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Post by dennis823 on Feb 6, 2018 11:11:55 GMT -5
Need advise. Looking at the 231rk and wanting to know if anyone is towing this with a Ford 150. I have a 2012 5.0L with trailer tow package. pay load is 1540#. All the weight numbers seem to be ok. Just looking for real world advise from some one who has been there done that.
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Post by Chuck on Feb 6, 2018 14:37:20 GMT -5
Dennis
Ford states that your truck can tow up to 11,300 lbs an haul up to 3,100 lbs. so you well within the limit of you truck ...
To make sure I would look on your door an see what the GVWR is for your truck, looks like the Dry Hitch Weight is 860 which is well below the 3,100lbs an the Dry Axle Weight is 5,065, of the trailer so that is also well below the 11,200 pds Ford States so if you load the trailer up to the NCC (Net Carrying Capacity) of 1,075 which comes up to a GVWR 7,000 you are still well below what Ford States the truck can handle.
Will get to that weight, it depend if you want to pack everything including the kitchen since so to speak, some owners do if not get over but in the case i believe you wouldn't come close unless you packed allot of fire wood, generator an half your house LOL ...
You will increase your tongue/hitch weight by a few hundred not including your 5th wheel weight, then add the dog, kids, DW an yourself ... ...
The thing here is will you be able to stop in an emergency not be able to tow such, this is a big factor in pulling any trailer. Remember that most of your weight will be on the trailer axles, so I believe you will have more or less fully loaded right around 1000pds on your 5th wheel which is doable ...
Other may disagree, but if you buy such you need to weight it on a scale to make sure you even out the weight so you are not heavy on the front an light in the back thus making towing much more easy ...
Safe Travels
Chuck
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Post by dennis823 on Feb 6, 2018 17:29:24 GMT -5
Thanks Chuck,
My Truck has a 1540 lbs of payload and a max tow weight of 9300 lbs. (5.0, 3:73 gears and trailer tow package.) If i take the 1540 payload that is on the door and subtract people, fuel, hitch and the 860 lb pin weight I will only have about 0 lbs in reserve. I'm not sure if that is overloading the truck. We are very lite packers, having spent my younger years backpacking I watch every lb. I just don't want to make a mistake. Dennis
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Post by lynnmor on Feb 6, 2018 18:39:07 GMT -5
I don't know where the 860 lbs came from. You said pin weight and pin is a fifth wheel term. Is this a travel trailer or fifth wheel? The model number leads me to believe you are looking at a Sportsman LE 231RKLE.
Don't trust any published weights, check it yourself.
Without knowing all the details, I'll just say that the 231RKLE travel trailer is probably at the limit of what you should pull.
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Post by Chuck on Feb 7, 2018 13:58:40 GMT -5
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Post by lynnmor on Feb 7, 2018 15:54:18 GMT -5
Thanks, I didn't take the time to see that KZ put the travel trailers and fifth wheels on the same page. That 860 will likely grow quite a bit, then add in passengers, hitch and other items normally carried in the truck might push it over the limit. Dennis, my thought is that having to pack too light, not carrying water and pushing things to the limit makes for a less than pleasurable trip. Many people do it without even recognizing the issue, at least you are doing your homework.
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Post by dennis823 on Feb 7, 2018 18:12:29 GMT -5
Thanks for the input. I really like this trailer but don't want to buy a bigger truck. That being said I don't want to do something stupid. When they put the payload on the door does anyone know if that includes fuel?
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Post by rvdude on Feb 7, 2018 23:37:59 GMT -5
The Trailer Life Magazine 2018 Towing Guide came out recently. You might find some good information there.
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Post by lynnmor on Feb 8, 2018 10:47:28 GMT -5
Thanks for the input. I really like this trailer but don't want to buy a bigger truck. That being said I don't want to do something stupid. When they put the payload on the door does anyone know if that includes fuel? I believe that on page 262 of your owners manual is says that you will have the specified payload available with a full tank. Some trucks allow for a 150 pound driver, but yours does not. Personally, I would only buy a trailer at the limit of truck capacity if I only camped locally. You need to understand that wind resistance, cross winds, steep grades, sharp turns and crazy drivers are not considered in the truck specifications. I travel great distances and have seen all of the above and more. My F250 diesel has kept a smile on my face ever since I've owned it.
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Post by dennis823 on Feb 10, 2018 18:16:23 GMT -5
Thanks for all the input. Looks like i need to start looking at a 25ft tt.
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Post by doublewa on Feb 10, 2018 19:23:40 GMT -5
Need advise. Looking at the 231rk and wanting to know if anyone is towing this with a Ford 150. I have a 2012 5.0L with trailer tow package. pay load is 1540#. All the weight numbers seem to be ok. Just looking for real world advise from some one who has been there done that. Dennis, I concur with everyone here. I, myself, bought a RAM 3500 in anticipation that I was buying a camper and I did not want to be limited by my truck when purchasing. One of the channels is subscribe to just did a video about this very subject that I think you will find extremely helpful: youtu.be/qwFLOBrADBs
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Post by dennis823 on Feb 12, 2018 13:43:15 GMT -5
Thanks for the info, very informative video. I ran the numbers on the spread sheet that was provided, on the kz 231rk, and a zk 301rik that I own now. Also ran the numbers on a Flagstaff 25fbls that we like.
kz 231rk kz 301rik flagstaf 25flbs
available payload 209 489 358 new gvw 7179 6899 7030 new gcvw 13319 14299 13190
my truck gcvwr 15000
So if i understand what I'm looking at the flagstaff and the kz231rk will leave me with a little less then 2000 lb of reserve gcvw. While the kz 302rik Will leave me with 701 lbs. While the payload is the best on the 301rik. I'm not sure there is that much differs form one unit to the next. Any thoughts.
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Post by doublewa on Feb 12, 2018 14:18:15 GMT -5
Sounds like you are good to go Dennis. I was just hoping that the video would help answer your questions and give you peace of mind, and it sound like it has.
The only thing that I would add is (depending one where you plan on traveling) you might want to upgrade your brakes and possibly add a transmission cooler if you do not have one already. Not only will that help you tow and take strain off your truck, it's all around safer as well.
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Post by dennis823 on Feb 12, 2018 17:30:24 GMT -5
My truck was ordered with the trailer tow package so good to go on equipment. The video was great, and the spread sheet was a real eye opener. So I'm leaning toward the 5th wheel, 231rk, even though I will only have 200 lbs payload in reserve my gcvw will be about 1800 lb below max gcvwr of 15000. The only worry I have is how much sag will I have with the trailer attached. Some times I think I'm driving a 10 penny nail with to small hammer. It has been advised to add air bags. Thanks Dennis
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Post by Chuck on Feb 13, 2018 19:48:55 GMT -5
Dennis We had a great discussion over in the Durango Gold folder a while back about just such a thing (Air Bags, helper springs etc ... I have added Air lift an not Firestone Ride Rite air bags to my F350 DWD 4x4, like them allot, do not have the air compressor added on the truck, have a small one we carry that plugs into 12v ... Some of the others have helper springs added an think they are great, so again it's the old story what do you like Ford, Chevy or Dodge when it come to this question LOL ... The reason I like the air bags is a I can soften or harden the ride when needed, thus as a daily driver I lower the pressure to about 20psi, when I load the 5th wheel I up the the pressure to 45psi ... If I pull my flat bed trailer with a bumper hitch I use about 35PSI, with helper springs you have one setting an again some owners like this but not me ... I can tell you this the helper springs are far cheaper that the air bags, mine installed was $950 total with labor, an tax out the door.... I did fine a place that was $275 cheaper but they would not drill out one hole (enlarge) on each side of my 5th wheel frame attached to my truck frame an it was a different brand of Air bag from what I got, they were Air Lift an I have I am happy with what I have an they have been working great so far for the last year Safe travels an don't forget about the Kz National rally !!! Chuck
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Post by dennis823 on Feb 17, 2018 16:52:02 GMT -5
I would like to thank everyone for there help and advise. but i went to the dark side and bought a brand x. Again thanks to everyone.
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Post by Chuck on Feb 18, 2018 13:55:41 GMT -5
Your always welcome here no matter what brand you own Safe Travels Chuck
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