[quote author=GrandpasRam link=board=11;threadid=21198;start=0#msg199239 date=1066743451]
Ed, that is one beautiful dump truck; where did you see it at? I haven't seen anything like it in this area with a Dodge body on it.
[/quote]That pic was posted on another site.
As I understand the situation, those are available "South of the Border" but can't be brought into the US. :

 

sdscuba,

The number you really need to look at is the GVWR.

When you start loading up the weight goes up QUICK.

58 Gal of water - ~485lbs
60 lbs of gas
Food
Cloths
Drinks
lawn chairs
Folding table
and a bunch of other things the wife or you want to take along, and don't forget the toys for the kids.

It all adds up real quick. The Crossroads would be pushing it even with my truck. I'm rated at 13950 and the GVWR of that one is 13865.

Don't mean to rain on your parade, but it's all in the numbers.

 

sdscuba,
I'd try to keep your total dry weight under 12,000 and you should be okay.
Big dawg

 

sdscuba

Could you consider a TT, there are lots of equally nice ones out there.

And contrary to folklore many tow really well with the proper hitch setup.

You also get all the living on one floor, weigh less, better fuel economy, do I need to go on?

Good Luck

Bjorn

 

My dually 4x4 weighs 6880 with 2800 on the rear axle empty.

I've regularly exceeded GVWR in previous trucks and at the limit now (11K). I think there's a little cushion in the ratings, but not much...say 10%. Note that GCWR isn't in my arena as I've got a slide-in.

You'll hear many times about how it is illegal and you'll be written up or have your rig impounded if it's over GVWR. Funny thing is...you'll NEVER hear from someone first hand who's rig looks right with the load. This is private only...no commercial. They'd have to add a new state or province to park all the over GVWR private trucks on the road.

That said...I'd TRY to stay within the ratings. Let the unplanned things take it over if any, as there's always unexpected weights to account for.

 

y-knot: I've been towing a 36ft living quarters horse trailer for a few years. Mostly for the comfort, airflow, the reliability and strength of aluminum. It weighs 7000# net and maxes out at 14000#, When we ran to Eastern Canada and Mexico with full tanks it rarely was at that weight.

sdscuba: I'm afraid you're overweight. Try looking for a different combination of truck/trailer, staying under 23000# gcwr.

As to the Dodge 4500/5500, there are plans for such a vehicle sometime in 06/07. It's gonna be a long wait, probably not powered by Cummins, but rather by MB.

 

[quote author=Hoss link=board=11;threadid=21198;start=0#msg198983 date=1066683236]
Hmmmm.....seems to me they could be held liable if they sell you a trailer heavier than your truck can tow....but then again I guess it's your responsibility to know what you can tow...not theirs.
[/quote]

I agree with the conclusion you came to eventually, it's just sad that most people (not picking on you specifically) think the other part first.

Sorry, just a gripe of mine. If I want to buy a 1 million pound trailer I should be able to and it should be perfectly legal. If I attach it to my ford escort I and I alone should be held liable. There are already enough stupid lawsuits in this country already.

Would I tow over stated rates for my truck. I'm sure I would if I believed all other conditions involved made it safe. Could I be wrong, of course, but the liability would and should only be mine. There is too much tendency in this country today to want to blame everything on someone else and not take any responsibility for ones actions [/rant over]

 

I weighed the Truck today, full of fuel with me and my normal amount of stuff it came to # 6440.

That leaves 2360 for my wife, three dogs and the hitch weight of the trailer. (GVWR for my truck is 8,800)

That also leaves 9560 for trailer weight+Wife+dogs.
(GCWR = 16,000)

I will be real close to weight limits with the Holiday Rambler that I'm looking at with a Dry weight of 9,500 and a hitch weight of 1,900.

I will need to keep the packing to a minimum. Or change the rear diff out to 4.1 gears and I can add another 2,000 pounds of stuff.

-FYI-
2002 Ram Truck 2500, Quad Cab, 4x2, Short Bed, Automatic 4-Speed, 5.9L 24V Turbo Diesel engine:

With 3.55 Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 9900 lbs1
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 8800 lbs
Payload [i] = 2830 lbs
Curb Weight [i] = 5968 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 3581 / 2387 lbs
GAWR [i] Front/Rear = 4410 / 6084 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 16000 lbs

With 4.1 Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 11900 lbs1,2
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 8800 lbs
Payload [i] = 2830 lbs
Curb Weight [i] = 5968 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 3581 / 2387 lbs
GAWR [i] Front/Rear = 4410 / 6084 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 18000 lbs