Why a TrailSaver Air Hitch and Which One?

[Beachgirl]

Gemstone,

Thank you for your suggestion.
I did hunt for a used F450...and I found one at a great price, low miles, 7.3 liter diesel (the good engine :)]. Only the towing stats weren't really up to the MS 38RSSB3, and the 2011 Chevy can handle much more than the older F450, surprisingly enough. The newer F450 (2008) has 650 lb/ft of torque, and the 2011 Chevy has 725! The 2008 F450 can tow 24,500 lbs, and the 2011 Chevy can haul up to 21,700. Though the dually we want, + crew cab, is rated only to 21,100. There were 2 things going against the Ford...my insurance co. USAA won't insure them, and the diesel engine hasn't been as great as that 7.3 L was. We have the 7.3L now and love it. Ford wins in creature comforts, hands down. And the new F350 has stats equal to the Chevy...I'm just scared of the new engine this year. This test drive article has also influenced me :

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/11...e-rockies.html

Terry,

Thank you for your post. It caused me to fine comb the Chevy' stats, including visiting 2 dealers. Here's what I learned: The GCVW is indeed 29,200 lbs...and the truck itself, one passenger, full tank, has a curbside weight of 7300 lbs. That was taken off an actual truck. However, the test truck above weighed 8200 lbs, so who knows. :) That leaves me with a truck payload of 2400- 3400 lbs (29200- 18500 MS GVRW). Taking in to account passenger weights and hitch weight, that still leaves us an 1800-2800 lb leeway. We might carry 3-400 pounds cargo in the truck, but not usually. That's also if we are maxed out in the trailer...but we aren't fulltimers, so doubt we will be that heavy. Thank you for raising the point. If I missed something, please tell me. I'm really trying to do my homework here. :)

Our only concern now is the height of the Chevy (which we haven't bought yet) and leveling the MS. We did order the TrailSaver TS3. It was on sale. :)

I'm sure Capt Ducks will be posting, but I wanted to let y'all know what we've been up to and what we have arrived at so far.

I also priced RV insurance, and with full replacement cost, it will be $866. a year, using Progressive.

That's all for now. :)

Happy New year everybody!! Thank all of you again for taking the time to post and guide us. We are so appreciative!

Beachgirl

[Motor31]

When looking at the truck loading keep something in mind. In a fifth wheel format the PU supports some of the load. The pin weight on a 38' rig should be about 4000 lbs +. If you are planning to load up the back of the PU keep the axle and tire weight capacity in mind. You might be inside the PU GCVW but still overload the axle or tires. Neither of those is a good thing.

Our actual pin weight for the 38' is over 4300 lbs.

Stripit, aka Stacey, has been doing weight analysis for some time and has stats on recent real world weights of DRV rigs and tow vehicles. He found a significant number of DRW PU's were overloaded either by the GCVW or the axle / tire capacity. All (100%) of the SRW PU's were overweight.

DRW = dually
SRW = single rear tire

[The View 5046]

Beachgirl, great choice on the Trailer saver and the Suites will LOVE the ride. As for your choice of Trucks you can't go wrong with the GM 3500HD's DRW. With the improvements GM made on the Frame and the exhaust brake you will have a excellent Truck to tow the Suites.

The last GM 3500HD we had was in 2008 and it had no problem with the Mobile Suites. We also had two other 3500HD's that pulled a heavier 5th wheel that the 2009 Suites. Pulled the Colorado Rockies with out a issue.

The Duramax/Allison is a proven combo about the only thing GM has done to the Duramax/Allison was to make impovements since it came on line. All the test on the 2011's have shown that GM has another winer and is a step above the competition. If we ever down size it will be to a GM with the Duramax/Allison.
Good Luck.

P.S. The 2011 GM is the Truck of the year by Motor Trend.

[Beachgirl]

Thank you Motor 31. The rear axle (RAGWR) is 9300 lbs on the 2011 Chevy 3500 DRW. I am planning on the pin weight being about 4300 lbs, and the hitch to be 300 lbs. Not sure how to figure the weight of the actual truck on that rear axle, or if I need to.


TheView,

Was glad to hear your opinion, and that you think the truck will be enough. I knew you went to a BIG truck! :) The 2011's are really strong, and so it is heartening that you had no trouble on previous models.

I think we are just about set then on the truck/trailer combo. My only remaining concern is the bed of the Chevy being too high? or was it too low, lol! At any rate, getting it level. Any advice there, and we are good to go.

Thank you again!
Beachgirl

[The View 5046]

How high are the 2011's I'm not sure but the 2007 3500HD Chevy Classis was not the same as 2008 GM 3500HD the Truck bed was taller than our 2005 and 2007 GM 3500HD's.

I will tell you we had to get spacers to raise the TS 3 to make the 5er ride level. Trailer Saver has 3 different spacers for the TS 3. I recomend you check to see what spacers thats on the TS 3 your buying. The spacers are very easy to change out. Trailer Saver overnighted the spacers to us. I believe the total cost was $125.00. I would bet you will need the spacers to give you more clearance between the 5er and the bedrails. Good Luck....