Thinking up upgrading.
5 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 2,739
Height * width of the front of the trailer. 9 * 8 as a rough estimate of the front of my trailer, 72 sq ft. Thats the height by the width of the front, but since it is not flat, but angled, there is probably fewer sq ft. Don't know how to get a specific measurement for angled fronts.
Grumpy Old Man
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,129
Likes: 887
From: Midland County Texas, just west of the star in my avatar
Yeah, any normal TT will be more than 55 Sq Ft frontal area. If it's the normal 8' wide TT, then it would have to be less than 7' high. If it's a compact 7' wide, then it would have to be less than 8' tall.
The shape of the frontal area doesnt matter.. Frontal area doesn't depend on aerodynamics. If you can see it when standing in front of the rig, it's frontal area. The AC unit on top of the RV is frontal area.
So to stay within the 55 sq ft frontal area limitation, shop for a pop-up that would be not more than 8' wide and 7' tall when on the riad.
The shape of the frontal area doesnt matter.. Frontal area doesn't depend on aerodynamics. If you can see it when standing in front of the rig, it's frontal area. The AC unit on top of the RV is frontal area.
So to stay within the 55 sq ft frontal area limitation, shop for a pop-up that would be not more than 8' wide and 7' tall when on the riad.
Last edited by smokeywren; Aug 30, 2017 at 04:12 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 482
Likes: 130
From: Marietta, GA
Went down and had some weights done at the scales,
In cab weight:
660lbs (pax)
102lbs (WDH and bits)
100lbs (tools, luggage)
-------
862 LBS
-150 (Payload is calculated with full fuel an 150lbs of driver)
-----------
712
My payload is 1608, leaving me with an available payload of 896lbs.
Also found out that my truck has 53A package (Class 4 hitch, aux tranny cooler, stabiliser bar, 3.73 rear end) so towing up to 5000lbs should be fine as long as its set up right.
Now the part I cant seem to figure out. Reccomeds here 55sq ft is the "Suggested frontal area".. I know that's the front of the trailer but how the hell do you calculate that?
In cab weight:
660lbs (pax)
102lbs (WDH and bits)
100lbs (tools, luggage)
-------
862 LBS
-150 (Payload is calculated with full fuel an 150lbs of driver)
-----------
712
My payload is 1608, leaving me with an available payload of 896lbs.
Also found out that my truck has 53A package (Class 4 hitch, aux tranny cooler, stabiliser bar, 3.73 rear end) so towing up to 5000lbs should be fine as long as its set up right.
Now the part I cant seem to figure out. Reccomeds here 55sq ft is the "Suggested frontal area".. I know that's the front of the trailer but how the hell do you calculate that?
Payload = GVWR - wt. of the truck as it came off the assembly line with a full tank of fuel.
No passengers or drivers or cargo in the truck.
Max trailer weight = GCWR - truck weight with a full tank of fuel - 150 lb. driver
The driver weight is only calculated into the maximum weight of the trailer that can be towed, not the payload.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 140
Likes: 37
From: Quinte West, Ontario, Canada
Not exactly.
Payload = GVWR - wt. of the truck as it came off the assembly line with a full tank of fuel.
No passengers or drivers or cargo in the truck.
Max trailer weight = GCWR - truck weight with a full tank of fuel - 150 lb. driver
The driver weight is only calculated into the maximum weight of the trailer that can be towed, not the payload.
Payload = GVWR - wt. of the truck as it came off the assembly line with a full tank of fuel.
No passengers or drivers or cargo in the truck.
Max trailer weight = GCWR - truck weight with a full tank of fuel - 150 lb. driver
The driver weight is only calculated into the maximum weight of the trailer that can be towed, not the payload.
Yes you are right!
"In addition to a vehicle’s base curb weight, the “Tow Vehicle Total Weight” (TVTW) for testing tow vehicles allocates 150 pounds for the driver, 150 pounds for a front seat passenger, the weight of all tow package equipment, and spicified weight of optional equipment (hitch ball, weight distribution bars, fifth wheel hitch, and such) split evenly between the front and rear axles."
Honestly.. Why do they have to make this so damn confusing and difficult. Screw it. Im going with the pop up.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 584
Likes: 75
From: BC Canada
IF you have the truck, it's a lot more simple. Look at the door sticker and buy a trailer that fits the vehicle. IF you don't have a truck yet......look at door stickers before you buy. Don't go by the advertised numbers in manufacturers commercials, pamphlets...sales people. If you're looking at a Ford....come to this forum.
My wife and I have a package we love...we are lucky we enjoy our 2014 F150 Lariat and 212RBS Bullet. It's max towing for us. Max, but legal...comfortable. But we are at the stage in life it is just us traveling.....less to take...less sleeping spots required.
Our F150 serves us well both in regular life and travel life. We don't need anything else. If your requirements are more, please look at F250's etc. Traveling is supposed to be enjoyable, not a carnival ride. Enjoy your rig, don't fight it.
Reno City is in our travel plans in May. We are so looking forward to it!! One of the reasons is that we know our rig is ready for it. The truck (which had a new truck warranty put on it) and new trailer are covered to the hilt for anything occurrence. We are a member of Coach-Net which is basically BCAA on steroids.
Enjoy your rigs y'all!
My wife and I have a package we love...we are lucky we enjoy our 2014 F150 Lariat and 212RBS Bullet. It's max towing for us. Max, but legal...comfortable. But we are at the stage in life it is just us traveling.....less to take...less sleeping spots required.
Our F150 serves us well both in regular life and travel life. We don't need anything else. If your requirements are more, please look at F250's etc. Traveling is supposed to be enjoyable, not a carnival ride. Enjoy your rig, don't fight it.
Reno City is in our travel plans in May. We are so looking forward to it!! One of the reasons is that we know our rig is ready for it. The truck (which had a new truck warranty put on it) and new trailer are covered to the hilt for anything occurrence. We are a member of Coach-Net which is basically BCAA on steroids.
Enjoy your rigs y'all!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 140
Likes: 37
From: Quinte West, Ontario, Canada
Trying to.. Ive got decent payload, but honestly a lot of folks here should be using 250's.. But that's an evil can I don't want to open that's all over the forum.
Im torn between the Rockwood BW296 or a similar rockwood roo.
BW296
Pro:
- All around visability tons of windows.
- Lighter
- Has most major features I want (AC, micro, oven, toilet, shower)
- Better ventilation
Cons:
-You gotta set it up.
-Might not be so great on colder nights.
On the flipside:
Rockwood roo:
Pro:Less setup, drive in, open the popouts. Enjoy..
Im torn between the Rockwood BW296 or a similar rockwood roo.
BW296
Pro:
- All around visability tons of windows.
- Lighter
- Has most major features I want (AC, micro, oven, toilet, shower)
- Better ventilation
Cons:
-You gotta set it up.
-Might not be so great on colder nights.
On the flipside:
Rockwood roo:
Pro:Less setup, drive in, open the popouts. Enjoy..