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Mich F · 07-15-2016, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davendeb

Wow Jim. Didn't mean to insult you or make you scared to get on the road. I apologize. My pin weight is nowhere near 1700 pounds. Closer to 1400. You must have a gift to be able to look at a rig and KNOW the pin weight. You could make a lot of money doing that. (I'm kidding with you of course)
On a serious note. I have full confidence in my setup, and may have even passed you many times on the road. Certainly, I've passed by literally thousands of cars and trucks over the past 11 years and not one has been hurt or damaged. Having done my research, the truck can do more than the "half-ton label indicates.
Here's wishing you, and me, many, many more years of happy and safe travels. God bless you. David

I'm not trying to start an argument, or beat a dead horse, but it appears that your "guesstimates" of your weight figures are all based on "published" weights. People are pointing out what your weights "probably" are in real life. As one example, your estimated 7,750# dry weight (who knows what it really is?) probably has a pin weight of between 1162#-1,550# (15-20% - although it could be more or less than these %s). Keep in mind, that's an "estimated" DRY weight. You can't really say your pin weight is nowhere near (pick a number) since you've never had your rig weighed.

Cumminsfan · 07-15-2016, 09:29 AM

That Rockwood is fine for the Tundra with nothing in it. But as we all know no one tows empty.
These are the dry brochure weights for the 2013 Rockwood 8282ws.
Base Weight (lbs / kg): 7505 / 3404.3
Carrying Capacity (lbs / kg): 1645 / 746.2
Hitch Weight (lbs / kg): 1184 / 537.1
If the Tundra has an 1479lb payload capacity then it is maxed with just the dry pin weight after adding in a 5th hitch, propane and 2 batteries.
Yes you're 300lbs under to start with but that's used up with standard items.
Now add up you and your spouse, all the stuff under the bed, in the front storage compartment and whatever is in the kitchen that's in front of the axles.
My guess is you're over the Tundra's payload by 500+lbs.
If that's the way you like to roll then go for it.

Mich F · 07-15-2016, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

That Rockwood is fine for the Tundra with nothing in it. But as we all know no one tows empty.
These are the dry brochure weights for the 2013 Rockwood 8282ws.
Base Weight (lbs / kg): 7505 / 3404.3
Carrying Capacity (lbs / kg): 1645 / 746.2
Hitch Weight (lbs / kg): 1184 / 537.1
If the Tundra has an 1479lb payload capacity then it is maxed with just the dry pin weight after adding in a 5th hitch, propane and 2 batteries.
Yes you're 300lbs under to start with but that's used up with standard items.
Now add up you and your spouse, all the stuff under the bed, in the front storage compartment and whatever is in the kitchen that's in front of the axles.
My guess is you're over the Tundra's payload by 500+lbs.
If that's the way you like to roll then go for it.

He mentioned in a previous post that his 5th wheel has an "estimated" base weight of 7,750# due to added options, which adds (40 or more?) pounds to the tongue weight.

pt1655 · 07-15-2016, 11:42 AM

Having only our 2012 Ram 1500 Hemi 4X4 and not needing/willing to buy a larger truck, our setup works great for us. Our 2013 Forest River Surveyor 220 is a 25' travel trailer that weighs 5000lbs loaded and the Ram is rated to tow 8500 lbs. So, I have quite a safety/braking margin and plenty of power to tow it. Any trailer longer or heavier and we would get a larger truck. The Mrs. doesn't retire for a few years yet so this rig is just right for us and the trailer tows straight and true with the WDH we have. I replace the load range C tires with load range D for added safety and longevity as well. The camper shell on the truck helps with air flow over the trailer too. I know what you are all saying and I agree; my 1/2 ton setup works well because I am aware of the weights and lengths involved and set it up accordingly.
Happy camping!

Oldelevatorman · 07-15-2016, 10:51 PM

You say your pin weight is 1400. If you add 1000 to your dry weight, say 8750 and take 20% of that it's 1750. I don't see how your coming up with 1400! The fact remains that Tundras have no business towing 5th wheels unless your payload's 2000 at least. I wanted to tow a 5th wheel with my truck with a payload on the sticker of 1800. Once I weighed it with me and a full gas tank and subtracted that from my GVWR, my payload was only 1450, so no 5th wheel. I'm not scared, I'm trying to get you to see the big picture and not be one of the 60% on the road overloaded.

Oldelevatorman · 07-15-2016, 11:16 PM

Davendeb, Payload on the door sticker is based on curb weight from the factory. Like I said my truck was 650 over curb weight when I bought it. If you've never weighed your truck loaded for a trip and checked it against its GVWR, I guarantee your payload won't be 1429 anymore which would make your situation even worse. Can't believe your ok with that.

Gordon Dewald · 07-16-2016, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pt1655

Having only our 2012 Ram 1500 Hemi 4X4 and not needing/willing to buy a larger truck, our setup works great for us. Our 2013 Forest River Surveyor 220 is a 25' travel trailer that weighs 5000lbs loaded and the Ram is rated to tow 8500 lbs. So, I have quite a safety/braking margin and plenty of power to tow it. Any trailer longer or heavier and we would get a larger truck. The Mrs. doesn't retire for a few years yet so this rig is just right for us and the trailer tows straight and true with the WDH we have. I replace the load range C tires with load range D for added safety and longevity as well. The camper shell on the truck helps with air flow over the trailer too. I know what you are all saying and I agree; my 1/2 ton setup works well because I am aware of the weights and lengths involved and set it up accordingly.
Happy camping!

Interesting to note in all likelihood the towing capacity of your truck will be less than 8500 lbs. Towing capacity is generally a bare bones truck with only accessories that increase towing capacity included. The extended cab, 4 wheel drive, bucket seats, etc will reduce the towing capacity.

It would be more relevant if you took the GCWR for the truck and subtracted the gross weight of your truck with full fuel, family and all the stuff you carry to see how much weight remains.