donn0128 wrote: I said it before and i will say it again. The OP is looking for affirmation that he will be OK. Those that feel this is an accident looking for a place to happen are not being listened to because that is NOT what he wants to hear.
The moderator needs to close this one.
As always with you its your way or the highway,now you proclaimed yourself a moderator !!!!
Thanks for pointing that out davelinde, I never realized the tree was bigger also. Honestly though, my 2006 F-250 (I needed airbags to keep it level) pulled and stopper my Raptor great and the only difference between the two trucks is the F-450 is more stable especially when it's pretty windy out.
As promised... here's what it turned out to be when I picked it up.
"spec dry" 10,900#
First time to the scale 12,660#
Difference attributed to generator, 35 gallons fresh water, 12 gallons gasoline, 60# propane, luggage for 5 people, basic tools (which for me is about 100#)
Pin 2720# = 21.5%
Rear axle = 6000# under the tire limit of 6380# btw
I put 20# of air in the Firestones and she squatted 2" just like she did under the 1500# pin. I just finished the 650 mile ride home and she rode just dandy. Now... the transmission heated up quite a bit -- but that's another issue.
(yes, I realized I have no margin for cargo... we'll figure that out after we figure out what to do with the trans)
you know you are wrong and intend to tow any way. I can't tell you no, you are grown and free to make your own decisions....but run over me and my attorney will be all over you like white on rice and his instructions are to weigh the other rig and go after them with a vengeance.
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
My gut says you're fine...maybe shift some weight to the rear to balance it & lose a bit of pin weight? Definitely run rear tires at max psi (I'd bet 80).
Hotshotters gross 30K or more on Rams DAILY. Most are duallies, but I have seen more than a few SRW trucks pulling big goosenecks loaded with cars. I saw one (2500 SRW V10) pulling a big gooseneck with two skid-steers on it last week--I'd bet that was heavier than your new trailer.
John
1984 Ford B-700 school bus conversion, Thomas body
A bunch of other vehicles
3 nutty cats (Maya, Vierna, Briza)
One lazy dog (Marmaduke)
One wife (Liz)
"A wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age"
-Jim Steinman
you know you are wrong and intend to tow any way. I can't tell you no, you are grown and free to make your own decisions....but run over me and my attorney will be all over you like white on rice and his instructions are to weigh the other rig and go after them with a vengeance.
Ken
These kind of posts crack me up. It is like the arguments the K-5 kids have in my classroom. Perhaps iceman you would care to site any evidence or past case history to suggest that you would even have a case.
The fact of the matter is statistically there is very little chance whatsoever that Dave will ever be in an accident while towing this setup as RVers are among the lowest percentage of people likely to be involved in an accident. What makes that statement so significant is that 80% of RVers exceed GVWR of the TV.
If your concerns had any merit whatsoever, the streets would be littered with the dead bodies of RVers and their victims.
2006 2500HD CC SB 4X4 Duramax/Allison
Prodigy/16K Reese/265E Tires/Bilstein Shocks
RM Active Suspension/RDS 60gal Toolbox combo
davelinde wrote: As promised... here's what it turned out to be when I picked it up.
"spec dry" 10,900#
First time to the scale 12,660#
Difference attributed to generator, 35 gallons fresh water, 12 gallons gasoline, 60# propane, luggage for 5 people, basic tools (which for me is about 100#)
Pin 2720# = 21.5%
Rear axle = 6000# under the tire limit of 6380# btw
I put 20# of air in the Firestones and she squatted 2" just like she did under the 1500# pin. I just finished the 650 mile ride home and she rode just dandy. Now... the transmission heated up quite a bit -- but that's another issue.
(yes, I realized I have no margin for cargo... we'll figure that out after we figure out what to do with the trans)
So it looks like the truck with the trailer hooked up weighs about 10,500, 6000 of that on the rear axle and total weight is about 23,000. You're under on both axles and all tires so should be no worries on axles, tires or brakes. Looks like you're over by maybe 600 lbs on the GVWR of the 3500SRW version of your truck and that 9900 GVWR number is what I would use since I'm satisfied the 2500 and 3500SRW are essentially the same in all important areas except maybe the springs. Both trucks are lacking in springs for your application anyways. So the other issue is the combined weight is giving the tranny a tough time.
Here is what I would concentrate on-
-A bigger aftermarket cooler for the tranny, and maybe one of those fancy high capacity finned aluminum tranny pans too. I think you already have the temp gauge so that's good. I would be investigating about an extra electric fan to pull more air through the radiators too when driving at slow speeds or in hot weather.
-Heavier rear spring packs and/or overload packs. I wouldn't depend on the air bags to hold up the truck in that overloaded condition, you may end up with frame cracking like the guy in that other post recently in the truck camper forum. If I find the topic I'll post the link to it here. His frame failure was catastrophic and directly caused by the air bags and overloading. He did get it welded back together though.
Anyways, that's what I would do if it was my truck for the time being and eventually I would upgrade it to a dually with lower ratio axle gears (4.10's or 4.30's, which will help the tranny) in the future as money allows.
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