Weight issues

[travelinbob]

Has anyone that has purchased a Redwood and is living in it fulltime had it weighed when loaded for fulltime use ??? I'm curious because we carry over 3K pounds cargo when fulltiming.

[mhs4771]

We're not Full Timers, I say 3/4 Timer as we spent 220 days in the Montana last year. I here you about weight, when weighed at the Montana Rally we were just over 14000 Lbs (dry shipping weight of 10200), and the Montana is smaller and lighter than our 36RL that's due in a few weeks. So I estimate that we'll be 15000 plus Lbs once we get stuff moved. There a Pilot/Flying J right next to the Dealer, so I hope to get on the CAT Scales before we hit the road so I know how much we really weigh.

[lillyputz]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

We're not Full Timers, I say 3/4 Timer as we spent 220 days in the Montana last year. I here you about weight, when weighed at the Montana Rally we were just over 14000 Lbs (dry shipping weight of 10200), and the Montana is smaller and lighter than our 36RL that's due in a few weeks. So I estimate that we'll be 15000 plus Lbs once we get stuff moved. There a Pilot/Flying J right next to the Dealer, so I hope to get on the CAT Scales before we hit the road so I know how much we really weigh.

The base weight of 36RL is 12,700lbs. with your 3,800lbs of personal goods that brings you to 16,500lbs with out the Redwood options.



Lillyputz

[TravelinAnderson]

3k worth of stuff? Yikes... The DW and I full time and have no where near that amount of stuff.

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by TravelinAnderson

3k worth of stuff? Yikes... The DW and I full time and have no where near that amount of stuff.

Our 36RL, with added options as weighed at the factory, was 13416 lbs. We took our first trip last fall with less than 500 lbs of added weight (a few clothes and food). I am amazed when folks talk about packing 3000 to 4000 lbs of stuff. I am sure my added weight will go up as we start traveling more this summer.

[mhs4771]

Now I didn't say we were carrying 3800 Lbs of stuff. I don't exactly know how much we do have. that 10200 is the dry shipping weight per the Montana brochure, we've added lots of upgrades, 40 Lb propane tanks, 2nd AC, Combo Washer/Dryer, MorRyde IS with Disc Brakes, Sat Dish. And has been shown on this forum units are shipping 1000 to 1500 Lbs heavier than the published specs. So must likely our Montana is really 1500 to 2000 Lbs heavier than published, as the MorRyde IS w/Disc adds close to 1000 Lbs to the unit. I bet if you were to weigh everything you have in your unit you would be supprised. Don't forget you need to add canned goods,everything in the fridge,toaster, frying pan, other pots & pan, tableware, Glasses and mugs, clothes, bedding, adult beaverages, cleaning supplies, grill, camp chairs and lounges. All that adds up in a hurry

[travelinbob]

Just take your new rig to the scales as soon as you get it and put the trailer axles on one pad at the scales and the truck on another pad. When you are ready to pull out of your driveway for the last time to start your fulltime adventure get it all weighed again and I'm sure you will be surprised at the trailer weight now. All the "stuff" adds up fast. It's very common for fulltimers to carry 3-4000 # of "stuff".

[TravelinAnderson]

I'm going to the Escapees Rally in Marion, NC next week and they will have SmartWeigh available for anyone who wants weigh their rig. Knowing the weight on each tire will tell you if you need to rearrange things in your trailer. It's $55 to do it but as G.I. Joe says, "Knowing is half the battle"

[Dave&Ginny]

There was a survey several years ago by Escapees and the average full timer at that time carried approx. 2000-3000 lbs

[KR2011]

I can't imagine 2000# 's but 4000#'s sounds like an excessive amount of stuff that needs to be removed. Image how much fuel that could be saved. I bet a 2000# reduction in weight could result in a. 2 or. 3 increase in MPH.

[mhs4771]

I think you'll find that the weight won't make much difference in mileage unless you jack rabbit start from every light, getting it moving is the key. Towing with a 2005 Chevy 3500 Dually, Duramax/Allison 5 speed, We towed a 24' TT (no slides), moved up to a 30' TT (one small slide), then to the current 34' High Profile 5th Wheel and keeping the speeds between 60 & 65 I saw next to no difference in towing mileage. Average 9.5 to 11.5 depending on road conditions and terrain.

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

I think you'll find that the weight won't make much difference in mileage unless you jack rabbit start from every light, getting it moving is the key. Towing with a 2005 Chevy 3500 Dually, Duramax/Allison 5 speed, We towed a 24' TT (no slides), moved up to a 30' TT (one small slide), then to the current 34' High Profile 5th Wheel and keeping the speeds between 60 & 65 I saw next to no difference in towing mileage. Average 9.5 to 11.5 depending on road conditions and terrain.

I agree....all of the new diesels have so much power the weight doesn't seem to bother them. My old trailer weighed 6500 lbs empty and on the way to trade it in I was getting within 1/2 mpg with it than I got pulling the Redwood with twice the weight.

[mhs4771]

Now if you only pull in the mountains, then it might be a different story as the weight might be become a major factor then, but for normal mixed travel the weight seems to have minimum effect.

[fdmckee]

<div align="left">We pulled in to a closed truck weigh station and the front of the truck weighed 5300#, the back of the truck with the pin weighed 12,560 and the trailer weighed 12,300. So what would the total weight be?
We are full-time and had 3 people in the truck and our 2 small dogs and had just about everything we would be carrying with us when we travel.

[KR2011]

Wow 30160#'s I wonder if that is average or a touch above average. With our Montana we only weighed in at a little over 25000#'s and I thought that was heavy.

[KR2011]

Dave did you check the air pressure in the trailer tires before you left the dealer and if you did what was it?

[mhs4771]

Fred, something seems wrong with those numbers, if you estimate 3500 Lbs for pin weight, so subtract that from the rear axle still makes the back end 9000 Lbs then add 5300 Lbs for the front and that makes your TV over 14000 LBS. I hear tell that the Fords are heavy but that looks like 4000 to 5000 Lbs to heavy. What say any Math Majors or Ford owners???

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by KR2011

Dave did you check the air pressure in the trailer tires before you left the dealer and if you did what was it?

I'll go check them after it stops raining. They're suposed to be set at 110

[Dave&Ginny]

I did reweigh my trailer today with the water tanks empty. With the 40#LP tanks full, hot water heater full but the water tank empty my pin weight is around 3400lbs. That's with the generator, washer/dryer and 2 batteries. There were a few thinks inside the trailer but not much. The empty weight was 13860 without the washer/dryer

[KR2011]

Originally Posted by Dave&Ginny

I did reweigh my trailer today with the water tanks empty.Â* With the 40#Â*LP tanks full, hot water heater full but the water tank empty my pin weight is around 3400lbs.Â* That's with the generator, washer/dryer and 2 batteries.Â* There were a few thinks inside the trailer but not much.Â* The empty weight was 13860 without the washer/dryer

Dave what was your gross weight, the truck and trailer together total?