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Old 02-15-2016, 02:12 PM   #21
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Dry...Gross...

To quote an old saying "you don't know what you don't know." Although the DW and I had camped and pulled our families' TT in the past, we didn't know how to approach the purchase of our first rig. Luckily I am "detail-oriented", and yes there are other names for this trait. I did do a lot of leg work before we purchased our Windjammer. However, I missed completely that the stated hitch weight was 880# and that weight is not a real world number because of the variables of loading and placement of weight. Weighed our rig on the way home and found that our hitch was actually 1075# for our 1/2 ton TV. Had the dealer take back the 1000# WDH and bought a 1400# to handle the actual weight once loaded.

So, back to the old saying, if you are new you have to know all of these things before you jump in and buy something too heavy. But how? This forum has been a Godsend of information (and fun too) that has helped me understand hitches, GVW, tires, and lots of other things since we became RV'ers two years ago. Still, what do I NOT know? Before everyone responds, I already know the answer is PLENTY, but I now know of several places to do research before I leap to the 5th wheel purchase shortly.

The question is how do we get this out to others and save them some trouble? Let's be willing to talk to anyone that says they are interested in purchasing a RV and let them know to check forums, TV ratings, and such BEFORE then get excited about that 41' 19,000# 5er that they are going to pull behind their 1/2 ton.
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Old 02-15-2016, 02:22 PM   #22
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They post it that way because they can. Dealers don't care about towing as long as you can get it off of their lot. They just want to sell you as much TT or 5'ver as they can. And many/most owners don't care about the specs/regulations, judging by many posts you read here and on other RV forums.

It's almost as if it's a contest - to tow as heavy a load as you can with the least possible tow vehicle.
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Old 02-15-2016, 02:32 PM   #23
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The dealer where I got my TH the first think the salesman ask me was what am I going to tow with. Then only showed me units that I could tow fully loaded.
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Old 02-15-2016, 02:34 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by genehorn View Post
They quote dry weight because they don't know what you're going to put in it. It will differ for every happy camper.
^^^ Probably the most accurate answer in this thread.

Found this with a bit of googling:

Quote:
Unloaded Vehicle Weight or Dry Weight (UVW) or (DW): is the actual weight of the trailer as built at the factory. The UVW does not include passengers, cargo, dealer installed options, personal belongings, water, or LP gas.
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Old 02-15-2016, 02:48 PM   #25
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Originally Posted by Iwritecode View Post
^^^ Probably the most accurate answer in this thread.

Found this with a bit of googling:
Quote:
Unloaded Vehicle Weight or Dry Weight (UVW) or (DW): is the actual weight of the trailer as built at the factory. The UVW does not include passengers, cargo, dealer installed options, personal belongings, water, or LP gas.


Exactly ......... Based on that statement it will be that weight coming from the factory and likely never that low again..........

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Old 02-15-2016, 03:15 PM   #26
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Originally Posted by rwmurphy View Post
The dealer where I got my TH the first think the salesman ask me was what am I going to tow with. Then only showed me units that I could tow fully loaded.
Same here ~~ actually asked that question twice and told my wife "no" to one she really liked. He told her unless going to buy a new 1 ton that would not work.
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Old 02-15-2016, 03:45 PM   #27
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when i bought my HTT, UVW was the weight when it left the factory.

Dry Weight(in brochures and on websites)was the weight for a stripped-down version of the trailer.

my HTT's UVW was almost exactly 400lbs. more than the brochure/website "Dry" weight amount.
that was for the so-called "options" that nearly all RVs have: a/c, microwave, spare tire, oven, awning and so on.

very few manufacturers include those things in the "Dry" weight number, on brochures and websites.
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Old 02-15-2016, 03:53 PM   #28
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I looked for a dry weight about 2500-3000 lbs less than my rated tow capacity. Having the dry weight listed was convenient for me.
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Old 02-15-2016, 04:29 PM   #29
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I looked for a dry weight about 2500-3000 lbs less than my rated tow capacity. Having the dry weight listed was convenient for me.
Just askin .......So what would you do if after you bought it based on the dry weight.... you loaded it ready for camping and now found it to be over your rated tow capacity on a CAT scale ............ that is a very likely senerio......

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Old 02-15-2016, 04:48 PM   #30
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............

What most don't realize is 'towing capacity' is based on a flat trailer with that weight steel loaded on it, NOT a 30' + parachute with a frontal area of at least 64 sq. ft. and the sides are a 100 sq. ft.+ sail
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Old 02-15-2016, 04:52 PM   #31
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I have not seen this in years but at one time they said to stay below the TVs rated capacity by 10-15% when towing a travel trailer. Probably for that reason.

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Old 02-15-2016, 04:54 PM   #32
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I always laugh at the "my truck can pull 22,000" but u bet you'll run out of payload long before the 22,000

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Old 02-15-2016, 05:25 PM   #33
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Glad you were able to see that, but one point you are trying to make is pushing back on "Salesmen ship 101" So it is far from the only point that all of us need to pay attention to when looking to purchase ANYTHING!
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Old 02-15-2016, 06:53 PM   #34
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Originally Posted by Oaklevel View Post
Just askin .......So what would you do if after you bought it based on the dry weight.... you loaded it ready for camping and now found it to be over your rated tow capacity on a CAT scale ............ that is a very likely senerio......

More than a few have bought another TV. More than that start towing if not horribly over to where they feel unsafe. Others find out they may be over so never hit a scale. JMO~~~
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Old 02-15-2016, 07:11 PM   #35
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I was at a camper show, and there was a Prime Time Tracer AIR250 and showed a picture of a Jeep Liberty "I Can Tow This, I weigh 4900lbs". Now, owning a Liberty, I knew they were full of caca. I just look at the yellow sticker, add dry and payload quickly in my head, and see if it looks towable to me.
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Old 02-15-2016, 07:53 PM   #36
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When I first started towing a tt, I understood my tow capacity but not my payload. I actually remember seeing tongue weight and thinking what does that have to do with anything? When I bought I was beginning to understand and asked the mechanic setting my hitch up.... my tv is rated for a hitch weight of 910 lbs, thus says 800 lb tongue weight, will I be ok? He said sure the wdh will keep you within your limits... ha I had 1000 lb tongue weight at the scale.

When shopping for that first trailer I knew enough to shop by gvwr but actually had a dealer tell me I was shopping incorrectly. I had a tow capacity of 9100 lbs so I was looking at 8000 lb gvwr trailers. He tried to sell me a 9000 lb dry weight 35' tt for an Armada. I ran away from that dealer and never looked back.

On the flip side I had a dealer steer me away from a tt that was out of my tow capacity. I have also seen where it us an education issue on the dealers side. I had an F250 with a very low payload (1500 lbs). Because twas a diesel they tried to tell me it could tow any 5er or tt on their lot. They didn't believe me about the payload until they saw the sticker for themselves. Man I should have made a bet with them.

I agree when buying anything you need to do your research and remember caveat emptor. Do not expect someone else to know it for you because they won't. I also agree with the poster that said you don't know what you don't know. I didn't know what a wdh was until I found rv forums and started asking questions. I took ideas from the forums and then furthered my own knowledge with my own research.

In terms of educating others, I have been known to talk with other couples at rv shows and dealerships. DH has begun grabbing me by the sleeve and pulling me out of a trailer when he hears key words because he knows I'm getting ready to tick off a salesman.
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Old 02-15-2016, 07:56 PM   #37
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Just askin .......So what would you do if after you bought it based on the dry weight.... you loaded it ready for camping and now found it to be over your rated tow capacity on a CAT scale ............ that is a very likely senerio......

I'd have made my wife unload about 2000 pounds if her stuff.
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Old 02-15-2016, 08:10 PM   #38
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I'd have made my wife unload about 2000 pounds if her stuff.
Oh dear... I'd be a single man if I did that.. It was easier to unload my stuff! Otherwise I'd be in WmTires relationship thread a lot more... JUST SAYING!!

Asquared: I agree it is interesting to peruse the shows, we will be heading to MD for one this weekend. I look at the stickers, the weights, the "your SUV can tow this" flashy stickers and look at the poor souls who fall for this. I was right there with you when I started as well. I grew up hauling heavy construction equipment and driving fire trucks so I had an idea of "weight" but 10 years later with an RV and I think I am finally starting to get it!
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Old 02-15-2016, 08:24 PM   #39
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Sometimes when you are buying all the uvw, gvwr, ccc, towing capacity don't have any bearing on the purchase. (don't blast me yet read on) I bought my TT not caring about any of those, I wanted the floor plan, no wife with stuff (it's just me and Jake). I also knew my one ton could easily pull any of the trailers I looked at. What folks have said about weights is very important and should be taken into account, I'm just saying how I approached this TT purchase.
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Old 02-15-2016, 09:19 PM   #40
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More get lost when buying a 5er than a TT. That 8000# TT can be towed by some 1/2 tons with 800 - 900 on the tongue at 10%. The 5er at 20% is a minimum of 1700# of payload. That is over many half tons before loading truck or trailer. Some 3/4 do not have much leeway from there either.
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