Mike Clay wrote: Because an engineer says it can do it that is all it takes for you to feel its safe?
But the one thing I didn't worry about was the capability of the truck because it was designed and rated to handle the load.
Rob
Wow, that is what the engineers said about the slide heads on the new trailers.
Nuff said from me
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
After spending twenty three years teaching architecture and engineering at two prestigeous universities, it still amazes me that practical experience in the "real world" is still more valid than any book learning! So often, the people with all the credentials throw numbers out there without any kind of science behind them.
Perhaps, if they listened to the people actually using the products (like HD trucks,) numbers regarding towing and hauling capacities would be more reasonable.
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
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
I saw a Toyota pulling a 30 foot Wildcat. But then again this is Michigan and fifth wheels are pulled by more 1/2 tons than 3/4 ton trucks! ( not a scientific survey just my observation) Just ask Camps With Critters, he's spent a couple of summers in the "U.P." and I'm sure he'll back me up.
Hey after all the salesman said it would pull it "just fine"
Bill & Penny
2010 3150 RL "The Bucket List Inn Nights out in 2013/67 and have put put 8566 miles on the Bucket List Inn
Nights out in 2014 63
Night out in 2015. 88
Nights out so far in 2016. 58
More fun to come!
I certainly like that the technological changes in these trucks give them more capabilities but as others have stated it worries me that the RV industry will just keep making these things heavier and longer. There are few what I would consider high end 5th wheels under 36' and it seems as each model year passes the numbers dwindle even more. As Olbird points out, how long before the weights of these rigs get to the level where we'll have to hit the scales? One other thing I'll be watching as time goes by is if a CDL will become a requirement to tow.
Hey! I am sorry, did not mean to start this........ As for a CDL, in NC you are required to have a Class A license to drive a HDT for your own use (not for hire) and it will come that a class A will be required for these motorhomes. once again did not mean to cause trouble. Capt Jim
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
The sailor wrote: Hey! I am sorry, did not mean to start this........ As for a CDL, in NC you are required to have a Class A license to drive a HDT for your own use (not for hire) and it will come that a class A will be required for these motorhomes. once again did not mean to cause trouble. Capt Jim
Mike Clay wrote:Ha you did not start anything
This time anyway.
Millie Plato (married to Rplato)
2013 Cardinal 3030RS
1998 Volvo VNL610
2009 SmartCar-Bitsy
Nights out in
2018 - 93
...2015/16/17 - full time
...2011/14 - 719
National Rallies - 6
Regional Rallies - 10
FROG - 4
Well from 1976 to 1979 I drove a Titan 90 Chevy class 8 tractor that weighed 15K. I towed a tanker trailer(10K) that weighed 65K loaded with 8500 gallons of gas. So what's your problem???? Bunch of sissies, that is 4.33333 times the weight of the tractor. And it was a twin screw day cab and quite short compared to the 35' trailer. It was quite stable! The only thing I wished for was a Jake-Brake, on Burnt Mountain Road Hiway 113 (101 to 112, Sappho head to Clallam Bay, Wa.) the down hill part to 112 was a bear!!! I hauled locally out of Port Angeles.
snoking wrote:
Well from 1976 to 1979 I drove a Titan 90 Chevy class 8 tractor that weighed 15K. I towed a tanker trailer(10K) that weighed 65K loaded with 8500 gallons of gas. So what's your problem???? Bunch of sissies, that is 4.33333 times the weight of the tractor.
snoking wrote:
Well from 1976 to 1979 I drove a Titan 90 Chevy class 8 tractor that weighed 15K. I towed a tanker trailer(10K) that weighed 65K loaded with 8500 gallons of gas. So what's your problem???? Bunch of sissies, that is 4.33333 times the weight of the tractor. And it was a twin screw day cab and quite short compared to the 35' trailer. It was quite stable! The only thing I wished for was a Jake-Brake, on Burnt Mountain Road Hiway 113 (101 to 112, Sappho head to Clallam Bay, Wa.) the down hill part to 112 was a bear!!! I hauled locally out of Port Angeles.
Chris
But it was OK because I needed gas to haul the 32' Holiday Rambler with the 1/2 ton Ford high top conversion van with the 302 engine. Like the song says "The more things change the more they stay the same"
Randy & Carol
Elbie (weiner dog)
2018 Cardinal 3250 RLX Luxury Edition
2019 Ford F350 6.7PSD Lariat 4x4 SRW
When you get into a heavy trl and the weather is Red bird weather everything is just fine. When it all goes to heck and you are on snow ,ice or hydroplaning across a wet road you better be able to keep that trl behind you . too much jake or brake and when that 18000 lb monster starts coming around you are in real trouble! With 3 million road miles behind me I have seen some bad 5er wrecks. I just think that folks need to gain knowledge on how to keep control of the trl when things go bad.