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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Buying An RV -> Am I Even Close? Weights Again...
Post Info TOPIC: Am I Even Close? Weights Again...
TxYellowRose


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Am I Even Close? Weights Again...
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Okay, so we're gonna go look at different 5ers later today.

After gathering data on my truck, I'm wondering if I'm in the ball park of weight of 5er to look at.

Our truck is an '08 Ford F350 diesel 4x4 SRW long bed with towing package, but not Tow Boss.

GCWR is 23000, GVWR is 11500, GAWR is 6900, and 5th-wheel towing capacity is 15300 according to my truck info.

The Keystone Montana that catches my eye is 12115 dry weight, 2060 hitch weight, and 3445 cargo weight.

Now I know that the Montana dry & cargo weight exceeds the 15300 towing capacity per the truck brochure.  However, if we have no washer/dryer, we're thinking of removing whatever sofa comes with the 5er, we don't carry a lot of water in the fresh tank and there's just the two of us...we would still come under the specs for the GCWR of 23000.  Don't carry much in the truck...again, just us two and we like to keep things uncluttered when actually driving.
 
Should I be looking in a lighter class of 5er?  Say under 12,000 lbs? 

Want a solid 5er that will last years of living but want to safely go...wherever!

Sorry to be asking so many questions...this weight thing is makin' me nuts!  Okay, nuttier!  biggrin

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1 Scotsman, 1 Texan chick, 1 Lhasa Apso/? & 4 bicycles
Set Sail in June 2010
2010 Montana 3585SA HE
Ford F350 diesel 4x4 SRW
Full-timing blog:  Phoenix Once Again
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Luvglass


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You are on the edge if you put in the 3445 of cargo, but that's not mandatory. smile.gif

Remember you have to add the weight of a full tank of fuel and you and your wife as a minimum, to the truck.

The most prudent thing to do is look for something a little lighter. Or bite the bullet and buy a 350 dually with tow boss.

Good luck,

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Fred Wishnie

Full time since Feb 06 in Carriage Cameo 35KS3 and Ford F350


“If all you ever do is all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is all you ever got.”
flyone


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The way I see it your good man,   12,115 throw in a couple of hundred pounds extra for options and the 3,445 is the max cargo weight you probably will not have that much weight in there so deduct 700 lbs.  I get 15,245 lb. the GCWR is 23000, so if your truck weights #7600 and trailer is 15,245 GCW is 22,845. Unless there is something I'm missing I think your good.  Go for it and keep an eye on the weight of things but I think you'll be fine.  

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TxYellowRose


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Luvglass,

Hey, that's actually me and my husband!  biggrin  I'm the chick!

Thanks to you, Luvglass and flyone, both for the responses.  We're about to head out.  Also looking at the Kingston by Crossroads, simply based on floorplan and weights.  I like the KF34RK, again just from what I see online.  Dump the sofa bed, put in our recliners...  I like knocking down the weight a bit.


Well, we're off to get started looking and looking and looking!

Peace,
Betty

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1 Scotsman, 1 Texan chick, 1 Lhasa Apso/? & 4 bicycles
Set Sail in June 2010
2010 Montana 3585SA HE
Ford F350 diesel 4x4 SRW
Full-timing blog:  Phoenix Once Again
Check out My Reiki Web Presence
Terry and Jo


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Betty,

Like Luvglass, I think you are very close to the limit with something that size for your pickup.  The reason I say that is because it seems that people normally manage to accumulate a LOT more stuff than they think they would.

Should you get that model fifth wheel AND put in the 3445 cargo carrying capacity, then you would be weighing 15,560 pounds on the fifth wheel.  That weight deducted from your GCVW of 23,000 would leave you with 7,440 pounds that your pickup, pets, passengers and fuel (plus anything else in the bed of the truck) could weigh.

Be very careful with what you get.  I remember a friend telling me that on one occasion when pulling his fifth wheel with his truck he had to brake hard and suddenly after cresting a hill and seeing an interstate parking lot in front of him.  (Interstate parking lot means multiple lanes of vehicles stopped due to accident, construction, etc.)  In his case, it damaged his truck even though he didn't hit anyone.

Remember that you want your truck to be able to stop you as well as pull the trailer.

Have fun looking.

Terry

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Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
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Happytrails


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Those numbers don't give you much room. I think Fred and Terry have given you some great advice and they both tow with a truck.

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TxYellowRose


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Yep, I agree with all the above.  We looked at a few units today, including a very nice Montana; however, I'm just not comfortable with its weight and our TV.

I'm sure there will be something out there that will suit our needs and be within our safety comfort zone!   

Thanks again all. 

Peace,
Betty

__________________
1 Scotsman, 1 Texan chick, 1 Lhasa Apso/? & 4 bicycles
Set Sail in June 2010
2010 Montana 3585SA HE
Ford F350 diesel 4x4 SRW
Full-timing blog:  Phoenix Once Again
Check out My Reiki Web Presence
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