Distribution Hitch (bare with me, more questions)
Slowly, but surely, with a lot of help from the info being provided here on the message boards, I think I'm starting to get the gist of 'towing' requirements, max. weights, specs, ratings, and so on..
Last week you all helped me immensely with my questions on the travel trailer we purchased. (2007 Pacific Coachworks 28' Tango 256RKS)
So this past Friday we found and purchased a used truck.
It's a 2004 F250 Super Duty Crew Cab XLT, V8 6.0L Turbo Diesel
(3.73:1 axle ratio)
It has the Class V towing package with 7/4 pin connectors
It also has a Prodigy P2 Brake Control mounted in the cab under the stereo.
GVRW: 8,800 lbs
Curb Weight: 5,840 lbs
RGAWR (rear axle gross weight rating): 6,084 lbs
Maximim Towing Capacity: 13,700 lbs
Maximum GCWR: 20,000
Maximum Payload: 2,900 lbs
Here are the specs for our trailer..
GVRW: 7400 lbs
Tongue Weight: approx 10-15% of GVRW = 740 - 1100 lbs
I've estimated this as we have not weighed the trailer
UVW (Unloaded Trailer Weight)is 5500 lbs
*sticker on trailer says the UVW includes the tongue weight/pin weight and axles
So, if I'm correct in my understanding..
Base Curb Weight + Cargo Weight + Passenger Weight + Tongue Load or King Pin Weight = Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
GVW must not exceed GVWR
GVW + Loaded Trailer Weight = Gross Combination Weight (GCW)
GCW must not exceed GCWR
I was looking for a suitable distribution hitch and found this one..
Center Line TS Weight Distributing Hitch Systems, 800-1200 lb. Tongue Weight:
The weight of this distribution hitch is 107 lbs by itself.
So I have a few questions..
Would this particular distribution hitch be suitable? It is rated 800-1200 lbs.
By my 'estimates' the tongue weight of our trailer @ 10-15% GVRW is 740 - 1100 lbs + distribution hitch weight @ 107 lbs would be a COMBINED approx weight of 847 - 1207 lbs.
Am I doing the math right??
I also continued to do my math, and it looks like we would be well within the maximum rear axle weight rating (taking into considerations and padding the numbers to include things like cargo weight, passenger weight and tongue/distribution hitch load.
This was my math for that..
For the GVR weight, I added the following
Curb weight of vehicle: 5840 lbs
Cargo weight: 580 lbs (estimated @ 10%)
Passenger weight: 600 lbs (estimated, including me, hubby, and our 2 dogs, lol)
Tongue Load w/ DH estimated 1200 lbs
Total GVR: 8220 lbs
Our Trailer Gross Weight Rating is 7400 lbs
so the combined truck and trailer together would be approx. 15,620 lbs which is within the Maximum GCWR for this truck @ 20,000 lbs.
do I really have the gist of this...or am I completely way off?
Is there anything else that I need to be taking into consideration?
and as far as the Distribution hitch that I mentioned, would this be the correct one? Also, if anyone has any reviews or thoughts on this particular brand of DH, I would very much appreciate what your thoughts are as far as how it tows..
Once again, thank you for all of your help..and please forgive all of my questions. This is how I learn (by asking a ton of questions)
I just want to make sure that before we go hitting the open road, so to speak, that we are not overloaded and are using a DH that is correctly rated.
((HUGS))
Last week you all helped me immensely with my questions on the travel trailer we purchased. (2007 Pacific Coachworks 28' Tango 256RKS)
So this past Friday we found and purchased a used truck.
It's a 2004 F250 Super Duty Crew Cab XLT, V8 6.0L Turbo Diesel
(3.73:1 axle ratio)
It has the Class V towing package with 7/4 pin connectors
It also has a Prodigy P2 Brake Control mounted in the cab under the stereo.
GVRW: 8,800 lbs
Curb Weight: 5,840 lbs
RGAWR (rear axle gross weight rating): 6,084 lbs
Maximim Towing Capacity: 13,700 lbs
Maximum GCWR: 20,000
Maximum Payload: 2,900 lbs
Here are the specs for our trailer..
GVRW: 7400 lbs
Tongue Weight: approx 10-15% of GVRW = 740 - 1100 lbs
I've estimated this as we have not weighed the trailer
UVW (Unloaded Trailer Weight)is 5500 lbs
*sticker on trailer says the UVW includes the tongue weight/pin weight and axles
So, if I'm correct in my understanding..
Base Curb Weight + Cargo Weight + Passenger Weight + Tongue Load or King Pin Weight = Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
GVW must not exceed GVWR
GVW + Loaded Trailer Weight = Gross Combination Weight (GCW)
GCW must not exceed GCWR
I was looking for a suitable distribution hitch and found this one..
Center Line TS Weight Distributing Hitch Systems, 800-1200 lb. Tongue Weight:
The weight of this distribution hitch is 107 lbs by itself.
So I have a few questions..
Would this particular distribution hitch be suitable? It is rated 800-1200 lbs.
By my 'estimates' the tongue weight of our trailer @ 10-15% GVRW is 740 - 1100 lbs + distribution hitch weight @ 107 lbs would be a COMBINED approx weight of 847 - 1207 lbs.
Am I doing the math right??
I also continued to do my math, and it looks like we would be well within the maximum rear axle weight rating (taking into considerations and padding the numbers to include things like cargo weight, passenger weight and tongue/distribution hitch load.
This was my math for that..
For the GVR weight, I added the following
Curb weight of vehicle: 5840 lbs
Cargo weight: 580 lbs (estimated @ 10%)
Passenger weight: 600 lbs (estimated, including me, hubby, and our 2 dogs, lol)
Tongue Load w/ DH estimated 1200 lbs
Total GVR: 8220 lbs
Our Trailer Gross Weight Rating is 7400 lbs
so the combined truck and trailer together would be approx. 15,620 lbs which is within the Maximum GCWR for this truck @ 20,000 lbs.
do I really have the gist of this...or am I completely way off?
Is there anything else that I need to be taking into consideration?
and as far as the Distribution hitch that I mentioned, would this be the correct one? Also, if anyone has any reviews or thoughts on this particular brand of DH, I would very much appreciate what your thoughts are as far as how it tows..
Once again, thank you for all of your help..and please forgive all of my questions. This is how I learn (by asking a ton of questions)
I just want to make sure that before we go hitting the open road, so to speak, that we are not overloaded and are using a DH that is correctly rated.
((HUGS))
