2011 Coachmen Chaparral 355 RLTS (Rear loft)
1999 F250 short box CC Superduty.
Front axle 4330 lbs
Rear axle 5830 lbs
Total truck weight 10,160 lbs
Trailer axles 10,380 lbs
Total Combo weight 20,540 pounds
Comments
The 355 weighed 10,752 pounds coming from the factory.
Mods (estimates)
- 7K lb torsion hydraulic disk axles 250 pounds
- golf cart battery rack 30 pounds
- 4 golf cart batteries 240 pounds
- roof rack 75 pounds
New empty dry weight: 11,347 pounds
The truck weighs about 7500 pounds with the stuff we had in it. The trailer weight must have been about 13,000 pounds with a pin weight of 2660 pounds.
The trailer has 235/70R16 LRD tires rated at 3,000 pounds each, for a total of 12K pounds. With the original 6K axles, the trailer had a GVWR of 14,000 pounds. It now has 7K axles.
Cargo
- me, my wife and our dog
- 2 kayaks (50+ pounds each) with paddles and paddling gear
- empty water tanks
- 2 full 30 pound propane tanks
- 1 HD garden wagon
- 2 axes
- 4 lawn chairs
- 1 compliment of kids toys
- food and supplies
- roller blading gear
- 1 kids bike
- no rear bumper !
- 1 very full tool box
- 2 small jack stands
- 5 gallon jerry can of diesel fuel
- 1 medium dog kennel
- 1/2 tank of fuel in the truck
Yet to add
- rear hitch receiver bumper with cargo rack 150 pounds
- 4 bikes 120 pounds
- 2 golf cart batteries 120 pounds
- solar panels and stand 120 pounds
- total weight yet to add 510 pounds.
Trailer weight will be about 13,500 pounds when complete with the additions. The combination weight will be about 21,000 pounds.
A stock '99 F250 was rated for 8800/20K GVW/GCW. The F350 (heavier springs) was rated for 9900 pounds. The F350 dually (same frame and brakes) was rated for 12,500 pounds.
My truck has 275/65R20 tires (3750 pounds each), 10K rear air ride suspension, a 3rd gen Cummins and will have an exhaust brake next week. It handles this trailer fairly well. The combination stops extremely well due to the hydraulic disk brakes on the trailer.
In severe weather, which I have towed in a lot since I got the trailer in April, the truck will move around a bit. The rear suspension is just a tad soft. I'll probably add a stabilizer bar to the back with a quick disconnect just for towing.
I define severe weather as 30+ MPH cross winds, raining, poor visibility, etc. At this point regular passenger cars as well as commercial trucks are pulling off the road.
The 355 is a very big, tall trailer. 39 feet long, 12' 8" to the top of the A/C and it doesn't taper down at the back due to the height needs fo the loft. Plus I have kayaks on the roof. In short, its a big sail and you can feel it in really bad cross winds. Other than that, it tows like a dream. I forget its back there on flat roads with no side winds.
Probably the biggest issue my truck has is that the tires hydroplane in deep water. It doesn't happen often but when it does it provides a few thrilling seconds.
This sort of weight is as much as I like for the power of my engine (325/610) on steep grades. On 6% grades I'm down to 45-50 MPH. On 8% grades I can be down as low as 30 MPH if I ever have to shift down to second gear. That rarely happens and if it does its pretty brief.
I get 11-11.5 MPG pulling at 60-65 MPH. The trailer is pretty aerodynamic, especially when its tucked in tight to the cab of the truck. Fuel economy drops a bit in the mountains when they are steep and its full power up and lots of braking going down, but its never been worse than about 10 MPG and once you get back on the flatter stuff, it picks right up.
I love this combination. The truck is versatile as a stand alone vehicle. The trailer has tons of room and lots of storage and yet it pulls well. We are very comfortable. Everything works and its great on long trips.
1999 F250 short box CC Superduty.
Front axle 4330 lbs
Rear axle 5830 lbs
Total truck weight 10,160 lbs
Trailer axles 10,380 lbs
Total Combo weight 20,540 pounds
Comments
The 355 weighed 10,752 pounds coming from the factory.
Mods (estimates)
- 7K lb torsion hydraulic disk axles 250 pounds
- golf cart battery rack 30 pounds
- 4 golf cart batteries 240 pounds
- roof rack 75 pounds
New empty dry weight: 11,347 pounds
The truck weighs about 7500 pounds with the stuff we had in it. The trailer weight must have been about 13,000 pounds with a pin weight of 2660 pounds.
The trailer has 235/70R16 LRD tires rated at 3,000 pounds each, for a total of 12K pounds. With the original 6K axles, the trailer had a GVWR of 14,000 pounds. It now has 7K axles.
Cargo
- me, my wife and our dog
- 2 kayaks (50+ pounds each) with paddles and paddling gear
- empty water tanks
- 2 full 30 pound propane tanks
- 1 HD garden wagon
- 2 axes
- 4 lawn chairs
- 1 compliment of kids toys
- food and supplies
- roller blading gear
- 1 kids bike
- no rear bumper !
- 1 very full tool box
- 2 small jack stands
- 5 gallon jerry can of diesel fuel
- 1 medium dog kennel
- 1/2 tank of fuel in the truck
Yet to add
- rear hitch receiver bumper with cargo rack 150 pounds
- 4 bikes 120 pounds
- 2 golf cart batteries 120 pounds
- solar panels and stand 120 pounds
- total weight yet to add 510 pounds.
Trailer weight will be about 13,500 pounds when complete with the additions. The combination weight will be about 21,000 pounds.
A stock '99 F250 was rated for 8800/20K GVW/GCW. The F350 (heavier springs) was rated for 9900 pounds. The F350 dually (same frame and brakes) was rated for 12,500 pounds.
My truck has 275/65R20 tires (3750 pounds each), 10K rear air ride suspension, a 3rd gen Cummins and will have an exhaust brake next week. It handles this trailer fairly well. The combination stops extremely well due to the hydraulic disk brakes on the trailer.
In severe weather, which I have towed in a lot since I got the trailer in April, the truck will move around a bit. The rear suspension is just a tad soft. I'll probably add a stabilizer bar to the back with a quick disconnect just for towing.
I define severe weather as 30+ MPH cross winds, raining, poor visibility, etc. At this point regular passenger cars as well as commercial trucks are pulling off the road.
The 355 is a very big, tall trailer. 39 feet long, 12' 8" to the top of the A/C and it doesn't taper down at the back due to the height needs fo the loft. Plus I have kayaks on the roof. In short, its a big sail and you can feel it in really bad cross winds. Other than that, it tows like a dream. I forget its back there on flat roads with no side winds.
Probably the biggest issue my truck has is that the tires hydroplane in deep water. It doesn't happen often but when it does it provides a few thrilling seconds.
This sort of weight is as much as I like for the power of my engine (325/610) on steep grades. On 6% grades I'm down to 45-50 MPH. On 8% grades I can be down as low as 30 MPH if I ever have to shift down to second gear. That rarely happens and if it does its pretty brief.
I get 11-11.5 MPG pulling at 60-65 MPH. The trailer is pretty aerodynamic, especially when its tucked in tight to the cab of the truck. Fuel economy drops a bit in the mountains when they are steep and its full power up and lots of braking going down, but its never been worse than about 10 MPG and once you get back on the flatter stuff, it picks right up.
I love this combination. The truck is versatile as a stand alone vehicle. The trailer has tons of room and lots of storage and yet it pulls well. We are very comfortable. Everything works and its great on long trips.
