Towing an Airstream with Gen14, and ProPower 7.2

[kmayer]

the truck is basically on when in generator mode ...so keep your radio, ac, etc... off. And yes your wifi will be available.

What are your thoughts on if the WiFi provided by the truck is any better than using your phone as a hotspot? Thanks.

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[Fathardtail]

Ken, a WD hitch is all about shifting weight to the front of the tow vehicle from the back. It doesn't reduce or 'eliminate' some of that hitch weight from the tow vehicle when doing payload computations. You may want to watch this excellent discussion that explains why that's the case. Also, I don't see how you have accounted for the weight of your WD hitch in your description. It sounds like your Caravel's tongue weight, when weighed by your own scale, didn't include the weight of your WD hitch.

The conventional way to mathematically determine the amount of a truck's payload used by a trailer would be to add together a trailer's full tongue weight with its WD hitch weight. The better way, as you mention, is to use a 3-pad conventional scale. So hey, if the scales end up giving you the right numbers, that's what counts. Hope the F150 is everything you're expecting.

Jack

Thanks for that thoughtful reply Jack!

 

[daemonic3]

What are your thoughts on if the WiFi provided by the truck is any better than using your phone as a hotspot? Thanks.

The truck hotspot uses AT&T. I started my free trial because my family is Sprint/T-mo and we had horrible reception at a campground so I tried a 2nd carrier and it didn't change my luck too much.

I believe the free trial has a max of like 8GB or 3 months, whichever comes first? So you should sign up and give it one camping trip worth to see how you like it. I had trouble connecting more than 1 device and suspected it was a free trial thing but I didn't read the fine print since AT&T didn't really solve my problem.

Also, I was annoyed that the truck had to be ON, similar to the generator. I was thinking the wifi module would have been an independent subsystem but nope, seems to need the entire Sync unit on.

 

[kmayer]

The truck hotspot uses AT&T. I started my free trial because my family is Sprint/T-mo and we had horrible reception at a campground so I tried a 2nd carrier and it didn't change my luck too much.

I believe the free trial has a max of like 8GB or 3 months, whichever comes first? So you should sign up and give it one camping trip worth to see how you like it. I had trouble connecting more than 1 device and suspected it was a free trial thing but I didn't read the fine print since AT&T didn't really solve my problem.

Also, I was annoyed that the truck had to be ON, similar to the generator. I was thinking the wifi module would have been an independent subsystem but nope, seems to need the entire Sync unit on.

Thanks Terry. That is what I suspected would be the case. I know of other RVrs that have installed the weboost type systems, and those are not great either. In a few years, I’m sure there will be a solution to better connectivity for those of us that rv regularly.

 

[Fred&Wilma]

Ken, a WD hitch is all about shifting weight to the front of the tow vehicle from the back. It doesn't reduce or 'eliminate' some of that hitch weight from the tow vehicle when doing payload computations. You may want to watch this excellent discussion that explains why that's the case. Also, I don't see how you have accounted for the weight of your WD hitch in your description. It sounds like your Caravel's tongue weight, when weighed by your own scale, didn't include the weight of your WD hitch.

The conventional way to mathematically determine the amount of a truck's payload used by a trailer would be to add together a trailer's full tongue weight with its WD hitch weight. The better way, as you mention, is to use a 3-pad conventional scale. So hey, if the scales end up giving you the right numbers, that's what counts. Hope the F150 is everything you're expecting.

Jack

Thanks Jack - good point on the WD hitch. It weighs in at another 50lb.

 

[ricko24]

What are your thoughts on if the WiFi provided by the truck is any better than using your phone as a hotspot? Thanks.

I signed up for the unlimited yearly plan...as my son and wife will use when we are on long drives and campground stays where our Verizon service is weak. My son has a laptop and iPad that don't have LTE service also...so for long RV trips it's worth it to us. I also don't want them using their devices against my phone because I take a lot of WebEX/MS Teams calls on my phone for work.

 

[Jack in Prescott]

“I know of other RVrs that have installed the weboost type systems, and those are not great either. In a few years, I’m sure there will be a solution to better connectivity for those of us that rv regularly.”

Kevin, FWIW I significantly improved my WeBoost performance by physically nesting its Inside antenna with my phone and them hot spotting off the phone. I found an out of the way spot in the trailer where a small box could be mounted and the antennas cable could reach, and just plop the two together side by side. It’s not ‘the’ solution but it does insure you get the most benefit possible from the WeBoost.

Some RV’ers seem to think Starlink will be the answer but, even with a RV sized array, the power requirements are going to be a challenge...altho’ a Powerboost model would be an ideal solution to that.

Jack

 

[kmayer]

“I know of other RVrs that have installed the weboost type systems, and those are not great either. In a few years, I’m sure there will be a solution to better connectivity for those of us that rv regularly.”

Kevin, FWIW I significantly improved my WeBoost performance by physically nesting its Inside antenna with my phone and them hot spotting off the phone. I found an out of the way spot in the trailer where a small box could be mounted and the antennas cable could reach, and just plop the two together side by side. It’s not ‘the’ solution but it does insure you get the most benefit possible from the WeBoost.

Some RV’ers seem to think Starlink will be the answer but, even with a RV sized array, the power requirements are going to be a challenge...altho’ a Powerboost model would be an ideal solution to that.

Jack

Thanks for the tip Jack. I’ll pass your suggestion on to my friend using weboost to see if that helps. It does seem like weboost is the best alternative at least at the moment.

 

[biorchang]

So I ordered a PB XLT 4x4. After 2-3 weeks dealer told me yesterday it goes into production May 24th. Will post payload sticker when it arrives.

As promised, the stickers. Price with TTL was 51K.

Payload = 1690

 

[Jack in Prescott]

Great Powerboost payload! Congratulations.

Jack

 

[dannko58]

Thanks for the tip Jack. I’ll pass your suggestion on to my friend using weboost to see if that helps. It does seem like weboost is the best alternative at least at the moment.

Hi Starlink is not available for mobile use yet is it? I am getting it for my home in the country, but saw nothing for mobile.

 

[dannko58]

Great Powerboost payload! Congratulations.

Jack

Not bad, wonder if that would allow a 1000# hitch weight for an average truck load? I am getting a Lariat loaded, no moonroof, but sprayed bed and will add a rollaway cover. I ordered a smaller RV than I wanted to, kind of upset about this whole payload thing with the Powerboost.

 

[dhrandy]

Ken, a WD hitch is all about shifting weight to the front of the tow vehicle from the back. It doesn't reduce or 'eliminate' some of that hitch weight from the tow vehicle when doing payload computations. You may want to watch this excellent discussion that explains why that's the case. Also, I don't see how you have accounted for the weight of your WD hitch in your description. It sounds like your Caravel's tongue weight, when weighed by your own scale, didn't include the weight of your WD hitch.

The conventional way to mathematically determine the amount of a truck's payload used by a trailer would be to add together a trailer's full tongue weight with its WD hitch weight. The better way, as you mention, is to use a 3-pad conventional scale. So hey, if the scales end up giving you the right numbers, that's what counts. Hope the F150 is everything you're expecting.

Jack

Thanks Jack - good point on the WD hitch. It weighs in at another 50lb.

Some of them weigh upwards of 100 lbs.

Not bad, wonder if that would allow a 1000# hitch weight for an average truck load? I am getting a Lariat loaded, no moonroof, but sprayed bed and will add a rollaway cover. I ordered a smaller RV than I wanted to, kind of upset about this whole payload thing with the Powerboost.

Easy payload calculation. Add people, gear, weight of the weight distribution, any accessories you add (floor mats, bed liner, bed mat... etc). Also add hitch weight. A good average of hitch weight is your camper GVWR x 12.5%. Worst case would be x 15%. Now match this outcome to your payload sticker on the door. If you are distributing weight in your camper, be sure not to distribute to much at the back. You'd rather your trailer to be a little hitch heavy. And obviously use a weight distribution hitch if you are towing more than 50% of your tow vehicle weight.

Here's a little cheat sheet that helps. It also has a built in safety factor. Feel free to download it to use. I add different tabs to measure with different campers.

Payload Calculator
Backup - Google Drive Payload Calculator

 

[dannko58]

Some of them weigh upwards of 100 lbs.



Easy payload calculation. Add people, gear, weight of the weight distribution, any accessories you add (floor mats, bed liner, bed mat... etc). Also add hitch weight. A good average of hitch weight is your camper GVWR x 12.5%. Worst case would be x 15%. Now match this outcome to your payload sticker on the door. If you are distributing weight in your camper, be sure not to distribute to much at the back. You'd rather your trailer to be a little hitch heavy. And obviously use a weight distribution hitch if you are towing more than 50% of your tow vehicle weight.

Here's a little cheat sheet that helps. It also has a built in safety factor. Feel free to download it to use. I add different tabs to measure with different campers.

Payload Calculator

I went out to my 2001 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4 and looked, NO DAMN PAYLOAD sticker, that's when trucks where trucks, LOL.

 

[MnTom]

We'd prefer to order a fairly loaded Platinum but might downgrade to KR base to gain some payload.

Avoid the power tailgate, glass roof, and 20” wheels if you need payload. My PB King Ranch Mac Tow came in at 1575 lbs payload with those omitted

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