Exceeding the GVWR

[jmbopp]

I'll maintain that if you're towing a 30'+ bunkhouse with a 1/2-ton crew cab loaded with the family you're most likely overweight.

[butch50]

I was just discussing the need for an Umbrella policy with a friend over the weekend. My insurance rep strongly suggested it and I took his advice. I was surprised at how inexpensive it was to add to my policy. I think everyone should educate themselves on what an Umbrella policy is and add it to their existing insurance coverage.

We also have an umbrella policy for $1 million

[CWSWine]

We also have an umbrella policy for $1 million

I think most RVers ought to have an umbrella policy. When we had our 5er we were doing 64 miles MPH when we come over hill and traffic was stopped. We ended up slamming on the brakes and stopping just short of rear-ending a line of cars. Weighing in at 20,000 pounds GCWR we could cause a lot of damage far exceeding a standard policy coverage.

[alanhenson]

What happens to a fifth wheel when you rear end someone? Does it break the hitch and come crashing into the truck?

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[CMJ2800BH]

I have had a very similar conversation with an auto accident attorney that I know. They are paying attention as this is another source of revenue for them. Just cause you cant Google it, doesn't mean it's not happening. Insurance companies are best known for keeping cases out of court and out of the news.

[jeffdawgfan]

Butch, we went thru the CAT Scales after picking up our 303, Pin was 1920# empty or so I thought, couple that with what I thought the payload of my Chevy 2500HD was at 3100 turned out to 2600# and 200# PullRite Hitch I was close to being over from the get go. . . . . .

Butch,

Our new 303RLS with two full gas tanks and the battery only tipped the scales at 1710 pounds. I wonder where you are picking up that extra two hundred pounds on a empty trailer.

[theclarks]

Our new 303RLS with two full gas tanks and the battery only tipped the scales at 1710 pounds. I wonder where you are picking up that extra two hundred pounds on a empty trailer.

We did have 2 vent covers added (bedroom & bathroom) and slide covers to both street side slides. Hind sight is always 20/20, the only thing I can come with up now is maybe water in the tanks. At the Goshen Rally last year the trailer had a gross weight of 10,900 with a pin of 2300. I'm thinking of getting a scale to weigh the pin as we load, may add water to the fresh tank since it's at the rear of the trailer to see how that affects the pin weight. . . . .

[butch50]

Butch,

Our new 303RLS with two full gas tanks and the battery only tipped the scales at 1710 pounds. I wonder where you are picking up that extra two hundred pounds on a empty trailer.

I think most of it is coming from the Reese Airbourne Sidewinder pin box. That thing weighs almost 200# compared to the stock. I don't know what the stock weighs but I know I can pick it up and carry it no problems, and I'm an old guy. Also I don't know if your's is dual panes or not but ours is of course that won't add much to the pin weight. The 12 cu ft fridge is a mandatory option on ours so that is going to add some to the pin weight. The 8 cu ft one weighs around 130# and the 12 cu ft one 260# per Dometic web site. So 130# difference in the fridge and some 120# or more on the pin box is at least accounts for 250#. All of the fridge weight won't go on the pin but a lot well.

I just looked up my weight scale slips going and coming and going up my rear axle was 3900# and coming back with the trailer the rear axle 5920# which makes it 2020# pin weight, I thought that is what it was but now I have verified it.

On Edit: I forgot that we also had slide toppers on all three slides added before picking up, the bathroom fan was removed and a Max air with remote was installed with cover. I know those don't add much but everything adds more.

[butch50]

What happens to a fifth wheel when you rear end someone? Does it break the hitch and come crashing into the truck?

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I doubt that the 5th wheel hitch would break but even if they did the basement compartment is going to run into the back of bed of the truck before the overhang would hit the rear of the cab. Figure even on my Ram SB I have over 34" between the cab and the front of the overhang. I don't have that much between the back of the bed and the front of the basement compartment.

[GravesDiesel]

I am preparing for the purchase of a Grand Design Momentum 351M in the foreseeable future and have ordered a new Dodge Ram 4500 that will be used as my tow vehicle. My current 3500 is more than enough, but I want the bigger brakes, frame, springs and tires/wheels. I also pull a steel deck gooseneck trailer with two 8,000# axles and 17.5" load range G tires. I wish I could get the same axles under the 351M!
In Georgia, we can now get a class "E/F" license. It allows for operation of commercial vehicles for personal use. I am about to renew my license and will be prepared for the toy hauler purchase with the new classification. Currently, I have a "farm endorsement" which basically allows the same thing, except is limited to only agricultural use.