Heavy Bird CAF30MK

[BoonesRV]

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We have a 2007 Chev 2500 HD Diesel short bed. On the drivers side door it says GVWR 9200 - GAWR FRT 4800 - GAWR RR 6084. On the 5th wheel rv that we pull, it says UVW 12064 and cargo capacity 3436. Not sure how to read all this, the trailer pulls just fine. No problems with power. But, are we over weight?

I see a lot of the posts that the tow vehicle is a 2500 HD. The length of our "Bird" is 37' 8". The model is 30MK. What are some of your lengths and weights?

[Traveler II]

Total weight - 18925
Truck - 7265
Pin weight - 2119
Trailer weight - 11660
Length - 32'

[snoking]

So your trailer has a 15500 GVWR. Just because others are towing well beyond the suggested weights for a give truck, does not make it "right". You probably have 2500 lbs of pin weight. A 7500lb 4x4 Diesel 2500 plus 2500 lbs of pin weight puts you at 10K on a 9200lb GVWR truck. Hope you have air bags.

Chris

[Traveler II]

So are we going to have problems? What can we expect?

[Mike Clay]

If you look in the Allison manuel you will see at least on the 2008 Silverado with dmax its 22,000 gross with a 5th wheel hitch if your trailer is over 15k then you are over weight and you would be with the 1 ton srw. I do not know what the 1 tons with training wheels gross rating is.

Jim you are fine

[BoonesRV]

Yes, we do have Firestone Air Bags. We even checked out some of the shorter Montanas - thinking it would be better to trade the "Bird" for a shorter rv. The ones that we looked at did not compare to the Cardinal. As I said in my first post, the truck pulls it fine and does not squat in the back at all.

I think we will get the unit weighed and go from there. Otherwise, anyone want to buy a Cardinal?

I appreciate everyone's input.

Carols

[Mike Clay]

The chevy wont set down much in the back I towed a trailer heavier then yours and pulled fine. My new trailer is 39 feet from tip to tail but the pin weight is several hundred pounds lighter then my 06 29 rkle was. I have air bags on my truck also and had to let the air out (to the 5 lbs min) because it set the trailer to high and the hitch bound up plus on the trail air hitch had to go from 65 lbs on the old trailer to 45 lbs on the new one.. I am setting at 13k for the trailer right now so I am in my limits for the truck and your right they do pull and pull hard we had to go over wolf creek pass on the way to the rally which is at an elevation of over 10,000 feet pulled up the hill great in fact at the speed limit (without pushing it) and going down the truck held the trailer back just fine and that was an 8% grade. To make a long story longer I do not feel I have any problems stopping this trailer or pulling it so at this point in my life the truck is fine. I would be worried if my trailer was as heavy as yours, I assume you have weighed it that sure seems heavy for that model trailer.

[snoking]

Yes, we do have Firestone Air Bags. We even checked out some of the shorter Montanas - thinking it would be better to trade the "Bird" for a shorter rv. The ones that we looked at did not compare to the Cardinal. As I said in my first post, the truck pulls it fine and does not squat in the back at all.

I think we will get the unit weighed and go from there. Otherwise, anyone want to buy a Cardinal?

I appreciate everyone's input.

Carols

Load it like you are going to use it and get it weighed. One of the important weights you want is the rear axle of the truck. Make sure the you are not over the weight limit of the rear tires. Do you have 245/75R16" rated to 3042 or larger tires. If you have the 245's you want to make sure that your rear axle is under 6084 lbs.

Now for the difference between the 2500HD and 3500 SRW! Heavier springs(your air bags offset this), maybe larger tires, different badges, and the door post sticker. And a few hundred dollars. Just do not get caught in BC Canada towing over your trucks GVWR, I am not aware of an US state that will say anything about it.

Chris

[Mike Clay]

One more spring tires and everything else are the same and the tires are 3042

[Traveler II]

Thanks Mike, we first bought the trailer and than the truck. I thought we were OK, but others have told me that I needed a one ton or better yet a dully.

[bfast54]

Weigh the set up................ If possible weigh it all hooked up, then weigh your tow vehicle ( thats what I did ), that will give you your Tow vehicle weight, and your total weight .

If possible use a Cat Scale, or simmular, that can get axle weights, on each one. I found on my 'Little Bird", I have around 2100-2400 lbs pin weight, (depending on how I load tools, etc... ) I also have a dually.

When I bought the truck, I had a MUCH smaller 5er .....but Knew I wanted to go much bigger.( You know what they say.................Go big, or go home, and ..Home......... .means work )