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Old 02-05-2013, 06:32 PM   #1
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Some advice for a newbie

My Tow Vehicle - 2010 Ram1500 - 5.7 HEMI - 3.55 ratio - GVWR 6800# - Base Weight 5393# - Payload - 1380# - GCWR 14000# - Tow Capacity 8400# (these are all specs from Dodge)

I am looking at the following trailers to purchase and would like some advice if I am in a safe towable range on each:

Jayco Whitehawk 28DSBH - Dry 5290#, Carrying Cap 2210#, Total 7500#
Jayflight Swift 267BHS - Dry 5315#, Carrying Cap 2185#, Total 7500#
Jayflight 28BHBE - Dry 6430#, Carrying Cap 3238#, Total 9680#

Me, wife, 8 and 5 year old

WD Hitch will be used

Thanks
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Old 02-05-2013, 07:17 PM   #2
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Cool

Hi and welcome to the forum!

I have a 2012 Ram Laramie Crew Cab, fully loaded with Ram box, basically everything but the sunroof. I took it to the CAT scale with my wife and nothing else on board....the truck with the two of us in it weighed in at 6200 lbs that leaves only 600 lbs for the tongue weight of the trailer. Considering that the the OEM'S recommend that your tongue weight should be 10 - 15% of the actual loaded weight of the trailer...well you can do the math. I suggest you load up the truck with all the passenger and what you will be carrying in the truck and get it weighed.....you will now now what you have left for payload. Take the dry weight of the trailer your considering, add at least 250 lbs for options and 800 lbs for cargo. Take 12% of this weight and add it to the weight of the truck. That will tell you if you are over your GVWR, just to give you a heads up the WD hitch will move some of the payload from your truck to the trailers axles. Bob (Rustic Eagle) who is this sites Guru when it comes to these weights will in all likely hood sound in well. I have seen CAT scales results that indicate up to 25% of the tongue weight could be shifted to the trailers axles. I have a White Hawk 30 DSRE, dry weight 6400 lbs total 8200 lbs and I am over my GVWR by about 100 lbs based on a realistic loaded weight of 7200 lbs. I think you will be right on the line, just depends what you load it with. Remember that the 1/2 ton Achilles heel is the GVWR especially the Ram 1500.


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Originally Posted by wazzurver View Post
My Tow Vehicle - 2010 Ram1500 - 5.7 HEMI - 3.55 ratio - GVWR 6800# - Base Weight 5393# - Payload - 1380# - GCWR 14000# - Tow Capacity 8400# (these are all specs from Dodge)

I am looking at the following trailers to purchase and would like some advice if I am in a safe towable range on each:

Jayco Whitehawk 28DSBH - Dry 5290#, Carrying Cap 2210#, Total 7500#
Jayflight Swift 267BHS - Dry 5315#, Carrying Cap 2185#, Total 7500#
Jayflight 28BHBE - Dry 6430#, Carrying Cap 3238#, Total 9680#

Me, wife, 8 and 5 year old

WD Hitch will be used

Thanks
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Old 02-05-2013, 08:28 PM   #3
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I think Augie summed it up best. The payload is not just the weight you put on the hitch but also what you put into the truck bed and truck cab (you, your family and everything else you put in/on the truck). Payload is something few rv or truck salespeople talk about. You'll never be sorry for having "too much truck". Don't ask me how I know that!
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Old 02-05-2013, 10:38 PM   #4
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I FEEL.. that with the truck and trailer fully loaded the Jayflight 28BHBE will be too much. the other two will be on the edge of safety.. to be safe I feel that you need a bigger truck or smaller trailer.....
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Old 02-06-2013, 06:42 AM   #5
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wazzurver

First, welcome to JOF

Smart move on taking the time to determine the towing capability of your Dodge Ram prior to making your TT purchase. The following represents some food-for-thought that may help you in establishing a TT short list:

* Your Ram's "actual" Tow Rating is lower then it's published Tow Rating of 8,400lbs, because the combined weights of the TV's passengers, options, cargo, etc., have yet to be subtracted: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...uot-Tow-Rating
* As mentioned, the loaded weight of the TT gets subtracted from the payload capacity of your Dodge Ram.
* I also concur with member "Raugustin's" suggestion of weighing your loaded Ram at a CAT scale, eliminates a lot of the guess work. Knowing how much payload you have remaining for TT's loaded tongue weight can real quickly narrow down the selection process.
* Be careful when referencing published UVW and DRY weights, think in terms of potential "loaded weights". If you can, look for the yellow sticker on the side of any new TT and it will provide the actual "Ship Weight", which is a realistic starting point to start adding the combined weights of RV dealer installed items (battery, WDH, etc.) and your personal cargo. If you tend to tow with fresh water in your tank, don't forget to account for this weight as well.

We all have different loading habits, so what might be a weight deal breaker for one may be ok for another, but the important thing is to remember that cargo weight adds up fast.

Although the Jayflight 28BHBE has the biggest CCC (and GVWR), it will however have a higher base "ship weight" by at least 1,100lbs, and when moderately loaded may have the highest potential of exceeding one or more of the Ram's specified weight limits.

The Jayco Whitehawk 28DSBH & Jayflight Swift 267BHS IMO would be a better choice. Using the Swift 267BHS as an example, here is one loaded TT weight scenario:

(UVW 5,315lbs) + (Ship Weight delta of 300lbs) + (Dealership Battery, WDH, etc., 125lbs) + (Cargo 700lbs (no fluids)) = 6,440lbs.. At an average of 13% for the desired loaded tongue weight = 837lbs.

A WDH rating of 1,000lbs would be a minimum recommendation, but a 1,200lb rated WDH would better if you tend to pack heavy and/or carry water in the fresh water tank.

Probably a little more information than you wanted, but I wanted to provide you with a little insight into my thinking behind my responses to your questions.

Bob
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Old 02-11-2013, 12:27 AM   #6
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Thanks for all the replies...so I went and weighed my truck with my family and a full tank of gas. Came in at about 6500 lbs...I find it hard to believe that I have a truck that when loaded with my family I barely have enough "room" to put a lawnmower in the back of it...advice or info is much appreciated.
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Old 02-11-2013, 06:23 AM   #7
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That honestly, does not surprise me, 1/2 ton trucks have a fairly small payload. I am very happy to see you actually weighed it, most people don't and just "guess". There's a reason we went with a small hybrid behind our Silverado 1/2 ton. I weighed our truck with a full tank of gas and just me plus whatever misc junk was in it, came to 5940 lbs. By the time we get three more people in there, plus firewood etc in the bed plus the hitch weight, we may be pushing the GVWR(ours is a little higher at 7000 lbs).

Did you get separate weights on each axle? What is you front and rear GAWR?

I am sure you are seeing why many are saying you either need to get a 3/4 ton or set you sights on a smaller trailer.
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Old 02-11-2013, 07:37 AM   #8
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wazzurver,

Wow, the CAT scale gross weight for your TV was 6,500lbs and your GVWR is 6,800lbs ......., leaving only 300lbs for the combined weights of the TT tongue and WDH??

Your published tow rating of 8,400lbs - (6,500lbs CAT scale - 5,393lb curb weight) = 7,293lbs actual tow rating..., which could accomadate the Jayco Whitehawk 28DSBH & Jayflight Swift 267BHS..., but the tongue weight remains an issue.

Even with a CAT scale error of plus/minus 40 lbs, I'm surprised that your 1/2 ton left you with only 300lbs. Based on your CAT results the Jayco Whitehawk 28DSBH & Jayflight Swift 267BHS are ruled out..., even using the manufactures minimum recommended loaded tongue weight of 10% (of loaded TT weight).

It appears that when looking for a hard sided trailer the Jayco Jay Flight Swift SLX models may be a better match based on your particular TV's loaded conditions.

Bob
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Old 02-11-2013, 08:59 AM   #9
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You are one of the few doing your homework. We were unaware of all of this info when we started looking for trailers. I knew that going to my max tow ratting would be too much though. I was looking to be between 1/2&3/4 of my tow rating. We previously has an f150 with 9500lb tow rating. What I found is the sales people ask what kind of truck you have and when you tell them they know the tow rating and try to tell you that in your case you can tow an 8400lb trailer no problem. Lots of good info here, I am surprised by the amount of payload you have leftover on your truck keep looking. Good luck shopping
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Old 02-11-2013, 09:25 AM   #10
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I think a lot of people would be surprised what they found out if they actually weighed their vehicle.
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Old 02-11-2013, 09:51 AM   #11
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Just for reference, here is the difference in payload in my two trucks, both 2004 Chevy`s:

1500 "1/2 ton" payload 1454 lbs. Tow rating 8,100 lbs.
2500 "3/4 ton" payload 3474 lbs. Tow rating 10,000 lbs.

Note the huge difference in payload, but not so much in tow rating. This is one often overlooked but very important major difference in these trucks and why the salesman in many cases dwell only on the tow rating.
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Old 02-11-2013, 10:10 AM   #12
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The manufactures specified curb weight of the TV "includes" the weight of a full tank of fuel, in this case the curb weight is 5,393lbs. The CAT scale gross weight of 6,500lbs represents only the added passenger weight and the weight of the TV's options ...., totaling 1,107lbs. The 1,107lbs is a little higher then the norm when one considers that it doesn't include any cargo in the TV.

Bob
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Old 02-11-2013, 12:06 PM   #13
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Hi Bob,
this is similar to my problem with the 6200/6800 ratio for my RAM 1500. Wazzurver needs to hypothetically move all content, if any, excluding the passengers from his TV and move that payload to the trailer, where it will only have a 10-15% effect on the TV payload and do a second measure. It's funny though, the RAM has a GCAWR of 7800 lbs....semi's when the go to the CAT scales are only concern with the GAWR's why is the law different for pickups, what is safety and what is warranty? There are huge inconsistencies with GVWR and GAWR ratios between the different OEM's, as I mentioned before the Ram is rated to carry only 87% of it's GVWR/GAWR ratio, whereas Ford is allowed >91%, again what is safe here? Something else that is also never discussed, in any detail, is the effect of the WDH. All on-line calculators and all the calculations we use to assess GVW are based on WCH not WDH. The only way you can get the GVW of your TV, with a WDH connected, is by measuring it with a CAT scale. I have read that as much as 25% of Tongue weight payload can be redistributed back to the TT axles. This has a significant effect on not only the GVW of the TV but also the GAW of the TT. We are also told that the 1/2 tons are to light and braking will be an issue...this is totally wrong, the TT is equipped with brakes that are rated at more than it's GVWR and so are the trucks brakes...this is only a problem when pulling a trailer without brakes...in Ontario Canada the law says your can pull a 3000 lb trailer without brakes, is it safe...it is legal! We worry about making sure that the front axle weight or fender clearance is the same before and after the trailer is loaded to maximize braking and control, yet our Governments let you tow up to 5000 lbs without a WDH, is it safe...it's legal! Where's our Governments that should be making the RV industry ensure that the trailer/TV rigs and combos are safe, there are no standards, nothing is very clear and you need to have an Engineering Degree to try and figure this all out. What I love about this forum is that it gives me great insight into what I may encounter in the future and it allows me to prepare and learn from others experience. This is only one forum and from ready many of the posts on this forum, and others, the issue of understanding Tow Vehicle sizing seems to be a very a very expensive & common mistake that has been and continues to be made. Again I don't think that we should be breaking any of the limits, however, there should be some standards out there to protect the buyers rather than the results of a loss of property and lives. Anyway just needed to vent...can't stand it when someone else winds up with there hopes & dreams extinguished because of a sales job!


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Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle View Post
wazzurver,

Wow, the CAT scale gross weight for your TV was 6,500lbs and your GVWR is 6,800lbs ......., leaving only 300lbs for the combined weights of the TT tongue and WDH??

Your published tow rating of 8,400lbs - (6,500lbs CAT scale - 5,393lb curb weight) = 7,293lbs actual tow rating..., which could accomadate the Jayco Whitehawk 28DSBH & Jayflight Swift 267BHS..., but the tongue weight remains an issue.

Even with a CAT scale error of plus/minus 40 lbs, I'm surprised that your 1/2 ton left you with only 300lbs. Based on your CAT results the Jayco Whitehawk 28DSBH & Jayflight Swift 267BHS are ruled out..., even using the manufactures minimum recommended loaded tongue weight of 10% (of loaded TT weight).

It appears that when looking for a hard sided trailer the Jayco Jay Flight Swift SLX models may be a better match based on your particular TV's loaded conditions.

Bob
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Old 02-11-2013, 12:22 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle View Post
The manufactures specified curb weight of the TV "includes" the weight of a full tank of fuel, in this case the curb weight is 5,393lbs. The CAT scale gross weight of 6,500lbs represents only the added passenger weight and the weight of the TV's options ...., totaling 1,107lbs. The 1,107lbs is a little higher then the norm when one considers that it doesn't include any cargo in the TV.

Bob
If curb weight is supposed to included full fuel and 150# passenger...the rest of the family is only 300# or so. Where is the almost 800# extra coming from?
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Old 02-11-2013, 12:30 PM   #15
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wazzurver,

That's what makes your weight data interesting to me, because I doubt that you have 800lbs in TV options above the curb weight.

Did you use a CAT scale, or another commercial scale?

Bob
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Old 02-11-2013, 12:35 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Raugustin View Post
snip....... Wazzurver needs to hypothetically move all content, if any, excluding the passengers from his TV and move that payload to the trailer,...... snip
Ron,

The thing is that if I have gathered the OP's information correctly his scaled weight of 6,500lbs doesn't include any cargo....., so I agree, it would be great if there was some TV cargo weight to move back to the TT.

Bob
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Old 02-11-2013, 12:39 PM   #17
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Hi Bob,
I wonder where he's getting his curb weight from? Ram has several pages of base weights for different models. Your suppose to pick your model then add the weight of any options that are listed on the Vehicle Specification.
Ron

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Ron,

The thing is that if I have gathered the OP's information correctly his scaled weight of 6,500lbs doesn't include any cargo....., so I agree, it would be great if there was some TV cargo weight to move back to the TT.

Bob
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Old 02-11-2013, 12:52 PM   #18
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CAT Scales. ticket read as follows:

Steer Axle 3500#
Drive Axle 3060#
Gross Weight 6560#

No Cargo, just full tank (32 gallon) and 2 adults 2 children
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Old 02-11-2013, 01:10 PM   #19
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Hi wazzurver,
What model 1500 do you have and did you add any options? There is a sticker inside your door that tells you tire size and loading, it also tells you what the maximum passenger and payload is. If you subtract that number from your 6800 GVW you should have your curb weight. If you added anything or if the dealer installed anything afterword ie running boards, liner etc. all those weights must also be subtracted from the 6800 lbs.

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CAT Scales. ticket read as follows:

Steer Axle 3500#
Drive Axle 3060#
Gross Weight 6560#

No Cargo, just full tank (32 gallon) and 2 adults 2 children
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Old 02-12-2013, 02:02 PM   #20
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I am completely embarrassed to post this and please forgive me...guess what I have in the bed of my truck under my truxedo cover (out of mind out of sight)? Five bags of tube sand for winter driving! Yes, the guy that can't figure out why his truck weighed in so heavy is admitting he had sand in the back. Truly sorry and thanks for all the answers...I will try a re-weigh soon and see where I am.
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