Finally hit the scales... am I overweight?
 

Finally hooked up the fiver and headed to the scales this morning. I don't really understand all the weight ratings as they apply, and am hoping you guys can tell me definitively. I know from hanging on this board that everyone has an opinion, but below is the raw data. Help me determine where I stand. Let me know if you need more information, and please limit the side squabbles. :D

The truck:
2011 F350 6.7 4x4 crew cab 3.55 rear end. Door sticker states payload and occupants is 3,503, and towing capacity is 15,700.

The trailer:
2014 Open Range 427BHS. Specs from the factory:

UVW 13,145
Hitch Wt 2,305
Axle Wt 10,840
Gross NCC 3,160
Net NCC 2,374

The stats from the scale:

Hooked up:
Steer axle: 4920
Drive axle: 6420
Trailer axle: 11240
Gross weight: 22580

Truck alone:
Steer axle: 4860
Drive axle: 3660
Gross weight: 8520

I was unable to weight the trailer standing by itself on the scale because of truck traffic.

It was just me in the truck. Camper was packed ready for travel except for my two 47 pound Honda 2000 generators, a case of wine, dog food, and my two 62 pound dogs weren't with me. The 50 gal fuel tank was full, and airbags were set to 22.

Thanks.

You are good. Take the total rig weight and subtract the total truck weight and it will give you the camper's total weight. Then take your drive axle weight with the trailer and subtract just the weight number from the truck's drive axle and should give you a great idea of pin weight. The biggest limitation on trucks other than springs are the weight ratings of each rear tire. To find out if over the rear recommendations, take the total drive axle weight when loaded, them go look at the sidewalk of the tire and get the max weight rating from it when inflated to max pressure, then double it since you have two tires. If the drive axle weight when loaded is less than the max tire rating when doubled, you are good to go. Some people like a cushion of a few hundred pounds. I'd do the calculations for you but am laying under truck waiting for my oil to drain.

Awesome... thank you! Dreaded the thought of needing a new truck or trailer. 3640 pounds max each rear tire... times two is 7280, which is over the drive axle weight of 6420 hooked up (6514 with the generators in the storage bay).

Agree with Monty. You're sitting pretty. Under on GAWR, GCWR, GVWR, and tire ratings. Nothing to worry about here so time to start camping!

Rear axle rating and rear tire ratings are the concern.

Your numbers verify you are good to go.

More people should actually pull across scales and find out just how much they really weigh.

Too funny! :-X24

As other's have said, you are well within design and safety specs.

For comparison sake, I have loaded very heavy on several occasions. I supplemented the rear springs (which are the lowest rated component of the rear end) with rear air bags and by doing so have stayed within ratings on the front and drive axles. The combined weight however is a different story and the weight I pull is better suited for duallys. The 6.7L has no problem pulling the weight even up long, steep and hot mountains roads. The SRW F350 controls the trailer at freeway speeds very well with no wandering even in highish winds. My biggest fear is having to stop suddenly (which I have done a few times). I keep the trailer brakes in top condition and pay attention to the road. Staying close to the speed limit is an often overlooked way to pickup some margin.

If a person stays within all ratings, I think it is a bit easier to drive. You have that extra margin that the engineers plan for. When you go beyond those ratings, you have to compensate in multiple ways. That takes some energy but it can be done safely.

I now yield to the weight police.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t.../Capture-2.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...8/IMAG0093.jpg

Where did you get that color-coded weight chart, is that just a home made Excel spreadsheet or something really cool?

OP: I always just ask the wife... she keeps me informed when I'm overweight.

:-X04

There is no need to weigh the trailer by itself. It weighs 14060 pounds, with 2820 of that being hitch weight.

How did I do that? Your truck weighs 8520 without the trailer. With the trailer it weighs 4920+6420 = 11340. That's an additional 2820 pounds, and it comes from the hitch.

The hitch weight (2820) plus the trailer axle weight (11240) is the total weight of the trailer, which is 14,060 pounds.

Not trying to start anything, but your quote in your signature kinda struck me funny...

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...213ca372cd.jpg


Click here to see if science is always true.


:p

Just a spreadsheet. First column is truck ratings and the next two just compare actual weights.

That's what I thought, but was hoping you had come across a cool app or something.

Hooked up, your GVW is 4920+6420=11,340. You're already a little over your GVWR. Once you add your dogs and other misc cargo, I think that you will be a few hundred pounds over your GVWR. It seems that few people care about that spec though. What is the GVWR for your truck?

I realized I was getting old when started laying on the creeper and taking a 15 min nap instead of getting up and working on something else.