36 tk3

Jimfla · 11-18-2017, 08:00 AM

Is anybody towing a 36tk3 with a single wheel 3500 or 350

**wingnut60** · 11-18-2017, 08:10 AM

I did for a short time with a 350 short bed, no real problems except I was overweight on the axle/tires.
For real-world numbers, my '05 36TK3 had a Pin Weight of 4240lbs.....putting 4200lbs on the rear of a SRW is not a great idea, but have seen several towing that way.
Joe

Stripit · 11-18-2017, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimfla

Is anybody towing a 36tk3 with a single wheel 3500 or 350

Yes there were and probably still are many. Back when I was weighing the RV's by wheel position with drive on scales, 100% of the single rear wheel pick up trucks were over either rear axle gross, rear tire gross or truck gross weights, or maybe a combination of 2 numbers. That didn't make each truck that was over break down on every trip, but those weight numbers are there for a reason and some folks choose to ignor them. Once they drove ove my scales they were more informed as to what they had against what they needed.

Cummins12V98 · 11-18-2017, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimfla

Is anybody towing a 36tk3 with a single wheel 3500 or 350

BAD idea! Most likely your rear tires will be overloaded. Evasive maneuver may prove to be the last maneuver.

The "Lightweight" 5er's may be fine but any 36' MS should be towed with 6 tires.

oldbird · 11-21-2017, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60

I did for a short time with a 350 short bed, no real problems except I was overweight on the axle/tires.
For real-world numbers, my '05 36TK3 had a Pin Weight of 4240lbs.....putting 4200lbs on the rear of a SRW is not a great idea, but have seen several towing that way.
Joe

Is that with your fresh water tank full Joe?

Cummins12V98 · 11-21-2017, 11:55 AM

Towing our 36' SB3 it had 4,500# pin weight and I typically would keep about 15 gallons fresh on board.

These RV's are HEAVY, most of the weight added is in front of the axles and goes right to pin weight.

**wingnut60** · 11-21-2017, 02:46 PM

Yeah, and a full load of feathers....

oldbird · 11-21-2017, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

Towing our 36' SB3 it had 4,500# pin weight and I typically would keep about 15 gallons fresh on board.

These RV's are HEAVY, most of the weight added is in front of the axles and goes right to pin weight.

Makes me want to do what I did with my last 5er, a Travel Supreme. I mounted a deck on the back and put my generators and battery pack on there. It equaled out the weight on the front end. My dually can handle the weight but I just worry about the axle bearings, etc. I've broke down many times in the last 14 years and after a repair I like to take a shower so I carry more then 15 gallons. Also if I can't find a campground I'll stay in Wally World. I haven't done that in a couple years but you never know, lol.

stanleyz · 12-12-2017, 08:04 PM

Here ya go. Did it for a year or so. Air bags and upgraded tires on rear axle. Rear axle weight should never exceed the tire ratings. It towed fine and was good on the highway. A little pushy on curvy and mountain roads.

Jimfla · 12-13-2017, 10:15 AM

Do you know what you had for hitch weight

stanleyz · 12-13-2017, 12:20 PM

Not sure. RAWR was around 6000 I think and I was right around that. As I recall I used air bags to keep level and went up one tire rating. Best thing to do is weigh the rig. They say hitch weight is 17 to 20 % of total. My present truck and trailer was 25,000 loaded and hooked up. Truck weighs at least 9000 maybe more fueled. So the trailer was 16,000 loaded. 3200 lbs should be close. I read folks saying they have over 4000 on the pin but I'm dubious. Maybe with a gen set, but even with a gen set (300 lbs or so) 4000 lbs is 25% of 16,000 and that just seems like too much. Hope this helps.

**wingnut60** · 12-13-2017, 02:27 PM

The 36TK3 I had for 10 years consistently weighed from 4100-4400. I had the genset and washer/dryer, + dishwasher on the trailer. Usually loaded with more than we needed for a given trip, but went to AK twice with it and no problems with the tires/suspension/hitch.

When going forest camping, it would always have full load of water on board.

In my last year of owning it, seems there was a beginning of movement/flex in the transition area to the upstairs, but no cracks ever formed.

stanleyz · 12-13-2017, 02:57 PM

How are you weighing that. I dont have the gen or the washer dryer and You full timed so i imagine you have a lot more in the basement than i do but my trucks rear axle just wasn’t heavy enough for the trailer to be putting 4000 lbs on it. I cant find my weigh slip right now though so i dont know exactly what it was. To be absolutely honest though i have never directly weighed the pin. So im thinking a washer and dryer and the genny could weigh 700 lbs or so and thats right on the pin. So what did your trailer weigh total.? No wonder u got a 450. Hows the new unit. I haven’t been on here much lately.

**wingnut60** · 12-13-2017, 03:15 PM

Stanley,

Great to hear from you. I weighed the truck + trailer several times--the combo was always in the 26-27000 gross, and each time I got a pin weight, it was always over 4200, using CAT scales.

I pulled the same trailer with: '07 350 dually; '09 450; '10 450.

The new truck is simply amazing in the quiet application of power--no need for tuners and such. Took a hit trading as I had had to put a new long block in the '10, but it was showing too high temps pulling the new trailer. It would pull just fine, but the temps were always bothersome pulling a long hill.

The current trailer is a new-to-me 38RSSA and that is the load that made me do the trade--new trailer actually weighs 19400 and the '10 could just not climb a long hill without dropping to 25-30mph due to temps. It would pull fine, just was going to over heat.

So, went from the 36 to a 38 Suites, and have the new 450. Now back to working to pay for it all......

stanleyz · 12-13-2017, 03:43 PM

If you were losing coolant it sounds like my 08 with a blown head gasket. I towed from Nashville to Glacier NP and then yellowstone and back home (ATL) after I blew the HG. If I wasn't towing it ran great and wouldn't even puke coolant. Anyway, the 6.7L is a keeper I think. My truck and trailer were under 26,000 on the scales with everything ready to travel. I'm hanging in there with my 05. Trying to keep it going with a lot of love but we are only out about 5 months a year and two of those are in fort myers where it doesn't move. Stay safeand merry Christmas

anijet · 12-13-2017, 06:49 PM

Another 36TK3 pin weight data point - 4380# rear axle difference between trailer hitched and truck alone on CAT scale (7940/3560). With washer/dryer, without gen, loaded for trip ~25 gal water and waste tanks empty.

stanleyz · 12-13-2017, 07:15 PM

Wow. Thats 8000 lbs on the rear axle. Dont think im close to that. I gotta find my last weight slip. Maybe im having a senior moment.

**wingnut60** · 12-14-2017, 04:36 AM

Stanley,
With my 450s, I was always at +9000 on a 9500 rated rear axle. Truck itself weighed 10400 loaded for long trips. 10400 + 4200 PW put me right at the 14500 gvwr on the truck.

stanleyz · 12-14-2017, 07:49 AM

I cant find my weight slip so next chance i get ill weigh again and report back. I am suprised the 450 RAWR is 9500. My 350!drw is 9600. Makes no sense. In 2001 models the fifth wheel weight rating was “20,000 lbs less the weight of the truck”. Now that would mean a short f250 could pull more than the f350 drw. A lot more. Made no sense except to ford who didn’t want the running gear over taxed.

Jimfla · 12-14-2017, 09:22 AM

Thanks guys for the replies.