Need some help determining TV for a Reflection 311

**FLTom52** · 05-14-2017, 08:33 AM

So I haven't bought a TV yet-- whether it's a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck. I do not want dual wheels.
Whether it's a gasser or diesel needs to be determined and if I want ( or need) to pay $9k extra for a diesel. There are gassers that can tow over 15k# with a payload of 4K.
The Reflection 311 has a max weight of 14k, and 11,185 empty.Here's what I don't know. The three tanks ( fresh, gray and waste ) hold a total of 210 gallons which is 1680# of weight.
I will never tow with those loaded. So if I subtract that from the 14k, that leaves 12,320 as my max weight. Can I assume that is correct, because if so it opens up a lot more options for my TV.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**kevinpo** · 05-14-2017, 08:54 AM

Hello,
Here is a sticker from a delivered unit. You can see the weight is 11,310 but this is without propane tanks filled and without a battery. To this number you would need to add the stuff you plan on loading into the trailer.

Regards,
Kevin

https://cdn1.rvtrader.com/v1/media/5...768&quality=70

**FLTom52** · 05-14-2017, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by kevinpo

Hello,
Here is a sticker from a delivered unit. You can see the weight is 11,310 but this is without propane tanks filled and without a battery. To this number you would need to add the stuff you plan on loading into the trailer.

Regards,
Kevin

https://cdn1.rvtrader.com/v1/media/5...768&quality=70

Thanks Kevin. So how much weight would a full fill of propane and the batteries add on to the 11,310. 500#?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**caziii767** · 05-14-2017, 08:22 PM

Hello, We have a 2015 F250 Superduty Diesel 4 x 4 and it handles our 311 just fine. It is not a dualie and it has the 6.6ft bed. We also have a B & W Companion hitch mounted in the bed. Works just fine so far.. Just my two cents.

**Jerryr** · 05-14-2017, 08:32 PM

I recently went through this decision because I was purchasing a Reflection 337, with the same 13,999 gross as the 311 you're looking at. A 1 ton F-350 gave me more than 1000 lbs payload over a similar equipped F-250. I bought the F-350 diesel and it's great. It rides the same as the 250s I test drove. It's a great truck.

**BabyBober** · 05-14-2017, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by FLTom52

So I haven't bought a TV yet-- whether it's a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck. I do not want dual wheels.
Whether it's a gasser or diesel needs to be determined and if I want ( or need) to pay $9k extra for a diesel. There are gassers that can tow over 15k# with a payload of 4K.
The Reflection 311 has a max weight of 14k, and 11,185 empty.Here's what I don't know. The three tanks ( fresh, gray and waste ) hold a total of 210 gallons which is 1680# of weight.
I will never tow with those loaded. So if I subtract that from the 14k, that leaves 12,320 as my max weight. Can I assume that is correct, because if so it opens up a lot more options for my TV.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Your tanks only come into play if you have something in them. You still have 14k gross weight which you can load up any way you want ( more water = less stuff). If you were at max trailer weight you will have 3k in pin weight assuming 20-22% pin weight. I went through the same decisions with our 303. A3/4 ton gasser would stay within vehicle load rating, a diesel, nope... 1 ton all the way. Cost difference between 3/4 and 1 was $1200 retail equally equipped.

**FLTom52** · 05-14-2017, 09:24 PM

Thanks for the replies. The info is invaluable. Baby Bober I was looking at the weight in another way, i.e if I never towed with any water in the tanks then in reality I would only need a TV that could handle around 12.5k. But if indeed as Jerry said above, if the 350 does indeed ride like the 250, then that might make a difference in my decision. But if I keep the weight below 13k pretty sure the 250 can do it well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Jerryr** · 05-14-2017, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by FLTom52

Thanks for the replies. The info is invaluable. Baby Bober I was looking at the weight in another way, i.e if I never towed with any water in the tanks then in reality I would only need a TV that could handle around 12.5k. But if indeed as Jerry said above, if the 350 does indeed ride like the 250, then that might make a difference in my decision. But if I keep the weight below 13k pretty sure the 250 can do it well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With a 13,000 weight your pin weight will be around 2,800 lbs. I expect that would exceed a typical 3/4 ton F-250s actual Payload on the door sticker even before you load passengers, 5th wheel hitch and cargo in your truck. Will it handle be able to tow it? Sure it will but some like me wouldn't feel comfortable exceeding payload. My F-350 Lariat SRW 4WD diesel has a payload sticker of 3500 lbs. The F-250s I looked that were similarly equipped at were around 2200 lbs.

If you get a gas engine 2WD you would gain payload but give up torque and ability to tow in grass or dirt. This weekend I was parked in a friends horse pasture and needed 4WD.

I assume your in Florida based on you forum name. Some Florida big cities don't have much in stock F-350s. You will find them mostly in rural areas where there are horses or cattle ranches. You should drive an F-350 and an F-250 and compare them. It doesn't drive like my Lexus but the F-350 rides pretty nice.

**Jerryr** · 05-14-2017, 11:45 PM

Let me add one more thing. Diesel Engine Brake is great. Whenever I tow I activate the Engine Brake and it really helps slow down the truck/trailer. Much less wear on truck brakes and it's seamless.

**kevinpo** · 05-15-2017, 04:28 AM

So how much weight would a full fill of propane and the batteries add on to the 11,310. 500#?

Depends on the battery quantity but you can figure 50# ea. the propane is 60# for both tanks. My Ram 3500 rides just a good as my F250 and has a better turning radius.

Regards,
Kevin