8289WS Pin Weight

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

You sound like a broken record, as I have said many times, I don't care what it is as long as it is level and I can tow 60-65 I'm happy. I don't care what your weights are and expect the same from you. When going up mountains east of the Mississippi I get in the truck lane and pass some and get passed. For those that don't like it, it is of no concern to me, they can pass or follow. Would I try the Rockies, not in a million years with this truck/trailer.

What can I say his unit is level, and never seen him fall behind me when we travel.......

[Rugged Brown]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

You sound like a broken record, as I have said many times, I don't care what it is as long as it is level and I can tow 60-65 I'm happy. I don't care what your weights are and expect the same from you. When going up mountains east of the Mississippi I get in the truck lane and pass some and get passed. For those that don't like it, it is of no concern to me, they can pass or follow. Would I try the Rockies, not in a million years with this truck/trailer.

I towed a similar fiver for 3 years with a 1/2 ton dodge Ram. I added Timbrens and the truck and trailer sit level. Never had any problems towing or stopping and felt safe all the time. I upgraded to a 3/4 F250 diesel and the only appreciable improvement is the power on the hills. I don't have any mountains to contend with. I wish I saved my money and kept my 1/2 ton. Dodge is a far nicer truck than the Ford. I like those new Chevys too.


An added FYI: I was kicking tires at the Ram dealership last evening and I kicked one tire belonging to a 2014 Ram 2500 diesel, Laramie Longhorn edition with a window MSRP of $83,000.

[PhoneDude 8289]

I have towed our 2008 291RLS 5er Cougar GVW 10300#, actual weight that I can confirm was 9200# 1700# pin loaded. We towed that all over the Rockies 10,800'+ and the Cascades of Washington state (several trips). Had roughly 25,000 miles towing that cougar. Sold it and bought this 2014 Rockwood 8289WS 9300# GVW. Have had the Rockwood to the Rockies one time so far this year. Have not weighed the Rockwood fully loaded as yet, have close to 4,000 mi towing the rockwood. Both towed with the same 2008 1/2 ton Tundra and towed them both well. I do the maintenance sooner than required on everything. Replaced brakes on Cougar twice, getting ready to replace Tundra brakes, first time @ 80K miles. I'll also change the tires on the Rockwood to GYM D's before our next trip out. Tundra is 5.7 supercharged with 4.30 rear, air bags and E tires. My hitch is the Hensley BD3 with the Revolution pin box and a custom wedge. The entire rig feels solid and safe. I tow 55 - 60 mph hwy and less than posted speed secondary roads. Now I suppose I'll hear from the weight police telling me I'm going to kill everyone on the highway.

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by presley01

Now I suppose I'll hear from the weight police telling me I'm going to kill everyone on the highway.

Nope. But you will hear from this retired cop who tows with 2008 tundra. :-)
I've towed 2 5ers with it since 2009. Been thry smokies up the blue ridge Pkwy to Shenandoah, up the rockies from NM to Montana, all over the Ozarks, several times. One had dry weight of 8700#/ pin 1400, and the current rockwood is 7700# dry/ pin 1200. I've never been in a situation where I couldn't accelerate, brake, pass or maneuver like I needed to. And no, it doesn't ramp up to 5000 rpms to climb mountains. Seldom over 3000 to maintain speed.
10.1 mpg on Goshen trip this month. Came home thru pigeon forge.
I have no weight changing mods on my trailer. Very pleased with the setup.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

"I don't care what it is as long as it is level and I can tow 60-65 I'm happy."

....I hear ya, Tundra towing the space shuttle was level and passing up everyone walking beside it!...I might consider buying a GM Colorado next time for a triple axle toyhauler, bags/leveled/cruise set to 60mph...LOL

[dcheatwood]

Ha. Better MPG if you get the 4 cylinder. Lol

[PhoneDude 8289]

I could trade the Tundra on a Mazda B2500. I think they have one that puts out 75HP and boasts 27 MPG. I am pretty sure that the plastic bed will handle the pin weight of my 5er and hitch. Hope it has the unibody construction instead of a frame. :-)=

[OldCoot]

And I just ordered Peterbilt 579.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

And I just ordered Peterbilt 579.

Oc's new custom ordered pete.


TURBS

"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"

[Cover Dog]

I thought Oc's shop would be heated...

[PhoneDude 8289]

OC got me. I like his new ride, going to start saving my pennies for one of those.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Oc's new custom ordered pete. TURBS

As usual, FT Turbs is speaking with Forked Tongue. Here is what we ordered.

[PhoneDude 8289]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

As usual, FT Turbs is speaking with Forked Tongue. Here is what we ordered.

That should pull your rig but are you sure that will be enough truck when you are fully loaded to the max.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by presley01

That should pull your rig but are you sure that will be enough truck when you are fully loaded to the max.

I'm sure the weight police will probably nix it with the 5er having an advertised 1075# pin wt. Actual pin wt, who knows and only ependydad wants to know.

[BamaBob]

OK we DID go to the weight police at Goshen. We are waiting for the full report (should be in the mail next week...why they do not email is beyond me!)

Truck: Axels F+R 5,985 GVW 6,650
Truck+Trailer: Axels F+R 7,825 GVW 8,375
Pin Weight: 1,725 (18% well under the 19-25%)

We have a front-rear weight distribution deficit of 300 lbs that has been fixed by raising the Kingpin hitch one level.

Also we were loaded to the gills - brought WAY more stuff than we would have brought on a normal 2 week camp out.

So, After adjustment, all is well. Nothing More

Edit: We MAY go to Class D tires and add Air Bags just "Because"

[B and B]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

I'm sure the weight police will probably nix it with the 5er having an advertised 1075# pin wt. Actual pin wt, who knows and only ependydad wants to know.

Who really cares what the pin weight is? As long as it doesn't break! lol:rollback:

Has anyone actually measured the Pin Weight with a scale?

[PrinceValium]

Thanks for all the replies everyone! I could always add some water to the fresh water tank to leverage some pin if I needed it I suppose. I seriously doubt we will be heavy packers. I do know that most people leave all sorts of items in the 5th wheel that never comes out. (dishes pots and pans etc.) Me myself I would probably have two batteries in front and also look into getting the solar panel for charging them during the day. We don't plant on doing much if any dry camping...but I would also need to look into getting a generator (Honda 2000) and could load that behind the rear 5th wheel axle for more leverage.

Are the tires that come on the 8289WS crap?...or are they radials?

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by PrinceValium

Thanks for all the replies everyone! I could always add some water to the fresh water tank to leverage some pin if I needed it I suppose. I seriously doubt we will be heavy packers. I do know that most people leave all sorts of items in the 5th wheel that never comes out. (dishes pots and pans etc.) Me myself I would probably have two batteries in front and also look into getting the solar panel for charging them during the day. We don't plant on doing much if any dry camping...but I would also need to look into getting a generator (Honda 2000) and could load that behind the rear 5th wheel axle for more leverage.

Are the tires that come on the 8289WS crap?...or are they radials?

You are going to get Trail Express, they are crap as you stated. 100 storys on this site about them. They are 4 ply Radials with nitrogen, the supplier is Lionshead. Some have had luck getting something from them but when my tire blew they wanted me to send it back to them first. GET RID OF THEM ASAP. I got 6000 miles on mine before the blow out lucky no damage caught it in time. They can really ruin your day IMO......

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by PrinceValium

<SNIP>
Are the tires that come on the 8289WS crap?...or are they radials?

Actually, they are Crap Radials

Almost all of the tires on our units are made in China (the nickname we have for them is "China Bombs" - that should alert you that there might be a issue with them )

That being said, we have 3,350 personal miles on ours Add in the 800 or so delivery miles and we are just over 4,000. We religiously keep the tire pressure at 50PSI (rated), inspect the sidewalls (outboard AND inbord) for cracks, never drive over 65MPH, and use a Tire Pressure/Temperature monitor. So far, no problems.

THAT being said, we will be replacing the stock tires with either Goodyear or Maxxis in the near future (once I decide if going to a class D tire wil bnefit us)

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

Actually, they are Crap Radials

Almost all of the tires on our units are made in China (the nickname we have for them is "China Bombs" - that should alert you that there might be a issue with them )

That being said, we have 3,350 personal miles on ours Add in the 800 or so delivery miles and we are just over 4,000. We religiously keep the tire pressure at 50PSI (rated), inspect the sidewalls (outboard AND inbord) for cracks, never drive over 65MPH, and use a Tire Pressure/Temperature monitor. So far, no problems.

THAT being said, we will be replacing the stock tires with either Goodyear or Maxxis in the near future (once I decide if going to a class D tire wil bnefit us)

I'm highjacking for a minute. Congratulations I see you are now of member of the stunt team.