[jdwarren]

Here are some hard numbers from a recent trip.

Truck: 2017 CCSB: 21k Demco Autoslider hitch, lots and lots of tools, 50 gallon auxiliary fuel tank (both tanks full), 19.5" wheels and Michelin XDS 2 tires
Trailer: 2020 Grand Design Solitude 3950BH: full fresh water tank; 600 A*hr lithium batteries, inverters, solar panels, and associated hardware; fully outfitted for mobile living and self-reliance (lots of tools, spare parts, and kitchen/living items). 42' long + rear hitch rack; 13'4" high at air conditioner, 100" wide

Weight ticket (from many months prior, but truck/trailer configuration is largely unchanged), truck only:

Weight ticket, truck and trailer:

Route:

Rig:

Fuel economy:

Thoughts:

Fuel economy sucks but is probably in line with expectations for a rig this size and the mountains of eastern NY and western MA. It's tough to tell from the route, but we went from Milton Heights into Scarborough and then backtracked to the border (visiting a friend on our way out) and crossed into the US. When we hit the border I was at 9 MPG and I had been holding 60 mph with cruise. Once we crossed into the states I increased the speed to 65-68 mph.

This trailer has a "sticker" pin weight of about 2600 lbs, and with all the stuff I'm carrying it's almost 4k. My loadout is far from conservative (I have the 19.5s which can take the punishment) but this is what I got from just naturally loading the thing up. And I don't even have a generator.

Questions, comments, flames, etc. welcome.

 

[sambor]

Hopefully others will read. Nice writeup JD

 

[Melonhead1102]

JD if I remember correctly, you upgraded wheels and axles on the camper too, right?

 

[Piper One]

Fantastic post JD! Thorough and actual numbers.

 

[jdwarren]

JD if I remember correctly, you upgraded wheels and axles on the camper too, right?

Stock wheels but I replaced the tires with Sailun S637 ST235 80R16. Anything heavier duty would have required 17.5 or 19.5 inch wheels and I thought that was overkill. So far they've done great, but like all things, tires "work till they don't".

However, I did put Sumosprings on the trailer axles and Timbrens on the truck to reduce the load on the leaf packs. After having one disintegrate on the old trailer I know that is an experience I do not want to repeat, ever.

 

[blythkd1]

That's a heavy SRW truck. I've had loaded dually flatbeds with aux fuel that didn't go much over 10k.

I wouldn't call 9mpg that bad all things considered.

Thanks for the time and effort to post. I like real data.

 

[Boxer1200]

Nice write up. You’re definitely using every bit of that truck.


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[jdwarren]

That's a heavy SRW truck. I've had loaded dually flatbeds with aux fuel that didn't go much over 10k.

I wouldn't call 9mpg that bad all things considered.

Thanks for the time and effort to post. I like real data.

Yeah, I think the 19.5 wheel/tire upgrade adds about 250 lbs at least (including spare). The FW rail kit is at least 100 lbs, the hitch is about 350 lbs, 50 gallons in the aux tank is about 350 lbs, the tools/compressor/etc. are probably 250 lbs, m Gen-Y hitch is probably 50 lbs, the inverter/cables/etc are probably 50 lbs, and my wife and I are probably 300 lbs together (the vast majority of that is me, thankfully). That gives 1700 lbs of stuff. I think the truck's curb weight is on the order of 8k so that lines up about right. And that doesn't include my Boss plow mount and receiver, fluids, or fuel in the main tank.

 

[scottydl]

What’s the rated payload/CCC of your truck, per the drivers doorjamb loading sticker?

 

[jdwarren]

What’s the rated payload/CCC of your truck, per the drivers doorjamb loading sticker?

 

[Bsimster]

Love me some real world data. Well done buddy! Currently making some popcorn and whiskey stones for the keyboard warriors

 

[3500Hski]

Thank you for sharing, and please don’t beat me up as I am confused and want to understand. If GAWR for the rear is rated at 7050, and your weight sticker shows 8420 aren’t you over by axle and GVWR from 11.5 rated but the ticket shows a combined of 13680 when loaded. Again, I am not sure I understand completely and want to ask. Thanks

 

[MIkey52]

The reason the rear had that sticker, was because of the factory e rated tires. He upgraded his tires and wheels so it could support the weight. Basically the same tires and wheels that's on the mini freightliners.

 

[jdwarren]

Thank you for sharing, and please don’t beat me up as I am confused and want to understand. If GAWR for the rear is rated at 7050, and your weight sticker shows 8420 aren’t you over by axle and GVWR from 11.5 rated but the ticket shows a combined of 13680 when loaded. Again, I am not sure I understand completely and want to ask. Thanks

What @MIkey52 said. I'm over on RGAWR but that rating was based on the OEM tires (2x 3525) and the XDS2 tires I'm running are 4950 each. Of course, the wheels are only rated at 4500 each, so the rear end can really only support 9000 safely. To deal with any possibility that GM undersized the suspension hardware I added Timbren bumper springs which take some of the load off the leaf packs and their bolts/hangers. The axle itself is the same one used on the DRW truck which is rated at over 9k on the rear (I believe the axle is an AAM 11k unit) so I'm not worried about the physical capacity being exceeded. Technically this setup may not be strictly legal but since I'm pulling a camper for personal use I'm not worried about DOT or state police.

GVWRs of individual units are not enforceable for combinations so that's not a problem regardless. The maximum combination weight here is 11500 (truck) + 16800 (trailer) = 28300 so I'm okay on that, but I'm not worried there anyway because DOT is not likely to pull me over since there's no indication I'm for hire.

The only thing that actually concerns me is the trailer axle weight. The trailer has 7k axles so 14k combined and I'm at 13900. Not worried about structural failure so much as bearings and brakes wearing out prematurely. An 8k axle upgrade may be in the cards here.

Edit: actually, there's one other thing I'm concerned with and that's the pin box. I believe the stock pin box is rated for 3600 or so and I'm at about 3800. I'll probably look into one with a higher rating. I was considering an air ride unit anyway so maybe that's a good reason to pull the trigger.

 

[bigdave_185]

This is my set up unloaded with literally nothing in the trailer. the rear axle weight is what gets me going for a headache.
I understand UDOT has zero reason to hassle me up to the point he pulls me over and sees I am a class A license holder then I believe ( not positive ) he can’t take me to the cleaners.

Your truck wheel set up looks interesting how did you come to the conclusion the factory wheels are not rated for the weight? I can’t see a rating on my wheels

I know my 20’s on my rig are not what I should tow with and will put my stock wheels back on for long trips


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[jdwarren]

This is my set up unloaded with literally nothing in the trailer. the rear axle weight is what gets me going for a headache.
I understand UDOT has zero reason to hassle me up to the point he pulls me over and sees I am a class A license holder then I believe ( not positive ) he can’t take me to the cleaners.

Your truck wheel set up looks interesting how did you come to the conclusion the factory wheels are not rated for the weight? I can’t see a rating on my wheels

I know my 20’s on my rig are not what I should tow with and will put my stock wheels back on for long trips


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I don't know about the actual wheel capacity because like you said it's not documented. But there are no tires that will fit 18" wheels that can handle my rear axle weight (except for enormous "military" super singles). The only way I could get this capacity without significantly changing the tire diameter was to go to the 19.5s. There's a link in my sig with some more details on that particular modification.

I also have a class A CDL but I don't think it affects enforceability, aside from the fact that I can't convincingly plead ignorance on the off chance I get pulled over. But as per @blythkd1's sticky I think once I bat my eyelashes at the guy and he sees that I've gone to great lengths to ensure none of my tires or individual suspension components are out of spec he'll likely be sympathetic. Hope I never find out for sure.

All that aside, next truck will likely be DRW to avoid all this bullshit. But today I am planning to take my 1-year-old to the New England Aquarium in downtown Boston and we will have to park in a parking garage. That's no fun with any one ton truck but it's even less so with an extra set of rear wheels and a long bed. So I have to disagree with those who argue that there's no case to be made for upgrading an SRW truck like this.

 

[bigdave_185]

That is 100% how I feel, I can sure hope I don’t get pulled over and as you said I can’t say “ I didn’t know” lol lord knows I’m not hot enough to bat my eyes.

I have been searching for a dually when I purchased this, I know I have a tendency to over pack and I knew I would over load the truck. Then we found the trailer for to hood of a deal to pass knowing it exceeded the limit of the truck.

Dually for the win!!! Just need to find a low mile white one with the same interior package!

How did the whole set up preform? How about chucking and pushing?

Can ya post a photo of your rear truck suspension please? I put bags on and regret it for unloaded ride quality and think sumos might have been the better option but then you can’t adjust them at all


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[Piper One]

Nailed it.... dually's aren't much fun once the trailer is un hooked....and I own one.

 

[scottydl]

So I have to disagree with those who argue that there's no case to be made for upgrading an SRW truck like this.

It’s not that there’s NO case, but the hassle factor of sufficiently upgrading a SRW and still always wondering if it’s “enough” seems… unnecessary. I mean sure, with a DRW you’d have a hard time getting into the downtown aquarium parking garage that one time. 😉 But otherwise, towing life would be good! And all those SRW upgrades sound pretty darn expensive.

My DRW has been my daily driver for close to 2 years now, and there are very few situations I’ve been in, for which I couldn’t fit or adapt. Heck I’ve never even towed a 5th wheel with it yet (although that’s why I bought it) but it did so awesome handling our travel trailer — even that improved experience is hard to not want forever.

 

[jharp]

Very nice setup! I’ve always thought truck manufacturers should offer a “Super SRW” option, basically what you have jdwarren. Not everyone wants to go Dually for towing. They advertise these duallies can tow over 30k now, but why not offer an SRW truck with factory 19.5’s that can tow 20k for example???

From a payload perspective there is a big gap between SRW and DRW - my long beg F350 (2020) had a payload of 3900 lbs roughly. My Dually GMC (2021) is at over 5200.

give us the super SRW option with a payload around 4500 lbs!