Newbie with a few questions
Hello all
I recently purchased a TC with the intent of moving my pets and family to Washington State from Arizona and subsequently exploring the PNW on the weekends with maybe some forays north of the border.
We're brand new to RV travel and looked at the TC as a reasonable gateway.
As to my driving with stuff on the truck background: I personally run a business that has me running all over the state of Arizona driving a dodge diesel towing at least 8000lbs constantly, with the occasional use of my 15K# 36' Gooseneck thrown in, to the tune of about 40K miles per year in all weather conditions.
I have done all of the weights, scaled my truck empty and found that I would be right at the specified 9900# with the TC at manufacturer stated weight ready to go.
I still have some weight available on the rear axle in this condition but adding any would put me over weight for the truck.
Truck is a 2006 Dodge 3500 SRW. (although I appreciate any advice; I'm not getting a dually. My truck is a mint 2006 with 39K miles that I searched for two years to find, I won't part with it)
TC is a Eagle cap 800 (minimal overhang) Limited, only upgrade being a solar panel. Stated weight with everything full is 2390#
The move is a 1400 mile journey and I'll need to come back to Arizona with a new tractor acquired in Eugene Oregon after I get the kids and wife settled in WA in order to get our house ready for renters.
I'm planning on installing 19.5's before I leave to add some safety margin, settle the truck a bit and bring the rotating bits up to spec with the axles.
My question concerns towing:
I have a 24' Interstate enclosed car hauler that I wanted to use to move our household goods. Trailer empty is 3400#, GVW on the trailer is 9900 just like the truck. I estimate that the stuff we are taking with us will put the trailer around 7500 and the combo will not exceed Dodge's maximum combination weight recommendation. The return trip with the tractor will have approximately the same weights.
I have a tongue weight scale and am pretty conscientious about trailer loading and keeping things in balance because I do it often.
With the upgraded wheels and tires, given that the tongue weight will about 750# to the rear of the truck (some of which will be offset by load bars)
I have Googled, read until I am dizzy and cannot find any reason why this would be ill advised, so at the risk of asking a stupid question, is there something I've missed or not thought about concerning the rig and trailer? (please be gentle, new guy remember)
Thank you for any responses
Next Question:
We'll be traveling through some places that will be reasonably cold. The furnace instructions say do not use the furnace when driving. How do we keep everything from freezing while we are traveling?
I recently purchased a TC with the intent of moving my pets and family to Washington State from Arizona and subsequently exploring the PNW on the weekends with maybe some forays north of the border.
We're brand new to RV travel and looked at the TC as a reasonable gateway.
As to my driving with stuff on the truck background: I personally run a business that has me running all over the state of Arizona driving a dodge diesel towing at least 8000lbs constantly, with the occasional use of my 15K# 36' Gooseneck thrown in, to the tune of about 40K miles per year in all weather conditions.
I have done all of the weights, scaled my truck empty and found that I would be right at the specified 9900# with the TC at manufacturer stated weight ready to go.
I still have some weight available on the rear axle in this condition but adding any would put me over weight for the truck.
Truck is a 2006 Dodge 3500 SRW. (although I appreciate any advice; I'm not getting a dually. My truck is a mint 2006 with 39K miles that I searched for two years to find, I won't part with it)
TC is a Eagle cap 800 (minimal overhang) Limited, only upgrade being a solar panel. Stated weight with everything full is 2390#
The move is a 1400 mile journey and I'll need to come back to Arizona with a new tractor acquired in Eugene Oregon after I get the kids and wife settled in WA in order to get our house ready for renters.
I'm planning on installing 19.5's before I leave to add some safety margin, settle the truck a bit and bring the rotating bits up to spec with the axles.
My question concerns towing:
I have a 24' Interstate enclosed car hauler that I wanted to use to move our household goods. Trailer empty is 3400#, GVW on the trailer is 9900 just like the truck. I estimate that the stuff we are taking with us will put the trailer around 7500 and the combo will not exceed Dodge's maximum combination weight recommendation. The return trip with the tractor will have approximately the same weights.
I have a tongue weight scale and am pretty conscientious about trailer loading and keeping things in balance because I do it often.
With the upgraded wheels and tires, given that the tongue weight will about 750# to the rear of the truck (some of which will be offset by load bars)
I have Googled, read until I am dizzy and cannot find any reason why this would be ill advised, so at the risk of asking a stupid question, is there something I've missed or not thought about concerning the rig and trailer? (please be gentle, new guy remember)
Thank you for any responses
Next Question:
We'll be traveling through some places that will be reasonably cold. The furnace instructions say do not use the furnace when driving. How do we keep everything from freezing while we are traveling?
