Math hurts

[CaptnJohn]

I’m thinking you will be near or slightly over weight but ok. My 2017 Montana and 2017 f350 srw with a payload of 3550 was usually over. The pw was 3310. The short bed didn’t help. Pulled that about 2200 miles until my 2019 Montana and f350 dually arrived. Nice to have the room and payload for the auxiliary tank. No you probably don’t need a dually as you don’t load like we do. We will spend next month in Florida and from there a month in the Smokies. Snowbird 4 months in Florida. We are loaded for long stays and all seasons, the stackable washer and dryer adds about 220#. Short stays requires less cargo. Still you will be tight on payload and gvwr but cautiously doable within numbers.

[sberlin]

You’re asking the right questions. I’m towing a 3701LK w a GMC 3500 SRW short bed and am within weight limits. You should be fine but the real test is what will a typical trip look like- how many passengers, full tank of gas, all rig tanks empty, whatever you store in the truck bed and what provisions r in the rig. Then take it to the scales and weigh each axle. The reality is this is all that matters, not specs or what if’s but actual weight. If you’re not in ur comfort zone or a little over then think about what doesn’t need to be in the truck and move heavy stuff to the tail end of the rig. Best of luck!

[Otto02]

I actually found that with my Ram 3500 I could log into a Ram website and look up my VIN and it showed specific towing information. But you are right to check.

Steve

Originally Posted by jfaberna

I agree, you want to make sure. I sat down with my dealer's commercial truck dude and we went to the Manufacturer's website and pulled down the towing spec for their trucks for that model year.

It's a long list with every model they make. You need to know the transmission type, axle ratio, etc. along with the stuff on your door sticker. There is no math involved with using that table. For example on my truck under the model of mine was an entry for each transmission model and axle gear and just found mine and looked at the 5th wheel towing column.

The one caveat you need to think about is that table is based on a few assumed facts like nothing in the truck or bed except for one 154lb driver. So I had to add 100lfb for me, and more weight for the DW, any pets, generator, toolbox, extra fuel tanks, etc.

In my case was 200lb over the limit prior to adding the normal stuff you need in a truck when towing, so I had to order a DRW and increase the axle ratio to 3.73

[SouthwestCVO]

Thanks for all the info and advice, everyone. The next time I fill up the truck with fuel I'm going to visit my local CAT scale for accurate numbers.

[SouthwestCVO]

I got the truck and camper weighed at a CAT scale and these are the results. Except for a full tank of fuel (I didn't want to spend $150), the truck and camper were both loaded for a three day trip. My fuel tank was about half full.

What are everyone's thoughts?

So you don't have to re-read the stickers, here are the numbers:

Ford F350
Payload 4407#
GVWR 12400#
Front GAWR 5600#
Rear GAWR 7230#

Montana 3120RL
GVWR 16000#
Trailer Weight 12470#

[RMcNeal]

Did you weigh the truck without the camper attached? The critical part is the pin weight, and that's usually where the overload starts. Subtract the truck's drive (rear) axle when not loaded from the drive axle with the camper to determine that. My guess is that with 4407 payload, you're fine.
Also, the GVWR on your truck should be higher than 21,460. Most likely it is considerably higher, but it should be on your truck's sticker.

[SouthwestCVO]

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

Did you weigh the truck without the camper attached? The critical part is the pin weight, and that's usually where the overload starts. Subtract the truck's drive (rear) axle when not loaded from the drive axle with the camper to determine that. My guess is that with 4407 payload, you're fine.
Also, the GVWR on your truck should be higher than 21,460. Most likely it is considerably higher, but it should be on your truck's sticker.

No, I did not weigh the truck separate. I'll head back over this weekend without the camper.

The GVWR of the truck should be higher than 21460? That's the number the scale gave me of combined weight. I'm confused.

[RMcNeal]

Sorry, my mistake, it should be gross COMBINED weight rating. IOW, the maximum towing weight. You are very likely not even close to this one. The weight that usually gets you first is the payload where the pin weight is too high. With 4407 payload, I seriously doubt you are very close to that with your weights listed. I wouldn't worry about weighing unless you just really want to know your true pin weight. Pin weight will vary, sometimes widely, depending upon what and how you load your rig. I have a 3791RD with the pull out tray "garage" in the rear. My pin weight is usually pretty light in comparison since I can put more heavy items to the rear behind the trailer's axles. I usually only travel with about 10-15 gallons of fresh water, but that tank is behind the rear axle as well, so adding fresh water will lighten my pin weight some too.

[jjwhite368]

Another FWIW, we just completed a 7,500 trip from VA to MT and back with nearly the same setup.

[RMcNeal]

It has been my experience that is it nearly impossible to even reach the GCWR or the truck without far exceeding the rear axle weight rating and payload rating. Some of the super duty trucks I've looked at have a GCWR or 30,000 lbs. when towing with 5th wheel or goose neck. You can't get that high without exceeding the truck's payload rating and rear axle.

[Montana Man]

The truck weight without the trailer is key. If the fuel tank isn't full we'll have to estimate that weight. Also, the weight of the occupants will need to be known if they are not included in the next weigh. I wouldn't count on the 4407 payload number but we'll get into that when the next weigh comes in.

Thx for posting your efforts. This is a learning experience for many folks.

[432bartman]

If you go back within 24 hours to the CAT scale there is no additional charge.

[dfb]

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

It has been my experience that is it nearly impossible to even reach the GCWR or the truck without far exceeding the rear axle weight rating and payload rating. Some of the super duty trucks I've looked at have a GCWR or 30,000 lbs. when towing with 5th wheel or goose neck. You can't get that high without exceeding the truck's payload rating and rear axle.

2017 ram.. max trailer 31000 lbs.. truck is at 10k lbs. This is a gcvwr of 41000 lbs.. trailer can be a pull trailer.. won't exceed gawr..

[dfb]

Op needs to fill truck, add everything including people, pets. My bet is the truck is near 10k.. leaving 2400 lbs for pin.. 12470 trailer weight, I hope that's loaded.. if not, definitely over weight for truck..2200 lbs pin weight before loading..I know folks do it all the time, I have.. Using srw truck.. To be under takes a dually.. Period.. to be under, it takes a dually..

[JDDilly]

When we got our first TT over 25 years ago, i never thought I would ever be driving a 3500 DRW. Those were only for big time construction folks, not camper people. Little did I know, someday I would need one. I saw a statement like, "excess capacity is a good thing," on this or another forum.

[AZ Traveler]

Your weights appear to be in decent shape. Your truck weight on the scale was 11,020 lb or 1,380 lb under your GVWR (max truck weight). Both of your truck axle weights also have room to grow - 620 lbs front and 990 lbs rear.

If all you are missing to hit the road as you stated in your post is a half tank of gas you should be good. If there are several other things that need to be loaded it would be good to weigh again.

While it will be good to know your pin weight it is not absolutely required as long as the other weights are within limit.

[SouthwestCVO]

The truck and camper were both loaded for a three day trip - wife, dog, etc. We're still buying and adding to the weight of both as this is our first RV. It's like furnishing your first apartment out of high school!

The longest trip we've been on so far has only been an hour from our house. The truck pulled beautifully, but it chucks quite a bit during stopping and starting.

I'll go back to the scales the next time I fill the tank for more accurate numbers.

[TWP723]

You're fine.

[Delaine and Lindy]

Originally Posted by DutchmenSport

Makes me glad I don't live in California. In Indiana, don't matter what it is, if it's tagged as an RV, a regular drivers license is all that's required.

RV transport workers do need a difference license. But not the average normal, every day driver.

I agree.

I had a Freightliner had no issues. But I will not go to California.