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Just my opinion

Old 03-20-2016, 01:23 PM
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Default Just my opinion

I'm seeing so many threads here with prospective buyers looking at trailers that are way too much for their 150's.
As an RV tech, I am in constant arguments with sales putting people in trailers that they can barely tow safe at dry specs.
As a general gauge I add
75 lbs for each battery to be installed.
If manufacturer weights are empty, add 60 lbs for propane, in some cases dry weight doesn't even include propane tanks, in that case, add 120 lbs to tongue weight.
Water, forgive me I'm Canadian, 10 lbs per gallon, 30 gallon tank, 300 lbs, I think 8.5 stateside.
Front kitchen, stay away if half ton, weigh a bag of canned goods, bag of potatoes, what you put in fridge and dishes, pots pans etc, you could easily add 500 lbs to tongue weight. Go for center kitchen. with marginal trailer truck combo, its not hard to add 500 to 1000 lbs to your tongue weight.
Had one snowbird customer, he scaled his rig before his wife loaded for the trip south, then scaled after she loaded, she had put over 3000 lbs of gear in the trailer, easy to do if you don't think.
My personal preference is to be 40 percent under payload when dry.
I dry camp, so I carry extra 30 gallons of water, extra battery or 3 depending on stay, plus I have 3 batteries on trailer plus solar system, beer, beer and more beer, on ice of course. tool box and so on
I have a 700 lb pin weight, add 300 lb for my extra water, 150 for extra batteries, 50 for cooler with ice and beer, as you can see a huge margin on the 2050 lb payload is dwindling very quickly.
Still havnt sat my fat ***** in the seat or my skinny wife, hope we don't have to leave the ****zu at home.
Large Lab would be out of the question, kids, bikes, water tubes, rock collection for trip home....
Just think as you load, and never believe the salesman, he lies so you buy the biggest trailer on the lot
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Old 03-21-2016, 10:10 AM
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I spent 14 months working as a rv tech and couldn't beleive some of the rigs that went out the door on half tons. People don't like to hear no for an answer, not to mention the lies that sales people tell both from the dealer and trailer side. Unfortunately ppl will still be ppl and choose what they want.
Old 03-21-2016, 10:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Martiangod
I have a 700 lb pin weight, add 300 lb for my extra water, 150 for extra batteries, 50 for cooler with ice and beer, as you can see a huge margin on the 2050 lb payload is dwindling very quickly.
t
Would you say the same about a 3/4 ton diesel with 2050 lbs payload?
Old 03-21-2016, 01:44 PM
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I think the biggest issue is your average person doesnt realize the tongue weight adds to payload. That really is the difference maker.
Old 03-21-2016, 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by SnowF150
I think the biggest issue is your average person doesnt realize the tongue weight adds to payload. That really is the difference maker.
Subtracts from Payload, but yes, that is an issue. Basic math is an issue for many as well.
Old 03-21-2016, 08:44 PM
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Originally Posted by fx2tom
Would you say the same about a 3/4 ton diesel with 2050 lbs payload?
The math is always the same, payload minus, what you put in the truck including people and tongue weight.
Your payload is very close to my 150's payload, but you can out pull me by probably 4000 pounds. If you keep the tongue weight down within your specs
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Old 03-21-2016, 11:13 PM
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Amen. I have towed trailers and 5th wheels for years. My Dad was a professional truck driver and taught me a margin of safety. I see trailers all the time without WDH, improper weight and balance to the trailer and they wonder why the truck is all over the place.
I have a 2016 F150 max tow and payload is 1780. I current tow a 3750 lb trailer and no issues. I'm looking at a 26 foot 6350 dry weight (center kitchen) 7750 gross weight so with a 750 tongue weight (reality) vs 650 listed that's about where I feel comfortable but no more than that but that's me.
It's not going but safely stopping. Travel safe.
Old 03-21-2016, 11:21 PM
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A nice F150 can tow a normal boat just fine. A travel trailer is a different animal. Much more wind resistance.
Old 03-22-2016, 12:09 AM
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Originally Posted by mark waller
I'm looking at a 26 foot 6350 dry weight (center kitchen) 7750 gross weight so with a 750 tongue weight (reality) vs 650 listed that's about where I feel comfortable but no more than that but that's me.

Nice dream, but certainly not reality.


Tongue weight on a TT varies from about 12% to about 15%, and averages about 13%. Average 7700 pound TT is going to have tongue weight around 13%. 13% of 7700 = 1,000 pounds. Or if your TT has 15% tongue weight, it could be up to around 1150 pounds.
Old 03-22-2016, 09:48 AM
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If the tongue weight goes up to that them luckily I an still safely in the game even with 2 adults in the truck. I don't load the bed up.

The main concern is to know everything weight is going up from tongue weight to actual load in the trailer. Sadly many people order a 32 plus foot trailer because the salesman said it can be towed. Do your homework before you buy either your truck or trailer so you are within the limits with some room to spare.

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