Let's talk about HOW we tow and with what truck.....

[sundancer 87]

It looks like it might be a Pullrite hitch. Just a SWAG on my part, welcome to the 'I forgot where I was going' club.

[buckeroo]

Originally Posted by hddecker

Right decision, Mike. Your laffin' and scratchin' all the way to the bank.

I've got an 07 3500 with the 6.7l, if I could get a decent deal, I would trade it for a 5.9l in a heart beat.

I don't believe that the power of the 6.7 makes up for the crappy fuel mileage.

With the number of older 5.9 Cummins that I see still going strong, you have a truck that will be running for a long time to come.

I agree well done

[GOLDENYEARS]

And away we go:

2008 Ram 3500 dually, stock
2013 Dutchmen Infinity 3750FL, all loaded up and heading for Rockport Texas.


Weighed er at a CAT scale in Fremont IN

The results:

weights:

truck on 1 scale, trailer on two scales.

12,400 truck

5580 trailer front axel
6720 trailer rear axel

total: 24700

truck on two scales, trailer on one:

Truck:

steer axel: 4760
drive axel: 7520

Trailer:

12340 total, hooked to truck.


total combined: 24700. Wife was in the truck for this weight.

My question: trailer front and rear axel are about 1200 lbs difference on the trailer.

I think I am towing "Nose High" which is causing the weight difference between the front axel and the rear axel on the trailer. In addition (I think I am correct), there is also more weight on the drive axel on the truck as well.

what I have done: I dropped the hitch in the bed of the truck 1 inch, I am thinking (hope I am correct) that what I have done will equal out the front and rear axel on the trailer and take some of the weight out of the truck. Do I get any co-signers on this??

[Chalkie]

Originally Posted by GOLDENYEARS

what I have done: I dropped the hitch in the bed of the truck 1 inch, I am thinking (hope I am correct) that what I have done will equal out the front and rear axel on the trailer and take some of the weight out of the truck. Do I get any co-signers on this??

I could also be wrong here but.. the less weight you have on the front trailer axle will translate to less weight on the pin. Using a single axle trailer as an example, you can adjust the tongue weight by moving the load forward or backward. A double axle is not exactly the same, but it does have a balance point.

If the rear axle is heavier take a look at the trailer - what all is behind the midpoint between the two axles? Things like location of holding tanks, refer, kitchen cabinets, where you have things stored will have an effect on the weight balance.

[GOLDENYEARS]

[QUOTE=Chalkie;9353]I could also be wrong here but.. the less weight you have on the front trailer axle will translate to less weight on the pin. Using a single axle trailer as an example, you can adjust the tongue weight by moving the load forward or backward. A double axle is not exactly the same, but it does have a balance point.

If the rear axle is heavier take a look at the trailer - what all is behind the midpoint between the two axles? Things like location of holding tanks, refer, kitchen cabinets, where you have things stored will have an effect on the weight balance.[/QUOTE


Hmmmmmmmm, just thinking here, logic would dictate that if trailer is not level while towing then (high hitch) then the load would be on the rearward most axel and the forward most axel. I.e. if the front axel were not even touching then the weight would be split between the rear axel on the trailer and the pin of the tow vehicle. I think.

[Chalkie]

Originally Posted by GOLDENYEARS

Hmmmmmmmm, just thinking here, logic would dictate that if trailer is not level while towing then (high hitch) then the load would be on the rearward most axel and the forward most axel. I.e. if the front axel were not even touching then the weight would be split between the rear axel on the trailer and the pin of the tow vehicle. I think.

You may be correct. In trying to research this (as it is an interesting question) I did run across this nice weight calculator for 5ers.

Fifth Wheel Weight Calculator

[VoltageGuy]

I was going to stop at a CAT scale and weigh everything, then decided, naw, I'll just keep driving.

2011 Ford F350 Super Duty Dually 3.73 gears.
Banks system
2013 Voltage 3950 loaded to 18,900 pounds wet.

I know the truck weighs 8,700 pounds with a half tank of fuel.

And the GCWR is 30,000 for that truck. So I'm under that by a little bit.

No problems towing. I stay at 60 mph. Up the long grade off the 91 to the 241 toll road, speed drops down to 55 mph by the time I get to the top of the hill. I can live with that.

Really glad I have the dual rear wheels. Makes for a very stable ride. And gone are the porpoising days of when I had my tow behind trailer. Just runs stable now.

Pulling a fifth wheel is way better than the other.

Still, I think having a Peterbuilt would be even better...

[Chalkie]

Originally Posted by VoltageGuy

Still, I think having a Peterbuilt would be even better...

I would go for a Freightliner Sport Chassis . Maybe someday if I win the lottery.

[VoltageGuy]

I looked into the SportChassis... it's super nice. There were two 2010 models in a warehouse, but they wanted 102 large for each one. Not gonna happen. My F350 will do just fine.

Winning the lottery would change everything of course.

[Chalkie]

Originally Posted by VoltageGuy

Winning the lottery would change everything of course.

Exactly!!

[poup5]

I have a 2007 f-250 with bags and a voltage 3200, they say you can tow it fine but hold on tight!!! I'm tring to talk the wife into a f-350 dually! no luck yet. :-(

[oldrat46]

I am still in the good ole days, currently buiilding my new tow truck a 77 gmc 4x4.383 stroker.350 tubo rv shift kit.big half ton truck with a lot of 3 quarter ton stuff on it, should still get 10 to 12 miles to gallon and get up and down hills.new trucks are nice, but thats not me.after all camping is sort of like hotrods your vehicle is an extention of your personality. Just my 2 cents

[Cooper]

Oldrat46......then only thing I can say is...."NICE"

Coops

[slackjaw5]

We are pulling a 2013 Crusader 330MKS with a 2013 Ram 3500 DRW Max Tow Package with Aisin transmission, GCWR 37,600lbs and 29,700lb max trailer tow capacity. Picking up our new 2014 Voltage 3950 next week.

[petesherry]

We tow with a 2011 Dodge 3500 the Cummins and towing a 2012 Denali 270 FK. We love the layout. We also use the Propride P3 1400 lb hitch and am very satisfied with it . It is on our second trailer and have towed in high winds and has made the rig very stable while towing
also it is less tiring after driving all day.
Pete

[lakebuster]

Should have stated, it towed just fine but sagged about 3" in rear and had a little driveline shutter at take off, since the airbags have been installed no more shutter and people thinking I have my bright lights on while towing at night!

[DesertRat]

Picked up my V3605 last Saturday. Towed great the 350 miles to back home. I do need to move the trailer pin up to level it out. Averaged 10.3 mpg with quite a bit of 6 & 7 % grades. Trailer not loaded totally but is right at 14k. 22,600 total on the scales with full propane 10 gal of gas & about 30-40 gal of water. I'm all

[arlan in arizona]

Originally Posted by DesertRat

Picked up my V3605 last Saturday. Towed great the 350 miles to back home. I do need to move the trailer pin up to level it out. Averaged 10.3 mpg with quite a bit of 6 & 7 % grades. Trailer not loaded totally but is right at 14k. 22,600 total on the scales with full propane 10 gal of gas & about 30-40 gal of water. I'm all

That great to hear. I am a bit jealous of your fuel mileage though. I'm not sure of my average is when towing but sure is not 10.3 mpg.

[DesertRat]

Originally Posted by arlan in arizona

That great to hear. I am a bit jealous of your fuel mileage though. I'm not sure of my average is when towing but sure is not 10.3 mpg.

You have a quite a bit more weight to tow then I do. My guess you have 3.73 rear end while mine is 3.55. I also know when towing I get the worst mileage pulling out of the desert here around Palm Springs. Wasn't hot & I was pulling from the ocean and down hill into the desert.

[ATCguy]

With a 4.30 rear end in my F-450, I have no trouble pulling up steep grades... but I have to admit that only averaging 7.5 mpg cross-country from AZ to NC puts a dent in the ole wallet.