Trailer weight and hauling

[PlayersZ28]

This winter I switched to a 17 3500HD CCSB SRW DMax from an 11 F350 CCLB DRW 6.7 and weighed the new combination in loaded travel mode. This means everything in the trailer and truck that I take for four months away. Trailer fresh/waste tanks empty, truck fuel full.

The weights are frt 5020#, rear 7200#, trlr 11180#, total 23400#. About 800# less on the total than with the DRW. Without the trailer the truck is 4940# & 3900# giving 3300# trlr pin weight.

The Chev hauls the trailer great. Some squirm in the rear end when getting buffeting on the front of the trailer. Outhauls the Ford in the mountains and has no problem holding 75mph into a head wind (except for the 8.8mpg). Low or no headwind give 10-10.2mpg on the cluster.

[LabMan]

If you are running the stock tires, you may be slightly over their rating on the rear. Most of the GM trucks, SRW, come with 7040# rear axle rating, based on the tires. I switched to one size up to pick up 450# buffer since I was also right at 7000# on the rear. Not knowing which tires you have, just giving my experience.

[PlayersZ28]

Yes, with 7200# on the rear I'm 150# over the tire ratings. I'd like to see if I can get some weight off the pin. Don't want to have to replace four tires that have 4k mi on them, plus I'd have to either sell the tires down here in the US or haul them home. That would be more weight.

The axle & springs are fine for the weight, just the tires limit the rear GAWR.

[Midnightmoon]

Just throwing this out there, have you considered a set of 19.5" wheels with commercial tires on your truck? A lot of my buddies with single rear wheel Rams have moved to wheels such as Ricksons with 19.5's and are very happy with the choice.

[PlayersZ28]

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

Just throwing this out there, have you considered a set of 19.5" wheels with commercial tires on your truck? A lot of my buddies with single rear wheel Rams have moved to wheels such as Ricksons with 19.5's and are very happy with the choice.

Don't think I'd go that route, I'm sure it's not cheap. Switching to GM 20's will allow a higher rated tire. Maybe I'll just put the trailer on a diet