Size Truck

[jeffba]

Originally Posted by LERD

Wouldn't it also be great if when you looked at a certain floorplan, you could see a diagram of where all of your tanks are installed! Then you could get a much better grasp of what kind of pin weight ratio change you could be looking at with and without water. All of your water!

Factory tour

[twindman]

Originally Posted by jeffba

Factory tour

This would probably only show you one model on any given day. Aren't the different models arranged differently (for the tanks)?

[jeffba]

Originally Posted by twindman

This would probably only show you one model on any given day. Aren't the different models arranged differently (for the tanks)?

They are, but you can time it when yours is being made.
And I would bet many have similar layouts

There is also the option of removing teh back wall of teh passthrough and take a look with a good flashlight

[kowbra]

Originally Posted by LERD

Wouldn't it also be great if when you looked at a certain floorplan, you could see a diagram of where all of your tanks are installed! Then you could get a much better grasp of what kind of pin weight ratio change you could be looking at with and without water. All of your water!

I agree that would be nice.
But aren't they relatively similar? Aren't the black and first grey water tank always in the front drop frame?
Then, I think the kitchen grey water is typically around the axles with the fresh water behind that. I know there will be some variety there, but isn't that the basic layout?
Perhaps someone who has dropped their coroplast can comment.

Brad

[beeje]

Originally Posted by kowbra

I agree that would be nice.
But aren't they relatively similar? Aren't the black and first grey water tank always in the front drop frame?
Then, I think the kitchen grey water is typically around the axles with the fresh water behind that. I know there will be some variety there, but isn't that the basic layout?
Perhaps someone who has dropped their coroplast can comment.

Brad

I have had 100% of my coroplast removed and I can tell you it is exactly like you described. The two tanks in the front in the drop frame area with the galley tank above the axles going the opposite direction with the water tank behind that

[LERD]

Originally Posted by beeje

I have had 100% of my coroplast removed and I can tell you it is exactly like you described. The two tanks in the front in the drop frame area with the galley tank above the axles going the opposite direction with the water tank behind that

So the gray tank is neutral ballast, the black tank is positive on the pin, and the fresh water is negative on the pin?

[DanandBrenda]

Originally Posted by Slow Hand

You will never have enough truck

Every body needs a DRW. My suggestion something with a Bulldog on the hood. Then you have enough truck.

I have more than enough truck.

[beeje]

Originally Posted by LERD

So the gray tank is neutral ballast, the black tank is positive on the pin, and the fresh water is negative on the pin?

Mine has one grey one black in the front drop-down which is positive on the pin of course. The gray over the axles is neutral. The water tank at the rear is negative on the pin if it is full of water.
We never travel with any waste in the tanks and always a full fresh water tank, so the waste tanks in my case would always be neutral since they don't weigh much empty.
In my opinion you should never travel with any substantial amount of waste in any of the tanks. Especially if they're the older two-piece style that are prone to breakage

[Montana Man]

Originally Posted by LERD

So the gray tank is neutral ballast, the black tank is positive on the pin, and the fresh water is negative on the pin?

On mine the black and grey tanks are side by side. So they will equal relating to ballast.

[R.S.O'Donnell]

Originally Posted by Ginaandrobert

We just bought 2018 3561 RL. Deciding on new truck and looking at a GMC 2500. It’s so confusing on what size truck we need! Suggestions please!

My only advice is don't get "just enough" as you'll find yourself constantly worrying if you are overloading it. We're full timers so we wanted "plenty".

Our F-350 Crew Cab, 8' Bed, 6.7 Diesel, 4:10 Gears, DRW's towing capacity is 31,300 lbs gooseneck, 27,500 5th wheel (hitch rating), and 21,000 standard trailer with a GCWR of 40,000 lbs.

It's comforting to never have to wonder if the truck can handle it.

[dfb]

THE trailers Gvwr has NOTHING TO DO WITH ITS tow rating. Our Montana has a gvwr.of 16000lbs. Dry.the trailers weight is 12200. Loaded and ready to go we hit the scales at 13000... This leaves 3000 lbs before the trailer hits 16000. 3000 left.for people..Take t he unloaded weight of trailer , add from there.. with food, tools, everything ,800 lbs is what goes in ours.. Now there is room for people..A 3/4 ton is not enough truck. We are talking the truck's gvwr , rear axle rating will be overloaded..30 years towing 5th wheel experience..Do yourself a favor. Get the most capable truck then forget about it..

[dfb]

THE trailers Gvwr has NOTHING TO DO WITH ITS tow rating. Our Montana has a gvwr.of 16000lbs. Dry.the trailers weight is 12200. Loaded and ready to go we hit the scales at 13000... This leaves 3000 lbs before the trailer hits 16000. 3000 left.for people..Take t he unloaded weight of trailer , add from there.. with food, tools, everything ,800 lbs is what goes in. Now there is room for people..

[kowbra]

Originally Posted by dfb

THE trailers Gvwr has NOTHING TO DO WITH ITS tow rating. Our Montana has a gvwr.of 16000lbs. Dry.the trailers weight is 12200. Loaded and ready to go we hit the scales at 13000... This leaves 3000 lbs before the trailer hits 16000. 3000 left.for people..Take t he unloaded weight of trailer , add from there.. with food, tools, everything ,800 lbs is what goes in ours.. Now there is room for people..A 3/4 ton is not enough truck. We are talking the truck's gvwr , rear axle rating will be overloaded..30 years towing 5th wheel experience..Do yourself a favor. Get the most capable truck then forget about it..

Sorry but there is a lot in there that is confusing me.
The trailer doesn't have a tow rating.
The people don't go in the trailer when towing, right? So, how does the 3000lbs of trailer capacity have anything "left for people"?

The trailer GVWR DOES have a lot to do with what is the appropriate truck to use. Bigger trailer, bigger truck. Considering specifically beyond the ability to tow the trailer, the higher the GVWR, the greater the pin weight that will be on the truck.

So, again, I'm just confused by your comments.

I agree a 3/4 ton is very likely to be overweight on the rear GAWR when towing a 16k+ 5th wheel.

Brad

[mhs4771]

Any RV Weight numbers are just a guess until you take delivery and can find the "Weight as it left the Factory Sticker". Our unit has a brochure weight of 14K, it left the Factory at just a few pounds under 16K and that's before propane, batteries, or anything else.
Our 2010 2955RL weighted at the Goshen Rally was almost 1000 Lbs heavier than the published pin weight.

[kowbra]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

Any RV Weight numbers are just a guess until you take delivery and can find the "Weight as it left the Factory Sticker". Our unit has a brochure weight of 14K, it left the Factory at just a few pounds under 16K and that's before propane, batteries, or anything else.
Our 2010 2955RL weighted at the Goshen Rally was almost 1000 Lbs heavier than the published pin weight.

Very true about the advertised weights and the actual stickers. And, in my experience, they seem to vary a lot more in RVs than for trucks.
But, wow, both of those are a lot higher than advertised! I've seen a few hundred pounds on my last couple of rigs.

Brad

[dfb]

Originally Posted by kowbra

Sorry but there is a lot in there that is confusing me.
The trailer doesn't have a tow rating.
The people don't go in the trailer when towing, right? So, how does the 3000lbs of trailer capacity have anything "left for people"?

The trailer GVWR DOES have a lot to do with what is the appropriate truck to use. Bigger trailer, bigger truck. Considering specifically beyond the ability to tow the trailer, the higher the GVWR, the greater the pin weight that will be on the truck.

So, again, I'm just confused by your comments.

I agree a 3/4 ton is very likely to be overweight on the rear GAWR when towing a 16k+ 5th wheel.

Brad

People USE the GVWR of the Trailer when buying a Truck.. That's okay.. But the Trailer when purchased and loaded up does not come to the GVWR...

[kowbra]

Originally Posted by dfb

People USE the GVWR of the Trailer when buying a Truck.. That's okay.. But the Trailer when purchased and loaded up does not come to the GVWR...

Ok, got it, thanks.
But, what question(s) in the thread are you answering with this?
I'm still trying to understand,

Brad

[dfb]

Originally Posted by kowbra

Ok, got it, thanks.
But, what question(s) in the thread are you answering with this?
I'm still trying to understand,

Brad

all im saying is the GVWR of the Trailer is NOT the weight the truck is going to Pull...It may be a Great Idea to used the GVWR of the Trailelr to buy a Truck to be well under the tow capacity.. GVWR of the trailer is what the trailer is allowed to weight without over loading.. Bottom Line the 3/4 ton is Not enuff Truck....

[beeje]

I think I stated this earlier in this thread but as long as every single number is within the legal weight limit, your good

Every single 3/4 ton truck you see towing a large 5th wheel down the road is overweight on at least one or multiple different weight capacities be it tires rear-end payload Etc

There are hundreds of thousands of rigs going down the road exactly like that. I would think the vast majority those owners know they are overweight and could care less, simply stating " it tows great"

[kowbra]

Originally Posted by dfb

all im saying is the GVWR of the Trailer is NOT the weight the truck is going to Pull...It may be a Great Idea to used the GVWR of the Trailelr to buy a Truck to be well under the tow capacity.. GVWR of the trailer is what the trailer is allowed to weight without over loading.. Bottom Line the 3/4 ton is Not enuff Truck....

To me, it seems your argument is kind of backwards. You are saying not to look at the fully loaded trailer GVWR specs because you don't come close to loading yours up. But then you say that this is the reason a 3/4 ton truck won't work? Actually you kind of end up proving that some 3/4 ton trucks might work... but only if they lightly load up like you do.

The issue that often confuses people is that their 3/4 ton truck IS rated to tow the full GVWR of the trailer. For example, all of the new diesel trucks are rated to tow at least 16k 5th wheel (most are 17k+ now). But they often don't have the payload for the pin weight that the trailer will put onto the rear axle. (but now some of the new Ford and GM 3/4 tons now have 11k+ GVWR and payload over 3000lbs so they may work).

For some, like you, they may load their trailer lightly. For full timers, or long timers like us, we typically load way heavier than you do. In fact, I suspect we will be very close to maxing out our trailer GVWR of 16,800. I would not think about towing our new Montana with even the newest 3/4 ton truck, but partly that is because I know we will load it up.

JMHO, or maybe I'm still confused by what you are saying...

Brad