BusyC wrote:
Thanks bpounds for your review of my information! I am glad to have another set of eyes on it. I forgot to mention in my first post that we have an auxiliary tank with 55 gal of diesel in it in the bed of the truck. So if we needed more payload we could just take less fuel.
The rig we are looking at is a Keystone Mountaineer 346LBQ with a sticker shipping weight of 12020, a published pin weight of 2205, and a cargo capacity of 2240. According to our Ford dealership, based on the VIN of our truck, with all of the options we can tow up to 14,500lb.
We love the Mountaineer model because of all of the room for people, dogs, and stuff but it may be too much rig for us. All of the ones that are lower in weight have a very disappointing kitchen setup and the bunks are not full length for an adult. Oh well...may have to wait for newer models.
Well this is a very gray area, GVW are now a higher percentage of the GAWR, those haven't changed much just how much the manufactures feel is now safe to use.
That said this is not a recommendation, but just my personal status, which I am fine with.
My Dodge is also a Camper Special with tow package, but the GVWR is still 8,800# same as all other Dodge 2500's.
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Quad Cab With Tow and Camper packages
Tire: LT 265/75 16 E: Load rating 3,415 lbs.
Engine: 5.9L I6 Cummins: Power (SAE): 235 hp @ 2700 rpm; 460 lb-ft (from 1600 to 2700 rpm)
The engine has a small chip " Power Puck" so I now have about 285 HP and 510 lb-ft of torque.
Transmission Type: NV4500
Transmission: NV4500 5 speed manual
Axle Ratio: 3.55
GVWR: 8,800 - 7,000 = 1,800 With driver (Payload)
Payload: Searched could not find a "stated Payload" 1,800 actual caculated.
Base Weight: (This actual scaled weight, with driver 200#)
Total:7,000
(Front:4,250)
(Rear: 2,750)
GAWR
(Front: 5,200)
(Rear: 6,080): 6,080 - 2,750 = 3,330 (Max load on rear axle before axle Over Load)
5,200+ 6,080 = 11,280 8,800/11,280 = 78.0% of total max axle load.
Total max axle divided by stated GVWR = percentage of axle max.
This is where it get interesting, according to the owners manual!
2500 Quad cab 4X4 GCWR = 16,000#
2500 Reg Cab 4X4 GCWR = 20,000# ??? The added weight of the Quad Cab should come off Max trailer not GCWR.
GCWR: 16,00 16,000 - 7,000 (truck and driver) = 9,000 max trailer
GCWR: 20,000 20,000 - 7,000 (truck and driver) = 13,000 max trailer
So when I scaled on the 1st two nigher, with 3 adults, 2 small dogs, and too much food in the refer, and about 95% of our "stuff" these are my scale weights.
Front axle 4,650#: (4,650/5,200 = 89% of max axle rating)(4,650/6,830 = 68% of max tire rating) (Darn heavy Cummins!)
Rear axle 5,050#: (5,050/6,080 = 83 % of max axle rating)(5,050/6,830 = 74% of max tire rating)
Total Truck 9,700#
Trailer axles 8,400 #
GCVW 18,100#
So am I over loaded by the book? Yes
Are my axles overloaded? NO
Are my tires over loaded? NO
This rig tows and handles fine, pull the worst hills in the Oregon Coast range at 55, not too bad for 3.55 gears
