Community Forums

Namlehse · 05-25-2015, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mant

ok, thanks, I should have looked at the specs. for the 3500 but I always assumed a 3500 in any make was a 1 ton truck.

Not anymore.

This is mine, I was off on the payload.

Kozzy · 05-25-2015, 07:40 AM

Well there are 2000 lbs in one ton, so with a 3500 your actually almost 3 tons
I have a 2015 RAM 2500 with the 6.4 HEMI. Payload is around 4600 lbs and I have zero issues and plenty of truck from my grand designs 323bhs

Namlehse · 05-25-2015, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kozzy

Well there are 2000 lbs in one ton, so with a 3500 your actually almost 3 tons
I have a 2015 RAM 2500 with the 6.4 HEMI. Payload is around 4600 lbs and I have zero issues and plenty of truck from my grand designs 323bhs

The payload is great on the 6.4 2500's, very lackluster with the CTD

mant · 05-26-2015, 04:05 AM

I'm very new to this and trying to understand the hauling specs.,so please excuse the stupid questions, is the pin weight is directly related to the payload of the trailer?

Namlehse · 05-26-2015, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mant

I'm very new to this and trying to understand the hauling specs.,so please excuse the stupid questions, is the pin weight is directly related to the payload of the trailer?

It's the weight that will reside in the truck.

So my payload is 5,400. Say I have a 5th wheel with a 3,400 lb pin weight, that is taken from payload. So that leaves me with 2,000. Now add in a 200 lb hitch, 500 lbs of people/kids, 50lbs of suitcases and you're now at 1,250.

Assuming your average 2500 has around 2,200 payload, you'd be over with just the pin weight.

wingnut60 · 05-26-2015, 07:45 AM

There is also the Gross Rear Axle Weight to consider...most of the pin weight will go to the rear axle.
Joe

Namlehse · 05-26-2015, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60

There is also the Gross Rear Axle Weight to consider...most of the pin weight will go to the rear axle.
Joe

Generally you'll blow through payload long before you hit the RAWR though.

Take my truck, 9,750 RAWR, with 3,500 on the rear axle stock. That leaves you with 6,250, but only 5,400 payload.

These trucks are capable of more than they're rated for, however you have laws that limit you based on weight per square inch of tread on the ground and the class of truck (Take 2500's) to keep them in set licensing brakets.

The 2500 has a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of 10,000 lbs. The 3500 has a GVWR of 14,000. A 2500 just like my truck has a payload of 1,900 lbs, however can tow roughly 14,200 in trailer. A 14,200 lb trailer will generally have a pin weight of around 2,500-3k, putting you well over payload.

My truck has a GVWR of 14,000, with a payload of 5,400. I have a GCWR of 37,500 (Gross Combined, meaning truck and trailer) of a trailer tow rating of roughly 28,000. At 28,000 a pin weight will be around 4,200 to 5,600 depending on balance.

You generally see 15-20% of the weight being pin weight. Some swing higher, some lower depending on the camper. The 385TH we like calls for around 3,300, however after being fitted, we're assuming more in the 4-4.5k range due to a 19,500 GVWR.

To bring this around, stay under payload. If you're over payload and get into an accident, you'll be pushed under the insurance buss as they hang you out to dry. There was a recent case of an F150 pulling a TT with an ATV in the bed losing control and taking out a car full of people. After being sued for millions, he went to prison.

wingnut60 · 05-29-2015, 07:09 PM

That is an interesting situation on the F150--anywhere to read up on it?
Joe

denlock · 05-29-2015, 07:12 PM

I have friends that have Solitudes. The service they have gotten from Grand Design has be outstanding, even after the warranty has ran out. Very good faith wheel and company.

schrod · 05-30-2015, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

After reading on the GD owners forum for the last 2 months, I don't feel they're any better than the rest. It's hard to be better when you use the same suppliers as the rest. But the customer service end seems to be better. It seems for awhile that a service rep was on the forum but haven't seen her respond much anymore.

I agree they are absolutely no better and in some instances poorer in quality. Look closely as the stops on the shelving. It is simulated paper wrapped particle board. For the price those things are they could do like Cardinal and Bighorn and use actual wood. If they cut corners in plain site, just how much do they cut where you can't see? We have looked and compared and the Bighorn by Heartland by far beats them all. They too are a fairly new company, started in 2003 and rely greatly on fantastic customer service. I have my sight set on a Bighorn 3570RS.

Kozzy · 05-31-2015, 03:32 PM

I think campers are like trucks, all have good points, all have bad points. And depending on who you talk to, some love or hate them.
I have never owned a Bighorn, but know people that do, and hate it. I have talked to others that say they have pour service.
I guess I stopped listening to people years ago, and try and do my own research and make a decision, because for every person out there that loves a company and has a great experience with them,, no matter the product, you can almost certainly find someone that had a bad experience with them.