Soon to be Newbie questions

[Stryker15]

Hello all. New member here. Will be retiring in 21 days . Our plan is to order a new trailer & TV sometime after the first of the year. Will not be full
timing, but may spend up to 2-3 months at a time in our RV. Excel is our #1 choice. Since we have neither truck nor trailer now, and both will be on
order at approximately the same time, my mission here is to get a TV with
enough capacity to safely pull the 5'er and not exceed any capacity rating
limits. Our vehicle selections as follows:
RV- 31IKE(Limited or Winslow to be determined) most likely Limited. If it
is a Winslow it will be optioned out to be close to a Limited, so weight
should be similar.
Excel UV/Dry published weights - Coach 12,900 lbs.
Pin/Hitch 2,880 lbs.
GVWR 17,500 lbs.
TV- F350 Lariat, CC, 4x4, DRW, 6.7L diesel, 3:73 axle ratio
GVWR 14,000 lbs.
GCVWR 30,000 lbs.
Max. 5'er wt. 22,200 lbs.
Rear GAWR 9,650 lbs.
Curb wt. 8,200 lbs.
Estimated total add. cargo wt. 1,300 lbs.
Based on Excel wt. the 31IKE has the highest Pin wt. of all models up to the 38 model. Seems high. 31IKE pin wt. is 22% of the GVW.
For those who own a 31IKE, or all who may have helpful info., my questions are:
1- What is your loaded pin wt.?? and loaded trailer wt.??
2- Does the pin wt. stay close to 22% when fully loaded??
3- Do you feel Excel published wt. are accurate??
Based on what I understand from the info I have read, my calculations say
the TV can pull up to 20,500 lbs. Cargo wt. being estimated at 1,300 lbs.
(I feel this is close) the TV GVW is 9,500 lbs., which should me give 4,500
lbs. for the pin wt. I don't see the GVW of the trailer going beyond 16,000
lbs., which if 22% remains consistent, is 3,520 lb. pin wt. 25% (max.) pin
wt. is 4000 lbs. and still below the 4,500 limit.
Weight on the rear axle is a different animal because I do not know the
weight of the rear axle in the unloaded TV since I don't have it. My gut
tells it would be ok based on the amount of extra capacity I have in the
other 2 measurements.
Any pertinent information, expert advice, or experienced opinion that may
help me resolve this is appreciated.

Thank You in advance.
Greg

[aschuh53]

welcome to irv2

[Stryker15]

Thank You!

[KAS]

Welcome, your plan sounds like an excellent adventure!

[rockintom]

Hey Stryker,

Welcome to the Excel owner's forum! Sounds like you've really thought the weight thing thru and that's commendable. Maybe to the point of going overboard! You will be well within your limits in all capacities with the new F-350 DRW Diesel.

Just FYI, the Winslow will still be lighter with all the limited options since it has the EPDM roof. The fiberglass roof weighs somewhat more that the EPDM roof.

We hope to see you back here with a fresh Excel. Good luck and have fun, you've earned it! rockin'

[bdickson]

[Stryker15]

Originally Posted by rockintom

Hey Stryker,

Welcome to the Excel owner's forum! Sounds like you've really thought the weight thing thru and that's commendable. Maybe to the point of going overboard! You will be well within your limits in all capacities with the new F-350 DRW Diesel.

Just FYI, the Winslow will still be lighter with all the limited options since it has the EPDM roof. The fiberglass roof weighs somewhat more that the EPDM roof.

We hope to see you back here with a fresh Excel. Good luck and have fun, you've earned it! rockin'

Rockin
If we end up with a Winslow I would option the Rhino Eco-Roof. Would
likely add fair amount of weight I would think.

Greg

[Stryker15]

Originally Posted by KAS

Welcome, your plan sounds like an excellent adventure!

Thank You! Hoping it's not a "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure".

[TexasTwoStep]

I AM impressed. Those are very good questions for a newby. Most newbies buy the rig and tv then a couple of years later try to figure out if they screwed up. I have a 31 RSE and here are my numbers after I loaded the vehicles.

Truck with 60 gallons additional diesel
steerage 4,880#
drive 4,120#

Excel (No washer/dryer/generator-with 4-6volt batteries/inverter) with about 25 gallons water/gray and black empty.

Pin-3,740#
Front axle -5,680#
Rear axle 6,020#

Excel and truck 24,420#
Truck rear axle hooked up 7,860#

I have the Excel spring hangers in the highest position. My B & W 3,000 hitch
is in the furthest forward and lowest position which gives me 6 3/4" bed clearance. I m slightly nose high.

At the front a/c unit it is 12'10" high.

If your home base is in Texas or a few other states you will have to have a special license for this weight.

From my signature you can see I pull with a 2013 1 ton Duramax dually (and I love it).

I think the weights published in the 2014 brochure are fairly close.

After reading this please post your remaining questions.

Hope this helps.

Gary

[Stryker15]

Originally Posted by TexasTwoStep

I AM impressed. Those are very good questions for a newby. Most newbies buy the rig and tv then a couple of years later try to figure out if they screwed up. I have a 31 RSE and here are my numbers after I loaded the vehicles.

Truck with 60 gallons additional diesel
steerage 4,880#
drive 4,120#

Excel (No washer/dryer/generator-with 4-6volt batteries/inverter) with about 25 gallons water/gray and black empty.

Pin-3,740#
Front axle -5,680#
Rear axle 6,020#

Excel and truck 24,420#
Truck rear axle hooked up 7,860#

I have the Excel spring hangers in the highest position. My B & W 3,000 hitch
is in the furthest forward and lowest position which gives me 6 3/4" bed clearance. I m slightly nose high.

At the front a/c unit it is 12'10" high.

If your home base is in Texas or a few other states you will have to have a special license for this weight.

From my signature you can see I pull with a 2013 1 ton Duramax dually (and I love it).

I think the weights published in the 2014 brochure are fairly close.

After reading this please post your remaining questions.

Hope this helps.

Gary

Gary
Very helpful, THANK YOU!
If I am interpreting your numbers correctly:
31RSE total GVW loaded 15,440#
Pin loaded 3,740# (24% of 31RSE GVW)
Truck loaded 9,000#

31IKE wt. looks to be slightly heavier for some reason so my estimate of
16,000# loaded is going to be close. Looks like I should expect a Pin wt.
close to, or at 4,000#.
I don't mean to be anal about this, but just trying to avoid a very expensive mistake or having to travel with an unsafe set up. When you are
a Pilgrim (newbie) like I am you need to research this and sort out the facts from the BS.
Not to bore you, but here are several real life examples I have experienced
in the past 6 months looking at 5'ers:
1- To make sure I would stay at or under the GVWR of the TV I asked our
Excel salesperson if there is a normal or average amount of weight one
can expect Pin wt. to increase when the coach is fully loaded. He said he
was not sure about that, but would find out. After conferring with his
superiors or tech. people he came back and said, "don't worry about the
pin wt. When you load the coach it will not change the pin wt." WHAT?
The little voice in the back of my head(common sense I think) was
telling me, this does not seem right! I see your pin wt. increased
between 1,000-1,200# after loading based on UVW brochure numbers.
2- I currently own a 2004 Dodge 3500 Laramie, CC, 4X4, SRW, 5.9 HO
diesel, 4:10 axle ratio. GVWR 9,900#. Curb wt. 7,300#(loaded for the
road approx. 8,100#). We visited five RV dealers looking at Montana,
Bighorn, Lifestyle and Excel, all between 33'-36'. At each of these
dealers we were told this truck can pull it, NO PROBLEM! I believed
them for a while, until I began reading, about safe towing, capacities
and forums like this. After I realized there was an issue I questioned
several dealers about the weights. Each one gave me the same answer,
a set of $500 air bags will take care of it. You can see there is only
1,800# available for pin wt. Imagine how far out of bounds I would be
if I set one of these trailers on back of this Dodge. Who knows how
far over the rear gawr would be.
3- Just ran into a old friend at a ballgame a month ago whom I had not
seen for 2-3 years. He said he'd retired several months ago and was
going to snowbird. Said he just bought a new 38' Montana. I asked
what he was going to pull it with. He said, "I just bought a new F250,
put a set of air bags on it, and it pulled it fine".

It is a scary world out there for Newbies like me. You better research what
you are being told, especially from an RV dealer.

Greg

[Stryker15]

Originally Posted by TexasTwoStep

I AM impressed. Those are very good questions for a newby. Most newbies buy the rig and tv then a couple of years later try to figure out if they screwed up. I have a 31 RSE and here are my numbers after I loaded the vehicles.

Truck with 60 gallons additional diesel
steerage 4,880#
drive 4,120#

Excel (No washer/dryer/generator-with 4-6volt batteries/inverter) with about 25 gallons water/gray and black empty.

Pin-3,740#
Front axle -5,680#
Rear axle 6,020#

Excel and truck 24,420#
Truck rear axle hooked up 7,860#

I have the Excel spring hangers in the highest position. My B & W 3,000 hitch
is in the furthest forward and lowest position which gives me 6 3/4" bed clearance. I m slightly nose high.

At the front a/c unit it is 12'10" high.

If your home base is in Texas or a few other states you will have to have a special license for this weight.

From my signature you can see I pull with a 2013 1 ton Duramax dually (and I love it).

I think the weights published in the 2014 brochure are fairly close.

After reading this please post your remaining questions.

Hope this helps.

Gary

Gary
How critical is it for the coach to set level? I have been reading post in
various forums about the new 4x4's setting higher, with bed clearance
and level being an issue. I told Excel I would have a 4x4 and asked about
raising the axle's (some brands offer as an option). I was told not to worry about it, it won't be an issue. As you can see from my previous post, I
have learned to be skeptical about what they tell me.
My plan at this point is to install a Trail Saver Air Hitch in the TV. A little
more spendy, I know, but seem to be highly rated in reviews. I am not
sure about how much adjustment is available.

Greg

[rockintom]

Originally Posted by Stryker13

Gary
Very helpful, THANK YOU!
If I am interpreting your numbers correctly:
31RSE total GVW loaded 15,440#
Pin loaded 3,740# (24% of 31RSE GVW)
Truck loaded 9,000#

31IKE wt. looks to be slightly heavier for some reason so my estimate of
16,000# loaded is going to be close. Looks like I should expect a Pin wt.
close to, or at 4,000#.
I don't mean to be anal about this, but just trying to avoid a very expensive mistake or having to travel with an unsafe set up. When you are
a Pilgrim (newbie) like I am you need to research this and sort out the facts from the BS.
Not to bore you, but here are several real life examples I have experienced
in the past 6 months looking at 5'ers:
1- To make sure I would stay at or under the GVWR of the TV I asked our
Excel salesperson if there is a normal or average amount of weight one
can expect Pin wt. to increase when the coach is fully loaded. He said he
was not sure about that, but would find out. After conferring with his
superiors or tech. people he came back and said, "don't worry about the
pin wt. When you load the coach it will not change the pin wt." WHAT?
The little voice in the back of my head(common sense I think) was
telling me, this does not seem right! I see your pin wt. increased
between 1,000-1,200# after loading based on UVW brochure numbers.
2- I currently own a 2004 Dodge 3500 Laramie, CC, 4X4, SRW, 5.9 HO
diesel, 4:10 axle ratio. GVWR 9,900#. Curb wt. 7,300#(loaded for the
road approx. 8,100#). We visited five RV dealers looking at Montana,
Bighorn, Lifestyle and Excel, all between 33'-36'. At each of these
dealers we were told this truck can pull it, NO PROBLEM! I believed
them for a while, until I began reading, about safe towing, capacities
and forums like this. After I realized there was an issue I questioned
several dealers about the weights. Each one gave me the same answer,
a set of $500 air bags will take care of it. You can see there is only
1,800# available for pin wt. Imagine how far out of bounds I would be
if I set one of these trailers on back of this Dodge. Who knows how
far over the rear gawr would be.
3- Just ran into a old friend at a ballgame a month ago whom I had not
seen for 2-3 years. He said he'd retired several months ago and was
going to snowbird. Said he just bought a new 38' Montana. I asked
what he was going to pull it with. He said, "I just bought a new F250,
put a set of air bags on it, and it pulled it fine".

It is a scary world out there for Newbies like me. You better research what
you are being told, especially from an RV dealer.

Greg

Greg, you are one smart cookie. You read right thru the BS.....many aren't able to see that. You'll go far by being anal and doing your research. Again, you'll do fine in all capacities with your new F-350 with DRW. Just FYI, my rig has a tongue weight of 3960# (last time I weighed it) and it doesn't hardly change the truck height when I load the rig on it. If you have the trailer built with it set to the highest ride setting, you'll be fine. Mine rig sets just a 1/2 bubble high in the front and 6" of bedrail clearance, which is OK. Me.....I'm about a bubble off plumb!!!

[Stryker15]

Originally Posted by rockintom

Greg, you are one smart cookie. You read right thru the BS.....many aren't able to see that. You'll go far by being anal and doing your research. Again, you'll do fine in all capacities with your new F-350 with DRW. Just FYI, my rig has a tongue weight of 3960# (last time I weighed it) and it doesn't hardly change the truck height when I load the rig on it. If you have the trailer built with it set to the highest ride setting, you'll be fine. Mine rig sets just a 1/2 bubble high in the front and 6" of bedrail clearance, which is OK. Me.....I'm about a bubble off plumb!!!

Sometimes I feel like I am about 2 logs short of a load!
Let me throw another question out there. Will order the Glide Ride Pin box and plans are for a Trail Saver Air Hitch. Would there be any benefit to the
ride, or any other aspect of the new F350 dually, by installing air bags on it???
Greg

[rockintom]

Originally Posted by Stryker13

Sometimes I feel like I am about 2 logs short of a load!
Let me throw another question out there. Will order the Glide Ride Pin box and plans are for a Trail Saver Air Hitch. Would there be any benefit to the
ride, or any other aspect of the new F350 dually, by installing air bags on it???
Greg

Trailer Saver hitch I have no experience with so don't know. I've had 3 Demco pinboxes and thought they've done a good job. I've had some issues over the years, but Demco has been great about sending me all the parts to freshen them up. No Charge, no resistance at all. I know some folks put bags on their duallys........and I don't know why. I never felt the need for them. rockin'