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Help with Towing Calc

B&W Companion. Yea, I don't understand the steer axle shedding 80 lbs.
 
JHC1 said:
As a followup, I picked up the 310RL. Nice rig. We stopped at the CAT scale (FT of fuel) on the way to get the trailer. The truck weighed in at
- Steer 5240 lbs
- Drive 3540 lbs
- GW 8780 lbs

Trailer has a Onan gen set in the front at 300 lbs and we added the super solar set up (3 - 320W panels and 3 - 100 AH batteries). Otherwise no other factory additions.

We weighed truck/trailer on the way back (FT of fuel)
- Steer 5160 lbs
- Drive 6640 lbs
- Trailer 10560 lbs
- GW 22360 lbs

So I am reading this as a Pin weight of 3100 lbs. Correct? And have 360 lbs available? Not much bandwidth to play with here so it will be important how I load the trailer. There is a hidden pantry on the drive side behind the axels so most of the heavy "stuff" we plan to put here. And the griddle/grill we go on the hitch carrier on the back.

As someone mentioned earlier one of my limiting factors are the tires. I checked they have a load capacity of 3640 lbs each so I think I am pretty close but not over yet.

We are going on a shake down trip next week (50 miles away) and plan to load it as if we are going out west for 6 months. Cat scale on the way so we will know what it will weigh fully loaded.
Click to expand...
Now those weights are a surprise! The 310RL has a hitch weight of 1,086 pounds (factory, no options, no personal stuff). The Brinkley Z3100 I’m looking at has a hitch weight of 2,142 and my payload is 3,859. That extra 1,056 pounds of hitch weight is going to put my 3500 over, perhaps way over. If anyone has a 3100 and knows the real hitch weight with fresh water full, I would really appreciate knowing that! My tires are the same > 3,640.
 
Alliance Paradigm 310RL advertised pin weight is 2530. I added the full solar system and a Onan 5.5kw gen set.
 
JHC1 said:
B&W Companion. Yea, I don't understand the steer axle shedding 80 lbs.
Click to expand...

How is the companion setup? There are fore and aft adjustments.

When I used a Companion the arms were full forward and it always added weight to the front axle.

Now that I have a goosebox it adds less, but still doesn’t take any away.
 
The RVK3600 has 4 positions. With a long bed you should use the 2” forward of the axle position.

IMG_3197.jpeg
 
Thank you. If I move it forward as suggested, I assume I can still use my tailgate down when hitching up?
 
I can think if one thing, air bags had 5 psi on the initial weight. Aired up to 30psi with the trailer on. Would that make the difference?
 
JHC1 said:
I can think if one thing, air bags had 5 psi on the initial weight. Aired up to 30psi with the trailer on. Would that make the difference?
Click to expand...

No it would not, airbags don't transfer weight.
 
JHC1 said:
I can think if one thing, air bags had 5 psi on the initial weight. Aired up to 30psi with the trailer on. Would that make the difference?
Click to expand...
How much difference in fuel/ DEF from first weigh to the second weigh?
 
Update: We loaded the trailer with most of our gear, for 3 month voyage, and traveled over to a near by Army Corps campground. I need to learn how to operate this 35' fifth wheel. Along the way, we stopped at the same CAT scale (See Post 59) we weighed in when we purchased the trailer. I loaded the passthrough and also I attached a cargo carrier on the back hitch and added the griddle and gas grill here. We have a pantry/storage area hidden behind the TV and behind the axels. Loaded a few other heavy items here. We did load up some winter clothes in the bedroom (over the pin box) and added a mattress topper.

Now, for the weights (today and 8/31/24):
Fully Loaded (9/19/24)
Steer - 5000
Drive - 7180 (air bags at 35psi)
Trailer - 11140
Gross - 23320
Dry Weight (New - 8/31/24)
Steer - 5160
Drive - 6640 (air bags at 30psi)
Trailer - 10560
Gross - 22360
Truck w/o Trailer (8/31/24)
Steer - 5240
Drive - 3540
Gross - 8780

Is it appears I am over my axel rating of 7000 lbs by 180 lbs. Not terrible but over. My pin weight is 3640, correct? My trailer weighs in at 14540? Which puts me at 25% pin weight? Maybe I am not ciphering the numbers correctly. I don't understand why I am loosing weight on my steer axel. The hitch is in the forward position for a long bed. One other thought, my tires are rated at 3640 each (7280 vs 7000) so does that help with the rear axel (rating)? I know it doesn't change it. 7000 is 7000.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
 
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