First time poster here, However: I have been reading the forums for quite a while and have found some very useful information here and I want to thank everyone for that.

I currently have a 2004 XLT 4.6 3.55 4x2 145" WB Regular Cab Maximum Trailer Weight 6500#, GVWR 6800#. I have recently purchased a 2005 Superlite TT rated at 4126 Dry Weight, I have taking into consideration the truck and trailer will weight more after loading up for a camping trip and I have performed the calculations and feel I am within weight specs. I am however concerned about Horse Power and am curious about any modifications that may be beneficial. i.e.: exhaust system, cold air induction, performance chip tuning, gear ratio etc.

I have spoken with Troyer Performance about cold air, cat back exhaust and SCT Livewire with some custom tunes and I am currently awaiting a quote.

By the way, Weight Distribution Hitch with Dual Cam Sway Control and Prodigy Break Controler are already on order.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

You will be able to pull that trailer with little to no problems depending on grade. It would be an easy cheap swap to change your gears since your only 2WD. It would be well worth the $$$ to swap out to a 3.73 or 4.10. Depending on how often your going to tow and what type if distance and terrain will be your deciding factors. You will have no problems with the 4.10. The 3.73 will give you more grunt than you have now for towing and will be easier on your pocket at the pumps if it's a daily driver. Good choice on the DC and Prodigy. Once you get used to the DC poping noises during turns you will really like it. When you first hear it, you will think that the trailer is coming off the truck. Congrats on the TT purchase!

 

4126 dry? Have you weighed it? If it was dry you will be ok. Figure 1100 lbs of gear. Does it have an AC? Awning? Was it weighed with those from the factory or were they added? Will you be able to pull it? Yes. Gas mileage is going to suffer so just set a proper expecation level for yourself. Figure half or less of your daily drive mpg.


Momma gave the the launch codes for another truck. Mike Troyer can do some amazing things with those engines...my advice is to just set a proper expectation level and you won't be disappointed.

 

No I have not weighed it (yet), 4126# dry is what the manufacture spec sheet says, the AC is Factory installed and I feel confident it was included in that weight, the awning was an extra addition (and that was a good point to bring up) thanks.

Once I get set up to tow I am planning on having the truck weighed separately and then the whole unit truck and TT together.

 

First, set up your truck and tow with it a couple times. THen, evaluate how much more power you really need.

You can spend $1200 on intake, exhaust, and new engine/trans cals, but a $500 gear swap will be better than all those combined. If you have stock sized tires (30-31"), then 4.10:1 ratio would be good. If you have or plan on using larger 33" tires, then 4.56. You shouldn't need anything else.

 

3 things to never trust:
Car Salesmen
Trailer Sticker weights
RV Sales people when they say, "of course you can tow that with a half ton"

Best way to weigh your TT.

First, load your truck with a full tank of gas and passengers. Then go weight it. (if you are putting a lot of stuff in your bed, put that in there to, grill, stoves, cooler, ice, bikes, LP tanks etc. Then just go weight your truck. Get a reading on that. Or weigh it with just you and a full tank of gas to get a accurate curb weight.

Then take your TT to the SAME scale and weight both, sub tract your TV weight and that will give you the unloaded weight of the camper. (dry)

Then if you want, load the TT up with your gear and go weigh it again...see how fast your stuff adds up. Food, TV's, DVD, plates, pots, chairs, sheets blah blah blah.

I suspect you are going to come in 900-1100 #'s over the dry weight.

I also suspect that you have 30/30/30 gal tanks. So for a weekend you fill up your gray tank, 30 gals. 8.3 lbs per gallon. When you come home from your trip, you are going to be heavy.

Add: 249 #'s of gray water
Add: 125 #'s of black
drain your fresh....so that makes 373.5 extra lbs. Doesn't sound like much eh?

You'll feel it.

4126 dry
150 lbs Awning (guessing)
700 lbs of gear (guessing)
LP tanks, 45 lbs each
Battery, 25 lbs
holding tanks from above 373.5

Total: 5439.5 you should be ok with this but you won't win any land speed records. Just remember the 80% rule. Try not to go over 80% of the GCVW.

I suspect that your AC wasn't weighed with the dry weight b/c its not considered "standard". Only way to know is to call the manufacture and ask.

Jayco's weigh with awning and AC and LP and battery for "dry" weights.

JP

 

All this information and input is exactly what I needed, thanks everyone for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate it.