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Old 07-11-2020, 04:13 AM   #21
wiredgeorge
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GVWR is gross weight. This term is used for either the truck which has a gross weight which is: truck weight plus cargo (you, family, accessories, other junk) and camper has a GVWR which is stripped camper plus cargo (propane tanks, water, camping junk). The GVWR tells you how much "stuff" can be either put in/on the truck or in the camper without overloading it. Your 1054 lbs payload for your current little truck can be added to the trucks base weight for the GVWR.
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Old 07-11-2020, 05:03 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DKan6058 View Post
Yes but as you bigger so does the price!! And I'm talking trailer now. Lol. Im not looking for something hugh. Just a nice midsize with bunks. Any suggestions???? Lol
We have a 29BHS and we are very happy with it. You may want to check into that model.
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Old 07-11-2020, 05:09 AM   #23
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GVWR:
Gross
Vehicle
Weight
Rating

It is the heaviest the vehicle can weigh legally with everything in it.
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Old 07-11-2020, 05:27 AM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57 View Post
GVWR:
Gross
Vehicle
Weight
Rating

It is the heaviest the vehicle can weigh legally with everything in it.
To add to this, It is the total weight the Tow Vehicle (TV) can weigh while carrying the weight of the trailer.

Trailers also a GVWR which is the total weight that the trailer can weigh. This the weight on the axles and the weight on the hitch.
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Old 07-11-2020, 05:56 AM   #25
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Originally Posted by rhagfo View Post
To add to this, It is the total weight the Tow Vehicle (TV) can weigh while carrying the weight of the trailer.

Trailers also a GVWR which is the total weight that the trailer can weigh. This the weight on the axles and the weight on the hitch.

Thanks guys. Didn't I just say as much?
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Old 07-11-2020, 07:17 AM   #26
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Sourdough, would you be kind enough to explain the GVWR to me and exactly what that means. The truck I'm looking at has a GVWR of 11800. Some 5th wheel out there weigh more that that??


11800? Looking at a 1 ton? (Now I'm guessing again)

That 11800 is the very most the truck can weigh (gvwr = gross vehicle weight rating). That includes the weight of the truck, people, tongue/pin of a trailer and anything/everything else that might go in or on it. Trailers have their own gvwr and it's the same thing...for that particular truck/trailer/car etc. On your sticker you saw gawr front and rear of 3900 if I recall. That is gross axle weight rating for each axle and depends on how much weight you have carried by each axle. You need to scale the vehicle to determine that. The occupant load, commonly referred to as the payload, is the maximum weight that the truck can carry in/on it; gvwr minus truck weight = payload.

I think you're on the right path looking at that 1 ton (if I'm correct). It will give you a lot more options in trailers and you won't be like so many, me included, constantly buying bigger toys.....hopefully.
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Old 07-11-2020, 07:29 AM   #27
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Yeah after I thought about what I was asking....I said your an idiot. I know what that means. So yes I'm looking at a 3500 with a GVWR of 11800. Yes I'm going big like I should have 2yrs ago when I got the 1500 (kick in the a$$) now I just need to figure trailer or 5th. Leaning towards 5th. But they can get pricey! Ah the joys of RVing. Lol
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Old 07-11-2020, 07:57 AM   #28
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Yeah after I thought about what I was asking....I said your an idiot. I know what that means. So yes I'm looking at a 3500 with a GVWR of 11800. Yes I'm going big like I should have 2yrs ago when I got the 1500 (kick in the a$$) now I just need to figure trailer or 5th. Leaning towards 5th. But they can get pricey! Ah the joys of RVing. Lol


Be wary! Going to a 1 TON (3500/Big Truck) sounds like a huge truck but when you start looking at 5th wheels keep those numbers in mind. A 3500 single rear wheel can get dwarfed pretty quickly in today's 5th wheel market.

When I bought my current 3500 (I didn't really want a 1 ton) I had a specific 5th wheel in mind - Cougar 315rls (I didn't really want a 5th wheel). Mid profile (easier towing) and about a 12,500 gvw. Things changed (thanks DW) and all of a sudden I'm buying a full profile 5th wheel gvw of about 14,400. I didn't like that at all but......?

My truck payload is right at 4000 lbs. I guestimate my trailer loading to come in around 12,800 (didn't have time to scale before we had to leave). With a pin of maybe 2550 I'm already in my uncomfortable zone because I like a cushion.

Keep those things/numbers in mind. A 1 ton IS a big, capable truck but a larger 5th wheel can overload a SRW quickly.
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Old 07-11-2020, 08:45 AM   #29
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Yeah after I thought about what I was asking....I said your an idiot. I know what that means. So yes I'm looking at a 3500 with a GVWR of 11800. Yes I'm going big like I should have 2yrs ago when I got the 1500 (kick in the a$$) now I just need to figure trailer or 5th. Leaning towards 5th. But they can get pricey! Ah the joys of RVing. Lol
You have almost reached "weight police" status! You may be skipping the stop off at the 3/4 ton sign but that's the smart way to get to the goal posts!
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Old 07-16-2020, 09:17 AM   #30
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2500 Diesel will make towing an 8,000lb trailer so much more manageable. The exhaust break is very useful for down hill grades.
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Old 07-16-2020, 10:32 AM   #31
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3/4 and one ton are great and all, but for 8K trailer, you would be fine with a heavy duty 150 (HDPP) GCWR over 17K, 2500 payload. And when you are not towing, enjoy the more supple ride. Some people love the hard ride of a bigger truck, my 150 feels like a limousine and is as quiet as one too. The drawback is you have to order one unless you get super lucky. Order one, it is worth the wait and a great solution to an 8K trailer.
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Old 07-16-2020, 12:04 PM   #32
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Thoughts

So this is a Ram 2500 I'm liking. What are your guys thoughts. Is 10000 lbs enough if your not looking for a hugh trailer 5th or pull??
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Old 07-16-2020, 12:14 PM   #33
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1/4 ton trucks make great commute cars. and grocery getters.
for towing a 3/4 ton is light duty.

all the talk set aside. it is just how the trucks are made. bigger frames. stronger springs ( but good to have air bags). things are just beefer

i have two trucks ( anyone want to buy the dodge?)
it is a light duty thing. i would have no problem jumping in it and driving across many states, rides great. just needs tires. but for towing i have my ford supper duty. it is only a 3/4 ton, if i buy another ( read bigger ) rv then i will jump up to a one ton truck.

can never have to much truck.
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Old 07-16-2020, 12:29 PM   #34
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I think about the lightest 5th wheel Keystone makes is 10k lbs. At 20% pin weight that would leave you 330lbs. for the family and everything you need. Way too short IMO. If you're looking at a 5th wheel you need a larger payload. My 3/4 gas truck had a payload of 3190 if I recall (vs the 2330 in the pic) and I wanted a larger truck for a 5th wheel.

You said you wanted to retire and do some extensive traveling and take a grandchild and homeschool. If so you are going to want some room in my experience. One of the 5th wheels I pulled up (Cougar Half Ton) was 26'10" long. Probably as much useable space if not more than the Class C you've been using - but there is still the pin weight.

You used the term "huge" which is a very subjective term. You probably need to decide what that is; maybe by walking through some prospective units. Just to get a feel you could walk through any make RV with a similar floorplan to what you might like just to see what it's going to be like. At that point you might be able to determine just how huge "huge" is.
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Old 07-16-2020, 12:53 PM   #35
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Sourdough, do the benefits of the 5th wheel out weigh a pull behind??
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Old 07-16-2020, 02:20 PM   #36
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I'm fresh off the trade from bumper pulls to a 5th wheel. I've made 2-3 short trips and then this one from TX to FL in the MHC. But, our situation may be similar to yours except we have no children living with us....but we do have puppy.

First I will say that I would never even remotely consider spending a lot of time in any RV without at least 3 slides. I would have gone for more this time but I am at the max for a 1 ton SRW and won't go to a DRW. Spent many years with no slides and that is just not comfortable to us for anything more than taking a week hunting trip.

The short answer I suppose, to us, yes; but that is a qualified answer. We came to FL for 6 years to spend the winters with the previous trailer. Took other trips for shorter durations. I had a 2014 Cougar High Country 319RLS. Overall length was about the same as this 5th wheel - 37/38'. Primary difference is that the bumper pull includes tongue. The 5th includes the tiny portion of the pin that sticks out so in essence you gain considerable useable length. But the 2 things that make the 5th worthwhile to us are the raised interior height and the washer dryer; we had everything else in the last one other than the improved front storage.

If you are going to retire and spend extended time in the the trailer, even the size we had, starts to feel like you're going into a tunnel after a month or 2. Not enough to make you pick up and leave, but enough to make you start wishing for "home" and all that space. I think our color scheme in that one compounded the issue as well. I like wood and wood tones so that's what I went for. I did not think about the darker interior actually messing with your senses after a long period. This one is lighter.

We had pretty much the same layout as this one except the windows were on the driver side....not a good idea after using them in RV parks a lot (I used to detest them). But as I said, the increased height, which definitely makes the interior feel much bigger is a huge benefit IMO. The washer/dryer was a mandate from DW if we were going to get another trailer hence the full profile 5th.

Towing: towing is better with the 5th wheel but not night and day difference. It's different, more steady and tracks better I suppose. I had worked a lot to get my Equalizer and truck "tuned in" on the last rig so sway was not an issue and why I don't feel like there is a tremendous amount of difference..yet. Occasionally, given the right gust or whip in the wind it would make the old trailer feel like it wanted to "whip". This one hasn't done that but the other trailer and I had quite a few miles and circumstances under our belts.

Lot of info you probably don't need, and maybe I left out something. If so, let me know.
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Old 07-16-2020, 02:33 PM   #37
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So with the numbers I gave you before. Could I pull this 5th wheel??? Keystone hideout, 308bhds wt: 9320, hitch wt: 1915? I'm trying to figure what my basics are so I have a better idea. I guess I'm have a hard time with the numbers. Not having ever done this, I'm feeling pretty dumb right now. Lol
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Old 07-16-2020, 03:44 PM   #38
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Here is the Keystone link to that trailer;

https://www.keystonerv.com/fifth-whe...s-fifth-wheel/

Note the gvw of that trailer is 12,000lbs (shipping weight plus carrying capacity). When loaded fully the pin weight (12000 x 20% = 2400 vs 2330) would be more than the payload of the last truck you posted. So I would say it's too heavy.

Don't feel dumb and the numbers ARE confusing if you haven't dealt with them for years. Just basic general guidelines applicable to every truck/trailer;
1) Truck max tow number is meaningless, the others will actually determine the what the truck can CARRY, not pull (tow), there is a difference. 2) the dry weight of a trailer (or anything else) is meaningless. It hasn't weighed that since it rolled out the factory door; adding propane tanks, propane, batteries all moved that number and it only gets bigger. 3) Use 13% of the gvw as described above as an approximation for tongue weight of a bumper pull to deduct from your potential truck - 20% minimum for a 5th wheel pin. 4) you can determine payload pretty closely by subtracting the vehicle weight (needs to be scaled) from gvw of the truck, 5) gross axle weights should not be exceeded (need to be scaled to determine).

Just some quick things to log while trying to work through the numbers. Bottom line a truck with a 2330 payload isn't going to be able to "comfortably" handle (carry) a fifth wheel in general.
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Old 07-16-2020, 03:51 PM   #39
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So basically I would still be limited to an 8k trailer. Right!
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Old 07-16-2020, 04:11 PM   #40
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Just think of it this way; an 8k trailer would be gvw - not going to be a fiver like that. The difference is the way the trailers are built and weight distributed;

An 8k bumper pull will guestimate weight put on your truck at 8000 x .13 = 1040 lbs. Your payload on that truck is 2330 leaving 1290lbs. for family and stuff. It's doable. On the other hand IF there was a 5th wheel with a gvw of 8000 that could be used, it would have a an estimated pin weight of 1600 lbs. (8000 x 20% = 1600) leaving approx. 730 lbs. for the things above. Even the 8000lb. 5th wheel is going to put you on the brink with 2330 payload....and I don't know of any 8000lb. 5th wheels. If there was one I doubt it would make you happy in the plans you envision.
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