Over Weight or not

[RGH43]

I looking at a '04 DoubleTree Mobile Suites 36TK3, its says on label in Kitchen cabinet: 16K# GVRW & 13,501# UVW w/o Water & LP. CCC is 1606#. According to the spec sheet in their brochure the trailer is rated; GVRW 16,000#, Dry Wt 12,700#, Pin Wt 2550#. I have a 2003 Quad cab 3500 DRW W/ 3. 73 & 6spd, Registration says Scale Wt 6855, Frnt 4750, Rear 9390 & GVRW 11,500. 35 gal Diesel 238#, Hitch 250#, Pass 580# misc 50# total + truck is 7973. I have Ride Rite Airbags otherwise truck is stock. Will I be overlodaded with this 5th Wheel?

PS: I did have a '02 NU*WA Snowbird 34+2=37. 5ft GVWR 16000#, UVW 12080# Pin wt 2120# & it did seem to pull fine and stop fine. Was I over loaded with this one also?

 

[Cryppie]

Since this isn't your first big fiver, I'll assume you already know that manufacturers tend to underestimate UVW (usually spec'd with no options). I also know that Double Tree uses very nice appointments (read: heavy), so I would suspect that your delivered coach will be well in excess of stated UVW. There is a safety factor built into the GVWR (which can start arguements in and of itself), but you will likely break that rating with loaded items. To get to the point (and your question), will you be overweight? Probably. Were you overweight with your old coach? Probably close (you didn't state if pin weight was manufacturer spec or measured). You won't be over 26k GVW, and I doubt any LEO will know what your GCWR is based on specific options for your truck, so you should be safe in that regard. Bottom line, you'll be over your ratings slightly, but you've already got experience towing a large coach, have a rig that is set up well, so IMHO I would feel safe with your combination[insert legal disclaimer here]. BTW, I have a Keystone 364Q (14k loaded) and it towed well with my 04. 5 DRW 6 speed 3. 73. But not nearly as effortlessly as my current singled-out '99 Volvo VNL610, Detroit 435HP 10 speed



Best of luck, and safe RV'ing!

 

[EricBu12]

Your setup sounds pretty good but I would suggest to add an E-brake to help your ability to stop. . otherwise. . sounds good.

 

[mpwalker]

I will not get into the overweight issue, but will tell you that I know people that are pulling bigger and heavier fivers than that with the same truck you have. But remember the RV builders grossly under estimate the dry weight.

 

[FourBarR]

what about insurance if there is an accident,could be big liability problems. there are lots of lawyers out there that would just love to to get one of these cases. Personelly I would not take the chance, however there are lots of people out there who do this. In the summer time here in Canada we see lots of these over loaded rigs. Just my openion,good luck and safe driving.

 

[jelag]

I own an 04 that has been pulling a 20-22K lb work trailer for the past 230K miles... with an exhaust brake and elect/hydraulic brakes on the trailer... brakes on the pickup went 160K and the disc brakes on the trailer went 100K between changes... I've just put a flat bed on that pickup for an intown truck... and will put into service an 05 that I've been personally driving and pulling my 5er with... . and will order a new 4500 or 5500 when they are available... .

The only problem with the 04 was we drove it a lot in 6th, something that transmission doesn't like and it has failed on us... . and the 2 replacements have failed under the rebuilders warranty... . he actually put the wrong input shaft in 2 of them... used the 1 1/4" instead of the 1 3/8"... .

Several sets of tires, and 1 clutch, and 2 or 3 sets of u-joints... two fuel pumps, one under warranty one not... and when the one out of warranty went out we put the kit in the tank... and that has been a good fix for us...

Our only worry is that in heavy traffic we worry about the stopping distance of the truck and trailer... . and have feared that someone will pull into the safety margin we have in front of us and use it up... . there is a couple of seconds delay from the time you put your foot on the pedal until the electric/hydraulic brakes really come on with some force... .

Hope this helps... . OH BTW, never has overheated on the hills in 100* weather...

 

[CRuth]

Been overweight before. Didn't like it. I'm underweight now and plan on staying that way. But thats my personal comfort level.

 

[Nate]

35x8 = 280



35 gallons of diesel is 280lbs, not 235 BTW... not that it really matters though.

 

[MPerez]

Here is a link to Dodge's own specifications from 2002 to present:

http://www-5.dodge.com/towing5/D/ve...&familyMarket=&familyDivision=&vehicleFamily=

FWIW - all RV manufactured are (supposed) to weigh each RV to verify the weights are correct. The max weight (GVW) is usually right, and is based upon the axle capacity and the tongue/pin capacity - as well as the frame capacity. You are supposed to try to keep your RV under that weight by not overloading it. I weighed my 36Q4 Everest on the way home from the dealer when new and it was within 40 lbs of the stated values(UVW).

 

[RGH43]

After asking the weight/towing questions I recieved an answer on another forum regarding the rear end of my truck, that answer suggested "You'll wish you had the 4. 10 diff!". How much would it cost to change from 3:73 to 4:10? What is involved? Would it be cost effective & would it buy me anything at this point?
I had to do this in a '62 Chevy Impala SS many years ago, I'm sure it is quite different now, that was just replacing a bad ring & pinion gear.
see original ? below.

I'm looking at a '04 DoubleTree Mobile Suites 36TK3 16K# GVRW.
13,501 UVW w/o Water & LP. Pin Wt 2550#. I have a 2003 Quad cab 3500 DRW W/ 3. 73 & 6spd, GVRW 11,500. GCWR 21,500

 

[duckcarvr]

in my 02 manual a 410 rear gave you another 1000 lbs gcwr. to 21,000 lbs. maybe someone has better info. robert

 

[JKeith]

Don't change to the 4:10s, they are lower than you need. I have them in my 06, and wish I had the 3:73s, or more.

 

[JHardwick]

Sounds like your gonna be a little overwieght! However, I'd feel safer passing you than the guy with the same RV driving the airbagged 1/2 ton!!! Some of these guys are feakin scarey!!! Coon huntin with their dang headlights, front end wandering all over the road ... ... ... ... ... oh, and then ad a nice side wind!!!



After all of that, you'll be way happier with the 4:10's. It's only the grocery getters who like the 3:73's with 37" tall tires.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I doubt you need 4:10's with a 6 speed transmission. I have 4:10's on my automatic and I'm glad that I do but I only have 4 speeds. With the 6 speed you should be fine with the 3:73 gears.

 

[JHardwick]

2003. 5 3500 QC SLT 2WD Dually LB 6spd 373 Limited Slip, Patriot Blue Pearlcoat

I didn't know there was a 2003 midyear model change? Did I miss something? I know about the '04 midyear and the '04. 5's, but not the '03?

 

[JHardwick]

I doubt you need 4:10's with a 6 speed transmission. I have 4:10's on my automatic and I'm glad that I do but I only have 4 speeds. With the 6 speed you should be fine with the 3:73 gears.

He'd be happier and so would the truck with 4:10's and that kind of weight.

 

[RGH43]

I thought that they had changed to the 3rd generation engine mid way thru the 03 model year, I ordered my truck in June 2003 so I have the "quiet engine" not that I really like the sound as my did 98. 5 24v. Is that incorrect?

 

[klenger]

The only significant change that I know of at 2003. 5 was the introduction of the 48RE behind the HO engine.

 

[JHardwick]

I ordered my '03 in November of '02 with the 305hp HPCR engine. As klenger states, it was only available with the HO and 6spd transmission, the 47re was offered with the SO HPCR motor. Later in the year the 48re was offered with the HO. I guess I just never heard of this refered to as a mid-year model change like the '98. 5 and the '04. 5 ... ... ..... no biggy.

 

[jnelson]

Put a e-brake on it. Add an edge juice w/ attitude. then go enjoy the next 400,000 miles.