Trip Impressions - 97 12 valve automatic

[DonTX]

I just returned from over 4000 miles pulling a 35.5ft 1997 Avion fifth wheel, first time for me and this combination. I thought I would share some figures and thoughts, things that had come up before in some cases on this thread.
First off I weighed the combo, with full fuel, supplies, pets, and fresh water I tipped the scales at 19,800 lbs. That weight was distributed with 3950 on the front axle, 6150 on the rear axle, and 9700 on the trailer axles. Most would call that overloaded, since the book says my gross combined weight rating is only 16,000 lbs! The loads on the axles were acceptable, it is rated 4500 front, and 7500 rear, all tires were well under max loading.
Handling and performance were fine, I quickly found the "sweet spot" happens at 1750 rpm at 65 mph, a spot I often cruised at. At times I would get in a hurry, speeds up to 70 nd 75 are reached with ease, cruise control keeps it there most of the time. There was minimal trailer "jerking", and only on some of the old concrete sectioned roads, there was NO sway or tendency to get exciting regardless of the situation. Keeping awake seems to be the only challenge, even in big city traffic.
The entire trip average MPG was just a shade over 12.5 mpg, one tank I slowed down to 55 and the mpg shot up to 13.66 for that tank. Several tanks were in the MO and AR ozarks on back highways, lots of hill climbing stop and go stuff.
It was a fun trip from Mexican border to Canada border with lots of sideways travel inbetween. If it had not turned off cold, we had another month of travel we wanted to do.