Towing a big trailer advice, I can take it!

[RVTRKN]

My first thought about this RV was not considering the truck at all, but the 5ver being a toy hauler with a dry weight of 14K and only dual axles is not enough if your going to load it with toys, fuel, water, propane and added gear, I would avoid it for just that reason. As far as your trucks ability, your very close to being illegal per axle ratings of the truck, and the only way to know would be to weigh it combined, on a scale.

 

[Hoefler]

Not only are the tires marginal at best, also needs a DRW, but a 15k hitch is not up to the task of 18k either.

 

[Tim1]

Thanks guys for all the input. My brother found the manuals in the trailer and the unladen weigh is 12,245 lbs. The hitch weight is a whopping 2750lbs. I was wondering how heavy these huge campers I see on these single wheel 3500 weigh? Anyway, my brother suggested I take it down to the truck stop and weigh it and see how it pulls. I too, am concerned about safety and won't compromise there. If it comes down to trailer tires, they can be upgraded. I do not like that scary feeling while towing!!! Tim

 

[Tim1]

Oh, how would you know if the axles are 7k or 8k? Thanks Tim

 

[NIsaacs]

Oh, how would you know if the axles are 7k or 8k? Thanks Tim

If the GVW tag on the trailer is gone or don't give GAWR you can tell by axle OD, 7k is 3" and 8k is 3. 5".

Nick

 

[HBarlow]

Tim,

Ignore the manufacturer's empty weights. The trailers are never weighed so those numbers are estimates only of what the trailer weighed when it came off the assembly line. You'll never pull it at empty weight. Never. Use the GVWR tag to determine what it will weigh. GVWR is always a much better estimate.

7,000 lbs axles and 8,000 lb. axles normally use the larger 9/16" studs iirc. You might find an axle tag somewhere on one of the axles. If the trailer has Dexter axles find numbers stamped in the axle and contact Dexter. They can and will tell you.

Normally if the manufacturer put a 16k GVWR on the trailer it will be equipped with two 8k axles and LRG GY tires. With an 18k GVWR the trailer should have been equipped with three 7k axles and six LRE tires.

I don't think I'd even consider the trailer from what you've told us.

 

[HBarlow]

If the GVW tag on the trailer is gone or don't give RAWR you can tell by axle OD, 7k is 3" and 8k is 3. 5".

Nick

I had my head down drafting a reply when you posted. I didn't know the relative axle sizes. That's good information. Does it always hold true?

 

[Tim1]

Yea, its heavy and under built in the axle area, I can measure the tube, but i am gonna pass on it. Tires at 6 years and 350. 00 ea. is steep, plus a new hitch, plus a new dually truck, for 7 days a year at this point. Thanks so much guys, I am outta here! Tim

 

[NIsaacs]

I had my head down drafting a reply when you posted. I didn't know the relative axle sizes. That's good information. Does it always hold true?

To my knowledge, yes. At least for Dexter and AL-KO... . Lippert??? The 5200, 6000, 7000 and 7. 2K axles are all 3", the 8k is 3. 5, the 9k is 4" and 10k and up are 5".



Nick

 

[HBarlow]

Yea, its heavy and under built in the axle area, I can measure the tube, but i am gonna pass on it. Tires at 6 years and 350. 00 ea. is steep, plus a new hitch, plus a new dually truck, for 7 days a year at this point. Thanks so much guys, I am outta here! Tim

Tim,

I think you made a wise decision. There will be lots of nice trailers for sale.

 

[6speed]

Just my 2 cents. I was in that boat pulling a 46' gooseneck race trailer with a 3500 SRW and using LR E Michelins at 80 PSI. Was concerned about the weight and out of curiosity checked the temps on the tires in 95* heat. They trucks rr tires were running 150* and higher. And I was only running 55. Tires are not designed to be at those temps. I converted mine to a dually for about 3K and it was the best 3K I think I ever spent. Now all the tires trk/trlr run about 110-120 in the heat of the summer.

 

[Tim1]

Back from town, told my brother to sell the trailer and look for a lighter one and not a 40 footer, really do not need that much! Really like my srw model, so will adjust. Tim

 

[EricBu12]

Tim,
I have a 36' Keystone Raptor toy-hauler with 2 slides. it has triple axle and 15K GVW. now it had bad Taiwan tires on it that failed. I now have 10 ply "E" tires on 16" rims and they work great. . so look for that size trailer on down. . I also have a 2009 3500 SRW and use 225/70R-19. 5" "G" 14 ply tires. on Ricksons Forged Aluminum Rims. .

I still need to get a rear sway bar and I have airbags for minimal support to keep truck level... and 16K Hitch. This is the largest trailer I would do with a SRW. the trailer you were looking at was under-built. It should have been a 3 axle.
I also agree that the roads in Oregon, twisty coastal roads and stuff you need a trailer and truck tires to have the stability you need. . 1st pic is how my truck was without the airbag. notice how it is a little sagging at the rear. Not bad but it was almost on the overloads.

the closeup is with airbag and only 20# air before weight was put on it.

 

[Tim1]

Oh yea, i see the difference. I am sure that the 19. 5 tires make all the difference also. I agree about being under built. Am looking for something smaller. Thanks for your input. Tim

 

[Cummins12V98]

Eric,

What psi do you run on your airbags?

U going to May Madness this year?

 

[Cummins12V98]

Eric,



What psi do you run on your airbags?



U going to May Madness this year?

 

[EricBu12]

15-20 # unloaded. . I have the pac brake airbags. .
I am not going to MM this year. . doing another small trip.

 

[Cummins12V98]

15-20 # unloaded. . I have the pac brake airbags. .
I am not going to MM this year. . doing another small trip.

Too bad you are not going!

I run 5 psi empty and 25-30 loaded. It does not change ride height loaded but it does help smooth out the bumps.

What psi loaded? And curious why so much unloaded.

I have PacBrake also.

 

[EricBu12]

No no. . I put 20 in before I hook up. . almost 0-5 psi empty. .