We are interested in a 2012 Arctic Fox 27-5L. This model has a rear kitchen and two slides. The 2012 has been redesigned and is now 8.5 ft. wide and about 29ft long. It has a gross dry weight (shipped weight) of 10,200 lbs. and based on a discussion with the factory, an average hitch weight of about 2,000 lbs. We have a 2008 Chevy 3500 SRW, extended cab, long bed, Duramax with a GVWR of 9,900 lbs. Scaled weight with driver and passenger, full tank of diesel, and allowance for hitch (200 lbs.) is 7,700 lbs. That gives me a maximum hitch weight of 2,200 lbs. and still stay within GVWR and a maximum of 14,300 lbs. to stay within the 22,000 GCWR.
I have never owned an RV, so my questions are, what would I expect for a pin weight and total weight for a reasonably loaded coach (empty fresh, grey, and black tanks)? I’m really concerned that with only 200 lbs. remaining on my GVWR and a dry hitch weight of 2,000 lbs. that I will be considerably over my GVWR when loaded. Would a loaded rear kitchen offset much pin weight?
Yes, a loaded rear kitchen DOES offset hitch weight.
As long as you add a foot-pound behind the axles for every foot-pound you add in front of the axles you're going to keep the balance exactly the same.
You may be more seriously overloading the rear axle than you are the truck in its entirety, Any distance the hitch point is in front of the rear axle will transfer more load onto the front wheels of the truck.
You have a big sturdy one ton truck and though that much pin weight would be entirely more comfortable using a dually configuration, the SRW configuration should be adequate if its a towing-all-the-time situation. Put some good E-rated or better tires on there and keep them at full inflation when you are under your trailer.
In the real world and after owning Northwood products, I can tell you the published "dry" weight is a farce. You will NEVER come close to that number. The Fox is a heavy trailer for it's size. Even with a rear kitchen I would still guess your pin weight will be far closer to 3000 pounds when all is said and done than 2000. As a fair estimate take 20% of the fivers GVWR. That will be pretty close to what your actual pin weight will be. 10,200 pounds "dry" and a 2000 pound pin weight is right at 20% BTW.
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Thanks for the response. My GAWR for the rear axle is 6,390 lbs. The unloaded rear axle weight is (with 200 lbs of hitch weight) is 3120 lbs. That would give me 3,270 lbs of load capacity on the rear axle. My worry is being over the GVWR. With only 2,200 load capacity I will be over GVWR before my maximum axle weight. I guess I'm just over cautious. It amazes me when I see the size of some riggs being towed behind a 3/4 ton Chevy that has 700 lbs lower GVWR than my one ton.
LNP wrote: Thanks for the response. My GAWR for the rear axle is 6,390 lbs. The unloaded rear axle weight is (with 200 lbs of hitch weight) is 3120 lbs. That would give me 3,270 lbs of load capacity on the rear axle
About half your passenger weight gets transferred onto the rear axle too - and more of the various things like firewood and tools or a generator that you might put in the bed of your truck to ride along. Four heavy riders, a genset and a pile of firewood could consume that load capacity too.
But since you have a one ton with sturdy axle and all, you'll be alright. You think its hard to understand the 3/4 ton people, the ones with a fiver hooked to an F150 blow my mind entirely.
Totally changing the topic but something the OP mentioned....that his trailer is 8.5' wide....mine is also 8.5' wide and even with my slide out towing mirrors, I can't see right behind the trailer to well - just to let you know....
I'm thinking of adding a helper mirror on the right side....
Didn't mean to change the topic, just make the OP aware.
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LNP wrote: We are interested in a 2012 Arctic Fox 27-5L. This model has a rear kitchen and two slides. The 2012 has been redesigned and is now 8.5 ft. wide and about 29ft long. It has a gross dry weight (shipped weight) of 10,200 lbs. and based on a discussion with the factory, an average hitch weight of about 2,000 lbs. We have a 2008 Chevy 3500 SRW, extended cab, long bed, Duramax with a GVWR of 9,900 lbs. Scaled weight with driver and passenger, full tank of diesel, and allowance for hitch (200 lbs.) is 7,700 lbs. That gives me a maximum hitch weight of 2,200 lbs. and still stay within GVWR and a maximum of 14,300 lbs. to stay within the 22,000 GCWR.
I have never owned an RV, so my questions are, what would I expect for a pin weight and total weight for a reasonably loaded coach (empty fresh, grey, and black tanks)? I’m really concerned that with only 200 lbs. remaining on my GVWR and a dry hitch weight of 2,000 lbs. that I will be considerably over my GVWR when loaded. Would a loaded rear kitchen offset much pin weight?
My comments in this situation are: how often will your FW actually =be= at GVW while towing, and for how long/far? Find someone with the same FW and see if they've scaled it ready-to-camp, and see how the pin wt. =ratio= changes, if at all.
Lyle
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LNP wrote: Thanks for the response. My GAWR for the rear axle is 6,390 lbs. The unloaded rear axle weight is (with 200 lbs of hitch weight) is 3120 lbs. That would give me 3,270 lbs of load capacity on the rear axle
About half your passenger weight gets transferred onto the rear axle too - and more of the various things like firewood and tools or a generator that you might put in the bed of your truck to ride along. Four heavy riders, a genset and a pile of firewood could consume that load capacity too.
But since you have a one ton with sturdy axle and all, you'll be alright. You think its hard to understand the 3/4 ton people, the ones with a fiver hooked to an F150 blow my mind entirely.
I would tow the OPs FW with my 2500 and not bat an eye. Some things to think about; 2000lbs of hitch, IMO, will not ride as well as a hitch wt closer to 2300lbs. 2000lbs is light for a FW and the setup tends to ride better with a little more weight in the bed of the truck. If you full time, put a generator in AND maybe carry a lot of water, you will get close to your 3745lbs of load capacity, but I doubt it. You are so okay with your weights and have plenty of truck.
For the heavy duty 3500 axle comment; the axle in my 2500 is the same axle they put in the 3500. Same GAWR and everything.
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LNP wrote: Thanks for the response. My GAWR for the rear axle is 6,390 lbs. The unloaded rear axle weight is (with 200 lbs of hitch weight) is 3120 lbs. That would give me 3,270 lbs of load capacity on the rear axle
About half your passenger weight gets transferred onto the rear axle too - and more of the various things like firewood and tools or a generator that you might put in the bed of your truck to ride along. Four heavy riders, a genset and a pile of firewood could consume that load capacity too.
But since you have a one ton with sturdy axle and all, you'll be alright. You think its hard to understand the 3/4 ton people, the ones with a fiver hooked to an F150 blow my mind entirely.
I would tow the OPs FW with my 2500 and not bat an eye. Some things to think about; 2000lbs of hitch, IMO, will not ride as well as a hitch wt closer to 2300lbs. 2000lbs is light for a FW and the setup tends to ride better with a little more weight in the bed of the truck. If you full time, put a generator in AND maybe carry a lot of water, you will get close to your 3745lbs of load capacity, but I doubt it. You are so okay with your weights and have plenty of truck.
For the heavy duty 3500 axle comment; the axle in my 2500 is the same axle they put in the 3500. Same GAWR and everything.
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