Extra fuel tank for TV

[dsprik]

Sounds like someone needs to get into the "plastic" RV tool business, advertising that can cut the weight of metal tools that most RV owners have to carry by 50% or more, with "their" tools. Just neeed a new lightweight composite material. Maybe they already have one?

[rickfox]

Good Afternoon Montana Sky,

Since I am home with the flu, I have finally gotten around to responding to your request for weight information. So here comes the data dump! It is as follows:

TV = 2003 2500HD Crew Cab with Duramax and Allison Trans
Trailer = 2006 3400RL with the following options
Value and Moving Up packages
Free standing table with 5 chairs
Sofa table, and end table with lamp
4 slide room awnings
Fireplace and ceiling fan
Queen rather than King bed
Artic insulation
Outside shower

Our first stop after picking up the trailer was the CAT scale. There was the wife and I and a low tank of diesel for the TV. The trailer was as above but with a few gallons of water, a battery, and 2 full propane tanks.

First Weigh - TV and Trailer - 11/12/06
Steering axle: 3820#
Drive axle: 4900#
Trailer axles: 9880#

Second Weigh - TV only - 11/12/06
Steering axle: 3860#
Drive axle: 2880#

Results were:
TV = 6740# - spec is GVWR = 9200#, max rear axle wt = 6084#
Hitch pin weight = 1980#
Trailer weight = 11,860# - spec on outside label is GVWR = 14,190#

We then loaded up for our first trip and reweighed

First Weigh - TV and Trailer - 11/25/06
Steering axle: 3900#
Drive axle: 5540#
Trailer axles: 10,500#

Second Weigh - TV only - 11/12/06
Steering axle: 3920#
Drive axle: 3120#

Results were:
TV = 7040# - more stuff and more diesel in truck
Hitch pin weight = 2400#
Trailer weight = 12,900#
Added cargo = 1040#

Interesting notes are that the cargo weight was only 1040# and we had the basement full. Didn't take a lot of clothes or a lot of groceries. I had guessed the cargo weight at 1500#.

Of the 1040# added, 420# showed up on the hitch pin weight - 40%. This is pretty much due to the fact that almost all the storage area is in front of the trailer axles. There are some overhead cabinets in the rear living, but we won't be carrying much weight there. Running the calculations shows that I can carry approximately 1225# additional cargo (a total of 2265#) before I exceed the rear axle weight rating on the 2500HD. At that point, I will not exceed the GVWR of the trailer, nor the 12,000# trailer axle rating, nor the GCVWR of the 2500HD. I will, however, be at 2895# hitch pin weight and 9935# total for the 2500HD. This is 735# (8%) over the GVWR or the truck.

I better be happy with a cargo capacity of 2265# because that's all the TV will handle - specwise. As of now though, I don't know where I would put another 1225# more of stuff!

[rickety]

Thnaks for the great information Rick. Hope your feeling better!
I won't worry now with my Monty 3280.

[Montana Sky]

Rick,
Thank you very much for posting your numbers. Amazing how your coach and mine are really close in numbers for both my 2500HD and my 3400RL. Thanks again!