About to Go Full Time: How Much More Can We Carry?

[planecrashlaw]

We are closing up the house for good and starting a year of full timing in a couple weeks. Just got weighed at a Cat Scale, and used RV Weight Calculator | 5th Wheel | Gooseneck | Safety Report to run the numbers. The good news is that the trailer capacity and all of the axle weights look good. But we only have a 50 pound safety margin for the GMC's Gross Vehicle Weight, and none of the other numbers mean anything if I bust the Truck GVW

Portions of the report below and attached.

My problem is that I do not know how much of the additional weight I place in the trailer winds up being transferred to the GMC. But if the Vertical Load (Kingpin) Percentage of 21% is meant to express the % of anything put in the back that gets transferred to the weight of the truck, then I can do the math.

I just need to know what number to focus on. While I like a safety margin, my wife likes her clothes, and I really need to be able to add a few hundred pounds in the trailer.

 

[BB_TX]

A set percentage is nothing more than a guess for lack of real data. All the weight you load up front over the king pin goes directly on the truck. As you load stuff at the rear of the trailer over or behind the wheels, none of that will go on the truck. It will go on the rear axles. Anything loaded between the king pin and the rear wheels will be shared between the two depending on how far forward or rearward it is positioned.

Only way to know for sure is to load it for travel and weigh it. Then shift stuff toward the rear if the pin weight is too much. Or get rid of the extra weight. (Probably your stuff, not hers).

 

[twindman]

You don't list your GM model. If a 2500 (at least in the past) the only difference between it and a 3500 was one leave spring. Axle, frame, etc was all the same.

 

[AZ Traveler]

Add your weight aft of the trailer axles. It will reduce pin weight. Just don't go overboard. A credit card is light and can make up for what you don't bring.

 

[LeftOverParts]

One wt that you’ll want to check is your payload sticker. I could be wrong but the 50lbs left for GVWR could be different than what the payload value states.

Assuming you can add more wt, if you run out of space in the interior rear but you have a rear hitch, you might have to get a rack or rack and lock box to store your heavier stuff (portable generators/jacks) there instead of in the storage area up front to get wt off the pin.

 

[planecrashlaw]

You don't list your GM model. If a 2500 (at least in the past) the only difference between it and a 3500 was one leave spring. Axle, frame, etc was all the same.

2024 3500 Diesel.

 

[planecrashlaw]

One wt that you’ll want to check is your payload sticker. I could be wrong but the 50lbs left for GVWR could be different than what the payload value states.

Assuming you can add more wt, if you run out of space in the interior rear but you have a rear hitch, you might have to get a rack or rack and lock box to store your heavier stuff (portable generators/jacks) there instead of in the storage area up front to get wt off the pin.

Thanks for that advice. Am considering a rear rack for my 3000w generator, compressor and gas tank. That could make the difference.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Be sure to watch the old movie "The Long Long Trailer" with your wife before you head out. The movie has more reality to it than just a 1950's comedy.

 

[Dfb]

My opiniion.. You are at the MAX of your truck's GVW... If you want to carry more with you you will need to get rid of weight somewhere... I think you should get a bigger truck... then don't worry about it..

 

[Laura&Jerry]

Please have your wife read these responses too!

I think you could be and will most likely be overloaded when you start out. Speaking from experience when we started out as full-timers. We run into so many new full-timers that start overloaded because they think they could or might need things for the just in case. I would reevaluate everything you have in your 5th wheel. If your wife likes clothes now, that could change and probably should. It's amazing how much clothing to include shoes weighs. I quickly learned to mix n match, layer and still got rid of lots of clothing. Didn't need a dozen pair of shoes any longer as an example. We only kept 1 nice outfit to wear in case of a special event or function. And only 1 winter type coat each as we planned to follow the 70 degree weather plan. Having snow in late May in Wyoming wasn't planned for example.

Look at kitchen appliances, dishes and see what appliances are multifunctional. Dishes, only need a set for 2 or 4 and the material are they made of. Definitely look at Corelle or Melamine as they are lightweight and travel well. Towels and sheets are another one that so many over pack. We have 4 complete sets of bath towels and 2 sets of sheets. Using 1 set of sheets while the other is getting cleaned. Using 2 sets of towels while the other is getting cleaned. If carrying books thin the library as much as you can. Reducing weight on the inside is VERY IMPORTANT, especially if you haven't even loaded the outside compartment(s) with tools, outdoor items and more. Weight distribution, and proper weight distribution is key!

If carrying tools, evaluate as to what you really need. Outdoor furniture can really add up too. We started with 4 lawn chairs for company and quickly decided company can bring their own.

You'll quickly learn lessons and hopefully not negative ones. Get as far down on weight as you can, because like many full-timers, you might add weight back in your travels. Many of us did. Being overweight can damage many areas of your 5th wheel to include axles. A VERY IMPORTANT thing to remember is if you break down somewhere as a result of being overloaded, Keystone could deny coverage because it was your fault. And if ever in an accident and law enforcement finds out you were overweight, you could get ticketed, especially if your truck is under rated.

Make sure you have full-timers insurance and not just basic coverage. Several insurance companies will drop a policy holder if they find out you are living in your RV full time. You will also need to maintain a physical address. We used our daughter's home address. Many full-timers use Escapees for both the physical address, insurance purposes and for mail.

Definity look at getting an RV GPS system. Garmin RV is the most popular, best rated and has free upgrades. DON'T trust the GPS in your truck! A tire pressure monitoring system could help you on low tire pressure. BUT TPS systems can't always let you know about a sudden blowout. Enjoy this next chapter, be ready to adjust, maintain a sense of humor and expect the unexpected.

Best wishes on the road ahead,
Laura Thorsell
MOC #199454