Polishmagnum
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Re: Some Towing Math and Questions
Yea I mean that's sort of where I'm at too. I've figured this out 10 ways to Sunday, it all passes except payload, which is debatable. Heck it's all debatable. All the GVWR's and GWAR's and whatnot check out. Here's the kicker. Tongue weight old trailer = 618 pounds. Tongue weight possible new trailer = 608 pounds. All the other things payload-wise are the same basically, and I've taken that trip already 40-50 times. So on paper, payload is not different than what I've done repeatedly for 1000s of mile. I get that tongue weight old trailer was about 12%, and tongue weight new trailer is say 10 or 11%, but then introduce weight distribution and then....different numbers. I don't disregard safety in my job, life, or in this case. I've had road issues traveling, typical stuff, deer, traffic jams, evasive manuevers..It was all fine. More weight, more caution, but I don't see anything that says "this is impossible and you're a fool". Could be wrong, could be hit by an asteroid typing this as well. I still dont know if I'll buy this, alot of wrangling to appease the wife being a light sleeper..haha..Might just find some soundproof blanket material and line the bunk end windows. However if I do buy it, I think it will be ok. I dont live in it, travel relatively light, buy food and beer along the way..etc657Views0likes0CommentsRe: Some Towing Math and Questions
Thanks for all the input, I'd like to hear more, but no, don't think my heart is set on doing what I proposed! Haha, I am a realist, and I try to make informed, sensible decisions. Just FYI, the trailer I am considering is this one: https://www.granddesignrv.com/showroom/2021/travel-trailer/transcend-xplor/floorplans/261bh And this is what I already have: https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2016-dutchmen-kodiak-express-travel-trailer-floorplan-222es-tr27869 I might even ask the local dealer if I can test pull it or something, but no I will not just attached any old behemoth to my truck without some justification. I appreciate the input from everyone!659Views0likes0CommentsRe: Some Towing Math and Questions
http://changingears.com/rv-sec-calc-trailer-weight-tt.shtml?truck_gvwr=6900&truck_gvwr_unit=e&truck_gcwr=15950&truck_gcwr_unit=e&truck_gtwr=&truck_gtwr_unit=e&truck_tongue=1100&truck_tongue_unit=e&truck_rgawr=3900&truck_rgawr_unit=e&truck_gvw=5390&truck_gvw_unit=e&truck_rgaw=2245&truck_rgaw_unit=e&trailer_gvw=6000&trailer_gvw_unit=e&trailer_tongue=618&trailer_tongue_unit=e&margin=.2&tongue_percentage= I used one of the calculators in the link you provided, and I got a very similar number to what I got. However, I understand the tongue weight being part of cargo. I used 800 for people, but that was really on the heavy side to be safe, more realistic is 600 probably. I need to ponder this, but I would have to really load up the trailer (its base weight is 6100 lbs.) to make it weigh 7500 loaded.367Views0likes0CommentsRe: Some Towing Math and Questions
Thank you all for so many thoughts! MFL, I cannot see an image you may have posted, but yes, GAWR on my door sticker is 3900 lbs. Most of the information I used to calculate all this came off the door sticker, using my VIN on MOPAR site for original specs, and also from RAM website. Yes, my truck is listed as having 1510 lbs. of cargo capacity. I used this in the calculations. GVWR-Curb Weight=Cargo, for truck. I got the same 1510 number that RAM posted. Cargo being people, bed full, whatever I add to truck. I think I'm ok with my numbers, and I think sticking to a trailer with a GVWR around 7500 is a reasonable plan. But the real question, are there many sane, reasonable people towing say 7500 GVWR trailers at about 31 feet with a half ton? I'd like to hear from anyone, because I'm old enough to know the book figuring doesnt always correlate to real world...haha! Thanks everyone!258Views0likes0CommentsSome Towing Math and Questions
Hello all, new to the forum. A little about my camping setup, I currently have a 2017 RAM Bighorn 1500. My current trailer is a Dutchmen 222ES, a three bed hybrid. Canvas flip out beds. It is 26 foot long, including the tongue, and weighs 4700 pounds, curb weight. It can handle nearly 2000 pounds of cargo, for a total weight of 6700. Of course I never put a ton of stuff in it. I tow this effortlessly, dont even notice it back there, for the most part. The canvas beds can be noisy in some camgrounds, so I am looking at a new TT, hard sides. I am looking for some opinions on towing capacity of my truck. It is an 8 speed transmission, 3.92 rear end, crew cab Bighorn. Trailer Life towing guide from 2017 lists its towing capacity at 10140 pounds. I am an engineer, so I am trying to figure this tow capacity for real. I did the math on this three different ways, one based on trailer life rating minus the weight of me, passengers, payload, etc times a factor of safety of .85. This rating comes out to be 7500 lbs. The second way, based on GCWR of both units, comes out at 8255. The third way based on hitch weight, comes out at 7326. I didnt factor tire diameter into this, or anything that crazy, but it could affect it. You can only get so nerdy about this. So weight, it seems I should be around 7500 pounds max. Does this make sense to people on the forum? The trailer I am looking at has a curb weight of 6100 pounds and a GVWR of 7700 pounds. So it can hold like 1600 pounds of stuff. I wouldnt put that much in it, and also that 7700 number is in line with my math. Thoughts? Now on to length. I dont want to be all stressed out towing this thing as a result of wind pressure due to length. As I said, my current camper is 26ish feet long, and the new one would be about 31 feet long, both have tongue included. Five feet, no big deal right? Do people safely pull 30-33 foot TT's with half ton trucks, in general? Also, I found an online formula for length based on wheelbase of TV, and my math here says I should be between 25 and 28 feet. I do not know if that is the box length, or total length with the tongue. So all that being said, what are your opinions of my thoughts, and do normal people pull such trailers safely with half ton trucks?? Thanks in advance, and sorry for all the nerd speak.5.9KViews0likes23Comments
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