but wrong truck or wrong trailer.

    41.5' trailer??? Short box SRW trailer that long, you are into dually arena!

    That trailer would be on the edge with my new 3500 with a GVWR 11,700 and 7k RGAWR.

    Chris
  • We have a dodge big horn 2500, with air bags.. short box.. bought a redwood 38 GK hoping to not overload,. I know we are on the edge.
  • Weigh unit empty, load what you need and weigh again, keeping unit under GVW.

    I think it would be hard to gage...How much do you need, How big of a 5er do you have? I'd guess 2,000#, but it's a guess



    What is your 5th. wheel, or are you trying to figure out what you'll need? I purchased a TH to use garage to help with storage...plan on retiring end of July, 2016.