Curb weight
We are trading our class A for a 2016 Forest River 2401w with the Mercedes Diesel engine. We tow a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4wd which has a curb weight of around 4600. Our new rig is rated to tow at ...
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dbertheau wrote:way2roll wrote:dbertheau wrote:
We have a Thor Siesta 24SS. Also has the Mercedes Sprinter 3500 chassis with the 3L turbo diesel. We tow our 2 door wrangler...it weighs in at just under 5,000. We are a bit over combined GVWR, but take it easy.
The vehicle has enough power and with the braking shared between the Mercedes and the Jeep (via the ReadyBrake system of the toad setup) I don't feel any issues with braking. The tranny temps do rise quicker on mountain inclines with the toad compared to no toad, but I take it slow and easy monitoring the temps (using ScanGauge to monitor). Towing on flat highways the rig is great with the Jeep in tow.
With a GCWR of 15,250 and a GVWR of 11,030 that is a net of 4,200 lbs capacity. That's before you add a drop of water, fuel, a single person - anything. After adding everything you need to travel my guess would be it's overloaded by a 1-2k lbs with the toad. To each his own but I wouldn't feel good about being over capacity by 10-20%. Not trying to be the weight police, but there are reasons the capacities exist. If you are over capacity 1-2k on a DP the percentage is much smaller, but due to the low weight to start with on the sprinter - (and thus smaller brakes, motor (188 hp) smaller frame rails) small variances make up a much larger percentage of the total combined weight. That said, people ignore these capacities all the time without issue. But, know the facts. If you choose to ignore them and have an issue or an accident because of it, well that's on you. I would expect a warranty claim related to a frame/chassis, engine, tranny, brake or receiver issue would be denied.
Thanks for your concern.
Torque is 325ftlb. Sprinter braking system is not under designed. Rating for towing is 5,000. GVWR is 11,030. CGVWR is 15,250.
I have scales and I know my weights. Curb weight is significantly less than 11,030. Loaded combined weight is about 250lbs over CGVWR - 15,500.
Your telling me that despite the specs from the manufacturer and your toad weighing in at 5k lbs, that you are only over by 250lbs? That means the specs on GVWR must be off by a LOT. Like 1,000 lbs. Not sure why they would fudge the numbers to make it worse for the consumer but ok...Or do you weigh like 50 lbs and you travel dry with no food water - well anything really??
