Whats Your Real Weights? Truck and Trailer. The Real Deal

[juzplanekrazy]

I don’t know if it’s been done before or not but I was thinking about keeping a running list of real truck weights by year and type, and trailer weights by brand, size and what the total combined weight is of each guys rig. I was hoping the info would be a help for guys wondering about what the real weights are for a certain type of truck and to keep track of the more popular brand 5th wheel trailers. Another thing that will come out of it will be to see just how many guys really know what they are towing and if they know what their weight capacities are.
I’m sure it will take some time to compile a list and it will grow as guys add there info but I’m hoping it will help the newer guys in the long run to be directed back over to this thread in the future.
I’ll keep the TV lists to mainly the big 3 and from ¾ ton and up and I’ll try to keep the 5ers in a group by real GVW, length, and then manufacture. Any ideas are welcome as long as it makes things easier. And only real information can be given, so no guessing allowed. Only guys that have scaled there rigs or are totally certain of the weights.
Let’s see if I can keep the format real simple to type down and that will make it simpler for guys to refer back to and to keep track of.
Here we go……

TV - 2006 Dodge Mega Cab 3500 4x4, real scaled weight with full fuel, hitch, DH-DW and misc. gear = 7,500lbs. TV GVWR is 10,200lbs
5ver – KZ New Vision TH 38ft 14,500lbs loaded GVW. GVWR is 18,000lbs
Normal running TV & TH GCW weight= 22,500lbs, TV GCWR is 23,000lbs
Real Wet Pin Weight=2,950lbs

[avvidclif1]

Some time back I weighed my rig loaded to go camping. No water but everything else. Myself, wife, daughter, and 2 gkids.
2009 Ford F350 SRW Lariat Crew Cab
2011 Crossroads Cruiser CF285RL
Axle Actual GAWR
Front 5020 5000
Rear 5900 6693
Trailer 7380 10400
Truck GVWR 11,000 Trailer GVWR 12317 GCVWR 23,000 Actual 18,300

It all looked good except the front axle???

Yesterday I weighed the truck by itself. Full tank of diesel, driver 275, no other passengers, hitch in back.
Axle Actual GAWR
Front 4660 5000
Rear 3580 6693
Gross 8240 GVWR 11000

Sure is heavy on the front end. Take out the extra bodies and add in the fuel. I figure the tongue weight is ~2200-2300. That's why it sits on the overloads all the time. All looks good and pulls fine. No problems. Except for the front axle all within ratings.

[5ertime]

Flafstaff 8524rlws - Sivlerado 2500 HD gas 6.0/3.73 8 ft bed

TV FA 3880 RA 3240 Unhooked people/cargo

TV/5 er FA 3720 RA 4720 5 er axles 6460

GCw 14920 people/cargo/half tank fresh water/propane/batteries

[BusyC]

Thanks rhagfo for sharing your info. We have found nothing but frustration in trying to find a rig the meets our needs and fits within the numbers. We find it funny how the numbers don't seem to add up and yet the trucks tow just fine.

We are still in a holding pattern. We are still looking at the Mountaineer but...haven't decided yet what to do.

Thanks again!

[rhagfo]

BusyC wrote:
Thanks bpounds for your review of my information! I am glad to have another set of eyes on it. I forgot to mention in my first post that we have an auxiliary tank with 55 gal of diesel in it in the bed of the truck. So if we needed more payload we could just take less fuel.

The rig we are looking at is a Keystone Mountaineer 346LBQ with a sticker shipping weight of 12020, a published pin weight of 2205, and a cargo capacity of 2240. According to our Ford dealership, based on the VIN of our truck, with all of the options we can tow up to 14,500lb.

We love the Mountaineer model because of all of the room for people, dogs, and stuff but it may be too much rig for us. All of the ones that are lower in weight have a very disappointing kitchen setup and the bunks are not full length for an adult. Oh well...may have to wait for newer models.

Well this is a very gray area, GVW are now a higher percentage of the GAWR, those haven't changed much just how much the manufactures feel is now safe to use.
That said this is not a recommendation, but just my personal status, which I am fine with.
My Dodge is also a Camper Special with tow package, but the GVWR is still 8,800# same as all other Dodge 2500's.
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Quad Cab With Tow and Camper packages

Tire: LT 265/75 16 E: Load rating 3,415 lbs.
Engine: 5.9L I6 Cummins: Power (SAE): 235 hp @ 2700 rpm; 460 lb-ft (from 1600 to 2700 rpm)
The engine has a small chip " Power Puck" so I now have about 285 HP and 510 lb-ft of torque.

Transmission Type: NV4500
Transmission: NV4500 5 speed manual
Axle Ratio: 3.55
GVWR: 8,800 - 7,000 = 1,800 With driver (Payload)
Payload: Searched could not find a "stated Payload" 1,800 actual caculated.

Base Weight: (This actual scaled weight, with driver 200#)
Total:7,000
(Front:4,250)
(Rear: 2,750)

GAWR
(Front: 5,200)
(Rear: 6,080): 6,080 - 2,750 = 3,330 (Max load on rear axle before axle Over Load)
5,200+ 6,080 = 11,280 8,800/11,280 = 78.0% of total max axle load.
Total max axle divided by stated GVWR = percentage of axle max.

This is where it get interesting, according to the owners manual!
2500 Quad cab 4X4 GCWR = 16,000#
2500 Reg Cab 4X4 GCWR = 20,000# ??? The added weight of the Quad Cab should come off Max trailer not GCWR.

GCWR: 16,00 16,000 - 7,000 (truck and driver) = 9,000 max trailer
GCWR: 20,000 20,000 - 7,000 (truck and driver) = 13,000 max trailer

So when I scaled on the 1st two nigher, with 3 adults, 2 small dogs, and too much food in the refer, and about 95% of our "stuff" these are my scale weights.

Front axle 4,650#: (4,650/5,200 = 89% of max axle rating)(4,650/6,830 = 68% of max tire rating) (Darn heavy Cummins!)
Rear axle 5,050#: (5,050/6,080 = 83 % of max axle rating)(5,050/6,830 = 74% of max tire rating)
Total Truck 9,700#
Trailer axles 8,400 #
GCVW 18,100#

So am I over loaded by the book? Yes
Are my axles overloaded? NO
Are my tires over loaded? NO

This rig tows and handles fine, pull the worst hills in the Oregon Coast range at 55, not too bad for 3.55 gears

[BusyC]

Thanks Glen Schumann & DW-Gray for your feedback! We really appreciate it!

[DW-gray]

BusyC wrote:
Thanks bpounds for your review of my information! I am glad to have another set of eyes on it. I forgot to mention in my first post that we have an auxiliary tank with 55 gal of diesel in it in the bed of the truck. So if we needed more payload we could just take less fuel.

The rig we are looking at is a Keystone Mountaineer 346LBQ with a sticker shipping weight of 12020, a published pin weight of 2205, and a cargo capacity of 2240. According to our Ford dealership, based on the VIN of our truck, with all of the options we can tow up to 14,500lb.

We love the Mountaineer model because of all of the room for people, dogs, and stuff but it may be too much rig for us. All of the ones that are lower in weight have a very disappointing kitchen setup and the bunks are not full length for an adult. Oh well...may have to wait for newer models.

If the trailer's GVWR is more than 14,500 pounds then that is to much for your truck. Any additional weight above the base weight of the truck must be subtracted from the 14,500.

Read "Before You Buy That RV, Truck or Other Tow Vehicle".

[Glen_Schumann]

BusyC wrote:
The rig we are looking at is a Keystone Mountaineer 346LBQ with a sticker shipping weight of 12020, a published pin weight of 2205, and a cargo capacity of 2240. According to our Ford dealership, based on the VIN of our truck, with all of the options we can tow up to 14,500lb.

Your truck can TOW (ie pull) 14,500 pounds but it can only carry the difference between it's loaded weight (fuel, passengers, hitch, miscellaneous cargo) and it GVWR.

Published pin weight are often low (although what you listed is closer than many). The normally accepted figure for estimating pin weight is to use 20% of the 5th wheel trailers GVWR which would be 2440 for your unit based on what you have provided. I don't know of a 3/4 ton pick up capable of carrying that much weight safely.

Good luck.

[BusyC]

Thanks bpounds for your review of my information! I am glad to have another set of eyes on it. I forgot to mention in my first post that we have an auxiliary tank with 55 gal of diesel in it in the bed of the truck. So if we needed more payload we could just take less fuel.

The rig we are looking at is a Keystone Mountaineer 346LBQ with a sticker shipping weight of 12020, a published pin weight of 2205, and a cargo capacity of 2240. According to our Ford dealership, based on the VIN of our truck, with all of the options we can tow up to 14,500lb.

We love the Mountaineer model because of all of the room for people, dogs, and stuff but it may be too much rig for us. All of the ones that are lower in weight have a very disappointing kitchen setup and the bunks are not full length for an adult. Oh well...may have to wait for newer models.

[bpounds]

BusyC wrote:
Truck is a:
2002 Ford F250 7.3L diesel Super Duty Crew Cab with Camper/Towing Pkg(I believe this is where they use a F350 axle, larger radiator, stiffer springs, etc) Axle Ratio 3.73
Banks Headers

Trailer is a:
2006 Sunnybrook Sunset Creek 279RB Travel Trailer (it is about 31'4")
Black Tank Full
Gray tank full
Lots of 'stuff'

Here are the readings
TRUCK WITH TRAILER
Steer Axle 4520# (Max Rating 5200#)
Drive Axle 5240# (Max Rating 6084#)
Trailer Axle 7140#
GCW = 16900#

TRUCK WITHOUT TRAILER
Steer Axle 4820#
Drive Axle 3840#
GVW = 8660#

We are looking to get a fifth wheel but it is much larger....

You have very little payload left on your GVWR. An '02 F250 probably has an 8800 GVWR, and your truck loaded as you described (no trailer) already weighs 8660. So if you want to load a fifthwheel on the truck you are going to have to ignore GVWR limits.

You will want to focus your attention on the rear axle rating. On that you have 2244# of capacity remaining. You can find many medium size fivers with pin weights under that. But be sure you calculate loaded pin weights, not the manufacturers published pin weights which are when empty.

Unfortunately, you cannot do a large fiftwheel without exceeding the truck GVWR and RAWR. Even though I believe the truck would handle it fine with air bags.

[BusyC]

Thanks to everyone who has entered their information. I am thinking of upgrading to a fifth wheel and I found this information VERY helpful. So we finally got to go to the CAT scale...why did we pick a day when it was 102 degrees?!

We had just spent 2 days at Cooney Dam in Roberts, MT. The truck was fully loaded with the following:

DH - 220lb
Me - Not telling
DS - 36lb
2 dogs
dog crates
chairs
raft
auxiliary tank with 55 gallons of diesel
Fuel tank full (29 gal)
Deer Bumper (95lb)

Truck is a:
2002 Ford F250 7.3L diesel Super Duty Crew Cab with Camper/Towing Pkg(I believe this is where they use a F350 axle, larger radiator, stiffer springs, etc) Axle Ratio 3.73
Banks Headers

Trailer is a:
2006 Sunnybrook Sunset Creek 279RB Travel Trailer (it is about 31'4")
Black Tank Full
Gray tank full
Lots of 'stuff'

Here are the readings
TRUCK WITH TRAILER
Steer Axle 4520# (Max Rating 5200#)
Drive Axle 5240# (Max Rating 6084#)
Trailer Axle 7140#
GCW = 16900#

TRUCK WITHOUT TRAILER
Steer Axle 4820#
Drive Axle 3840#
GVW = 8660#

EDITED TO ADD 6/25/12: My husband pointed out that if we needed to add some payload capacity we could just limit the amount of fuel we put in the auxiliary tank or leave it empty.

This trip there was some climbing in altitude, some rough dirt roads, and we got 10.88 mpg. I was pretty happy with that!

We are looking to get a fifth wheel but it is much larger. We keep getting various 'opinions' on what numbers are important in determining whether or we can tow it. Hope this information helps someone! Great idea!

[oklahomamike]

DW-GRAY
That is an excellent web site you developed there. Thank you for your interest in 5th wheel safety.

[DW-gray]

oklahomamike wrote:

DW-gray wrote:

oklahomamike wrote:
2012 Newmar X-Aire 40DSBR pulled by 2010 Dodge 3500
Loaded ready to go with fuel and water but no toys in garage.

Gross Trailer Weight 19,100
Pin Weight 3,980
Truck weight 9,200

Steer Axle 4,960
Drive Axle 8,540
Trailer Axle 14,800
Gross combined weight 28,300

You may want to consider visiting Fifth Wheel St. and enter some numbers in the Safety Report.

I agree I would benefit from a bigger truck. That is a very good web site you pointed me to I will check it out this evening. I am 540# under FAWR and 1210# under RAWR on truck of course I am over on GCVWR. I am concerned about safety and keep my equipment in top condition and limit speed to 60 mph when towing. What are the weights on your rig it looks close to what I have.

First, let me share one of the information paragraphs in my new app available for the iPhone:

If any of your safety margins are displayed in RED, then you are towing with a potential driving hazard. It's your responsibility to consider what you think is safe for your towing situation, whether it’s 4 pounds overweight or 4000 pounds overweight. You need to take a careful look at how your vehicles are loaded. You may need to remove or relocate some items to better balance the load. In some instances, you may need to purchase a tow vehicle with higher towing capacity or purchase a trailer with less gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).

I think it's much better know what your towing weight is, even if it is over any of the load ratings. At the very least, a RVer can be aware and drive accordingly and be prepared for safer driving. Driving blindly without knowing the weight of your rig is far more dangerous in my opinion.

Like you, I'm well under my axle ratings and I'm still over on the GCWR. I'm still working on that issue. But, as far as I know, no state is concerned about the GCWR. They only look at the GAWRs. In California, there is a stopping requirement. I don't remember the details. I tested my rig based on the CA requirements and I was able to stop well less than the maximum distance.

Therefore each knowledgeable RVer has to decide if they are towing safely with their rig. As for my experience with my Ram truck, it is grossly underrated.

I also agree that a maximum of 60 mph is the right choice. I set my cruise control for 58 mph (1,500 rpm in 6th gear) which I found to be my most economical highway speed for my truck and I feel safe at that speed.

[oklahomamike]

DW-gray wrote:

oklahomamike wrote:
2012 Newmar X-Aire 40DSBR pulled by 2010 Dodge 3500
Loaded ready to go with fuel and water but no toys in garage.

Gross Trailer Weight 19,100
Pin Weight 3,980
Truck weight 9,200

Steer Axle 4,960
Drive Axle 8,540
Trailer Axle 14,800
Gross combined weight 28,300

You may want to consider visiting Fifth Wheel St. and enter some numbers in the Safety Report.

I agree I would benefit from a bigger truck. That is a very good web site you pointed me to I will check it out this evening. I am 540# under FAWR and 1210# under RAWR on truck of course I am over on GCVWR. I am concerned about safety and keep my equipment in top condition and limit speed to 60 mph when towing. What are the weights on your rig it looks close to what I have.

[DW-gray]

oklahomamike wrote:
2012 Newmar X-Aire 40DSBR pulled by 2010 Dodge 3500
Loaded ready to go with fuel and water but no toys in garage.

Gross Trailer Weight 19,100
Pin Weight 3,980
Truck weight 9,200

Steer Axle 4,960
Drive Axle 8,540
Trailer Axle 14,800
Gross combined weight 28,300

You may want to consider visiting Fifth Wheel St. and enter some numbers in the Safety Report.

[sirdrakejr]

Whew!!!