Hi Ken,
Hey, we were all newbies once. Welcome and enjoy that wonderful truck.
I guess you have to read the post carefully to see what that person would be talking about. I have a fiver with a GVWR of 16,500, but keep it under 16000 for actual usage. Considering the weight of my truck, that puts me a little over my GCWR, or the 23,000# total rating of the truck and trailer combined. I think you have to read what the person is saying to see what he is referring to. Looking back at these posts, you will find both actuals and ratings in them. Turbo Thom mentions 15000# - - I take that as his actual weight of the trailer alone. Jim O is mentioning 20,500 - - he says that is actual of the truck and trailer together.
I think we are all quite impressed with the ability of these babies to pull a pretty hefty load.
Bob

 

Fiver Bob Your are right 20500Lbs. is the Gross combined weight of my truck and trailer
Jim O

 

I made that same trip from S.Fla to the Nantehela River Gorge Oct 10-19 with my new 03 and 36' 5'ver. Took the same route and had no problem. First time I have had a stick and exhaust brake and they worked perfectly. With the exhaust brake (jacobs) I never used my brakes at all going down any grade, just downshifted if my speed started to pickup. Also like the ability to keep cruise control on and use exhaust brake. Brakes, ride and steering all big improvement over my 96 3500 4x4 x cab that I used to tow campers with. Suncoast is a good company and being so close to you (Riverman) a good choice.

 

Bob, have you actually weighed your entire rig? Your setup is somewhat like mine but I haven't had a chance to weigh the combination yet. The local scales were out of order when we took delivery on the trailer last fall. The truck is 8200 loaded with the better half and the dogs, etc. I figure the trailer to be around 16,000 or so if my wife doesn't go crazy. The normal GVWR of the trailer is 16,250 but that went up to 21,000 with the optional axles. Never will get near that. But just the math tells me I am going to be over my GCWR by about 1,000 pounds but short of going to a MDT it cannot be helped. Will be interesting to see what I actually have when I get her on the scales in April though.

Casey

 

Casey,
I weighed the truck before adding the aux tank/tool box. The combo is very light, but adding 41 gallons of diesel can run it up a bit. I weighed in about 100 pounds lighter than you, but the main tank was only 1/2 full and I was by myself. Soooo, I am definitely over 8200 when both tanks are full and the CFO is with me.
Trailer is rated at 16,600 (dual axle, singles). I am 14,300 dry and no load (includes genny, etc. So, I have some room and we do not overload it. It actually pulls better with a little fresh water in it (about 40 - 50 gallons). I have not weighed it loaded. I am sure I am over my 23000 GCWR, probably close to 24000. Sure pulls nice. I am very fussy about tire pressure and trailer braking - - it does have the large brakes. I do not exceed GVWR of the truck, even with the water in fresh tank.

Bob