I'm SO CONFUSED

[sully015]

Hi all. New to the forums, so I need some experienced advise. My wife and I are looking at going full time RV life. We are looking at the Riverstone 39FKTH. According to Forest River it has a GVWR of 21000lbs, with a hitch weight of 3910lbs. Here comes the trick part....I have a RAM 3500 Dually, 6.7 Cummins H/O, with AISIN transmission and 4.10 rear end. My max towing weight is 34224lbs, My max payload is 5224lbs. So with these numbers, I should be good, BUT.....The question to the group is, is the advertised hitch weight based on the UVW (unloaded vehicle weight) or the GVWR?? I have emailed Forest River with the same question and have yet to receive a response. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

[IvoryHemi]

Advertised hitch weight is typically based off UVW, not GVWR.

[DRogers]

You can roughly calculate your max pin weight by taking 20% of your RV GVWR. (20% is on the high side but better safe than sorry)

21000 lbs X %20 = 4200 lbs max pin weight

Till you get the RV and get it loaded with your kit and CAT scale it, rough estimate is the best you'll get

[Wolf Alaska]

It could be that the various load capabilities are leading to your confusion. It is good to know those numbers. However, when deciding that you are or are not loaded within your truck's limits, you can also look at some other limits.

The GVWR is how much your truck can safely weigh, the truck itself + any load.
What is your truck's loaded for the road weight?
Add to that your pin weight. Is the total below your truck's GVWR? If yes, then you are good to go. From a truck standpoint.

What is loaded weight of your truck before hooking up to the trailer?
Add the loaded weight of the trailer.
Is the sum of both less than the GCWR of the truck? If yes, you are ready for the road.

This approach may eliminate the confusion you are seeing when trying to use towing capability and load carrying capacity.

I would start by weighing the truck with full fuel and expected weight of equipment to be on the truck when towing the trailer.
That # plus the manufacturer's weight for the trailer will be close to your actual Gross Combined Weight total. You could add an estimate for your household goods going on the trailer.

Eventually, you may want to weigh the whole rig at a CAT scale and see the total, plus it will give you a readout on each axle's load.

[Cyote61]

Hey Sully, you worry too much. That Doge 3500 with the Cummins will haul whatever trailer u hook it up to. As a 3500 dually owner that has been my experience and humble opinion. IS my answer mathamaticly or scientificly correct? Damed if I know. Hook up and go.

[Gmoney67]

Originally Posted by Cyote61

Hey Sully, you worry too much. That Doge 3500 with the Cummins will haul whatever trailer u hook it up to. As a 3500 dually owner that has been my experience and humble opinion. IS my answer mathamaticly or scientificly correct? Damed if I know. Hook up and go.

X2 just hook on and enjoy it.

[Iwannacamp]

Another thing... actual truck weight may be different than advertised. You can weigh the truck and get real net vs gross weight and use that for your cargo/rear axle loaded weight.

I am sure I didn’t say this correctly, but you get the drift.

[srosey]

Are you sure of your numbers. A Ram 3500 dually with the diesel typically has a payload capacity +/- 7000 lbs, not low 5000's.

[emm-dee]

We use a ‘17 Ram dually with the Aisan system for the 19k LQ Horse trailer. CAT scale shows truck real payload, (driver, pax, generator and full fuel) at 5,860. This truck is loaded with everything so it’s pretty heavy empty. Trailer has real pin weight of 3,300 empty and 3,600 with the horses loaded.

The OP is not going to have any problems with weights.

[SlowrideHD]

I hope you aren't looking at buying your new Riverstone from a "camping world". That's a dirty word (most generally) on this forum. Also, be prepared to spend a lot of time getting things fixed...the new rv's that are coming off lots now are rarely ready to hit the road trouble free.
Better spend a couple weeks reading on here before your pull that trigger. By the way...you have plenty of truck and capacity for any fifth wheel on the market.