Towing

[trimblej]

We have a 2019 Rockwood 2912 travel trailer w/2 slide outs. One place states it is 6836 weight and another states its about 7200. What is the correct weight?? We have a F150 King Ranch truck w/ tow package and air springs. Just got back from a short camping trip, approx 100 miles (200 total round trip) and it seemed to tow ok, but want to be sure since we are making a trip out west (about 6 weeks long and several 1000 miles) this summer.

[fipntdot]

There will be several folks comment. The only listing for that year/model said it was 7854 lbs dry with a cargo capacity of almost 1900 pounds. That's a lot (9700 lbs). (disclaimer it was an rvusa listing and may be wrong).


Your F150 should have a sticker on the door that tells you cargo capacity. Every year is different, and several 150's differ on capacity due to configuration. Originally your trailer sould have a sticker that specified it's published weights. It is time to head for the scales and see what you actually have. If the trailer is really 9700 lbs, that would be more than I would want to do with my 150.

[Bob K4TAX]

There are basically 2 weights. These should be posted on a placard on the driver's side near the tongue. One is empty weight and one is cargo weight. The sum of empty weight plus cargo weight is the total weight rating. The tongue weight may also be shown.

For safety and convenience, one should load the truck and trailer ready to go camping. Then stop by the nearest CAT scales and get the real numbers. From there, plug them into the places on the following link.
Actual Weights - Travel Trailer/Bumper Pull Weights from CAT Scales - TowingPlanner

From my experience, the empty weight is that which the trailer left the factory. It will never be this value again. Anything added by the dealer or by you will void that number. It along with tongue weight will always be more than published. Count on it. The maximum weight is that weight mostly defined by the axle's weight rating.

As to the truck, the door stickers are facts to believe and never exceed. Refer to the owner's manual for your specific truck specifications. Typically tongue weight should be 12% to 15% of gross trailer weight. That subtracts from the gross cargo weight of the truck. Most likely you'll be at max cargo weight or a bit over.

Adjustment of the WDH is very important. There are many YouTube videos on the subject. Again one needs to have the truck and trailer loaded, ready to go camping.

Bob

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by trimblej

We have a 2019 Rockwood 2912 travel trailer w/2 slide outs. One place states it is 6836 weight and another states its about 7200. What is the correct weight?? We have a F150 King Ranch truck w/ tow package and air springs. Just got back from a short camping trip, approx 100 miles (200 total round trip) and it seemed to tow ok, but want to be sure since we are making a trip out west (about 6 weeks long and several 1000 miles) this summer.

Here are the trailer's specs:
https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2019-...-specs-tr40670

As someone who owns a F150 SuperCrew 3.5 Ecoboost with the Max Tow package, I would never tow that trailer with your truck. I'm guessing that the extra bling of your King Ranch, gives it a lower payload capacity. I'm also guessing that the loaded tongue weight of the trailer exceeds the truck's max hitch weight and payload capacity.

[Believer45]

I have a 2013 Rockwood Windjammer 3008W that is slightly lighter (dry weight 816 lbs less less than yours, max gross trailer weight rating 956 lbs less than yours) and 9 inches shorter than yours. I thought you might like to see my actual weights.


I tow it with a Ram 2500 diesel and would not want to tow it with a half ton.


My actual scale weights and ratings are as follows.


WEIGHT RATINGS AND WEIGHTS


Definitions
GAWRF - Gross Axle Weight Rating Front (most front axle can weigh)
GAWRR - Gross Axle Weight Rating Rear (most rear axle can weigh)
GVWR - Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (total of all vehicle axle max weights)
GCWR - Gross Combined Weight Rating (most all axles totaled can weigh)
GAWR - Gross Axle Weight Rating (applies to trailer axles)
GAW - Scaled, actual axle weight
GVW - Scaled, actual vehicle weight (on a trailer this includes tongue weight on a bumper pull or pin weight on a fifth wheel)
GCW - Scaled, actual weight of tow vehicle and trailer combined



2011 Ram 2500 SLT crew cab 6.7 Cummins auto rear wheel drive.
Cat scale weights with just over 1/2 tank of fuel.
2013 Forest River Rockwood Windjammer 3008W
Trailer has full propane tanks, all water tanks empty.
Hitch is Equalizer 4 point with sway control and 1200 lb weight distribution bars.

2011 Ram 2500 Ratiings

GAWRF .................................. 5,000 lbs
GAWRR .................................. 6,010 lbs
GVWR .................................... 9,000 lbs
GCWR .................................... 20,000 lbs
Max payload ............................ 2,330 lbs
Max tongue weight ................... 1,200 lbs with weight distribution
Max trailer weight ..................... 12,550 lbs

2013 Windjammer 3008W Ratings


GAWR each axle ....... 4,000 lbs per VIN sticker, 4400 lbs per MFG tag on the axles.
GAWR trailer total ..... 8,000 lbs per VIN sticker, 8800 lbs per MFG tag on the axles.
GVWR ..................... 8,800 lbs

Actual weights me in cab and just over 1/2 tank of fuel, no trailer
Front axle ......................... 4,000 lbs even (1000 under GAWRF)
Rear axle .......................... 3,000 lbs even (3100 under GAWRR)
GVW ................................. 7,000 lbs even (2000 under GVWR)


Weights with camper hooked up, weight distribution active, loaded as above
Front axle .................................... 3,920 lbs (1080 under GAWRF)
Rear axle ..................................... 3,920 lbs (2090 under GAWRR)
GVW ............................................ 7,860 lbs (1140 under GVWR)
Trailer axles .................................. 6,700 lbs (1300 under trailer axle ratings of 8000 lbs) (2100 under axle mfg rating of 8800 lbs)
Trailer weight ................................ 7,560 lbs (1340 under trailer GVWR of 8900)
GCW ............................................ 14,540 lbs (5460 under GCWR)
Tongue weight ............................... 860 lbs (340 under rating) 11.3% of trailer weight with weight distribution hooked up.

[moose074]

So speaking as an individual who had a 2014 Platinum 150 with all the bling a trl with similar weights tongue weight of 860 advertised. I had no issues yes I was well over my stated payload. Heck with the family being on the heavier side we were a few hundred pounds from meeting the payload spec I imagine the weight of family tools and tool box had us at or over payload before adding anything extra. Now most likely I would tow with your setup in a heartbeat. My Tundra only had slightly more payload and I did a 5000 mile round trip thru basically every western mountain range pulling same trailer. That said if you’re already asking questions about how safe it is. Then you might want to consider the upgrade to a larger truck. I have seen teardrop trls being towed by 1 ton dually. (Really think it was a company/work truck) but even it it wasn’t there is nothing wrong with feeling safe and enjoying the drive while towing. Do what makes you feel comfortable