GVW Issue
Last spring we bought a Kodiak 278RBSL (27' 6000 lb) TT. We have a 2013 Ford F150FX2 V6 EcoBoost. We have been towing all summer across all kinds of terrain with no real problems. We have driven in high wind, over 5,000ft mountain passes, etc.
As an avid reader of the forum, I have become aware of the weight issues that have been discussed. Without question, we are on the edge or over it when it comes to cargo capacity for the truck.
We don't have a lot of stuff in the TT. We removed the rather heavy couch and replaced it with two really light IKEA chairs. We don't carry water as a rule (I figure we normally have 10gal in the black tank and that much in the freshwater tank (at the most). We always have the grey empty when travelling. I figure that the maximum we have added to the dry weight of the trailer (which is accurate since Kodiak weighs each trailer after manufacture and puts a sticker on the outside with that weight) is under 1,000 lbs.
However, if I do the math, the loaded trailer weighs about 7,000 lbs. The calculated tongue weight would be between 840 and 1050 lbs. We have a weight distributing hitch.
The F150 has a 1,250 lb cargo maximum. If we figure that the trailer tongue is 1,000 lbs, that leaves only 250 lbs for truck cargo. My wife and I weigh more than that (considerably) not counting any other stuff in the truck. Usually we travel with the truck empty except for a cooler and some camera gear (total under 50 lbs.). Still, with a 1,000 tongue weight, we are probably close to 1,600 lbs; about 350 lbs over the max cargo weight. You don't need to count fuel. That is accounted for in the max cargo weight number.
We can't afford to trade a brand new truck or trailer in for a replacement. Optimally, I think an F250 would be fine.
So the question is more practical. If everything performs well; no springs bottom out, the trailer doesn't sway excessively, no loss of power on steep grades; how serious is this problem? Is a 350 lb overage on a 6,000 + lb truck something important enough to give up RV'ing for a year or more until we can afford a heavier truck?
As an avid reader of the forum, I have become aware of the weight issues that have been discussed. Without question, we are on the edge or over it when it comes to cargo capacity for the truck.
We don't have a lot of stuff in the TT. We removed the rather heavy couch and replaced it with two really light IKEA chairs. We don't carry water as a rule (I figure we normally have 10gal in the black tank and that much in the freshwater tank (at the most). We always have the grey empty when travelling. I figure that the maximum we have added to the dry weight of the trailer (which is accurate since Kodiak weighs each trailer after manufacture and puts a sticker on the outside with that weight) is under 1,000 lbs.
However, if I do the math, the loaded trailer weighs about 7,000 lbs. The calculated tongue weight would be between 840 and 1050 lbs. We have a weight distributing hitch.
The F150 has a 1,250 lb cargo maximum. If we figure that the trailer tongue is 1,000 lbs, that leaves only 250 lbs for truck cargo. My wife and I weigh more than that (considerably) not counting any other stuff in the truck. Usually we travel with the truck empty except for a cooler and some camera gear (total under 50 lbs.). Still, with a 1,000 tongue weight, we are probably close to 1,600 lbs; about 350 lbs over the max cargo weight. You don't need to count fuel. That is accounted for in the max cargo weight number.
We can't afford to trade a brand new truck or trailer in for a replacement. Optimally, I think an F250 would be fine.
So the question is more practical. If everything performs well; no springs bottom out, the trailer doesn't sway excessively, no loss of power on steep grades; how serious is this problem? Is a 350 lb overage on a 6,000 + lb truck something important enough to give up RV'ing for a year or more until we can afford a heavier truck?
