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Old 03-01-2015, 02:16 PM   #1
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2015 Cruise Aire 33 re ..need advice

Hi all, I'm a new guy here and I'm here to solicit advice and comments regarding a potential purchase of a Cruise Aire 33re, a three slide TT.

My tow vehicle is a 2012 Chevrolet Express 3500 extended van w/ 6.o Gas and 3.41 re, auto trans.

Questions, first does any one have one of these and if they are satisfied. Second loaded and empty weight leaving the factory, and loaded weight. Third useable cargo capacity at loaded weight.
Lastly, do you think my TV can handle this TT, anyone towing with a van like mine.

Looking forward to your input
Thanks
Vinve
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Old 03-01-2015, 02:24 PM   #2
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2015 Cruise Aire 33 re ..need advice

CAT33RE - CrossRoads RV
this site should help
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Old 03-01-2015, 06:28 PM   #3
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Vinney, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but don't do it! The Chevy Express has a towing capacity of 6000 lbs, while the Cruise Aire 33re has an EMPTY weight of 8244 lbs, and loaded to it's GVWR capacity, it's at 11,078lbs. The difference between empty and GVWR is what you can carry on the trailer's axles, including water, tanks, propane, battery, and all your stuff. Your answer is a smaller TT or a larger TV.
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Old 03-01-2015, 06:41 PM   #4
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Hello and welcome from Mebane, NC. That is a big trailer at 36'6" and 8283 lbs dry weight. I do not know what your van is rated for on cargo capacity or towing capacity. Absolute best thing to do is to weigh your van with all passengers, pets and gear that will be in it when towing plus a full tank of fuel. Take the scaled weight of the van and subtract from its gcwr to get your adjusted towing capacity. Subtract the scaled weight from the vans gvwr to get your available payload capacity. The loaded tt weight needs to be be low the adjusted towing capacity and the loaded tongue weight needs to be lower than your available payload. The changingears.com website is a great tool for information and calculations.

Now on to your next question, you will not likely hit the 11064 lb gvwr on the trailer. On average people tend to add 1000-1500 lbs of stuff to a trailer (ie propane tanks, battery, chairs, pots/pans, toiletries, etc add up quickly). So you are likely looking at 9200-9700 lbs loaded trailer weight, you may be heavier or lighter depending on how you load. Ideal tongue weight is 13-15% of loaded tt weight. This means you are looking at a possible tongue weight of 1196-1425 lbs depending on how you load.

The other thing to think about is wheelbase. How long is the wheel base on that van? If it has a short wheel base you may get a lot of tail wagging the dog, longer wheel base you may be ok as long as you are within weights.
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Old 03-02-2015, 04:23 PM   #5
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Thanks for responding to the conversation, it is appreciated

What I do Know from the manual is the van, a 3500 extended passenger van, as set up with a 6.0 gas, and 341 re is 9500 lb towing capacity and 16,000 gross. the wheel base is 155 inches
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Old 03-02-2015, 04:24 PM   #6
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Hello and welcome from Mebane, NC. That is a big trailer at 36'6" and 8283 lbs dry weight. I do not know what your van is rated for on cargo capacity or towing capacity. Absolute best thing to do is to weigh your van with all passengers, pets and gear that will be in it when towing plus a full tank of fuel. Take the scaled weight of the van and subtract from its gcwr to get your adjusted towing capacity. Subtract the scaled weight from the vans gvwr to get your available payload capacity. The loaded tt weight needs to be be low the adjusted towing capacity and the loaded tongue weight needs to be lower than your available payload. The changingears.com website is a great tool for information and calculations.

Now on to your next question, you will not likely hit the 11064 lb gvwr on the trailer. On average people tend to add 1000-1500 lbs of stuff to a trailer (ie propane tanks, battery, chairs, pots/pans, toiletries, etc add up quickly). So you are likely looking at 9200-9700 lbs loaded trailer weight, you may be heavier or lighter depending on how you load. Ideal tongue weight is 13-15% of loaded tt weight. This means you are looking at a possible tongue weight of 1196-1425 lbs depending on how you load.

The other thing to think about is wheelbase. How long is the wheel base on that van? If it has a short wheel base you may get a lot of tail wagging the dog, longer wheel base you may be ok as long as you are within weights.
Thanks for responding to the conversation, it is appreciated

What I do Know from the manual is the van, a 3500 extended passenger van, as set up with a 6.0 gas, and 341 re is 9500 lb towing capacity and 16,000 gross. the wheel base is 155 inches
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Old 03-02-2015, 05:11 PM   #7
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I think this is going to be a bit too much trailer for your van. Your predicted loaded weights are way to close to max weights before accounting for passengers, gear etc. Look inside your drivers door, there will be a tire loading sticker that says "all occupants and cargo should weigh less than x lbs." this is the vans payload before accounting for passengers etc. What is the number on that sticker?
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Old 03-02-2015, 06:13 PM   #8
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Old 03-02-2015, 07:30 PM   #9
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Hmmm..... that is interesting. You have a very high cargo capacity but a low towing capacity. Depending on what and who is in the van you would likely be ok on tongue weight but you are limited by the vans weakest element, the tow capacity. Every pound in the vehicle will detract from that tow capacity. Ie 300 lbs of people would take towing capacity down to 9200 lbs. Towing capacity is determined by gross combined vehicle weight (gcwr) minus actual vehicle weight (scaled weight). Another question for you is does your van have a tow package on it giving you things like heavy duty tranny cooler etc? What is your hitch rated at? Not all class V hitches are rated the same ie chevy silverado 2500 and 3500 short bed has hitch rating to 1500 lbs. Chevy Silverado 2500 and 3500 long bed hitch is rated to 2000 lbs (learned this one when shopping for my current truck).
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Old 03-02-2015, 07:52 PM   #10
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Gross combined vw is 16000.
I have to check on the other values in the light of day.. tomorrow. I'll post as soon as i get it.

Thanks again for the help.!!!


ps I need the van bc we travel with 6 Rottweilers and cant get it done with a pick up.
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Old 03-02-2015, 07:57 PM   #11
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You might have trouble finding campground that accepts 6 rotties as many have breed restrictions (I personally love rotties) and some restrict number of pets. Those rotties will detract from your payload and towing capacity.

Ps four paws kingdom in NC is a campground for dogs. The owners are just along for the ride there.
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Old 03-03-2015, 09:23 AM   #12
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You might have trouble finding campground that accepts 6 rotties as many have breed restrictions (I personally love rotties) and some restrict number of pets. Those rotties will detract from your payload and towing capacity.

Ps four paws kingdom in NC is a campground for dogs. The owners are just along for the ride there.
X2 Better do you homework most parks do not allow rotties and limit of 2 pets.
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Old 03-03-2015, 10:27 AM   #13
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X3. Two of the campgrounds I stayed in recently had large signs at check-in stating they do not allow Dobies, Pits, or Rotties.
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Old 03-03-2015, 02:54 PM   #14
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Wow, that shoots that in the a.., Damm
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Old 03-03-2015, 10:18 PM   #15
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Not to mention, 6 full grown Rotties probably weigh about 600 lbs, thus reducing the towing capacity.
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Old 03-04-2015, 06:39 PM   #16
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Took the truck to the scales today loaded 7780.... if the scale was correct....somehow i think not. It wasnt a certified scale
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Old 03-04-2015, 08:17 PM   #17
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So your gcwr (gross combined vehicle weight rating g or truck plus trailer is 16000 lbs). Your loaded van weight is 7780 lbs (was this with all the dogs in it?) What is your vans gvwr (gross vehicle weight rating)?
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Old 03-04-2015, 09:08 PM   #18
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Yup it was loaded dogs, wife and some stuff.... I'll have to find gross somewhere
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Old 03-04-2015, 09:29 PM   #19
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It's moot at this point. 16000 - 7780 = 8220. That is practically the exact weight of the trailer empty from factory, without WD Hitch and sway bar, propane tanks, battery, or anything inside. I think your vehicle is good for towing many trailers, but this one is outside the envelope. The whole thing could be very frustrating also, because of the dog issue. I recommend scaling back about 1000 lbs on the trailer, and calling lots of campgrounds in areas where you hope to travel, and ask about their pet policy. Good luck!
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Old 03-04-2015, 09:56 PM   #20
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Looks like the Cruiser RV Enterra 314 is the only 3 slide , sufficient cargo capacity trailer that fits the weight restriction. Doesnt solve the dog issue tho, can't win, I'm stuck. We only use the campground to sleep and get cleabed up, but nobody will care.....figures.
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