Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > GENERAL DISCUSSIONS > General Discussions about our Montanas
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-06-2021, 02:10 PM   #1
Bruce in DFW
Established Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Allen
Posts: 31
M.O.C. #28272
Solar Weight

We have a 2017 Montana - 41' and are pushing the limit of the 2 x 7K axles. I want to add solar and at least 4 x battleborn batteries - but we are already over the GVWR by 500lbs. Trying to decide whether to upgrade to the Morryde IS with 2 x 8K axles and disc brakes - or if we need to upgrade to a toy hauler or something with higher GVWR. I don't know how anyone is adding solar and batteries and staying anywhere near the GVWR.
 
Bruce in DFW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2021, 03:13 PM   #2
Rod Spohn
Montana Fan
 
Rod Spohn's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Mesa
Posts: 130
M.O.C. #24052
Solar shouldn’t add weight- if you replace your batteries with Li-ion they are about 1/2 the weight of led acid. Plus you could ditch or downsize your generator
__________________
Rod & BJ
2019 3811MS , 2020 GMC 3500 Dually Denali Duramax, Anderson hitch.
Mesa, AZ
Rod Spohn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2021, 03:40 PM   #3
Delaine and Lindy
Montana Master
 
Delaine and Lindy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Lobelville
Posts: 2,128
M.O.C. #6650
I agree....
Delaine and Lindy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2021, 06:11 PM   #4
Bruce in DFW
Established Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Allen
Posts: 31
M.O.C. #28272
We only have 2 x AGM now - and the weight of one - maybe 2 Victron 3000W inverter chargers with charge controllers - panels and 4-6 lifepo4 batteries - I'm guessing that is going to add at least 500 lbs. Haven't added it all up yet - just trying to get a feel for what people are doing and if I have to spend the $8K or whatever it is for the Morryde IS and disc brakes.
Bruce in DFW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2021, 10:08 PM   #5
Montana Man
Montana Master
 
Montana Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
Sounds like a new trailer is in order. The IS won't add to the gvwr.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
Montana Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2021, 08:04 PM   #6
scottz
Site Team
 
scottz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,910
M.O.C. #19755
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce in DFW View Post
We only have 2 x AGM now - and the weight of one - maybe 2 Victron 3000W inverter chargers with charge controllers - panels and 4-6 lifepo4 batteries - I'm guessing that is going to add at least 500 lbs. Haven't added it all up yet - just trying to get a feel for what people are doing and if I have to spend the $8K or whatever it is for the Morryde IS and disc brakes.
Replacing two AGM's with four Battleborn batteries will be a wash; same weight. Have not weighed them, but my solar panels can't be more than 10-15 pounds each; I have four. The inverter is probably 20-30 pounds; look it up. The charger controller is just a couple pounds. I see a net gain of less than 100 pounds. Don't worry about it, or reduce weight elsewhere.
__________________
Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
scottz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2021, 08:06 PM   #7
scottz
Site Team
 
scottz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,910
M.O.C. #19755
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce in DFW View Post
We have a 2017 Montana - 41' and are pushing the limit of the 2 x 7K axles. I want to add solar and at least 4 x battleborn batteries - but we are already over the GVWR by 500lbs. Trying to decide whether to upgrade to the Morryde IS with 2 x 8K axles and disc brakes - or if we need to upgrade to a toy hauler or something with higher GVWR. I don't know how anyone is adding solar and batteries and staying anywhere near the GVWR.
What is your GVWR vs your actual weight at a scale?

Don't forget, your axles do not carry the entire weight of the 5th wheel. Probably 3500 pounds is pin weight on the truck.
__________________
Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
scottz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2021, 06:47 AM   #8
mlh
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,528
M.O.C. #2283
I replaced my LA battery that weighed 72 pounds with a lithium that weighed 23 pounds.
Lynwood
__________________
www.harrellsprec.com
Lynwood Harrell
323 RL HC 2008 F250
mlh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2021, 11:03 AM   #9
Bruce in DFW
Established Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Allen
Posts: 31
M.O.C. #28272
Thanks for all the replies guys. When I weighed at CAT Scales with and without the trailer in June 2021 on our outgoing trip, I had a pin weight of 3950 and trailer axle weight of 13600 with total trailer weight of about 17500 - which is about 600-700 over my trailer GVWR. Even if I can shed some weight, I don't see how I'm going to shed enough for the weight of a 3000W inverter (preferably dual inverters) with 2000+W of solar and related lifepo4 battery bank. I'm wondering how so many people are doing all of these upgrades and staying within their GVWR - or maybe they are not staying within their GVWR.
Bruce in DFW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2021, 11:28 AM   #10
AZ Traveler
Site Team
 
AZ Traveler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,899
M.O.C. #20477
Bruce,

Looking at specs for your rig dry weight is about 13,500 - what are you carrying to add 4,000 lbs? Most of us don't carry more than about 1,500.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL

"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
AZ Traveler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2021, 01:04 PM   #11
Montana Man
Montana Master
 
Montana Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
At 3950 on the pin and possibly adding more, the gvwr of the truck should be checked as well.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
Montana Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2021, 02:44 PM   #12
Bruce in DFW
Established Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Allen
Posts: 31
M.O.C. #28272
AZ Traveler and Montana Man - Yes, I agree to both of your replies. The spec dry weight is 13400 with 3305 payload. Truck payload is 4450. We purchased the trailer used in 2019 and don't know the original actual dry weight and have never totally emptied it out to check dry weight with current mods. I'm sure we can do better at not over packing - but not 1000 lbs less. Here are some of the items attributing to the weight - Splendide washer/dryer, 2 x Rad e-bikes (~200 lbs with carrier), large portable generator (215 lbs), residential fridge, Purple 4 King mattress (205 lbs), 3 x recpro recliners (instead of factory recliners), toolboxes, 2 x extra 20 lb. propane tanks and luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout the entire trailer - no more linoleum or carpet).

I'm not sure what the unloaded weight of the trailer is - but I plan to check that when we get back to TX from WA in a few weeks. The whole purpose of this post is try help me determine if we can keep this trailer, which we really like, and do solar and other upgrades - or if we need to find a toy hauler instead. My truck's 5th wheel towing capacity is 20700 - so I have some room there. We really don't want to spend more money on another trailer, but I don't want to waste money on upgrades that make the weight unsafe for this trailer. I thought I could upgrade to 8K axles to provide a little more unofficial capacity, but again - that's more money that might be spent on a losing weight battle.
Bruce in DFW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2021, 07:30 AM   #13
Montana Man
Montana Master
 
Montana Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
With that truck's payload it sounds like a dually and should be ok. You are doing the right thing in considering weights and safety prior to taking action. Informed decisions make better decisions.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
Montana Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2021, 09:56 AM   #14
Bruce in DFW
Established Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Allen
Posts: 31
M.O.C. #28272
Actually, it's a 2019 F-350 Crew Cab Long Bed 4x4 Single Rear Wheel (SRW) 6.7 PowerStroke Diesel. It pulls the 17.5K very well even though the nose of the trailer rides just a little high.
Bruce in DFW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2021, 07:29 PM   #15
Montana Man
Montana Master
 
Montana Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
No doubt the truck pulls nicely. In my experience I've not seen a srw have that much actual payload. Manufacturers advertise best case scenarios but fall short with trucks with options. The only way to be sure is to check the sticker gvwr against actual loaded and unloaded weights. In this case adding weight to the trailer will impact the trucks loaded weight. Not to stir up the weight police but I think it should be given consideration.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
Montana Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2021, 04:00 PM   #16
kowbra
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Battleford
Posts: 627
M.O.C. #26690
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce in DFW View Post
We have a 2017 Montana - 41' and are pushing the limit of the 2 x 7K axles. I want to add solar and at least 4 x battleborn batteries - but we are already over the GVWR by 500lbs. Trying to decide whether to upgrade to the Morryde IS with 2 x 8K axles and disc brakes - or if we need to upgrade to a toy hauler or something with higher GVWR. I don't know how anyone is adding solar and batteries and staying anywhere near the GVWR.
In case this is helpful... we have a 2021 3790RD with Legacy and Super Solar. The empty weight is 14,820lbs. I think that is about 700lbs heavier than the weight that was listed on the website for a base model.
I can't say how much weight the legacy options might add, but I suspect not a lot. (disc brakes, furrion cameras, electric power reel... maybe 100lbs??) So, best guess, the solar stuff added about 600lbs. However, keep in mind that the empty weight does not include a battery at all, so the actual extra weight would be less in practical terms.

HtH!
Brad
__________________
2021 Montana 3790RD, Legacy, Super Solar Flex
2020 RAM 3500 Limited, HO
kowbra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2021, 07:20 PM   #17
Bruce in DFW
Established Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Allen
Posts: 31
M.O.C. #28272
Thanks for that info on the 2021.
Bruce in DFW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2021, 08:11 PM   #18
Gunny B
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Peru
Posts: 85
M.O.C. #23153
That 215 pound generator doesn't sound very portable. We have a Champion 3400 that weighs in at 95 pounds and runs one ac, the microwave, and other small watt devices. Downsizing the generator would be a good swap out for the solar upgrade.
Gunny B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2021, 08:20 PM   #19
Bruce in DFW
Established Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Allen
Posts: 31
M.O.C. #28272
Definitely not very portable - but there is a story behind that gen. It was purchased this summer when we got caught in an unusual heat wave in the Olympic Peninsula of WA. After the RV park's main service breaker fried - we had to resort to our 3400. It was Texas HOT! While I have 2 x Champion 3400 (great inverter gen), I only brought one with us - just in case of an emergency. With only the Champion 3400 running one AC - even with Soft Starts both ACs, it heated up to 90+ inside - so I had to buy a larger 50a gen - whatever was available locally - which turned out to be a Firman 7500W at Costco for $699. So, it will stay home for the next trip - and I will bring my other 3400 along next time - with my parallel kit.
Bruce in DFW is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:19 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.