New Solitude 378MBS Results with 3500HD SRW

[SilveradoSandberg]

As a preface, I understand a DRW truck is in order here in the long term and it is in the plans, but I was somewhat surprised to how I came out on my 3500HD SRW as we just picked up our new 2021 Grand Design Solitude 378MBS yesterday.

After all I read about how this would probably never work, it looks like I just made it legally for my payload on the truck, tires, and axles. What did I miss or did I just barely pull it off?

• 2019 Silverado 4x4 Crew 3500HD SRW
• 5th wheel was light to medium loaded compared to how we usually travel
• Truck 90% full tank of diesel
• about 100lbs of tools not usually along for the ride need for new 5th delivery
• empty fresh, gray, and black tanks
• wife was along with me and in the truck with me

[Fsalmy]

Looks like you are dead on the GVWR (4940+6560=11,500), pretty good on FAWR and 90 lbs under your RAWR. What does your payload sticker indicate? Do you have a scaled weight for just your tow vehicle? Interested in what your pin weight is.

We pick up our 378 in a few days. UVW on it is 15,220 LB without propane, batteries and w/d combo. UVW does include generator, dual pane windows, 3rd a/c and solar.

[Wileykid]

Like you have said, you are just under the numbers (490 lbs under the RAWR). Do you have CAT scale numbers of just the truck in the same configuration (weight)? With that, you will be able to figure the pin weight, and the actual weight of the trailer, which you can figure out the pin weight percentage. If that is high, you may be able to load the trailer more to the rear, and unload some of the weight on the truck.

[SilveradoSandberg]

I should have weighed just the tow vehicle as that would have told me pin weight which would be very helpful.

Come to find, the dealer had the fresh water tank about 75% full and I believe that tank is forward of the trailer axles, so maybe some more pin weight on the truck could be saved. The one other factor that I thought of that I am not sure how much it comes into play is that I need to lower my hitch as the trailer was certainly pitched up in the front (I did not notice until we were on our way). It is my understand that puts more weight on the trailer axels, but again, not sure of the exact way to figure that and I am sure there are many factors into play with that.

The camper is back in it's season spot, but I am temped to take it out after being leveled while towing, empty the fresh water tank, and get a separate weight on the tow vehicle.

[NB Canada]

I am just waiting for the ten or so on here saying you are overloaded because you need a 80 percent margin


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[KWinters3865]

we plan ordering our 378MBS-R in a few months and pulling it with a F350SRW. If you can say, how much off MSRP were you able to negotiate in todays climate? Going full time this winters. Thanks

[Heavysledz]

I know this is off topic a bit but my brother just sold his home and bought a 5th wheel toy hauler to live in while he moves to Florida and builds a new house. I was astonished when I saw his weights were when he showed me his CAT Scale receipt. Fortunately, he has a Ram 4500 DRW that has a custom 10' bed on it. He does get quite a few looks driving down the road given how long his truck is....I have no idea what the tow/load ratings are for a 4500 but that is a lot of weight no matter how you look at it. He is on day 3 of his journey from Boise, Idaho to Florida and so far he said it has done great other than his mileage (avg. 7.5mpg). He has no airbags or any sort of supplemental suspension enhancements. I am guessing his pin weight is around 4K lbs and the truck sits level!

SteerAxle: 5620
Drive Axle: 9500
Trailer Axle: 17060
Total Weight: 32180

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[A.Texas.Yankee]

I know this is off topic a bit but my brother just sold his home and bought a 5th wheel toy hauler to live in while he moves to Florida and builds a new house. I was astonished when I saw his weights were when he showed me his CAT Scale receipt. Fortunately, he has a Ram 4500 DRW that has a custom 10' bed on it. He does get quite a few looks driving down the road given how long his truck is....I have no idea what the tow/load ratings are for a 4500 but that is a lot of weight no matter how you look at it. He is on day 3 of his journey from Boise, Idaho to Florida and so far he said it has done great other than his mileage (avg. 7.5mpg). He has no airbags or any sort of supplemental suspension enhancements. I am guessing his pin weight is around 4K lbs and the truck sits level!

SteerAxle: 5620
Drive Axle: 9500
Trailer Axle: 17060
Total Weight: 32180

.

4500 will have higher payload capacity, but less towing capacity. I wouldn't be surprised if he was under max in payload and over max in towing.

Newly full timing in our 2021 Momentum 395MS-R with our tow pig being a 2021 F-450 KR

[Heavysledz]

4500 will have higher payload capacity, but less towing capacity. I wouldn't be surprised if he was under max in payload and over max in towing.

Newly full timing in our 2021 Momentum 395MS-R with our tow pig being a 2021 F-450 KR

Very well likely could be....I told him he didn't need to haul 150 gallons of fresh water with him....he owns a car transport service and does that for a living so I am sure he is used to hauling heavy loads....

[A.Texas.Yankee]

Very well likely could be....I told him he didn't need to hug 150 gallons of fresh water with him....he owns a car transport service and does that for a living so I am sure he is used to hauling heavy loads....

I was surprised in all my research to learn the medium duty trucks actually could pull less. Some were even about 15k lbs. trailer towing, but with payloads over 8k. Crazy.

Newly full timing in our 2021 Momentum 395MS-R with our tow pig being a 2021 F-450 KR