Question for the Tow Pro's

[Red360]

I wanted to ask your options on a truck/trailer setup. As you can see in my signature, I have a 2500, but I have the opportunity to pick up a new 35' bumper pull triple axle. My GCWR is 20K. My truck with me, fuel etc is 7660#'s. The trailer empty is 8,120lbs, 216 gallons of H2O 1793lbs, 20 gallons of propane 92lbs, 56 gallons of fuel 350lbs, and one ATV at 800lbs. This puts the trailer at 11,155 lbs even though the GVWR of the trailer is 18,000 lbs. So with the extra weight of clothes, pots, pans, etc... I may be a little over. By the way, the trailer is a Coachman Adrenaline 314 FS TT. So do any of you guys/gals see any problems? Thanks in advance.

 

[ECappleman]

If I remember right, mine is rated at bumper (EQ hitch) for 12K.

 

[TowPro]

The only thing that would scare me is the "stories" I have heard of accidents where the camper (real weight) and truck (real weight) weight was within your GCWR, but if you add your campers GVW (sticker on sie of camper) to your truck weight you are over the GCWR of your truck.



In the "stories" I heard someone died from the accident and the guy towing lost his (behind) in a court battle. (even though is was within his GCWR with the load he was towing).

 

[Rman]

what's the tongue weight going to be? Your left with about 1140 lbs. I'm guessing you'll be in the neighorhood of 1200-1400. So I think you're just about hitting the max with this truck. There are several others going above and beyond, and I think if towed safely and cautiously, GENERALLY you'll be ok. Upgrade the brakes, get a Exhaust brake, and air bags and you're helping yourself out some. But nothing will change numbers.



How often and how far would you tow? If it is infrequent relatively short trips it's probably worth the risk. That's how I gauge hauling my slide in. I don't use it enough to justify another truck solely to haul my camper around.

 

[PatrickCampbell]

I would get a 5th wheel or gooseneck for this kind of weight ...

 

[LesStallings]

I'm guessing the trailer is fairly high profile.



A heavy, high profile, bumper pull and a single rear wheel truck would not be fun in any kind of windy condition.



I've got a high profile goose neck (8' inside height), 15,000 pounds, and dual rear wheel truck. I've seen folks with your setup all over the road in cross-winds. It seems you are stacking the deck against yourself.



If you go that direction, please be careful and sit out the windy days in an RV park!!

 

[tx_fireman1525]

I agree, that might be pushing it for that 3/4 ton. But again, how far will u be towing it, and how frequently?

 

[MMeier]

I thought max weight, even with a WD hitch set up was 10k# on our Dodges.

 

[Learguy]

I wanted to ask your options on a truck/trailer setup. As you can see in my signature, I have a 2500, but I have the opportunity to pick up a new 35' bumper pull triple axle. My GCWR is 20K. My truck with me, fuel etc is 7660#'s. The trailer empty is 8,120lbs, 216 gallons of H2O 1793lbs, 20 gallons of propane 92lbs, 56 gallons of fuel 350lbs, and one ATV at 800lbs. This puts the trailer at 11,155 lbs even though the GVWR of the trailer is 18,000 lbs. So with the extra weight of clothes, pots, pans, etc... I may be a little over. By the way, the trailer is a Coachman Adrenaline 314 FS TT. So do any of you guys/gals see any problems? Thanks in advance.

216 Gallons of water???? Is that just fresh water or are you adding all the tanks? (Gray and black). I never tanker water, get it when you get there or as close as possible and dump your gray and black when you leave. Are you adding the 56 gallons of fuel twice also? Do you have a scale near by? What I have done is weigh the truck with full fuel, hook-up and roll across again with it ready to go. Get REAL numbers. DON'T GUESS!! It sounds like it would be OK (Nothing more) in IDEAL situations... ... Some sh** happens, you'll be in deep doo doo. That's alot of bumper trailer and not enough truck. Just my opinion.

 

[Red360]

Yep, 216 gallons of fresh water, 200 in main tank and 16 gallons for hot water heater. This trailer also has twin fuel tanks, 28 for the 5. 5KW Genset and 28 gallons for the toys. Most of my camping would be under 150 miles pretty much staying within the state of NV. Advertised tongue weight is 1,240 pounds.

 

[ECappleman]

Dang... . 200 gal ?

My little 26ft only holds 40 of fresh.



How much does the gray and black tanks hold?

 

[TowPro]

I bet that the 200 gallons is so you can use a pressure washer to wash the toys before putting them back into the rig.

Dang... . 200 gal ?

My little 26ft only holds 40 of fresh.



How much does the gray and black tanks hold?

 

[Learguy]

Red,



Is there water available where you go? I know I can feel just 40 gallons in my 5'r. I've also had to travel to dump sometimes and I can feel that also. I've noticed that you are also looking at a gooseneck. As far as towing, that will pull a lot nicer. If you go with the tag trailer, spend the money on a good hitch. Good luck on which everyway you go and BE CAREFUL!!!

 

[Red360]

I received the Putnam XDR Class V receiver yesterday. So that takes care of the truck side and I have a weight distributing hitch already. Gray tank is 70 gallons and black is 59. The main reason for wanting to get this trailer is the water capicity as I like to camp in the middle of nowhere. The trailer also has twin 40# propane tanks and 3 deep cycle batteries.

 

[Learguy]

man that's a lot of water!!! :--) When the wife and I go, the 40 gallons fresh will last for 3 to 4 days. That's with each of us taking a shower a day. Otherwise, it will last 6 to 7 days... .

 

[GAllen]

I've towed this trailer (pics) with a 2500 Yukon XL and the Dodge with good results. The key is to have the proper hitch and having it set up correctly. I've found that using the truck scales was critical when adjusting the hitch in order to measure axel weights. Tag trailers reaching 36 to 38 feet and having a GVWR of 13K are fairly common here in SoCal. You literally see hundreds of them in Glamis.

 

[Diesel Dually]

The triple axle will help you quite a bit with both tongue weight and sway. I used to tow a 32' Avion triple axle with a Ford F150 using 1000 lb. weight distribution bars and a sway control device. The winds never bothered anything but I did have the brakes on the truck a bit warm a few times.

 

[TowPro]

I found the story about the guy who crashed towing a trailer that was over his trucks rating, even though the "as towed" weight was below his trucks rating. click here Scarry.



I found it within This thread here in TDR

 

[Red360]

Thanks

Thanks for everyone's advice... I guess tomorrow is the deciding day. I think I'm leaning more toward a 28' Dune Chaser tag. I'll post what happens. Thanks again everyone. Scot

 

[MKeliher]

Hitch Weight

Tow Pro's

With the use of a weight distribution hitch (equal-i-zer) rated for 12K on a Class IV receiver. If the tongue weight is 1300 pounds loaded, can you or when I transfer 200 to 300 pounds back to the trailer? Will this be legal? Travel trailer stats: Ameri-Camp 31' 11", GVWR 11420, UVW 7080, NCC 3923, hitch weight 1260 pounds, Mor-Ride suspension, and 225-75R15/d. Thanks!