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2016 F150 Screw Lariat 3.5EB, and a 2014 Coleman CT274BH, 28' long 7300# GVWR, 6400 # wet and loaded.
Payload
Truck with just the camping gear and me, with a full tank, no trailer connected. Note front axle weight.
Truck with trailer and WDH attached, properly distributed.
Once I add passengers I am at the limits, or over depending on how many.
Wow Thanks for the visuals. That really helps.
How do you like your Coleman?
Welcome.
I really like it being that we were first timers when I bought it, it has been flawless. I bought it used, but it was practically brand new inside and out, still has that fresh new cabinet smell. Everything has worked and continues to work, the only thing that I actually needed to do was solidify the dinette seat back by the entrance due to people leaning back on it or pulling on it, and it is all held together with staples. I added a few angle brackets around the seat base and it has been fine ever since. Going on my third year with it, but have not pulled it from storage since I canceled all trips until my truck is either fully repaired or I replace it, more likely the latter since I thought they fixed the steering, but it is back to doing what it did which made towing not so pleasant. The only thing I have noticed is that it appears the seal on the toilet is failing as the RV Antifreeze is gone, and that stuff does not evaporate that fast, there are still a few wet spots in the tub. Since it is a common toilet that is used in practically every one made today, I don't see it as a mark against the trailer. There are a few things that need improvement, but again, the majority of them made have the same issues, such as weak stabilizer jacks, and squeaky floors. I have a set of Strong Arms to put on to fixed the weak jacks, and also got a hitch holder so I don't have to store it in the front compartment. I also added a Voltage surge unit that will cut power if one input leg is bad. I was going to get the kind that plugs right into the post, but found a hard wired one for half the cost as it was on clearance. The only other thing besides replacing the bulbs with LED was to add a shelf on folding brackets on the side of the sink cabinet for more counter space.
What got me to buy it were the rear bunks. They are 48" wide by 72" long. Huge! For a first time camper it is really a good one that will keep me into camping now. 3 years, and no headaches, can't beat that.
I just purchased this truck in Dec. After doing some more research on the truck I find it has a Max GCWR of 17100 lb. WB 157. 3.5L GTDI. 3.55 Axle. Learned something new (well old) never listen to salesmen. As I see it my main problem is the truck set up for my business. I'm going to scale tomorrow with all equipment on and in it to see if this will work. I really need to keep this set up for the business. The plan is to keep the business going while on the road.
Thanks for all the help.
Sound like you got a nice trailer. It's are first time also. I was looking at Colemans. It's going to be mainly my wife and I sometimes are grandson. We are looking at part time living in NC on my sons land. So we really don't need all the beds. Looking for something more open and roomy. Maybe a office set up in place of a bed?
Been looking at retirement floor plans, no kids, just the wife an I, that will be 12 years down the road. I do RC flying, and more than likely will still be doing it in 12 years, and will need a workshop, so a toy hauler is not that bad an idea for us. It will more than likely be either a motor home, or a 5th wheel, but the toyhauler floor plans are pretty nice, and with some custom work, can be made into anything you want. Some have a ramp that folds down level and is a lift, so when just folded down level with the floor, becomes a screen room. There might be some like that you can look into, turn the back area into an office like place.
Been looking at retirement floor plans, no kids, just the wife an I, that will be 12 years down the road. I do RC flying, and more than likely will still be doing it in 12 years, and will need a workshop, so a toy hauler is not that bad an idea for us. It will more than likely be either a motor home, or a 5th wheel, but the toyhauler floor plans are pretty nice, and with some custom work, can be made into anything you want. Some have a ramp that folds down level and is a lift, so when just folded down level with the floor, becomes a screen room. There might be some like that you can look into, turn the back area into an office like place.
YES! Couldnt agree more. This is the exact reason we got a toy hauler. Our TH had a 122 garage in the rear. I have moved the wall that separates the living area and garage area back 6. We dont have toys to haul around. We have some equipment for work and only needed less then 6 of garage space. The extra living space for the dog kennel and other crap is priceless and the inside of the living area looks and feels enormous. One other thing to mention, THs normally have a bunch of useless stuff in the garages that can be removed easily to reduce the overall weight of the trailer. We removed the motorized bunk bed and double sofa beds from the garage as soon as we got it home from the dealer. We dont have kids so extra beds are not needd.
TH garages make great office areas.
Be mindfull that unloaded toy haulers generally have a higher tongue/hitch weight bc theres nothing but air behind the rear axles of the trailer until loaded.
That could be a problem. First and foremost at this time, it is for business and that set up is needed. But I do see your point.
Thanks
If I were you, I'd go scale the truck before you get any further. Little things can add up, let alone a brush guard or off-road bumper, and the SCrew doesn't have a whole lot of fGAWR headroom to begin with. The good news is that your rGAWR is more likely to be an issue with a trailer than fGAWR, but my fGAWR is damn close to maxed out with my bumper/winch combo and myself in the cab (well, plus about 70-100 pounds of stuff like recovery gear and tire chains). Getting scale numbers as it sits now will let you know exactly what your starting point is; I was pretty surprised at how little real-world payload I had left when I scaled mine (roughly 1200 pounds left, from a factory sticker number of 1804, with myself in the truck).
Here a a pic of my tag on the hitch. Could someone give a idea how I should be interpreting this? I If I'm reading this correct, Max trailer weight is 12200# Tongue is 1220 #. But what is the weight carrying? Is that the cargo in the truck or trailer?
I feel my big problem is the weight of the equipment I have on and in the truck. Scaled at 3220 front 3060 back total 6280.
We are now looking at the 2670MK. That will drops are trailer weight to (according to the Manufacturer) 6661 # tongue at 642#.
I need to empty the truck bed and tool box but leave all attached equipment and scale again. Then figure out what I can put back in. Most is needed for the business.
Thanks for all the help.
05-28-2018, 10:26 AM
