dballentine
Explorer
Joined 13 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: What can I safely pull?
bgitler wrote: ... Also, the guide breaks towing capacity into conventional towing and 5th wheel. Which is more accurate for me? because there is quite a big difference in towing capacity. I'm not buying a 5th wheel but I assume the difference is because of wind resistance of a 5th wheel, and conventional could describe pulling a regular trailer with only gear. ... Conventional towing means a ball hitch at the rear bumper. RVs which are towed this way are termed Travel Trailers (TT). I believe you're looking for a TT. TTs typically will have 10-15% of the total trailer weight on the tongue. Fifth wheel (FW or 5er) attaches via a pin and round plate, located in the bed of the pickup, above the rear axle, essentially a smaller version of the hitch on a tractor trailer. FWs usually put 15-25% of the total trailer weight on the pin. I believe the differences in TT vs FW tow ratings has more to do with the location of the hitch (bumper vs above the axle) than aerodynamics.439Views0likes0CommentsRe: Grand Design 317RST
We're very pleased with our 337RLS. You might want to check out the Grand Design Owners forum for more opinions. When we were looking, it appeared that 20-25% off MSRP was fairly typical. You can always offer 30% below list as a starting point; it is, after all, a negotiation.450Views0likes0CommentsRe: 2014 2500 HD Chev.
More to keep in mind... The published payload is before options. The published payload for my Silverado (3500HD, Long Bed, 4WD, CC, D/A) is about 4100lbs, but the number on that door sticker is 3739 lbs. Since most of the cargo we carry is added to the basement storage or the bedroom above, probably more than the dry pin ratio is added to the pin load. I've seen estimates of as much as 50% of the added weight appears on the pin. Payload isn't just the pin load, it includes the hitch (100-150lbs), cargo in the pickup bed, and passengers. For our 36' Reflection 337, the math works like this: Dry Pin 2100, Dry Total 10,500. Loaded FW (est.) 12,000 Loaded Pin (est.) 2,850 Payload Minus Loaded Pin = 850 So I have 850 lbs available for the hitch, bed cargo, passengers and fuel.355Views0likes0CommentsRe: Newbie question about towing weights
Turbo Turtle wrote: ... Sorry to be so dense. ... Not at all. It's a confusing topic, full of strange acronyms, obscure terms, and rules of thumb, confounded by manufacturers' widespread use of an almost meaningless number, the "tow rating". And you're still left in limbo a little bit. You don't know, FOR SURE, that you aren't exceeding some rating or other until you're all hooked up and ready to go, full of gear. And I doubt you'll find a dealer willing to let you do that before you buy. So all of the calculations and measurements we've been discussing are to make sure you won't obviously be over some limit, such as a pin weight greater than available payload. Beyond that, it's common sense. For example, when we started to look at our Reflection 337RLS, based on its ~2100lb dry pin weight that loaded, it would be right at (or slightly above) the payload for a 2500HD. Rather than tow with a truck right at its limits, I decided to go with the 3500HD and its 1000lb greater payload. BTW, I grew up in Wetzel County. Where are you in Almost Heaven? Dave517Views0likes0CommentsRe: Real 5th Wheel lengths? Need 31'
PaulD1 wrote: Here's a Traler Life review of the Grand Design 27RL http://www.trailerlife.com/reviews/reflection-27rl/ Says its 30'11" looks like a pretty nice rig considering the same and weight. PaulD The 29RS from G.D. is the same length. Since your garage is 31', I'd say measure very carefully.442Views0likes0CommentsRe: Newbie question about towing weights
Max Load:3750 lbs @ 80 psi on each tire.(I am trying to determine whether the max load on a tire means the PAIR of tires can carry 3750 or 7500. Any idea?) That's 3750 lbs per tire. Our total for the truck is 8800, which means we can put another 2600 pounds on the pin. Not quite. You can add 2600lbs to the truck's payload, without exceeding the truck's GVW. Payload includes everything in the truck, including the pin weight, hitch, tools, cargo... not just the weight of the passengers. You also need to check actual rear axle load vs RAWR. Just because GVW is OK doesn't mean that rear axle load is OK. I'd guess you're OK there, but you have to do the math to be sure.206Views0likes0CommentsRe: Newbie question about towing weights
Turbo Turtle wrote: ... ALSO: Our gooseneck hitch is brand new and top of the line. We just got it this past fall for our horse van. Does the "needs weight distribution hitch" phrase apply to gooseneck hitches? Just to expand on an earlier reply... A weight distribution hitch is a type of hitch used with "bumper pull" travel trailers. Gooseneck and fifth-wheel trailers use a hitch mounted in the bed, not on the rear, which is why this phrase doesn't apply in your case. However, you are going to need an adapter between the gooseneck ball in your truck and the fifth wheel trailer. Almost all RV fifth wheels use a flat plate/vertical pin hitch, much like a tractor trailer, and not the ball that a gooseneck uses.206Views0likes0CommentsRe: SRW Truck Max length 5th Wheel
bigdon68 wrote: DanDon, ... Its interesting that the SRW 2WD, at least the 2008, has a greater load capacity than the 4WD. The 2WD F350 is 4,340 and the 4WD is 4,250. If you decide to go with the F250 it is a big jump down -- the 2WD is 3,240 and the 4WD is 2,950. ... bigdon68 That's actually pretty typical. Everything else being the same, the 4WD running gear weighs about 200-300lbs more than 2WD, which reduces the available payload.238Views0likes0CommentsRe: Things I need do to my truck to keep it in good towing shape
sriethman wrote: I Have a 2002 Ford F-250 5.4L with only 73,000 miles on it! Other than just regular maintenance what else can I do to it to make last longer! It runs great now just want to maintain it! Main thing I'm concerned about is the transmission! I do more of the traveling in summer than any other time! If anyone has put in a chip for a truck like this I would also like to know if it helped with fuel or power! Thanks If you don't already have them, external engine and transmission oil coolers would be a good idea. Follow your Owner's Manual "Severe Service" maintenance schedule.65Views0likes0Comments
Groups
Fifth Wheel Group
Interested in fifth wheels? You've come to the right spot.Mar 07, 202519,008 Posts Travel Trailer Group
Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Apr 19, 201944,027 Posts
