TXiceman wrote: And the people pulling too much trailer with a 3/4 ton truck will fight to the end that you can use a 3/4 ton ...just add crutches like air bags and all is great.
And note, most will not post their rig in the signature or profile.
Ken
Well said. It is really sad that people will not listen to the suggestions from people that have been there,done that. By most of the logic here, an over the road trucker should be safe to haul 80,000 pounds with a class 6 truck as long as he does not exceed the axle ratings by loading properly.
My best reply to this topic is to tell you of my experience.
Our 1st 5th wheel was an 02 sprinter. 29ft 6 inches long. Had two slides both in the living room. None in the bedroom. Gvwr on this model was about 11,500lbs and a listed pin weight of about 1400 lbs. The truck was an 02 dodge v10 with 310 hp and 450 lbs toque. Truck weighed 6000 lbs and had a gvwr of 8888 lbs. The tires were rated about 3000 lbs each. Though I had plenty of room to spare and by the number I did. but....After I had the truck and the Sprinter a while I got it weighed (and the truck) . Total weight was under 18000 lbs. (GCWR of truck was 19000) but the total truck weight with the Sprinter hooked up was about 10500 lbs. Way under what the tires could carry but still 6 to 700 lbs over listed gvwr for the truck. How did it tow? going up any hill (that we went up) that v10 pulled like a team of mules ... over straight roads with slow sweeping turns towed like a champ. On twisting roads with other traffic passing or even with light winds the whole thing did not feel stable at all. That is were I was introduced to "white knuckle towing" . I did not find it pleasant at all.
Our new rig see sig is much heaver but the truck has more capacity and is a pleasure to tow. Goodbye to "white knuckle" towing for me and good riddance.
Sorry it took so long.
bob and jackie
whitetruck wrote: had a gvwr of 8888 lbs......but the total truck weight with the Sprinter hooked up was about 10500 lbs. Way under what the tires could carry but still 6 to 700 lbs over listed gvwr for the truck. bob and jackie
6 to 700 lbs? More like 1600+ lbs over.
I was almost over GVWR on my 2500HD with a 9200 lbs GVWR with my old 34' TT! With a fully loaded truck, ready for a trip, toolbox, full tank of fuel and everyone in it, I weighed in at 7850lbs, leaving me only 1350 of CC left. The tongue weight on my TT, by the brochure said 1200 lbs, reality and the CAT certified scales said 1300. The trailer itself was at 10000 lbs even, 50 lbs shy of GVWR.
This was not over any limits but comfort and reality said that something was not right. The trailer towed level and was setup with a good WD hitch, but the truck always sagged in the back and even with airbags never felt "right". The trailer always felt like it was in control. Now everyone is going to say "that's because it was a TT". Well, when I towed it with my 3500DRW (after trading the 2500HD in prep for my 5er) to the dealer to trade it in, it actually towed like a dream, truck always felt in control and the whole setup felt great. The thought of 2100 - 2800 lbs on the back of my 2500HD truck always made me cringe.
I too had the 2500HD before I bought the 5er and used it as a daily driver. I too did not have a need for a 3500 truck to drive around town in, but when it comes to towing, whether it be once a year or full time, the 3500 is needed and welcomed. I can't stand to see an overloaded vehicle, I pass them as fast as I can because one of these days, one is going to give way and I don't want to be behind it.
'06 Chevy CC/LB 4x4 3500 DRW Dmax/Alli a few go fast mods
'08 Pilgrim Legends 37QB4S-H5 full-timing ready!
JT Strongarms, 5th Airborne, few custom touches
Me (DH), DW, darling little boy and sweet little girl.
Again thanks for all the responses. I really appreciate the real world stories of your own experiences. All the numbers are helpful, but as an engineer I can assure you the auto guys are leaving some wiggle room, we always do! I pulled a hybrid travel trailer with a dodge dakota for a while and white knuckled from cranking up to pulling in a campsite. I certainly don't want to get in that situation again.
Anyone got any input on the Sundance 2998RB?
dry 9090
gvrw 11990
hitch 1700
I have a buddy with this camper and he claims it pulls like a dream behind a 2500HD. The pin weight will still be a little heavy for a 3/4 but certainly better?
I have a Sundance 2900 MK that has similar weights as the 2998RB. I tow with a 2500 HD Crew Cab duramax SB and no problems. I looked at everything in the market and kept doing the math ( like you). I finally decided that the few times we tow, and given the numbers appeared to work (albeit nearing the max payload of the TV), why should we forgo the opportunity for a bedroom slide. Now that we've towed the Sundance for almost a year, it was the right decision! I actually find the slightly heavier pin weight of my Sundance (3 slide) than my previous (single slide) 5'er seems to make the handling better? Overall, I have never felt the tail wagging the dog while towing in many different conditions and various terrain.
If you do elect to go with the Sundance ( nice units) make sure to get the optional 16" wheels and shocks (6000 lb axles)with equa-flex package! I did add rear air bags to my TV, not because my truck needed them, but it helped with leveling the front head lights at night and improved the ride a little.
The above said, I would not suggest going much higher than a 1850 lbs spec pin weight with a 3/4 TV. Like others have said, by the time you add just your basics in the 5'er and then have it scaled, you'll be blown away with how much weight creep occurs. The mid-profile Sundance line appears to be fit the need for those of us with 2500 HD TV's and prefer a double or triple side quality coach.
2003 GMC HD 2500 CC 4x4 DuraMax/Allison
2008 Sundance 2900MK
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