Properly sizing truck! Newbie needs advice.

[Two Bit]

For another example;
My truck and trailer, as seen below in the signature line, on a trip, scaled at 8000# for the truck axles and 12,000# for the trailer axles on CAT scales (all hitched up with readings for each axle). Full fuel, two people, one 75 pound dog. We had a 5000 watt Honda generator, 5 gallons of gas, and an extra 50 gallons of diesel in the truck bed (all up near the cab)and were traveling with 40 gallons of water in the fiver. This was a 3800 miles round trip. The 40 gallons of water was carried because it took three days/two nights to our destination, and we stayed at truck stops and camping world lots, for those travel nights.

The above with a 4.10 axle runs just over 2000 RPM at 65 MPH getting 12 MPG average on fuel. Cruise control on most of the way, staying in overdrive.

[Don (W5IT)]

D & K you are doing it right!

Going with a truck that will have "Room to spare" so to speak with the load you are carrying/towing. Going with the "Dually" is a decision you will not regret. I have owned both single and dual wheel trucks. The added stability with the "Dually" is something that cannot be shown in specifications.

Another aspect of tow rigs that comes into play is the old "Length and weight on a tow vehicle make more stable towing platform".

My "Little Red Truck" weighs in a hair over 9,000 pounds with a full load of fuel. (90 gallon aux. tank) Last time I scaled the rig in my sig. it came in at 23,000 pounds. Now that is with only abut 20 gallons of water in the 110 gallon fresh water tank, black and Grey tanks empty, loaded fairly light (On a trip by myself) and me OUT of the truck. (Truck was full of fuel)

I have pulled my Toyhauler with the F-350 "Normal" dually "Shop truck". (Almost a carbon copy of Ken's truck) There is a noticeable difference in the seat of my pants between how the two trucks towing the same trailer. The only differences are, "Little Red" weighs almost 1,000 pounds more and has a 6" longer wheelbase.

I'm looking forward to seeing some posts of how the combo you are putting together work out.

Catch Ya Later,

Don