A little stress...me too!

Discuss with others about towing. What is the best tow vehicle, hitches, brake controllers, etc, keeping in mind that everybody has his/her favorite.

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LuvRving
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Location: Canada Newfoundland Port Aux Basques
Cardinal Owners: Cardinal 3030RS
Location: Canada Newfoundland Port Aux Basques

A little stress...me too!

Post by LuvRving »

You are all probably tired of hearing about my new 3500HD GMC Diesel CC which I just received and my new 2012 model 3030RS which will soon be here. Anyway, who else do I talk to?

The new truck has a payload limit of about 4000 lbs. I've been doing a few calculations concerning the weight on the truck. This is the way I figure it. The trailer weighs 2550 dry on the hitch...the heaviest in the 2012 lineup but almost the shortest. I'm hoping it will come in a bit less. I hope this weight includes the washer/dryer option which I don't have.

Passengers ...340 lbs
Curt Q20 hitch 130 lbs
Fuel 40 gal. X 7.19 is 288 lbs
Tool box and some gear 100 lbs
Mud flap add on 30 lbs
Leveling blocks 40 lbs
20 percent of 800 lbs in trailer gear is 160 lbs

Total about 3638 lbs which leaves about 360 lbs to spare (4000-3638)

I'm just wondering about how the truck will set, clearance over the bed, am I pushing the limit too much, etc?

Any comfort or suggestions would be appreciated. I think I'm OK but I don't want the truck to suffer! I guess it's a bit late to change much except leave the missus home!

Thanks, Joe
Joe and Yvonne
2012 GMC 3500HD CC SRW D/A 4X4 Curt Q24
2012 Cardinal 3030RS
Nights camped 2012 - 119, 2013 - 108, 2014 - 112, 2015 - 121


The cares of tomorrow can wait until this day is done.
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Mike Clay
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Re: A little stress...me too!

Post by Mike Clay »

Well my 2011 Chevy 3500 SRW weighs 9,000 lbs with everything in it which includes 50 gallons of extra diesel. My pin weight without fresh water in the trailer is 2600 lbs. and I am close at that point but not over and as the diesel burns off or I put 1/3 tank fresh water in the trailer Im fine. You take away the extra 500 lbs for the 50 gallon tank and the fuel I have plenty of room. My truck squats 2 inches with the trailer on and I have 6 to 7 inches of clearance. Now with that being said it comes down to how your hitch adjusts for height since I have see identical trailer and trucks having different clearances over the rails and the only difference is the hitch. I do not think your pin weight will be that heavy when it comes out of the factory but the trailer weight could be a little more which gives you a little less storage room. Do not sweat it I towed Olbirds trailer up a long 6% grade and down the other side with my last truck 08 3/4 ton Chevy and the truck did not work any harder then this one plus towed over 4,000 miles with it hooked to my trailer no problems at all. Hooked up to his trailer with my new truck and the truck sat level just touching the overloads.

I think you will find empty your trailer pin weight will be 2,100 lbs and closer to the 2,550 when the trailer is fully loaded to its limit. The balance on these trailers seems to be right around 17 to 18% of the total weight on your truck. Shoot if I had a new truck and trailer coming I don't think I would be sleeping just because of the excitement. Olbird will chime in he saw first hand how this truck pulls which got him to buy his new Denali.
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32

Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
Rob & Cathy

Re: A little stress...me too!

Post by Rob & Cathy »

Hi Joe, I wouldn't worry about it as your 3500HD will pull the trailer easily and I think you'll find that the truck will sit just fine. Once you have everything hooked up and you feel it sets to low there are things you can do but I'll bet you'll be pleasantly surprised. You have a great towing truck and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Rob
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Re: A little stress...me too!

Post by LuvRving »

Thanks for the encouragement! I just told the missus she can go now! I'm out of the dog house!!! I should have photos when it all comes together in about 5 more weeks! Some may not appreciate my sense of humor!
Joe and Yvonne
2012 GMC 3500HD CC SRW D/A 4X4 Curt Q24
2012 Cardinal 3030RS
Nights camped 2012 - 119, 2013 - 108, 2014 - 112, 2015 - 121


The cares of tomorrow can wait until this day is done.
Rob & Cathy

Re: A little stress...me too!

Post by Rob & Cathy »

Please do post some picture when it all comes together. New truck and trailer, pretty exciting. :thumbrt:

Rob
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LuvRving
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Re: A little stress...me too!

Post by LuvRving »

I was thinking after my original post that if the fresh water tank was behind the axle it would help take some of the weight off the pin by adding more water. I have no idea where the tanks might be located relative to the axle. Also, I don't know if this makes any sense but really only a fraction of the weight for passenges and fuel can be allocated to the pin weight since they are not directly over the rear axle. I'm just thinking back to my lever and fulcrum days in high school physics! I've got to get out more!!!!
Joe and Yvonne
2012 GMC 3500HD CC SRW D/A 4X4 Curt Q24
2012 Cardinal 3030RS
Nights camped 2012 - 119, 2013 - 108, 2014 - 112, 2015 - 121


The cares of tomorrow can wait until this day is done.
R & D

Re: A little stress...me too!

Post by R & D »

I don't have any info for you on the technical "stuff" , but we all feel your excitement! Post all you want. We are excited right along with you and can't wait to see the pictures and hopefully meet you at a rally in the future :ymhug:
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Mike Clay
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Re: A little stress...me too!

Post by Mike Clay »

Your going to be in good shape. :thumbrt:
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32

Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
ski boy
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Re: A little stress...me too!

Post by ski boy »

Correct me if I am wrong but most payload numbers already allow for a driver and fuel. I don't think that those weights come out of the payload. It used to be 150lb for the driver (probably a little low for today's slim and attractive drivers?)
2009 Americana GS 38/39
08 Dodge 3500 Dually, Stick, K&N Intake, South Bend clutch kit, Cummins, Quad Cab, 4x4, 20K Star Performance Hitch
Rob & Cathy

Re: A little stress...me too!

Post by Rob & Cathy »

Your max payload is your GVW minus the vehicle weight. So if you have a GVW of 11000# and you vehicle weighs 8000# your max payload is 3000#.

Rob
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Re: A little stress...me too!

Post by cardinalfarmer »

Hi Joe,

We are close to a Cardinal purchase. Just curious, have you ever weighed your truck and trailer to find out what the actual pin weight is? The brochure shows it as 2550#. The much longer 3850 only shows a hitch weight of 2575#.

We are going to be pulling with a 2500HD and concerned if the 2550# is dry weight, then we will be over by the time our (stuff) is added.

I'm a little confused as to how the brochure weights are arrived at.
BTW, Our signature probably shows a 3850, but not sure what to do yet.

Thanks in advance for any info!!
Keith & Christy

2014 Chevy 3500HD Duramax SRW B&W Companion Hitch
2014 Cardinal 3850RL
snoking

Re: A little stress...me too!

Post by snoking »

The most important thing is to not overload the rear tires on the TV, which is the lowest/weakest component of the rear suspension. Most 2500's are towing 5th wheels at over their trucks factory GVWR. And the world does not come to an end! Chris
jtaylor1920

Re: A little stress...me too!

Post by jtaylor1920 »

Joe,

I've got the same 5th wheel, different 1 ton truck though, and I have no issues pulling or stopping it at all. Also, one of the best parts about the new toy is getting to talk with your friends about it :d
R & D

Re: A little stress...me too!

Post by R & D »

PS.....we never get tired of hearing anything on here. We all re-live our excitement of getting our new rigs :d with you.
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Mike Clay
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Re: A little stress...me too!

Post by Mike Clay »

cardinalfarmer wrote:Hi Joe,

We are close to a Cardinal purchase. Just curious, have you ever weighed your truck and trailer to find out what the actual pin weight is? The brochure shows it as 2550#. The much longer 3850 only shows a hitch weight of 2575#.

We are going to be pulling with a 2500HD and concerned if the 2550# is dry weight, then we will be over by the time our (stuff) is added.

I'm a little confused as to how the brochure weights are arrived at.
BTW, Our signature probably shows a 3850, but not sure what to do yet.

Thanks in advance for any info!!
I want to make a comment on this older post. Do not go by the weights and lengths on what the brochure shows. They are correct for models that have been manufactured for over a year but not on new models like 3800,3850. The pin weight is correct on the 3850 it will run about 2,570 lbs but the length of 39.7 is wrong. It will be around 41.8 and the length is not correct on the 3800 since it appears to be over 42 feet long with a dry weight of 13,800 or so. Trying to get this changed with them on their brochures to put correct info out since it does make a difference when you are buying. If at all possible always try to see one in person before you order it.
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32

Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
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