Enough truck

[Rhagfo]

While at the shows, please, please ignore any advertisements about pin weight, half-ton capable, etc. Before even looking inside an RV, go to the driver side and look at the vin/load stickers. Locate the GVWR and multiple that times 25%. That will be your MAX pin weight. If that weight does not fit your tow vehicle cargo capacity, pass up that RV and keep looking.

The other number to look at on that sticker is the PAYLOAD for the trailer! I have seen 40’ units with a 1,600# payload, not good!

 

[jamtracy]

The site says 10,124 shipping weight for the trailer. That's empty sight. Cargo capacity 2,076. Hitch weight 1805. My truck 3084 max payload. We never drive with water in the tanks. Not sure how much propane and batteries weigh. 200 I'm guessing. The rest of our stuff is just food, small BBQ, lawn chairs etc. Maybe another 200 . Our average total trailer weight approx would be 10700 lbs. I know the gvwr is 12,200. We would never max that out with 2076 pounds of stuff

The trucks payload is already calculated with a driver and a full tank of fuel.

 

[jamtracy]

I will never forget years ago when I was in a Camping World and the salesman stated that "a 3/4 ton truck would pull anything on his lot." I was looking around at some 3 axle toy hauler fifth wheels and my eyes just sort of bugged out lol........

This is true but unfortunately people believe this cause I see many 3 axles being towed by 2500s. Even 3500 SRW is pushing it.

 

[rbrdriver]

Just because a truck can "pull" something is not the same as "carrying and handling" it. A lot of newer trucks (3/4 ton) have big fancy grills and look tough, but are sadly lacking in the payload carrying capacity, especially for fifth wheel towing. Unfortunately you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink, so to speak......

 

[sourdough]

Just because a truck can "pull" something is not the same as "carrying and handling" it. A lot of newer trucks (3/4 ton) have big fancy grills and look tough, but are sadly lacking in the payload carrying capacity, especially for fifth wheel towing. Unfortunately you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink, so to speak......

This is so true....and so sad that folks don't take the time to educate themselves. It's 4th of July week and RVs are out and about in our neck of the woods (usually none). Headed to another town there was a stream of RVs heading N. Many questionable setups headed the other way but DW asked about one; a triple axle 5th wheel pulled by a SRW truck - based on what I see every day I assume a 2500. Even if a 3500 it was out of it's league. At some point RV buyers are going to have to educate themselves about the intricacies of towing. Far too many think it's just like buying a Chevy Spark.....it's not.

 

[JRTJH]

The trucks payload is already calculated with a driver and a full tank of fuel.

That "used to be the case" but is no longer the accepted "GVWR-truck weight= payload remaining" calculations...

It's impossible for any vehicle manufacturer to know how much a driver weighs. Used to be, they calculated 150 pounds for driver weight. Some manufacturers included the driver in the curb weight, some didn't...

Today, a "driver" could be a 90 pound "grandma" or a 450 pound "McD's career manager with an obesity issue"... No longer does RAM, GM or Ford calculate the driver in the truck weight then give the payload remaining...

Currently all 4 HD truck manufacturers state to look at the payload sticker, subtract the weight of the driver and all passengers and what's left is the available cargo weight.... The driver is no longer included in vehicle curb weight...

Now, there's still a "loophole" in how all 4 manufacturers address payload. NONE of them, in those calculations state "AND ALL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED AFTER THE TRUCK LEFT THE FACTORY".... So, if an owner installed a cargo bed cover, a crossbed took box, filled it with welding equipment, those things are "still cargo" but the instructions in all 4 owner's manuals no longer address that stuff in the payload remaining examples....

But, bottom line: No longer is the driver's weight considered before calculating payload remaining.....

 

[flybouy]

I get a laugh when I read posts about weights and payload. Every doctors office tha I have ever been in has a scale. I've never been asked asked what my weight is. They tell me what the scale displayes. They measure all vitals and tell me what the EXACT results are.

I don't think anyone would accept going to a market and the butcher selling you "around" x lbs of meat. A vendor selling you " about" x lbs of fruit. Or a gas station the advertised nearly a gallon of gas for x dollars.

It's so easy to scale a truck and trailer to know EXACTLY where you stand. I think it's important to know the real weights and not guess at it. It maybe a little inconvenience but that's like. YMMV

 

[spade117]

150 lbs is not really a good average weight for a driver nowadays either.

 

[Notanlines]

150 lbs is not really a good average weight for a driver nowadays either.

you take that back right now!!

 

[JRTJH]

150 lbs is not really a good average weight for a driver nowadays either.

LOL You're so very "painfully on point" with that statement... And, it applies not only to vehicle payload calculations, it also applies to who can and can not walk on an RV roof....

These days, answering the question, "Is my trailer roof walkable?" goes far beyond whether there's a ladder installed on the back.....

Same with the statement, "It's just my wife, me and a dog, so we should have lots of payload left over for the trailer hitch weight."

In both, it becomes a "maybe/maybe not"....

 

[Rhagfo]

150 lbs is not really a good average weight for a driver nowadays either.

What do you mean? I weighed 150# about 40 years ago when I was running marathons.

 

[spade117]

I weighed 150# about 40 years ago...

Me too...and I'm still in my mid 40's.