Hi all, I am new to the trailer towing community and have found the information on this site useful in making my decision on purchasing a pull trailer. (But)
I would like to show my proposal to all who would be kind enough in helping me on my choice. Here is what I have.
2004 F150 Crew cab FX4 (18? wheels)
GVWR= 7200
GCWR= 14500
Max tow rating= 8700
What I would like to have
Artic fox 23-5A
Dry lbs= 6620
What I will probably choose based on safety and ?satisfaction rating?
Keystone Zeppelin Z241
Dry lbs= 4155
I had my truck weighed at the scales with me, a full tank of gas and my toys I usually have in the truck, example: Cold weather gear, guns, maps and a day pack.
This put me at 6200lbs even,( options on the truck include tube brush guard, tub step rails) that?s leaves me with 1000lbs payload to meet my GVWR
OK. When I calculate my weight numbers I?m adding 15-25% of the gross trailer weight for the ?23-5A? and 10-15% for the Z241 to the payload of my truck.
The ?23-5A? dry puts me at 88% of my GCWR, 76% of my max tow rating, and my GVWR at 99.9-109%!! Add in extras like friends and family to the truck lets say 500lbs and that puts my numbers at 91% GCWR and 106-116% of the trucks GVWR. Looks kind of risky doesn?t it.
Now with the Z241, the numbers are a little less stressfull.?Z241? Dry weight of 4155lbs me and my toys, (no friends and family) puts me at 91-94% of the trucks GVWR, 47.76% of the Max tow rating, and 71.41% of the GCWR. Add extras 500lbs for friends and Family and say 376lbs of water and 300 lbs of gear in the trailer (+676lbs) that?s puts my me at 99-103% of my GVWR 55.53% of the Max tow rating, and 79.52% of my GCWR. These figures do not include a weight distribution kit to spread weight from the truck back to the trailer.
It doesn?t take much thought to decide that the Z241 is the safest of the two trailers. Even if the Z241 was to have its MAX payload on it of 1845lbs and 500 lbs of (friends and Family in the truck) that would still put me at 87.59% of my GCWR 68% of my Tow rating, but 101-105%!!! of my GVWR. So with these figures in play, I understand I need to look at all of my ?weight? factors GVWR, GCWR, and tow rating. But take the Z241 for example at max possible weight, and 10% tongue weight I/m at 101% of my GVWR but 68% of tow rating and 87% of my GCWR.
1.) If I can keep my GVW below my GVWR am I ?playing safe? with my combined weight at 87% of the GCWR,? Take in mind this is for local short trips. Long ?cross country? trips I would not plan on a water payload.
2.) Assuming all weight factors are important. Should I try and keep all my weights (GVW, GCW, and tow weight) below 80-90%. I guess what I?m trying to say is ?someone stress the importance of GVW? My current understanding is, keep it with in the standards, while not overloading the axle, and as long as my GCW is 80-90% I should be ok, even though I?m operating at high a GVW?
3.) I have towed the Z241 at the dealership; it was dry with no weight distribution bars added, just me and the Salesman, approx 180 lbs,.. This was just after I had my truck weighed. The truck pulled very well around the local area, up some decent grades. I would guess 4-5%. To say I noticed an increase in RPMs would be stretching it, so no noticeable RPM increase. With these numbers it put me at 97.27% of GVWR 47% tow rating, and 72.66 GCWR. The truck pulled great! But what kind of risk am I taking with a High GVW and low GCW.
Any input on my two trailer selections would be great and received well! I already predict the response on the 23-5A, I can run the numbers in my head all I want, but after writing down the numbers and re-reading them it becomes clear that the 23-5A is stretching if not exceeding the limits of my vehicle. Still any input is well received.. Also looing at the Z241 given that my numbers are accurate, Does it seem a decent choice? When loading a truck, natural the lowest numbers I would assume would provide the best answer, but with my GVW tipping at its MAX rating when fully loaded, should I reconsider a ?Tow? that would allow lower tongue weight!.
Like I said, suggestions will be gratefully received, and feel free to elaborate.
Ps. Oh yeah give the title of the topic, does my math sound about right =)
I would like to show my proposal to all who would be kind enough in helping me on my choice. Here is what I have.
2004 F150 Crew cab FX4 (18? wheels)
GVWR= 7200
GCWR= 14500
Max tow rating= 8700
What I would like to have
Artic fox 23-5A
Dry lbs= 6620
What I will probably choose based on safety and ?satisfaction rating?
Keystone Zeppelin Z241
Dry lbs= 4155
I had my truck weighed at the scales with me, a full tank of gas and my toys I usually have in the truck, example: Cold weather gear, guns, maps and a day pack.
This put me at 6200lbs even,( options on the truck include tube brush guard, tub step rails) that?s leaves me with 1000lbs payload to meet my GVWR
OK. When I calculate my weight numbers I?m adding 15-25% of the gross trailer weight for the ?23-5A? and 10-15% for the Z241 to the payload of my truck.
The ?23-5A? dry puts me at 88% of my GCWR, 76% of my max tow rating, and my GVWR at 99.9-109%!! Add in extras like friends and family to the truck lets say 500lbs and that puts my numbers at 91% GCWR and 106-116% of the trucks GVWR. Looks kind of risky doesn?t it.
Now with the Z241, the numbers are a little less stressfull.?Z241? Dry weight of 4155lbs me and my toys, (no friends and family) puts me at 91-94% of the trucks GVWR, 47.76% of the Max tow rating, and 71.41% of the GCWR. Add extras 500lbs for friends and Family and say 376lbs of water and 300 lbs of gear in the trailer (+676lbs) that?s puts my me at 99-103% of my GVWR 55.53% of the Max tow rating, and 79.52% of my GCWR. These figures do not include a weight distribution kit to spread weight from the truck back to the trailer.
It doesn?t take much thought to decide that the Z241 is the safest of the two trailers. Even if the Z241 was to have its MAX payload on it of 1845lbs and 500 lbs of (friends and Family in the truck) that would still put me at 87.59% of my GCWR 68% of my Tow rating, but 101-105%!!! of my GVWR. So with these figures in play, I understand I need to look at all of my ?weight? factors GVWR, GCWR, and tow rating. But take the Z241 for example at max possible weight, and 10% tongue weight I/m at 101% of my GVWR but 68% of tow rating and 87% of my GCWR.
1.) If I can keep my GVW below my GVWR am I ?playing safe? with my combined weight at 87% of the GCWR,? Take in mind this is for local short trips. Long ?cross country? trips I would not plan on a water payload.
2.) Assuming all weight factors are important. Should I try and keep all my weights (GVW, GCW, and tow weight) below 80-90%. I guess what I?m trying to say is ?someone stress the importance of GVW? My current understanding is, keep it with in the standards, while not overloading the axle, and as long as my GCW is 80-90% I should be ok, even though I?m operating at high a GVW?
3.) I have towed the Z241 at the dealership; it was dry with no weight distribution bars added, just me and the Salesman, approx 180 lbs,.. This was just after I had my truck weighed. The truck pulled very well around the local area, up some decent grades. I would guess 4-5%. To say I noticed an increase in RPMs would be stretching it, so no noticeable RPM increase. With these numbers it put me at 97.27% of GVWR 47% tow rating, and 72.66 GCWR. The truck pulled great! But what kind of risk am I taking with a High GVW and low GCW.
Any input on my two trailer selections would be great and received well! I already predict the response on the 23-5A, I can run the numbers in my head all I want, but after writing down the numbers and re-reading them it becomes clear that the 23-5A is stretching if not exceeding the limits of my vehicle. Still any input is well received.. Also looing at the Z241 given that my numbers are accurate, Does it seem a decent choice? When loading a truck, natural the lowest numbers I would assume would provide the best answer, but with my GVW tipping at its MAX rating when fully loaded, should I reconsider a ?Tow? that would allow lower tongue weight!.
Like I said, suggestions will be gratefully received, and feel free to elaborate.
Ps. Oh yeah give the title of the topic, does my math sound about right =)