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Something to remember is you are looking at UVW (unloaded) and you should be looking at GVWR of the vehicle to get an accurate representation of what the trailer will weigh when ready for camping.
That will change your hitch weight from 1200 to closer to 1600 pounds at 17% (what Grand Design used as theirs) which is low as most experts suggest 20% og trailer weight as the tongue weight.
Something to remember is you are looking at UVW (unloaded) and you should be looking at GVWR of the vehicle to get an accurate representation of what the trailer will weigh when ready for camping.
That will change your hitch weight from 1200 to closer to 1600 pounds at 17% (what Grand Design used as theirs) which is low as most experts suggest 20% og trailer weight as the tongue weight.
While solid advise for some, I've grown to somewhat disagree with the standard of always going off of the GVWR. Both of the Grand Designs that are around the 1200 pin weight have cargo capacities of over 2000lbs. I've yet to see anyone that isn't full timing load that much into their rigs.
My bumper pull TT that scales at about 6600 dry/7200 loaded has a GVWR of 9480. This puts my TT cargo capacity at 2880lbs. I'm not sure I could fit nearly 3000lbs of stuff in my rig. This makes my real loaded weights well within a safe 1/2 ton range, but GVWR puts me in 3/4-1 ton territory. It seems that as tires and axles get better, the cargo capacities of these TTs keep going up with them and really messes with the old ways of matching a truck to trailer.
While solid advise for some, I've grown to somewhat disagree with the standard of always going off of the GVWR. Both of the Grand Designs that are around the 1200 pin weight have cargo capacities of over 2000lbs. I've yet to see anyone that isn't full timing load that much into their rigs.
My bumper pull TT that scales at about 6600 dry/7200 loaded has a GVWR of 9480. This puts my TT cargo capacity at 2880lbs. I'm not sure I could fit nearly 3000lbs of stuff in my rig. This makes my real loaded weights well within a safe 1/2 ton range, but GVWR puts me in 3/4-1 ton territory. It seems that as tires and axles get better, the cargo capacities of these TTs keep going up with them and really messes with the old ways of matching a truck to trailer.
I agree. GVWR of the trailer is not a good gauge as to what can be towed.
Example: GVWR trailer of 8,000lbs is in F-150 ability. But the suspension, axles, & brakes on the trailer are designed to stop and handle 8,000lbs. If loaded to max 8,000lb GVWR then all of the above mentioned components are maxed out. A 10,000lb GVWR trailer loaded to 8,000lbs is only loaded to 80%. So the brakes, suspension, & axles are only working at 80% AKA the 10,000lb GVWR trailer will probably be easier to handle as its not maxed.
My trailer has a 15,000lb GVWR but only weighs 10,200lbs empty and 11,000lbs fully loaded so i never exceed 73% of trailer GVWR and the trailer is happy.
2018 heartland sundance xlt 283rb. Only thing im changing is im swapping the dexter d44 axles(glorified 3500's) for a set of d60's because the d44 doesn't have enough brake to even slow it down. Truck pulls it great, I have a simple round bar with a friction sway bar and I have no issues with sway. I do have a Reese strait line dual cam but haven't installed it yet because i haven't needed it. Once the crap brakes are fixed i'll be happy.
Looking at all these rigs makes me want to go, but since we are not supposed to tow within first 1000 miles it will have to wait.
Brand new trailer, brand new truck. I am happy.
Looking at all these rigs makes me want to go, but since we are not supposed to tow within first 1000 miles it will have to wait.
Brand new trailer, brand new truck. I am happy.
Now that is a nice size trailer. How much does that weigh? I like it!
03-02-2018, 08:54 AM
