Towing close to the MAX

[chris199]

You are definitely way over payload. You have 120 lb to cover a full tank of gas, you, your wife, kids, stuff, etc. Recommend you confirm actual pin wgt.

[Hooker]

Do the numbers...

- Cargo capacity is what is on the Tire and Loading Information sticker on the driver's door jam. It is to the nearest one pound.
- Actual tow capacity...GCWR minus the tow vehicle's actual weight when ready to tow.

[richfaa]

The key words are the tow vehicle's actual weight when ready to tow.

[mlh]

One thing you won't haft to worry about is getting caught in Virginia. An officer with the weight division of the state police told a friend they didn't worry about RVs we were small fry and they didn't check us. They had better things to do.
Lynwood

[mlh]

One thing you won't haft to worry about is getting caught in Virginia. An officer with the weight division of the state police told a friend they didn't worry about RVs we were small fry and they didn't check us. They had better things to do.
Lynwood

[richfaa]

Nor does Ohio however you can be stopped for a safety inspection or get caught up in a safety inspection at a roadside rest, etc. Once you are being inspected everything is fair game including weight.

[Artemus Gordon]

Also weight laws of your state, do not exempt you from States you visit. Overweight is overweight. Today we saw a parked toy hauler at the Cottonwood Ca Northbound weigh station. Fairly common sight!

[pkbridges77]

Reasons we upgraded to a 1 ton DRW:
I wanted to be able to stop, not just go.
I know I will tend to overload with tools and supplies for the "just in case".
I want the pleasure of driving and visiting, not the hassle of knowing state laws or paranoia of inspections.
At some point we will change RVs and I don't want to go through the TV issue again.
My 2015 F250 in pristine condition and low miles retained a much higher value than waiting.
After extensive searching I was able to trade and upgrade for very little difference.

[kozzy]

Thanks for all the info. Most of it was all stuff I knew, I guess I just needed to hear it again. I went to the scales and let that decide.
My rig is loaded to go, except for water, food, and clothes, camper weighed in at 13900. I was surprised. With the hitch in the back, I was already 200 lbs over the payload. I know airbags wont raise the capacity, but will help level it out. Assuming 500 lbs for passengers, and the gear that wasn't loaded, while I would still be within in the tow capacity, im about 1000 over the GCWR of the truck. So, I let the scales make the decision, tomorrow, I am going to order a new 3500 CTD. Ill be under all the numbers with that truck, and the new engine and tranny will be more than enough....plus im pretty sure ill get better MGS towing, and enjoy the ride much more than worrying about being on the edge, going up hills, etc...

[kozzy]

and just an FYI for all, all RMS are J2708 standard for tow ratings now, I think all the big 3 are at this point, 2015 or 2016 model years I believe all the manufacturers are doing it now, Toyota was the first,. they started a few years back, but those are baby trucks HEHE

[mlh]

You will have a very nice truck and will not regret having the Diesel engine. If you haven't drove a new diesel a great big smile is going to come over your face the first time you hit the throttle.
Lynwood

[pkbridges77]

I feel your pain, kozzy, having done the same thing. But I also think that once you get that reconciled, you will be driving and towing with confidence that your vehicle is built to handle what you're hauling. I reconciled it by realizing this was more of a need than a want, as long as this was the lifestyle we were choosing. I think you will be quite pleased.

[Dam Worker]

Paul I am curios as to your dually's brake size compared to the SRW's, are the dualies now coming with larger brakes than the SRW one tons? If so then I would have to agree about being able to stop better. In my world I would like to use both a good engine brake and the trailer brakes and last but not least the TV's brakes. All of these combined should be the best braking possible. Even then I realize I cannot compete with the average car's braking ability. As for carrying to much and going over weight rating I agree with you. After rereading your post I see you used to have an F250 and can see why you switched to a bigger truck. Salesmen are always happy to tell you that your TV is just fine. Then they probably have you sign a wavier.

Tom Marty

[pkbridges77]

Tom, I can't claim any expertise on the physics of stopping a DRW vs a SRW. I believe the brake pads and rotors are identical, but the rear calipers are different on the two trucks. I think pads and rotors may be different on the Dodge and GM trucks - I know that Dodge advertises in their specs better stopping capability with DRW. I also have to presume there are some physics involved and stability with 6 tires vs 4. But my primary motivation was upgrading from a 250 to 350 for increased towing capacity and stability and believe the DRW will serve us better for the long term.

[Dam Worker]

Paul I would think that in an emergency maneuver that the dually would be more stable than the SRW. Sounds like you have a very nice truck and I am sure that it is a big step up in capacity compared to the 3/4 ton. I have set aside 50 k for a new truck as the wife wants me to wait until I retire in 2020 to purchase it. I guess we will see if I can wait that long. Than I have to decide on the SRW verse DRW. My fiver is probably on the lighter end of the Montana models but you never know if we might upgrade. That is not the plan but I have noticed that plans have away of changing.
Enjoy that truck.

Tom Marty

[sambam]

quote:Originally posted by kozzy

Thanks for all the info. Most of it was all stuff I knew, I guess I just needed to hear it again. I went to the scales and let that decide.
My rig is loaded to go, except for water, food, and clothes, camper weighed in at 13900. I was surprised. With the hitch in the back, I was already 200 lbs over the payload. I know airbags wont raise the capacity, but will help level it out. Assuming 500 lbs for passengers, and the gear that wasn't loaded, while I would still be within in the tow capacity, im about 1000 over the GCWR of the truck. So, I let the scales make the decision, tomorrow, I am going to order a new 3500 CTD. Ill be under all the numbers with that truck, and the new engine and tranny will be more than enough....plus im pretty sure ill get better MGS towing, and enjoy the ride much more than worrying about being on the edge, going up hills, etc...

Good decision. There is a lot to be said for comfortable, confident towing. White-knuckling through the mountains is nobody's idea of a good time. You are right. Your mpg will be much better than pulling that big Montana with a gasser. Best wishes with your new truck and 5th wheel.

[kozzy]

Yeah, I had a few diesels in the past, and boy do I miss them, was tough to justify the cost without the need, but now that I have the need again, I'm very excited to get back into one. listening to that turbo wind up when you hit the pedal....SWEET....