Robert8252

Just because you asked if the dealers have anyway to measure. Please do not pick a trailer out they say you're fine towing. I've yet to meet an rv dealer that knew or cared about what was actually safe to pull. Do your research on your own before pulling the trigger.

smokeywren

True, but not useful information.


The CAT scale ticket is not going to give you enough info to compute the weight of the cargo in the trailer, or the gross weight of the trailer, or the hitch weight of the trailer+WD hitch.


It will tell you the weights on the front and rear axles of the tow vehicle, plus the weight on the trailer axles, and the gross combined weight of the rig. It will not tell you the gross weight of the trailer to compare to GVWR of the trailer, or the weight of the cargo in the trailer to compare to the CCC of the trailer, or the tongue weight of the trailer to compare to the hitch limitations of the tow vehicle. You need a separate tongue weight scale to determine hitch weight.


So to use what info you have with one pass over the CAT scale, add the weights on the front and rear axles of the tow vehicle and compare to the GVWR of the tow vehicle. Add the GAWRs of the trailer and compare to the weight on the trailer axles. Compare the combined weight of the rig to the GCWR of the tow vehicle. If you don't exceed either the GVWR of the tow vehicle or the combined GAWRs of the trailer, you're good to go with no more concern about being overloaded.

Platinum_Dawg

Had a sales rep call me this morning about the 37 footer we were orginally considering and he said "Oh absolutely you can pull that coach with an F150 and won't be overloaded." Once I explained my concerns about the hitch weight and my payload limitations he started stuttering and stammering and then said "sir we would NEVER sell you a coach that your tow vehicle couldn't safely and properly pull." He said he would confirm the numbers with his service manager and call me back....that was 3+ hours ago, lol!

I think the 34.5 footer we're looking at now is a much better option. I can stow my chairs and cooler in the rear of the camper along with our supplies for our pets so it won't count fully towards my payload. It'll just be my wife and I plus our 20lb dog and 8lb kitten and a couple bags of snacks and treats wipes and pet stuff in the cab.

It just sucks that you can't truly verify weights until you've signed documents and pulled the trigger! Lots of great info and help here though. I've talked to several people in person and it's crazy how many say to just hook up and go, if it goes you're good....wth?!!

Platinum_Dawg

Dealership manager just called and has offered to install an air bag system on my truck to ease my concerns about the weight. Please correct me if I'm wrong but adding air bags does not truly increase payload capacity correct? I've still got the same frame, wheels and axles under weight strain so air bags don't magically increase my payload right?

fx2tom

I am pulling a 35.5 ft (bumper to hitch) Travel Trailer that scales in about 8,100 - 8,300 lbs packed for camping with a tongue weight of 994 lbs. I would not go any longer or any heavier than where I am now.

In the end you have to be comfortable with what you are towing.

fx2tom

Correct. It may make for more stable towing but the payload does not change

Robert8252

I bumper pull a 31 foot trailer. Loaded weight is around 7,000lbs. It pulls great and I'm sure the truck could handle more but I'm not a fan of semis on the highways. Never felt like I didn't have control but they really do pull my truck quite a bit. Not sure how a bigger trailer would be on long drives. I mostly camp within Indiana or the surrounding states so never have more than a 3-400 mile drive. Definitely wouldn't trust myself to pull it for 8hours + without some rest.

sunofabeach

my travel trailer is 33'9" long and it tows just fine behind my truck.


yes, adding airbags will add stability to your towing experience. with a tongue weight of approx. 1000-1200lbs, you would be very tight, if not over your GVWR.


my personal opinion is that I would be comfortable being over the GVWR by a little bit (100-200lbs) but I would make sure I'm under all the axle ratings and GCWR.


for someone towing a few times a year, I would just put the airbags in and call it a day. have the trailer you want and the truck you already have. all my opinion of course.

Manuellabour247

Whatever your sticker says on your door is the legal weights you can do. Air bags will help with handling, but you are correct that it will not increase your legal payload. Like said a few times, verify all of your ratings. Have people "just hooked up and went" with them? Yup. I'm guilty of overloading my vehicles from time to time. Doesn't make it right. I hope you can find a good TT that will meet all the towing needs.

Platinum_Dawg

One thing that is sticking with me that a dealership told me today is that with a wdh not all 900 pounds of tongue weight will be placed on the truck. I agree with that in theory because the wdh does distribute the weight throughout all axles of the tow vehicle and the trailer being towed. I just don't know how much will be distributed.