I've almost got this towing thing down. One more ?

[SlothHorn]

I know that dry weight is the weight off the assembly line.
I know that GVWR is a better # to look at because it takes everything, that has weight/mass, into account.

What weights are generally added between the assembly line and the RV lot? I guess I'm asking, what would I need to account for before I add my own stuff. I'm assuming the frame of the bed would be accounted for, but the mattress, for example, would be additional on top of the dry.

I had started a thread a few weeks ago in which the general consensus was that my truck could safely pull anywhere from 6,500 - 7,500 completely loaded. Wife and I found several RVs that we liked that had dry weights well within range but the GVWR was pushing it. We made a list of every, single thing we thought we might be adding to the weight and aren't coming anywhere near the GVWR on our end; however, I need to make sure I account for any weight added post-assembly / pre-us.

For reference, here's the #'s I got from my original thread...

1,650:
-subtract driver and passenger weight (we'll say 400 for this example, you adjust).
-Subtract weight of the WD hitch (app. 100 pounds)
-Subtract weight of all gear, snacks, games, beverages in the cab (we'll say 50 pounds)
-Subtract tools, bikes, wood, grills, etc. in the bed (we'll say 100 pounds).

This would leave you with 1,000 pounds available for tongue weight. Assuming your hitch is rated to handle that tongue weight, you could handle somewhere around 7,500 pounds LOADED. I would suggest, based on that, you'd need to be looking at something under 6,500 pounds dry, if not closer to 6,000 even.

[Terryallan]

SlothHorn wrote:
To answer the above question...
We plan on trips within 5 hours ~ 95% of the time. The occasional longer trips will be broken into 5 hr increments (at most) due to the fact that we're teachers and have plenty of time to travel in the summer. I'm not sure we'd ever need more than a tad bit of water, nor am I concerned about full tanks of propane.

Truth is. You only travel with 2 full propane tanks once.

[Terryallan]

SlothHorn wrote:
To answer the above question...
We plan on trips within 5 hours ~ 95% of the time. The occasional longer trips will be broken into 5 hr increments (at most) due to the fact that we're teachers and have plenty of time to travel in the summer. I'm not sure we'd ever need more than a tad bit of water, nor am I concerned about full tanks of propane.

Truth is. You only travel with 2 full propane tanks once.

[SlothHorn]

To answer the above question...
We plan on trips within 5 hours ~ 95% of the time. The occasional longer trips will be broken into 5 hr increments (at most) due to the fact that we're teachers and have plenty of time to travel in the summer. I'm not sure we'd ever need more than a tad bit of water, nor am I concerned about full tanks of propane.

[Terryallan]

Grit dog wrote:

SlothHorn wrote:
Note: We're never going to travel with water in the tanks.

You've never had a RV and you know this to be true?
Probably form your last thread on this, which you're now repeating, and the literally 100s of other threads asking the same question about the same size trucks and trailers, just on this forum alone, if you are confused, use the ratings of your truck and the gvw of the trailer and be done with it.

If you or your truck can notice a few hundred lbs either way, I'd call you a fibber.

I never have, and knew it before I ever bought one. well i do keep a couple gal in the black tank. fresh, and grey always empty.

[Grit_dog]

SlothHorn wrote:
Note: We're never going to travel with water in the tanks.

You've never had a RV and you know this to be true?
Probably form your last thread on this, which you're now repeating, and the literally 100s of other threads asking the same question about the same size trucks and trailers, just on this forum alone, if you are confused, use the ratings of your truck and the gvw of the trailer and be done with it.

If you or your truck can notice a few hundred lbs either way, I'd call you a fibber.

[Terryallan]

What kind of camper did you find that doesn't have a mattress in it?

[Terryallan]

Mike134 wrote:
I'm always amazed how much c*** people must carry. My TT out the factory door was labeled at 5400lbs curb weight, 7700 GVWR. After propane tanks, battery, 1/4 tank of fresh water, pots, pans, food, clothing, it gained 650 lbs. That's for a one week trip with just the bride and myself. I couldn't possibly add 2000lbs of stuff into the camper. So take the idea you'll load the TT up to the Gross rating with a grain of salt.

Yep. Especially if the Dry weight is 5000, and the GVWR is 8000. My TT is 4811lb dry from the factory, it has a 7300lb GVWR. It weighs loaded ready to camp. 6000lb.

to use a huge GVWR of a Tt to decide if you can tow it. It just foolish.

[Boomerweps]

To answer your initial question:
The dealer adds actual propane into the factory supplied empty tanks and a battery.
Not sure about the "starter kit", freshwater hose, sewer hose and main power cord, but I think that is supplied by the factory.
Everything else comes from the factory.

[Mike134]

I'm always amazed how much c*** people must carry. My TT out the factory door was labeled at 5400lbs curb weight, 7700 GVWR. After propane tanks, battery, 1/4 tank of fresh water, pots, pans, food, clothing, it gained 650 lbs. That's for a one week trip with just the bride and myself. I couldn't possibly add 2000lbs of stuff into the camper. So take the idea you'll load the TT up to the Gross rating with a grain of salt.

[JIMNLIN]

SlothHorn wrote:
Got it. Thanks. Think we found one that us under 7,000GVWR. All good.

Sounds great.
When you get the combo all loaded up drop by the scales and get the trucks axle weights....especially the rawr as its carrying most if not all the weight. You sure don't want to exceed a tire/wheel or rear suspension capacities.

[MarkTwain]

RobWNY wrote:

SlothHorn wrote:
Note: We're never going to travel with water in the tanks.

Not carrying water makes no sense for an RVer!!

We're not using a generator. And, we're only going to need, maybe, one propane tank.

RVing with with 1 propane is just waiting for a disaster to happen!!

That seems to be a big chunk of what begins to add up for many campers.
Other than clothes, food, blankets, pillows, and, maybe, bicycles, we don't expect to add much else in the way of weight.

You forgot about plates, cups, bowls, towels, wash cloths, toilet paper, soap, dish soap, anti-bacterial spray to clean counters, a broom, pots and pans, air compressor if you need to air up a tire, tools for when something needs to be repaired, the hitch and all its parts, and literally dozens of other things. This is all going to add up to hundreds of extra pounds.

Suggest you either change all your unrealistic limitations or choose another hobbie or activity:)

[MarkTwain]

Lynnmor wrote:
I would rethink buying a trailer that is not usable for its intended purpose.

Totally agree! Sounds like the limitations needs would make for a totally unrealistic and frustrating RV experience!!!!

[Lwiddis]

[SlothHorn]

Got it. Thanks. Think we found one that us under 7,000GVWR. All good.