Weighed Our rig today on Fla DOT Scales

[Montana_2230]

I am posting the results of our weigh in today for anyone interested. I was real surprised that I was not in worse trouble than I am.

My tow vehicle is a 2002 Chevy Dmax/Allison diesel 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4. My 5er is a 2001 Montana 5529 RLS. The following are my Florida DOT scale weights. The trailer and tow truck were weighed fully loaded and ready for camping except as noted below...

All these weights are with Truck and Trailer loaded, fuel, passenger, cargo, etc, etc ready to go camping except fresh water and grey tanks are empty and about 3 gallons of water was in the black tank.

Truck alone...weights

front axle 4320 lbs
rear axle 3040 lbs
total 7360 lbs

Truck with 5er hitched....weights

front axle 4340 lbs sticker rating = 4670 lbs ok
rear axle 5300 lbs sticker rating = 6084 lbs ok
total 9640 lbs sticker rating = 9200 lbs (over rating by 440
pounds)

5er weight 8880 lbs 5er sticker GVWR 12430 lbs ok

trailer plus truck weight 18520 lbs I think the combined vehicle weight rating for the 2500HD is 22,000 lbs. ok

Pin Weight....

hitched rear axle 5300 lbs
Unhitched rear axle 3040 lbs
Pin weight of 5er 2340 lbs

Looks like my problem is with the trucks 9200 lb limit, If I under stand what I have done with the numbers and have done it correctly. I will try and reduce the pin weight by redistributing my trailer cargo, but I think I will not be able to do much in the way of a weight reduction or redistribution. Reading the postings on weights at RVnet.Com, I am not clear whether my particular truck weight overload would be a real dangerous safety related issue or do I just have a warranty related issue. Would appreciate any comments from you experienced RVers. Thanks.

I have also posted my results at RVnet.com for comments.
Thanks for any comments...

[NJ Hillbilly]

I too am over the truck gvw but under the axle rating. One error You have made is with the trailer weight "5er weight 8880 lbs 5er sticker GVWR 12430 lbs ok". The trailer axle weights plus the pin weight give trailer weight. Your trailer actually weighs 11,240,(front axle increased 20 lbs) still under the max. I would not be too worried about the gvw of the truck since the axle is not overloaded.

John

[Montana_2230]

NJhillbilly, you say I have to add the calculated pin weight back to the trailer axle weight as shown by the scale ticket to get total weight of trailer. That makes sense. Thanks for jogging this old brain. I thought the 8880 was awful light.

I just don't believe 400 pounds will make that much difference. I don't drive at high speeds and I am always alert to having to make quick stops. I have not pulled the 5er very far yet , but for 150 or so miles that I have gone, I have really gave the stopping and braking distance some serous study. I think my truck handles the Montana just fine. Especially in the flat land of Florida.

Yeah, I would like to have a new truck, but don't think the over weight condition justifies one. If I have any problems then I will revisit the situation.

[sreigle]

Ray and Judy, I agree with John's assessment. Many of us are over on GVWR. You might not want to move too many things around to reduce pinweight. If I calculated right your pinweight is 20.8% of the total. The "accepted" norm is 20 to 25%. Outside of that and you might see some handling anomalies. You might not, but that seems to be the conventional wisdom.

We were in a similar situation with our Montana and the prior truck, an '03 F350. And we'll be the same on this new one. I had a chance today to weigh this truck (sans Montana) and was surprised how much heavier this 3/4 ton F250 is than our prior 1 ton F350. The 'old' truck was a 1 ton supercab shortbed. With loaded toolbox, 3/4 fuel, and hitch installed it weighed 7200, no people. The new one is the same except a 3/4 ton F250 with crewcab (four full doors) instead of supercab. Same toolbox, gear, and hitch. And 3/4 fuel. It weighs 7960. I guess the crew cab is part of that but the frame is much heavier/stouter than the old one and the new front end is likely heavier, too.

As for ratings, the front axle weighed 4560, rating 5200. The rear weighed 3400, rating 6100. We'll be below gcwr (23,000) and tow rating (15,400) but will be over on gvwr (10,000) and possibly rear gawr. Will have to wait until we can weigh the Montana and get pinweight. We've offloaded quite a bit since the last weighing. So, you're not alone.

[Montana_2437]

I would not worry about being 400lbs. over the trucks "rated" capacity. The manufacturers numbers are conservatve. They leave a good sized safety margin in their numbers. Their army of attorneys force them to do this.
A small point. I am an over the road trucker. Dot scales are not always accurate!!! Have seen them beaten in court of law. If you are still worried about weight, go find a truck stop that has a CAT scale. This is a certified accurate scale.

[NJ Hillbilly]

Ray, if You upgraded to a 3500, You would still get the same driveline. Motor/Trans are the same. What You would lose is mpg. Just make sure that the rear axle weight rating is within spec and make sure the tire capacity is there. I believe that he axle can carry more but the tires are the limiting factor. It seems that the 2500's get better mileage, I don't get why a set of tires and fenders have such an impact but they do.

Steve, You are experiencing the same wake up call that many do. It's amazing the weight difference with the crew cab. I don't know what he right answer is since I am overweight with a dually. I am 1100 lbs under max combined but 280lbs over truck gvw.
Manufacturers base the advertised numbers on a stripped 1 ton regular cab 2wd truck. This if far from what We buy. Our trucks are significantly heavierthan the base model.

John

[sreigle]

I forgot to say the F250 came with load range E tires, so I'm ok on tire load.

[Montana_2230]

I appreciate everyones comments and responses. I feel much better about my weights now. I don't plan to do any thing except keep a close watch on what additional stuff, if any, I take out and put in my truck and trailer. Plus I will be extra careful not to get into a heavy braking situation if possible.

Again, thanks to all for your advice.

[Sunseekers]

I posted this information last spring and the numbers haven't changed. I do believe that Montana should address the weight distribution and take some weight off the pin.

2003 GMC 2500 DIESEL 4x4,ext cab,SB
2003 MONTANA 2955RL

Truck Weight
4200 lbs Front axle
3150 lbs Rear axle
7350 Total Truck weight
(2 people, full fuel + 10 gal) (GVWR 9200)

Truck & 2955RL Montana
4200 lbs Truck Front axle (GAWR FT 4670 lbs)
5700 lbs Truck Rear axle (GAWR RR 6084 lbs)
8700 lbs 5th wheel axles (Incl about 20 gal of fluids)
18600 lbs Total Truck & 5th weight
(truck GCWR is 22,000lbs)

2955RL Montana Loaded
18,600 lbs Truck & Montana
-7,350 lbs Truck only
11,250 lbs Total 2955RL weight loaded (GVWR 12,140)

Pin Weight 2955RL Montana
5700 lbs Truck rear axle weight hooked to 5th wheel
3150 lbs Truck rear axle weight
2550 lbs Total 2955RL pin weight (=22% of 11,250lbs)

Truck Plus Pin Weight
7350 lbs Truck weight
2550 lbs Pin weight
9900 lbs Total Truck + Pin weight (GVWR 9200)

[sreigle]

Sunseekers, thanks for the comprehensive numbers. At 22% pinweight, that's just about "perfect" for handling purposes from everything I've read. 20% to 25% is supposed to be the "ideal". Sure is a lot of weight, though.

[Northstar]

Ask and ye shall receive. That's what I enjoy from this forum. Thanks for all the great posts. Happyrving......

[NJ Hillbilly]

Ray, You might want to add air bags to level the truck when hitched. The 2500's (or any other 3/4 ton)tend to squat under load more due to the lack of helper springs. The springs on my 3500 let the bumper drop only 1 1/2".

Many have done this with good results.

John

[Bob Pasternak]

John (NJHillbilly). My 3/4 ton has an extra 2 leaves in the rear springs with the camper/tow package. With the 2400 lb pin weight it comes down 2" and sets level.