Suite Weights

[5thwheeler]

Thanks to Stacey Frank - Stripit

Stacey has weighed 99 Suites. Here is a synopsis.
(rounded %)
16% MDT or HDT tow vehicle
51% DRW tow vehicle
32% SRW tow vehicle

100% SRW over tow vehicle GVWR (as posted on door tag)

60% DRW over tow vehicle GVWR (as posted on door tag)

28% Over tow vehicle axle (rear) rating (as posted on door tag)
24% Over tow vehicle tire capacity rating (as posted on tire)

40% Over trailer GVWR (as posted on manufacturer tag)
21% Over trailer tire capacity (as per manufacturer specifications)
11% Over trailer axle capacity (as per manufacturer specifications)

30% Underinflated tires for load (as per manufacturer specifications)
56% Underinflated trailer tires (as per manufacturer specifications)

I've attached the complete file - broken down by model and year

[47hook]

Interesting. Of those that you have weighed, how many have reported problems (i.e. failed tires/suspension components/transmissions, etc) that could reasonably be attributed to exceeding wt ratings?

Thanks.

[terry and jo]

It would also be interesting to know how many of the trucks in the DRW category are of the 350/3500 range.

Terry

[Okie]

Hey Terry,
Unless a 250 or 2500 has a daully comvesion put on them after market they are all 350's or 3500's. Your 450 is a MTD.

Okie

[Okie]

Hey, my speed spelling really sucks. That should have been "conversion".

[Stripit]

Interesting. Of those that you have weighed, how many have reported problems (i.e. failed tires/suspension components/transmissions, etc) that could reasonably be attributed to exceeding wt ratings?
Thanks.

Not something I keep any records on, but tires failing is the biggest reported issue we find. Normally folks search me out 'after' the tires have failed. Then we hear, I had no idea we weighed THAT much!! Or we NEVER run that much air pressure!

[GlennWest]

I came across the scales last week at 24,400 lbs. This was my truck, full tank of fuel, about 200 lbs in bed; 1/3 tank of fresh, enough in black and our standard "stuff" in MS. Wife was in her car. This is with my 32TK3. I feel sure most MS are over the LT trucks ratings.

[billr]

Stacey,

I didn't notice any Over Capacity for HDT's? Whats up?
:D :D :D :D :wink: :wink:

Don't share what I was towing with when you weighed us in 2006! :shock: :oops: :oops: All I can say is we were over just about every known rating on that TV.

Bill

[Stripit]

I remember walking away scratching my head, your in my record book... :shock:

[jdwilson3]

Stacey, remember the guy at Butterfield RV Resort with the F350 and Mountain Aire and his wifes' comment about "WE ARE BUYING A MEDIUM DUTY TRUCK!" If I remember correctly he was 6K over on the rear axle?

Good to see you are still keeping up with it.

[rdunk]

Quote Glen West - "feel sure most MS are over the LT trucks ratings".
.................................................. ..........

Obviously, many are , but that somewhat depends on what
1 ton truck one has. I do know that in 2005 and and 2006 (don't know about later models), a Ford F350 DRW with the TowBoss option (inc. 4.30 axle) had a gross combined weight rating of 26,000 lbs. So, at 24,400lbs, if you had a 1T truck with that rating, you would not be over weight.

Also, the information presented shows that 83% of the total tow the DRV Suites with a TV other than the HDT or MDT. It would seem that the RV life is a lot more simple for most than some try to make it. As the Suites get heavier, there is certainly more reason for making sure that one picks the right Tow Vehicle, for weight considerations

I will admit that I have never seen a DRV Suites being delivered from the factory to a dealer with anything other than a standard pickup!! lol lol Have any of you?!!

FWIW

Robert

[Stripit]

Robert wrote" I do know that in 2005 and and 2006 (don't know about later models), a Ford F350 DRW with the TowBoss option (inc. 4.30 axle) had a gross combined weight rating of 26,000 lbs. So, at 24,400lbs, if you had a 1T truck with that rating, you would not be over weight."

Those figures are not on the door tag, the tag I see and look at has the axle ratings, and the gross vehicle rating, and it is very possible to be over those numbers and not exceed the combined rating your talking about.

[terry and jo]

Stacey,

I didn't notice any Over Capacity for HDT's? Whats up?
:D :D :D :D :wink: :wink:

Don't share what I was towing with when you weighed us in 2006! :shock: :oops: :oops: All I can say is we were over just about every known rating on that TV.

Bill


You know, I don't know Bill, so I might be out of line here, but after reading that posting, I wanna see PICTURES!!!!

Sorry about that. Moment of weakness.

Terry

[Stripit]

I'll let Bill tell you about his little truck and huge trailer!! He did spend a bunch trying to make that little truck bigger/stronger and faster. Finally gave up and bought a real truck.

[rdunk]

Quote Stacey - "Those figures are not on the door tag, the tag I see and look at has the axle ratings, and the gross vehicle rating, and it is very possible to be over those numbers and not exceed the combined rating your talking about".
.................................................. ............

Yes, but I was simply responding to Glen's post about a gross combined weight result. He apparently wasn't weighing the individual axles at that time. Yes, I could have included that the F350's I mentioned had a 13,000 lb GVWR and could have included the two individual factory axle ratings, but did not see any value in doing that for this post.

FWIW, all of my weights were within the Ford and DRV factory ratings when I was towing the 2005 RE3 with the factory installed magnum suspension. I was slightly under the DRV factory GVWR of 18,000 lbs.

Stacey, thanks as always, for your comments and experienced input!!

Robert

[wingnut60]

The Tow Boss option did nothing to increase the rear axle rating on the 350s--it was still 9K, I believe, and still 17" tires. Thats one of the reasons I went to the 450 over my '07 350.
Joe

[billr]

Stacey,

I didn't notice any Over Capacity for HDT's? Whats up?
:D :D :D :D :wink: :wink:

Don't share what I was towing with when you weighed us in 2006! :shock: :oops: :oops: All I can say is we were over just about every known rating on that TV.

Bill


You know, I don't know Bill, so I might be out of line here, but after reading that posting, I wanna see PICTURES!!!!

Sorry about that. Moment of weakness.

Terry

Here is a pic of our "Itty Bitty Truck" (I believe that is how it was refered to from a friend!) :D

Best thing I did was move into a heavy truck! Never going back!!

Bill

[bstark]

Bill; I hope I wasn't that friend who was chiding you about that 'little fella' but I'm going to jump on to claim the rights to the advice of PLEASE consider the full class 8 option BEFORE any MDT, custom built or otherwise!

[terry and jo]

Hey Terry,
Unless a 250 or 2500 has a daully comvesion put on them after market they are all 350's or 3500's. Your 450 is a MTD.

Okie

Larry,

Technically, I'm sure you are right about the F450 being an MDT. However, it comes in at the lower end of MDT's as it is rated as a class 4 category truck. What I perceive as a true MDT are those like the mini-Freightliners such as the M2 and its customized version, the SportsChassis. Those have a GVWR of 26,000 lbs while the F450 is more like 14,500 lbs as a GVWR.

Terry

[The View 5046]

If I were a younger person I would be pulling with a Class 8 Tractor. But our Freightliner does a excellent job. My reason for the Class 8 is the sleeper berth. When traveling to our winter sites we wouldn't have to use RV parks. But if a person has to have extra seating the Freightliner, Internationals with the 4 doors are a excellent choice.

We are more than pleased with the Frieghtliner M2, we have ran a little over 14,000 so for and the clock has 64,300 miles. Going down Monday and get the oil changed and flush the radiator and replace the coolant, in prep for our winter trip. Either the HDT or MDT is a good choice for the Drv suties. You will have a awesome ride and never have to worry about weights. GBY...

[Okie]

Terry you had me go out and check the door sticker. I thought my 350 was higher than that.
Seeing that picture reminded me, when I was down in south Texas two years ago i saw a couple with a brand new Elite Suite and a brand new GMC 2500 to pull it. I wonder how they are doing now.

Okie

[rockyman]

find theses at www.allseasonsrv.com

[bstark]

Delaine and Lindy: Oy, I myself used a custom built 4400 to tow ours with but up here in Canuckistan (Ontario) that choice brings with it all of the commercial connotations with a full Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR) being mandatory if the vehicle is over the 4600Kg GVWR and along with the mandatory Commercial A license required for these trailers as they impart more than 4600kg's to the roadway via their axles. It becomes a nightmare just maintaining the yearly application, fees and testing required after age 65. You can at least avoid the CVOR stuff if you have a tow vehicle that lends itself to being registered as a "motorhome" with sleeping (upper bunk) cooking (invertor run microwave) fresh water (small fresh storage tank/sink/pump and grey tank onboard) dedicated 120v outlet with outside connection and perhaps even a biffy with a small black tank etc., all being easily possible for a sleeper equipped class 8 but all but impossible for any MDT other than an expiditer type of truck.

Truth be told, up here, if you want to tow these things within the law and your trucks ratings it's getting more costly and aggravating every year to do so. Many people are becoming aware of this and opting for lighter trailers due to these very restrictive regs that on the face of it are discriminatory in their application while comparable weight motorhomes are given a free pass from all of this but the air certificate if equipped with air brakes!

[terry and jo]

Bruce,

Just for curiosity, because it will be a long time before Jo and I can tour Canada, do the Canadian laws you are speaking of also apply to a U.S. registered and licensed vehicle and driver?

Terry

[bstark]

Terry and Jo: Full reciprocity applies throughout Canada. If you're legal there, you're legal here.

If you're towing the Mariner behind your trailer, you will raise some eyebrows for sure though!