Geez: I'm beginning to wonder if I would not be better off with one of the longer, heavier units with a lesser pin weight. The 34 foot triple slide weighs over 1000 pounds more but the pin weight is over 300 pounds less. It would be much closer to the 14900 trailering capacity, but under the gvwr?
But, if all this is due largley in part to cantilevered weight behind the rear axle,( as in the triple slide with two behind the axle) then in theory, could I not load the rear of the 32 footer with 1500 pounds of gear and take the weight off the pin???? No, I dont think I'm becoming an expert, but I'm just wondering if it really works that way. I know from race trailers that a tail heavy trailer is not a good thing as it tends to "wag." Having never pulled a fifth wheel, do they behave the same?
In any event, this has been an enlightening thread. Thanks everybody!
My understanding is that 20% of the 5th wheel weight should be on the hitch. 17% or 18% is workable but any less could result in stability problems when pulling. Tail heavy is a problem. But if you can control the weight in the back compartment vs front, it is doable. Try to keep close to the 20%.
The thing that I noticed is the speed you travel. I feel a lot better control at 55 mph then at 65.
Oh, One thing I forgot to add is that if you want to keep you truck, you can do minor things to lighten; such taking off the tailgate (75lbs) and use a net. Also, take the truck spear tire and put it in the basement of the RV. These could save 150lbs.
* This post was
edited 05/24/08 06:29pm by DSINCA *
My understanding is that 20% of the 5th wheel weight should be on the hitch. 17% or 18% is workable but any less could result in stability problems when pulling. Tail heavy is a problem. But if you can control the weight in the back compartment vs front, it is doable. Try to keep close to the 20%.
The thing that I noticed is the speed you travel. I feel a lot better control at 55 mph then at 65.
Ah, speed. I do have a slight problem with speed. I tend to drive fast, always have. If the road allows it I will drive at least the posted limit 65, 75. I do a lot of the driving with my buddies 90 foot toter between NJ and Charlotte and we usually cruise at 75. Maybe if I was paying for the fuel (7MPG) I would go a little easier.
It will be an adjustment with a fifth wheel. I'm sure MPG drop drasically over 60 or so.
Update on pricing:: I found a dealer today offering (on the phone anyway) about 27% off list.
Quote: Update on pricing:: I found a dealer today offering (on the phone anyway) about 27% off list.
Shoot for at least 30% off MSRP and you will find a some dealers will have a higher MSRP than others. Just priced out a Cameo 37RE3 from two dealers. One had the MSRP at $73,300 and the other had it at $76,738 withe the same options. RV sales are down, so most dealers are willing to deal. Ask for 32% of MSRP and try and get at least 30%.
2006 Chevy 3500 LT3 D/A LBZ CC LB Dually. Xtreme floor mats, Luverne Side Steps with Dually Box Extendtions, Banks 4" Monster Exhaust (no muffler), Banks Ottomind 6 Tuner, Cameo F36FWS, full timing with our 3 Shelties
I have about 2800 lbs on the pin,fiver gvw 14600lbs,noticed with my back grey tank that is behind the axel.3/4 full last weekend ,that the handling was not the same .WE would normally dump ,but no facilities,so had to haul a little extra wt for 30 miles.Campgrounds every where were full,i have never seen so many rvs on the road.One thing we did notice was most were only 50-100 miles from home.1.35 per litre/200 $$ to fill up the cummins.
Just a note that if every 2500HD, 2500 and 250 that was towing overweight were removed from the road, then one half of the rigs on the road would not be there. Springs and tires are the main differences between them and their bigger brothers.
Chris
My Rig
2001.5 2500 STD CAB AUTO SLT 4x4, CTD 4:10's, Bomb'd to Tow
2005 Cardinal 29WBLX.
Quote: Update on pricing:: I found a dealer today offering (on the phone anyway) about 27% off list.
Shoot for at least 30% off MSRP and you will find a some dealers will have a higher MSRP than others. Just priced out a Cameo 37RE3 from two dealers. One had the MSRP at $73,300 and the other had it at $76,738 withe the same options. RV sales are down, so most dealers are willing to deal. Ask for 32% of MSRP and try and get at least 30%.
Thanks. This dealer uses a higher MSRP, about $5k more than the others. I'd like to know where they pull these numbers from?? I was basing the 27% on the lower MSRP of another dealer.(trying to compare apples to apples) If I use his MSRP, he's 33% off of his list.
Adding the airbags and larger tires won't increase your GVWR. It looks like it will increase your comfort level though. Check with your insurance company and get their opinion on being overweight. It may save you some issues down the road.
superdutyjayco wrote: Adding the airbags and larger tires won't increase your GVWR. It looks like it will increase your comfort level though. Check with your insurance company and get their opinion on being overweight. It may save you some issues down the road.
I agree with what you're saying. Nothing can change the designation of the truck except the manufacturer at the time of manufacture. From a purely pragmatic point of view though, heavier springs, shocks, airbags and higher load rated tires, even air pressure, do create the ability (NOT legal allowance) for the truck to haul more. When chevy builds the truck, the parts they use determine the capacity. If I add a second rear axle to my truck, it's still a 2500HD, but it will haul a lot more. My 2500 has the same axle as a 3500.
Will I be legal? Depends on who the police are. Call my insurance company and ask if I can run overweight?? I don't think so.
* This post was
edited 05/25/08 09:06am by FiveOJoe *
I would continue to work the dealer on the price of the generator. I purchased a new Jayco in January and one of the items I wanted and didn't want to pay a whole lot for was a generator. The dealer ended up giving it to me for nothing. Times are tough and they may just come down on that price.
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I tend to drive fast, always have. If the road allows it I will drive at least the posted limit 65, 75. I do a lot of the driving with my buddies 90 foot toter between NJ and Charlotte and we usually cruise at 75. Maybe if I was paying for the fuel (7MPG) I would go a little easier.
