Hi, this is my first time towing my Travel trailer and I have no idea if I'm doing it right.
I have a
Gulfstream, Kingsport 286
30' long
Weight 6900 lbs (actual weight when I will be towing it)
Towing vehicle:
1995 Ford F150 super cab short bed
Total towing Weight: 7300
GVWR 6050
Base payload capacity 1850
I'm very confused about 3 things:
1 - Is this truck able to tow my trailer (looks like it is since its able to tow 7300
2 - how much weight can I put ON THE TRUCK in terms of cargo? I have some boxes I want to take with me and have to calculate what to keep and what throw away.
3 - what hitch class do I need?
I'm driving from Florida to Maine, what is the ideal speed on interstate?
Please any help will be appreciated I really dont know where to start to get information.
If you look on the edge of the driver's door there should be a sticker with the GCVR which is the total allowed weight of the truck and trailer. Load up the truck as planned for the trip (including a full set of passengers), load the trailer. Hook it up drive down to a commercial scale, most truck stops will have one. As you pull into the scale you will notice that the scale is marked in boxes with paint. Stop with the truck in one box and the trailer in another and tell the scale operator (on an intercom which will be there) that this is a first weighing and you want axle weights. When he tells you to do so drive off, go in pay up and get your weight ticket which will show the weight of the truck and trailer and the gross combined weight.
If that gross weight is less than the vehicle GCVR you are OK. Many people feel it should be no more than 80% of the GCVR for safe towing but that is a personal decision. Running close or over the GCVR can make life tough when going up grades and make it way too exciting when you have to do an emergency brake.
You don't mention whether you have a Weight Distributing Hitch or a brake controller.
I think the scale instructions are correct but I'm not an expert.
Another thing that would be nice to know is the trailers hitch weight. You can get a good approxrimation of the weight by subrtracting the weight on your trucks rear wheels with and without the trailer attached. The difference in these two weights is pretty close to your actual hitch weight. It would be your actual hitch weight, but then there is some matters of lever arms etc. i.e. the distance from your hitch ball to the rear axle.
If you want to know the actual hitch weight just detach your trailer on the truck scale with the hitch support on one area of the truck scale and the trailer wheels on and segmanet of the scale.
Knowing the hitch weight will be used to determine which hitch to install.
* This post was
edited 05/15/08 11:16am by Road Runners *
'05' F-250 Power Stroke
'00' 30' Cameo Fifth Wheel
1. Maybe, but you are probably maxed out if not over GVWR
2. Considering the tongue weight of a trailer that size, MAYBE 500 lbs
3. For safety margin I would recommend a class 4
Keep it under 65 mph, or slower if more comfortable.
You will need all the proper equipment as well. A good W/D hitch with integrated sway control, (such as the Reese HP Dual Cam) and a brake controller.
05 Super Duty XLT CC 5.4/3.73 5 sp auto Torqshift
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The"Cracker Cabana")
Reese HP Dual Cam
You will be over your truck's ratings, but not a lot.
That tow rating assumes an EMPTY truck (other than the driver and hitch). Any more in the truck comes off the 7300#
Basically if you load more than 400# of people and stuff in the truck you will be at the manufacturers stated limit.
To nail it. Weigh the truck ready for travel, but not attached to the trailer. Subtract that number from your trucks GCWR which is the max rating for the total rig.
What is left is the max trailer weight.
Also, watch the hitch weight - you may add 700-900#+ to the truck there.
As I said, I expect you to be over, maybe by 1000# when you load up.
Realize you will be working the truck VERY hard, uphill will be painful
Keith J, Retired from GM Engineering
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE 2WD/CC/SB/DA.
1999 Sunnybrook 27RKFS Fiver
Bilsteins, Line-X, Westin steps, Prodigy, Retrax, 16K Superglide, 5th-Airborne pin-box, Multi-vex mirrors.
Please do not double post. See the replies to your question here.
I will close this thread as the other one I linked to in the TT Forum has more replies.
Welcome to the forums! I hope you get all your questions answered and post often. You might want to take a look at the Forum Rules so you know exactly what is allowed and what is not. Most people just agree to them without reading them. Again, welcome.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook 30FKS TT
Hensley 1400# hitch
2002 Ford F250, 7.3L PSD, SuperCab, Short bed, Auto, 3:73rear
1996 Harley Davidson FLHRI Road King
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