Hotrodjohn
Well-known member
You will see variations in mpg. I have gotten over 13 mpg and in a windstorm head on I have gotten 7. That’s a dually and they get worse mileage.
2025 310RL
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justdee
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Sticker on my truck
CAT Scale on the truck alone, nothing in it but a full tank of diesel and DEF.
Steer Axle - 4900 lb
Drive Axle - 3660 lb
Gross Weight - 8560 lb
It may be a couple of weeks before I make it to the scale with truck and trailer. When I do, I will post the results.
One thing to consider if you get a fully loaded Denali. It will probably come with a moon roof as a standard option. I have been told, and have not verified this, that the moon roof adds roughly 300 lbs to the trucks weight. That's a lot of extra weight when you start trying to haul any 5th wheel.
CAT Scale on the truck alone, nothing in it but a full tank of diesel and DEF.
Steer Axle - 4900 lb
Drive Axle - 3660 lb
Gross Weight - 8560 lb
It may be a couple of weeks before I make it to the scale with truck and trailer. When I do, I will post the results.
One thing to consider if you get a fully loaded Denali. It will probably come with a moon roof as a standard option. I have been told, and have not verified this, that the moon roof adds roughly 300 lbs to the trucks weight. That's a lot of extra weight when you start trying to haul any 5th wheel.
justdee
Well-known member
Your garage is plenty big, the 16' height will be a blessing for you.
I really did not want to go with a dually. And we did not want to go with a rig over 35' and 15K GVWR. I felt, after considerable research, that the SRW 3500 with the Duramax was more than capable to do the job. While a dually is always the better of the two options, I still opted for the SRW.
I am just as curious as you guys on my real world numbers of both truck and trailer combined.
Due to some family matters beyond our control, elderly in-laws we just recently put in assisted living, we won't be hitting the road for any extended periods until February or March. Though we are hoping to sneak in a couple of quick get aways to local state or COE parks.
Hotrodjohn
Well-known member
Interesting. Your payload is approx my pin weight on 340rl. Keep in mind payload is also you and the wife and dogs on top of the pin weight of the trailer. Even the groceries lol. Adds up REALLY FAST
justdee
Well-known member
No, didn't have a generator installed. We have no plans do the 'dry camping' experience. Had we ordered the trailer, I would have had the dual pane windows installed. But I have heard a lot of cons regarding those, so it was an option I can live without.
We did have them add three options.
1. The slide toppers, in white to match the new exterior color pattern. I know there are cons to these as well, but I felt the pros were worth having them.
2. We had the dealer install a washer and dryer. These do take up some considerable closet space, but my wife was aware of this beforehand and she's happy we got them.
3. 8' foam mattress $400 off Amazon
4. And the big one for me was the GEN-Y gooseneck. I did not want to give up my truck bed, nor add that extra weight to the trucks GVW. For the 5th wheel hitch, I was told it would cost around $2500 for a good one. The Gen-Y was around $2400, so a wash out on the cost. I could have saved money and installed the Gen-Y myself, but from what I've heard, it is a two or three man job. I just didn't want to deal with it. I was driving from Texas to Tennessee and I wanted it ready to go when I got there.
I did buy the Lippert Door Kit from Lippert and installed those three pieces myself when I got home. The kit is $105, plus shipping, from Lippert.
Future upgrades; TPMS kit and Camera System for the trailer, and some sort of leveling product for the truck
justdee
Well-known member
I'm aware. Trust me, I've been studying the numbers and it will be close for sure. Imagine if I had the 5th wheel system mounted in the bed. How much would that have added just to the truck?
What cracks me up is every dealership I went to and I asked them if my truck is good enough to pull any of the current 35' models, regardless of brand, they all said "Yes, that 3500 Duramax can pull any trailer on the lot!" While that is true, it doesn't mean that it should. Heck, any 1500 series truck will pull a 44' trailer down the street, doesn't mean it is a wise thing to do.
Hotrodjohn
Well-known member
YepI'm aware. Trust me, I've been studying the numbers and it will be close for sure. Imagine if I had the 5th wheel system mounted in the bed. How much would that have added just to the truck?
What cracks me up is every dealership I went to and I asked them if my truck is good enough to pull any of the current 35' models, regardless of brand, they all said "Yes, that 3500 Duramax can pull any trailer on the lot!" While that is true, it doesn't mean that it should. Heck, any 1500 series truck will pull a 44' trailer down the street, doesn't mean it is a wise thing to do.
I ordered my 340 with the salesman “advice “. Had a single rear wheel Duramax. Was way over empty. Was totally pissed off even got in touch with Alliance. No help at all from anyone. I drove 862 miles in one do to trade my truck for a dually…….. lesson learned the hard way
Fishfnatic
Well-known member
We have a 2024 310 rl and I did quick weigh in on road wife not in but everything else as we are full time. We have a 2023 f350 dually and we had 7400 on drive axle
Hotrodjohn
Well-known member
You will be closeYou guys have me worried now..
Hotrodjohn
Well-known member
7580 for me without wife hahaha also. Chevy dually and 340rl oh and minus two dogs also
15K GVW is my grey area for SRW vs. dually. Once you cross 16K you are solidly in dually land.
I believe more margin is always better vs. being close to your limits.
Also being within all your towing parameters delivers betters performance vs. being within some of them.
None of this really significant on a clear sunny day with no traffic.
But on a bad weather day, in heavy traffic, when conditions are less than ideal having enough truck makes a huge difference.
I believe more margin is always better vs. being close to your limits.
Also being within all your towing parameters delivers betters performance vs. being within some of them.
None of this really significant on a clear sunny day with no traffic.
But on a bad weather day, in heavy traffic, when conditions are less than ideal having enough truck makes a huge difference.
justdee
Well-known member
Agreed.
I keep thinking that we are not full timers and we will not have the trailer loaded to 15K. Empty weight is 'supposed' to be 12,400. But we did add the slide toppers, the Gen-Y, and the washer/dryer. Couple hundred more pounds for our junk. Still probably under 13,500?
Hotrodjohn
Well-known member
Ya mainly for me it was the Lawers and me not wanting to kill someone
Hotrodjohn
Well-known member
I completely understand. Mine paid for 2 lol. She goes inside for the winter and takes a nap for the next two years then we escape the winter….😗😀😀😀Well, I'm not man enough to tell my wife that the truck we just paid cash for, plus the extended warranty, needs to be traded in for a dually.
justdee
Well-known member
Okay, just in from Love's. Results are not good.
Me in the truck, full diesel, full DEF, RV attached with basic 'hit the road' load out in the storage bays. Nothing inside the unit. No dishes, pots & pans etc., tanks empty.
Steer Axle 4960
Drive Axle 7000
Trailer Axle 10,640
GW 22,600
Remember my trucks sticker.
Me in the truck, full diesel, full DEF, RV attached with basic 'hit the road' load out in the storage bays. Nothing inside the unit. No dishes, pots & pans etc., tanks empty.
Steer Axle 4960
Drive Axle 7000
Trailer Axle 10,640
GW 22,600
Remember my trucks sticker.
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It's within spec. now, but you mentioned RV was not fully loaded. No pots and pans, empty tanks etc.
There are ratings you can fudge by a few pounds however axle rating is not one of them. Axle rating is a true do not exceed figure.
Yes you have 250#s to spare now and that OK .....if you don't plan to cook with pots and Pans! Or carry any passengers!
Too close for comfort!
There are ratings you can fudge by a few pounds however axle rating is not one of them. Axle rating is a true do not exceed figure.
Yes you have 250#s to spare now and that OK .....if you don't plan to cook with pots and Pans! Or carry any passengers!
Too close for comfort!
Ditto on the Timbrens. I installed them on my 2017 6.7L SD That I use to pull my 2024 Paradigm 340RL. Nicer to drive the truck when it’s more level, not nose up. Degrades the ride a little, but mostly when you traverse sudden elevation changes like a bridge abutment, etc
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