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Notso727 · 07-30-2023, 12:39 PM

1. New here. We've been thinking about getting an Airstream since 2017 and (now that the prices are higher!) finally pulled the trigger. Bought a very lightly used 2021 27FBT Globetrotter a few weeks ago followed by an F250 diesel the day after. After taking a deeeeep breath for spending all of that, we have taken them out twice now for an overnight each just to work through how to use it and figuring out the systems. (Thank you to the these forums and alot of YouTube videos!)

2. This morning took it to the CAT Scales to get some numbers but missed one step- weighing without the WD hooked up! So I have just the TV and the TV and TT with WD on (GCVW).

Soooo I thinkkk I have a good grip on what I'm looking at. I attached a a spreadsheet that I got from Keep Your Daydream that breaks down my numbers. The only thing I don't have a good grip on is what my true tongue weight is since I had WD on. I think I'm only nervous about that for % of trailer weight and payload since this truck has a surprisingly low payload of 2078 due to it being a Platinum and has the snowplow kit (I think that's why it's a little lower than comparable Platinum 6.7L 250's)

The trailer came in "light" at 6000 but I think that's because some of the weight was transferred to the TV BUT if I do straight math of (GCVW - TV) I get 6760' which makes sense for a lightly loaded (25% Fresh), 2nd AC and Solar 27' GT. The UVW is listed at 6100'. I thinkkk I can extrapolate payload weight of 860 from the TT on the truck but I don't think I can do an accurate tongue weight with the tickets I have.

I just want to make sure we're safe and get a baseline to start from. I don't love the way the truck drives. We have a BO Sway Pro with 1500' bars and it doesn't sway but it does porpoise slightly on highway joints and bumps. You can feel the TT back there for sure- with no experience with this heavy of a load that might be normal. It doesn't feel unsafe or push the truck it's just unsettling as a noob to feel it back there.

Here's the tickets and spreadsheet for your review. All inputs welcome. Thanks in advance.

**richard5933** · 07-30-2023, 01:16 PM

Not seeing the CAT ticket for the truck alone - looks like you posted the combination rig's ticket twice.

mikeinca · 07-30-2023, 01:27 PM

There are folks here with a lot more CAT scale experience than I have so I'll leave it to them to comment on your weight numbers.

I also have a Platinum F250 diesel. Mine has the Max tow option that was available in 2017 that included a helper spring added to the main spring pack. In any event, I also experienced some porpoising under the conditions you describe. My solution was to replace the stock shocks, which I believe are softer than they should be, with a set a Bilstein 4600 gas shocks. Ride unladen with the Bilsteins is a bit firmer than stock which I actually prefer. More importantly, they work great when towing and the porpoise effect was greatly reduced on my truck.

Good luck with your new tow combo.

Notso727 · 07-30-2023, 01:31 PM

Thanks, corrected.

CharlesinGA · 07-30-2023, 02:24 PM

Really need a weigh with the WD hitch bars released to get accurate weights on the trailer.

Charles

Fungus · 07-31-2023, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesinGA

Really need a weigh with the WD hitch bars released to get accurate weights on the trailer.

Charles

Yep.

Use this sheet for your calcs. https://fifthwheelst.com/documents/w..._cat_scale.pdf. Then plug it into their calculator.

jeffmc306 · 07-31-2023, 06:05 PM

Notso727, we also have a 3/4 ton truck, 27’ Globetrotter and a Blue Ox SwayPro setup.

I started with 1500# bars thinking the 1100 lbs of tongue weight would need it. On a long trip to Colorado the trailer felt rigid and the cushions were on the floor. I lowered the tire pressure to 65 PSI cold and still found cushions on the floor and a few popped rivets inside. The worst thing was the telltale indentations in the corners of the front compartment (potential front end separation).

I switched back to 1000# bars with 3 1/2 links showing and haven’t looked back. What you’ll find with your F250 is the Blue Ox will manage the sway with less tension and you really don’t need to worry about transferring weight to the front axle. Your truck has enough capacity and mass that 1000# bars will do the job and not tear up your trailer.

Ours was diagnosed with front end separation by JC and repaired. You have plenty of truck so enjoy your new setup!

KCurtis · 07-31-2023, 07:55 PM

The biggest issue with 3/4 Ron diesels is payload. That diesel engine eats it up quickly. I discovered this when I went from a 1/2 ton to a 1 ton Dually. Payload was the biggest issue for me and the way we travel.

Notso727 · 08-01-2023, 11:16 AM

This stuff is overwhelming! There's so many variables and so little testing other than spending your hard earned money to un-scientifically try it and see how it rides subjectively. And the cost of error is frightening. I mean there's no other way really, but try to find what's worked for others and go from there.

Thanks for all the input so far. I just ponied up the money and bought a Sherline to at least get that "definitive" answer. I'll try to reweigh without WD this weekend. I think I'm good, safety and limits wise. Now it's just tightening up the ride "feel" (porpoising), check payload remaining and making sure we're not damaging the baby!

Bill M. · 08-01-2023, 12:30 PM

I do not think you really need any more weights. You seem to be setup just fine. You are returning all but 100 lbs to the front axle. You know how much weight you are adding to the truck to count against payload. You know you are under the axle ratings. I just do not see the value in the 3rd pass with the WD not connected. I have managed to pull my trailer for 17 years with just those 2 passes. I can live without knowing the actual unhitched tongue weight.