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Old 07-20-2004, 03:47 AM   #1
Gene Chaltry
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Gel-Coat

Does anyone with a 3400RL have Gel-Coat on their RV and pulling it with a 2500HD Diesel? If so, How is the weight? Did you have it weighed? What did it weigh?
 
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Old 07-20-2004, 04:07 AM   #2
Bill and Ann
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I don't have the 3400. I understand the gel coat adds about 600 lbs. to the unit. This has to been taken into consideration when you are loading your unit as it reduces the carrying capacity weight by the same.
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Old 07-20-2004, 07:26 AM   #3
DHenry
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I do not have the gel coat finish on ours but I wish now that I had ordered it with it. I have seen several other units with it and they look so much nicer. I am sure that they also are eaiser to keep clean.
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Old 07-20-2004, 07:40 AM   #4
cargary
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Gene -
I have a 3400rl and no I don't have the extra application of the gel coat for the reasons stated by (I believe bill and ann) As they said it would add approx. 600 lbs. and knowning that I would be taking our kids and grand kids with us on trips, I didn't want to crowd the weight limits too closely.
We did have our truck, ( 2003 chevy, short box, duromax/allison combo -also with the 16k pullrite hitch) and 5er weighed dry and loaded 2/3 with fresh water.
Dry weight = total gross weight of truck and 5er = 20,100 lbs
Loaded weight = with everything being the same as above = 21,280
Both weights encluded of course, my wife and I in the truck.
I also calculated that the pin weight on my hitch is close to the 20% that I have heard recommended on this website.
Hope this helps.
Gary & Carole
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Old 07-20-2004, 09:05 PM   #5
Montana Sky
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Gene,
I as well have the 3400RL and not the extra high gloss gel coat. I can tell you that your truck will pull the 3400RL with either fiberglass just fine. My truck will go up to 15,300lbs towing and not with the fifth wheel but other goose neck trailers I have been close to that and have not had any major problems to this day. The only thing the extra gel coat will do as far as weight and towing is concerned is allow you to put approx. 600lbs less of stuff in your coach than you would be able to without it. I agree it does look alot nicer than the traditional fiberglass, but is it worth the extra $1,500 or so and 600lbs to have it is up to you.
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Old 07-21-2004, 03:19 AM   #6
Gene Chaltry
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MontanaSky How about pin weight?
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Old 07-21-2004, 08:00 PM   #7
Montana Sky
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Gene,
Last time I took the coach across the scales I was approx. 2,300lbs on the kingpin. The 2500HD will go up to 3,000lbs. I do not use airbags and dont feel the need for them with this truck. Rides and handles very well with the coach in tow.
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Old 07-22-2004, 02:06 AM   #8
Bill and Ann
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I also have a GMC Crew 2500HD with Duramax. I haul a 3670RL. I found I was getting close to the tire capacity of 9800 lbs on the rear tires. I upgraded the tires to LT265 75R16 and now have about 3000lbs. extra leeway on the tires.
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Old 07-22-2004, 03:41 AM   #9
Gene Chaltry
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OK, Thanks to all of you for your replies. That helps alot.
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Old 07-23-2004, 11:51 AM   #10
8.1al
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Bil and Ann,
Do you really have 9800 lbs. on the rear wheels?
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Old 07-23-2004, 02:00 PM   #11
cargary
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Montana Sky -
Just before making our maiden voyage, we weighed our truck and rig and our pin weight was just about the same as you said yours was. Ours was at 2320 lbs and when dividing by the weight on the trailer wheels, we come up with 20.2% of the load is on the kingpin. This I believe is ok as someone previously has said ideally, you should aprox. 20% of the load on the kingpin. This is another reason the extra jell coat was not something desired by us.
Even so, I may sill do something to take some of the bounce out of the truck as I don't like the feeling that I get when I hit a good dip in the road with the trailer in tow.
Gary &n Carole
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Old 07-23-2004, 04:07 PM   #12
NJ Hillbilly
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cargary, upgrade Your shocks to Rancho 9000 series adjustables. They made a world of difference in the ride of the truck with the trailer attached. They took most of the bounce out of the rear end.

John
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Old 07-23-2004, 11:17 PM   #13
Montana Sky
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Gary,
Sounds to me like your right in the range with being approx. 20% kingpin weight. I have not had any trouble towing with that much on my truck, actually I think the combo rides darn near perfect going down the road. You are still having that bounce problem? Besides maxing the tires out on both truck and coach, I guess the next thing to look into would be airbags. I am sorry but I am not having that problem at the moment and really dont know why you would be and I am not. If you change anything keep me updated as to what you did and how it worked for you. Will have to figure something out if I run into this problem down the road.
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