Comparing Apples To Other Apples
I went to the RV show yesterday in (where else) Dallas. The Big D. I went with a particular Jayco travel trailer in mind and I also looked at some similar models from other manufacturers. A 37 foot...
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Check the tire weight ratings. If you are looking at really cheap tires with one manufacture, VS good tires with another, that will save you from replacing some $60 tires with new ones that might cost $120 each for a quality tire.
If one brand has tires on the edge of the weight limits, you might also find yourself upgrading from 15" rims to 16" rims to meet your needs for reliable tires!
Remember that a 16,000 GVWR fifth wheel will have around 20% on the pin, or 3,200 pounds in that case. So a pair of 7,000 pound axles will carry around 13,800 pounds maximum, or very close to their limits when at the max GVWR. Some fifth wheels have more pin weight or less. Pay attention to the empty pin weight and water tank locations. If to close to the pin, then it will add substantial weight to the pin while camping.
The 100 gallon fresh water tank on my motorhome can carry 800 pounds of water! Most RV's do not hold that much water.
Also don't buy a 2500 series truck first, and think 'well the dealership says it can tow "anything" because it can not. You will really limit yourself to what trailer you can buy and tow safely when you get the truck first, before deciding on the RV. Look at RV's and find the empty pin weight. Most good fifth wheel hitches will come in a 200 pound crate! You probably plan on having 500 pounds of passengers in the truck along with cargo in there.
So start looking at the pin weight + 700 - 1,000 pounds of weight in the truck. Then look at a truck with plenty of cargo rating. At least it is much easier today to find a truck with a 4,000 pound cargo rating than in years past.
Good luck,
Fred.
If one brand has tires on the edge of the weight limits, you might also find yourself upgrading from 15" rims to 16" rims to meet your needs for reliable tires!
Remember that a 16,000 GVWR fifth wheel will have around 20% on the pin, or 3,200 pounds in that case. So a pair of 7,000 pound axles will carry around 13,800 pounds maximum, or very close to their limits when at the max GVWR. Some fifth wheels have more pin weight or less. Pay attention to the empty pin weight and water tank locations. If to close to the pin, then it will add substantial weight to the pin while camping.
The 100 gallon fresh water tank on my motorhome can carry 800 pounds of water! Most RV's do not hold that much water.
Also don't buy a 2500 series truck first, and think 'well the dealership says it can tow "anything" because it can not. You will really limit yourself to what trailer you can buy and tow safely when you get the truck first, before deciding on the RV. Look at RV's and find the empty pin weight. Most good fifth wheel hitches will come in a 200 pound crate! You probably plan on having 500 pounds of passengers in the truck along with cargo in there.
So start looking at the pin weight + 700 - 1,000 pounds of weight in the truck. Then look at a truck with plenty of cargo rating. At least it is much easier today to find a truck with a 4,000 pound cargo rating than in years past.
Good luck,
Fred.
