Towing my Sandpiper 36.5 RLT

shields71646 · 12-01-2009, 10:50 PM

I am new to RV's, so I probably should have ask this question before buying both truck and camper. My truck is a 08 Dodge 2500 4x4 with the 6.7 diesel. I just purchased a 05 Sandpiper 36.5 RLT.
Going to try and pick it up tommorrow. Does anyone think that I will have a problem pulling it?

Dave_Monica · 12-01-2009, 11:10 PM

Do you know what the trailer weighs...it's pin weight?

I looked but was unable find anything on Forest River's site or 'googgling' that year and model.

Dave

shields71646 · 12-01-2009, 11:27 PM

The GVWR is 13,400

Dave_Monica · 12-02-2009, 12:18 AM

Should be all right...not as heavy as I would have guessed.
It'd be a perfect opportunity to weigh your set-up on the return trip...should get front and rear axle weight of the truck along with the trailer axle weight hooked up. Also should get the front and rear axle weights of the truck uncoupled. That will give you base info before you start loading it up. First trip out, repeat the same weighing procedure and compare to the ratings for your truck and trailer.

Trying to educate myself as we're making the jump to a 5th wheel also. Lots of information to digest!

Good Luck,

Dave

machunt · 02-08-2010, 09:10 AM

Remember to look at the total weight of truck and trailer both loaded, this is what is messing me up.

rockwood06 · 02-08-2010, 09:41 AM

My truck is rated for 10,500 lbs, my camper is rated at 7,940 lbs fully loaded. My wife and I are at 100 lbs each

so subtract the 200 lbs from 10,500 and that is what I can tow. Remember the more you put in your tow vehicle the less you can tow. My camper weighs 66,000 lbs empty or what is called dry weight. Most people do not load there campers to full capacity.
Make sure you use the proper hitch system.

MtnGuy · 02-08-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockwood06

My camper weighs 66,000 lbs empty or what is called dry weight.

You might want to get rid of a 0 in that weight, rockwood06.

But, what is a 0 among friends.

rockwood06 · 02-08-2010, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnguy

You might want to get rid of a 0 in that weight, rockwood06.

But, what is a 0 among friends.

There I go again, thanks mtnguy......6,600 lbs this is more realistic.

intents · 02-09-2010, 07:41 AM

I noticed this interesting thread and thought I would chime in with what I got.
I have a 2006 Dodge 3500, non-dually, Megacab (5.9L diesel). I have the 2008 Sierra 40SPTS toy hauler. Trailer says 16,500lbs dry. Fully loaded, It weighs more like <=19,000lbs. I have no problems towing with my truck. I am pretty sure I am exceeding the mfg's suggested weight limit, but Dodge is known to under rate themselves. I am not easy on the throttle, and get avg. 10mpg doing 75-80 miles an hour. Almost sounds like bragging here, but the trucks are capable if you know what you are doing and have the necessary monitoring.

rockwood06 · 02-09-2010, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intents

I noticed this interesting thread and thought I would chime in with what I got.
I have a 2006 Dodge 3500, non-dually, Megacab (5.9L diesel). I have the 2008 Sierra 40SPTS toy hauler. Trailer says 16,500lbs dry. Fully loaded, It weighs more like <=19,000lbs. I have no problems towing with my truck. I am pretty sure I am exceeding the mfg's suggested weight limit, but Dodge is known to under rate themselves. I am not easy on the throttle, and get avg. 10mpg doing 75-80 miles an hour. Almost sounds like bragging here, but the trucks are capable if you know what you are doing and have the necessary monitoring.

This is interesting, if you don't mine me asking what is the max tow capacity on your 3500?

MtnGuy · 02-09-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intents

I have a 2006 Dodge 3500, non-dually, Megacab (5.9L diesel). I have the 2008 Sierra 40SPTS toy hauler. Trailer says 16,500lbs dry. Fully loaded, It weighs more like <=19,000lbs. I have no problems towing with my truck. I am pretty sure I am exceeding the mfg's suggested weight limit, but Dodge is known to under rate themselves. I am not easy on the throttle, and get avg. 10mpg doing 75-80 miles an hour.

That is more than a little scary.

I guess a question comes to mind......why so fast, especially with weights that you think are over the limit ???

intents · 02-09-2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockwood06

This is interesting, if you don't mine me asking what is the max tow capacity on your 3500?

yes, I guess it does seem fast, maybe I should slow down and save... most of the times I have used it so far have been on long distance travels; interstates. Conditions were appropriate, for sure...

intents · 02-09-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockwood06

This is interesting, if you don't mine me asking what is the max tow capacity on your 3500?

Just to keep the chat going, looks like factory specs are GVWR=9900lbs and Trailer Tow Capacity=15900lbs for the 2006 3500.

rockwood06 · 02-09-2010, 07:38 PM

It was not I that question your rate of speed in which you travel, but it was the first thing that jump out at me when I read your post. The reason I ask what your tow rating was on your tow vehicle is because you seem to be over loaded as you said, with that in mine and now "I will mention it" Traveling at such a high rate of speed could be deadly if you had a mechanical failure or a blow out. I am sorry to be so forward but it is scary to think that one of us, and you are one of us now that you are a member, is traveling so fast with your loved ones in your vehicle and to think that one day we all may be reading about you in the paper or hearing about a terrible accident on the interstate.....One thing to check, what is the max speed rating on your trailer tires?
Please slow down and enjoy camping, we all can't wait til camping starts up here in the North/East, we all are in a hurry too but we would like to get there in one piece.

LadyWindrider · 02-09-2010, 11:41 PM

The MAX speed on an ST rated trailer is 65 miles per hour. No questions. I have learned trough this forum on other post, it is illegal to have anything other than an ST, "trailer tire" on a trailer of any type in some states. I think I remember a Goodyear page that said Marathon's could be run at 70 mph, if you add 5 more pounds of air over max inflation on the sidewall. No wonder there are so many tire complaints if everybody is exceeding the speed rating as you have stated that yo do. Good luck, and hang on, trouble will surely find you.

intents · 02-10-2010, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windrider

The MAX speed on an ST rated trailer is 65 miles per hour. No questions. I have learned trough this forum on other post, it is illegal to have anything other than an ST, "trailer tire" on a trailer of any type in some states. I think I remember a Goodyear page that said Marathon's could be run at 70 mph, if you add 5 more pounds of air over max inflation on the sidewall. No wonder there are so many tire complaints if everybody is exceeding the speed rating as you have stated that yo do. Good luck, and hang on, trouble will surely find you.

When it comes time to replace trailer tires, you are better off buying a comparable load range car tire. Trailer tire mfg's are not required to xray trailer tires, so they already have worse mfg parameters then cheap car tires.

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