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Old 01-28-2017, 05:28 AM   #1
FreeRoamn
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Truck and 3160RL weight specs?

Hello,

I am looking for some advice on this set up and what options/changes I may need to make this work.

I am looking at buying a Montana 3160RL and my current tow vehicle is 2013 2500HD Duramax Crew Cab Short Bed 4x4. with a 16,000lb Husky hitch. I was told by a salesman at the Florida RV Super Show that I would need new springs and certification for my truck due to the tongue weight of the new trailer.

Truck specs: Max 15,800 Trailer Weight, 2,706 Max Payload (I am assuming this translates to max 5th wheel tongue weight?) 24,500 Gross Combined Weight

2017 Montana 3160RL - 11935 Dry Weight, 4065 Cargo capacity, 16200 GVWR, 2520 Tongue weight

With that said, by my calcs, I could be a bit overweight IF everything was maxed out? Would airbags be an option? Is anyone else towing using a stock 2500HD one of the shorter Montana's?

Thanks in advance!
 
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Old 01-28-2017, 07:27 AM   #2
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Lots of people tow trailers this heavy with a 2500 Chevy. Just watch the interstates. You will be overweight but I've never herd of any thing bad happening because you were a few pounds or a few hundred pounds over. A few thousand but not a few hundred. Several people will be by here to tell you you just can't be a pound overweight just watch the interstate.
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Old 01-28-2017, 08:33 AM   #3
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Thanks for the feedback, I have a friend that I have not been able to get ahold of yet that tows a big trailer with his 2500 but he has airbags which I know are good for leveling your loaded truck but was also wondering if they also count toward increasing your tongue weight capacity?
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Old 01-28-2017, 08:51 AM   #4
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IMO, I'd stay within truck manufacturer specs...look at a lighter trailer or a bigger truck.
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Old 01-28-2017, 08:55 AM   #5
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I can answer that, no they do not. But they will level your truck for a more comfortable ride. Some states I think California will allow a truck to be recalibrated but most don't.
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Old 01-28-2017, 08:56 AM   #6
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Ok thank you, good to know!
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Old 01-28-2017, 08:59 AM   #7
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Put some air bags on your truck and you will be just fine.... I have the 3790RD on the 2015 CC SRW 4X4 and no issues....
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Old 01-28-2017, 09:02 AM   #8
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Even better to hear! thanks!
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Old 01-28-2017, 09:50 AM   #9
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Don't believe stated pin weights for any model trailer. Empty trailer weight without any options over stripped down trailer may come close. Only the scales will tell the tale.
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Old 01-28-2017, 12:20 PM   #10
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I tow a 3160 with an old 2000 F350, yes I have airbags but I really installed the airbags for when I was hauling a 990 Arctic Fox Camper. Airbags will level out the truck similar to adding a leaf in your spring pack etc. Biggest thing in my opinion is calculate your weight or better yet if you have a hitch hook up and go across a scale to get actual weights, and make sure that your tires are rated for the weight you will be carrying.

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Old 01-28-2017, 01:06 PM   #11
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You should be fine with the truck although you might want to install air-bags, will not let you carry any more weight, but it will help you haul level. I would be concerned with your hitch, a little light IMO. I would go to a 20,000lb hitch. Just my 2 cents worth. My rig is almost the same thing & I have no issues!
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Old 01-28-2017, 01:13 PM   #12
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I had our setup with a 3160 (see my sig block) and my CC SRW 3500 weighed at the rally (before the IS/Disc brake install) and my pin weight was 3050 lbs and my trailer was 13,400 loaded including a full water tank. I do have almost 450 lbs of batteries in the front storage which is driving my pin weight up. I was 400 lbs under my rear axle spec but was within 50 lbs of the GVWR of the truck though 2700 lbs under the GCWR of truck and trailer (this was with a full tank of fuel in the truck). Can the Duramax pull it, sure - its a beast. Will you be within factory weight spec of the vehicle, it depends on how you load the trailer, vehicle. etc but I am betting you will be over and the risk will be your decision. Best bet is if you do go with the setup, get it weighed at an event that does the by wheel weight rating (RVSEF Org does it at rally events) so you know the real weights. For example the trailer is 650 lbs heavier (250 more on front trailer axle and 400 more on rear axle) on the fridge slide side than the other side of the rig. at least on mine. This is a long answer saying it is not a simple yes or no question.
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Old 01-28-2017, 01:41 PM   #13
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by mjammersc

...This is a long answer saying it is not a simple yes or no question.
Thank you, that was helpful. I will have to mull this over more before making a decision....

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Old 01-28-2017, 02:21 PM   #14
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Mull it over. Now that is a great idea.
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Old 01-29-2017, 02:17 PM   #15
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by FreeRoamn

Hello,

I am looking for some advice on this set up and what options/changes I may need to make this work.

I am looking at buying a Montana 3160RL and my current tow vehicle is 2013 2500HD Duramax Crew Cab Short Bed 4x4. with a 16,000lb Husky hitch. I was told by a salesman at the Florida RV Super Show that I would need new springs and certification for my truck due to the tongue weight of the new trailer.

Truck specs: Max 15,800 Trailer Weight, 2,706 Max Payload (I am assuming this translates to max 5th wheel tongue weight?) 24,500 Gross Combined Weight

2017 Montana 3160RL - 11935 Dry Weight, 4065 Cargo capacity, 16200 GVWR, 2520 Tongue weight

With that said, by my calcs, I could be a bit overweight IF everything was maxed out? Would airbags be an option? Is anyone else towing using a stock 2500HD one of the shorter Montana's?

Thanks in advance!
You answered your own question. Truck payload 2706lbs. Trailer pin dry is 2520. That leaves 186lbs for you, wife, fuel, hitch and stuff.

Figure 20-23% of trailer GVWR for actual loaded pin weight. I have a 3150 and usually have 32-3500lbs of pin weight. My truck loaded weight is usually close to 12,500lbs.

You WILL be overloaded and NO air bags only make a overloaded truck sit level, they do not increase it's legal load capacity.

Happy shopping.
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Old 01-30-2017, 07:53 AM   #16
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by FreeRoamn

Hello,

I am looking for some advice on this set up and what options/changes I may need to make this work.

I am looking at buying a Montana 3160RL and my current tow vehicle is 2013 2500HD Duramax Crew Cab Short Bed 4x4. with a 16,000lb Husky hitch. I was told by a salesman at the Florida RV Super Show that I would need new springs and certification for my truck due to the tongue weight of the new trailer.

Truck specs: Max 15,800 Trailer Weight, 2,706 Max Payload (I am assuming this translates to max 5th wheel tongue weight?) 24,500 Gross Combined Weight

2017 Montana 3160RL - 11935 Dry Weight, 4065 Cargo capacity, 16200 GVWR, 2520 Tongue weight

With that said, by my calcs, I could be a bit overweight IF everything was maxed out? Would airbags be an option? Is anyone else towing using a stock 2500HD one of the shorter Montana's?

Thanks in advance!
I have a 2015 2500 Denali with DMax, hauling a 3790. So my truck and RV are both marginally heavier than yours. Your truck is rated for a trailer at 15800, I am up at 17100. Mine tows great, the only weights I am exceeding are the rear axle (marginal) and the GVWR (more than marginal), but I have an extra spring fitted. (On this and other sites it has been reported the only difference between 2500 and 3500 is the springs, I accept this but can't confirm it's authenticity).

I quote my truck max weights, yours should not be all that different: Truck GVWR 10,000, Front axle 4800 rear axle 6200. (Note the GVWR is much lower than the combined front and rear axles). Weighing my truck with no driver, full tank and 5th wheel equipment mounted: front axle 4580, rear axle 3360

As recommended by others a weigh bridge is a necessity. You will find that with driver and passenger your front axle is going to come in very close to GM's stated max and little you do with the RV loading is going to change it. How you load the passenger compartment will.

So with my weighed axles of 7940lb plus your 'conservative' pin weight of 2520 you come in at 10,460. With a more factual pin weight you will probably be closer to 10800, making additional springs or air bags necessary

With the 3790 I take advantage of the rear storage for all the heavy items, despite this my pin weight comes in considerably heavier than that quoted by Keystone.

The 2015 2500 truck is rated for the same payload as the 2016, but in adopting a common SAE Automotive standard the 2016 has a max trailer towing capacity of 13900lb compared to the 17100lb of the 2015. Going to a 2016 3500 SRW is not a solution, since this has the 10,000lb GVWR limitation and only 100lb more on trailer towing. The 3500 DRW meets some higher loadings.

Don't forget to check the load rating on your rear truck tires, tire loading is often overlooked.

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Old 01-30-2017, 09:58 AM   #17
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Some thing to consider. You are about at the limit, or a hair over, with the rig you describe. The air bags will lift the rear of the truck, they will level it, if that's what you are looking for. However, they do NOT increase the payload of the vehicle. You have not upgraded the springs, axles or brakes. Many drivers have done this and have never had a problem.
BUT, the single thing I would worry about is being legally over weight. Yes, you might get away with it, you may never get pulled into a weight station. But, God forbid, you are ever in a crash and the weight of the rig is compared to the registered weight, and you exceed that stated weight, you will possibly be in court for a long time. People love to sue other people. In this day of 'blaming someone else', an over weight vehicle is prime pick'ns. An over weight fine is one thing but a settlement in civil court can wipe you out. That, plus lawyer fees can be the end of everything. Even if you are 100% not at fault, if the issue of the vehicle weight ever arises, and your rig is over the limit, even by a little bit, the sharks will be all over it.
Just food for thought.
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Old 01-30-2017, 11:46 AM   #18
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I had this problem in 2006 when I was overweight with my Monty and its 14,020lb Gross weight. Air bags DO NOT increase your GVWR. They just improve the ride, the towing aspect and the headlight aim for night driving. There is a disclaimer in the air bag documentation of this fact.

There is much success out there with folks being overweight and not having a problem and over time I was one of them until I found a way to fix my problem (additional leaf spring, bumpers and larger wheels and tires). Just because your hitch is good it doesn't mean your truck is strong enough for it.

I was reminded, if you are involved in any kind of mishap, you will be automatically responsible since your rig combination should not have been on the road. I hear this is the first thing authorities may check since it makes things easy to determine liability no matter what the story.

That said most newer trucks have much better weight numbers than older trucks. Since you put your numbers out there, it seems you'll be overweight by a little bit, but you only need to be over by ONE POUND, and you are overweight nonetheless. Good luck to you.
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Old 01-30-2017, 12:15 PM   #19
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Whiterose - the 2015 3500 SRW duramax has a GVWR of 11,500, not 10,000 if ordered properly
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Old 01-30-2017, 01:21 PM   #20
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quote:Originally posted by mjammersc

Whiterose - the 2015 3500 SRW duramax has a GVWR of 11,500, not 10,000 if ordered properly
I didn't quote a GVWR for a 2015 3500 SRW, had I have done so it would have been the same as you quote - 11,500. What I quoted is the 2016 3500 SRW @ 10,000, which was and still is correct.

With the 3500 SRW, the GVWR reduces by 1500 from 2015 to 2016 simply to conform to a National Standard.

Brochure numbers are what I used in my remarks, however it is the plate on the vehicle that is the override. Case in point, the brochure for my 2015 2500 Crew Cab DMax shows a front axle loading of 4800 while the plate shows 5200.
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