RV Towing #'s Help

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Thanks everyone!

Looks like we're going to look at the brochures from the RV shows tomorrow for the smaller ones and see if we like the floor plans and go from there.

I guess I'll just trust the #s and if they make sense with a good cushion on paper they will most likely make real world sense.
 
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam


I was referring to the 2011 model year the original poster was interested in.

Yes, as of 2014, Option Code 627 is available on the XL and XLT Regular Cab and SuperCab models with 8' box and XL, XLT and Lariat SuperCrew with 6.5' box.



Check that thanks.
 
Originally Posted By: supton
Dumbish question: what is the opinion as to what is the upper limit of a half ton? No, I'm not after "don't go past 80% GCWR" I mean, at what point do people think it's just better to go 3/4? I am Thinking about 5k, assuming tow package etc. Sure, they are rated for more, and most trucks are used as commuters 95% of the time, so it's foolish to automatically go for a ton to pull a rowboat. But more than 5k, big wind load and long trailer...

Coworker has thought of trading his 2500, which gets 14mpg and is rated for like 11k for the 1500 which should get upwards of 20mpg and still a 10k tow rating. His trailer is 7k maybe closer to 8k (I suspect it is heavier than he thinks). I told him he would not be happy with such a trade, even if he was within payload and other ratings.


I terms of towing boats 5k-7k seems to be about the comfortable limit with a half ton. You can go more, but it's supposed to be relaxing and not a white knuckle lets push the equipment experience. I would expect RV's to be similar, but they have more wind resistance.


IMHO all truck manufactures overrate their trucks to put up big numbers to boost sales.

I think Dodge advertises 24k pounds or something silly with their 1 ton now. IMHO that's nuts, if I have to move a 24k pound machine and trailer I'm using a dump truck with air brakes.
 
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Originally Posted By: itguy08
Thanks everyone!

Looks like we're going to look at the brochures from the RV shows tomorrow for the smaller ones and see if we like the floor plans and go from there.

I guess I'll just trust the #s and if they make sense with a good cushion on paper they will most likely make real world sense.


Wise decision, You need quite a bit left over for water/gear/fuel. Bumper pulling is something I really don't like doing with an travel trailer that's over 24', Even with a weight distributing hitch....Nothing equals a 5th wheel hitch.
 
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I think Dodge advertises 24k pounds or something silly with their 1 ton now. IMHO that's nuts, if I have to move a 24k pound machine and trailer I'm using a dump truck with air brakes.


Ram 3500:

Max Towing - 30,000 lbs.
Max Payload - 6,730 lbs.
 
just for reference, my truck is rated for 6900lbs, with the included factory tow package that includes upgraded cooling, stiffer rear springs, better gear in the axle.

The trailer dry is something like 5100 lbs. I use a weight distributing hitch, air bags on the axle, and dual-axle electric brakes.

Throw in propane, 1/2 tank of water, firewood, pots, pans, bedding, tools, utility bits, and it adds up fast. My trailer loaded is probably closer to 5800, add it firewood and gear in the bed of the truck and we're easily past 6100 estimated.

Stock, it gets around town ok. On the highway for 4 hours, and it is stressful. It's all the truck can really do. The driveline is fine--- it has to spin up on the hills and I don't get in a hurry, but the stability is just not as sure-footed. air bags help a LOT, getting the brakes right helps a lot, but the truck just needs to be a little heavier to anchor that bad boy back there.

For the weights the OP is looking at, 1/2 ton towing to me would be occasional in-town only. Otherwise, bigger truck or smaller trailer.

For a family his size--- a 30-33' is a lot of camper--- we love the 24' we have-- the master bed slides out to the rear so we get another 6' of space once parked. Its perfect for 2, and works with 4 nicely as long as the time is spent outdoors. We are a family of 6-- and it works only as a bunkhouse and kitchen when we all go.
 
There is a large difference between towing a 5-7000lb utility trailer and a 30' travel trailer.

you not only have a massive aerodynamic drag.. you have bad sway.

anything over 24' should be 5th wheel imo.

my 2002 ranger was rated at 5000lb.. no way would I tow any kind of traveltrailer close to 5000lb with it.. and I towed plenty of car's on tow dollies, antique uhauls that approached 4500#
etc with no problems.

you dont want the tail wagging the dog. it can be extremely stressful as well as dangerous..

IMO even with a new f150 you should stay around 5000# dry weight for a good experience.

sure you could tow more in ideal conditions
but what about on a hilly road that's banked wrong and windy?

If you get anywhere near 7000dry you will want a f250 or better.
 
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I've towed my Jeep/trailer (about 6,800+/- lbs)across the US and it felt perfectly fine. Up and down the Rockies felt great, even without a weight dist. hitch. My trailer has a low COG and I know the Jeeps sweet spot with prefect tongue weight.

I see mis-towed trailers all the time - campers nose diving, trucks butt end on the ground. Having a properly loaded trailer can make all the difference in the world.
 
Originally Posted By: itguy08
Thanks everyone!

Looks like we're going to look at the brochures from the RV shows tomorrow for the smaller ones and see if we like the floor plans and go from there.

I guess I'll just trust the #s and if they make sense with a good cushion on paper they will most likely make real world sense.

I think if my parent bought another trailer, they would go smaller and theirs is a 26-28' bumper pull, ~5-6000lbs. Depends on what your usage is, but if you are travelling with it alot(they do) then a bigger trailer is just a bigger pain to deal with many times.
Shorter with good ground clearance allows you to travel and camp in the hills/mountains more easily too.
 
Originally Posted By: Rand
anything over 24' should be 5th wheel imo.


Nah, I have had a 28 foot 5th wheel that I towed with this truck. It was heavier with no slides. Depends on your setup. My trailer is long. The axles are spaced out, my truck is long and a 3/4 ton. A good sway control and WD hitch setup properly makes all the difference in the world. Plus my wheel base is the same length as the tounge to trailer wheels. Makes towing a breeze and very stable. I get no sway even crossing the Tacoma Narrows in high wind or getting passed by big 18 wheelers going the other direction. It does have to spin up on the hills, but so does any gas truck. The only thing I would like is the 6 speed transmission. I have towed 12,000 miles with this setup.

Truck loaded is about 800 lbs lighter than the trailer loaded. You just have to match the trailer with the truck. Thing tows just as good as my old 5er the only diffrence is I get more porposing with the bumper pull. New shocks basically elminated it. The long bumper tow is easier to get in and out of sites as compared to my shorter 5er.

Had a blow out going about 60mph this summer(picked up a nail). Heard it, saw it, Truck and trailer didn't move. If I had not seen the rubber flying I might have kept going.
 
Originally Posted By: itguy08
Thanks everyone!

Looks like we're going to look at the brochures from the RV shows tomorrow for the smaller ones and see if we like the floor plans and go from there.

I guess I'll just trust the #s and if they make sense with a good cushion on paper they will most likely make real world sense.


We changed to a 5th wheel rig about 3 years ago and it is worlds better than a regular hitch setup IMO.

If you're towing anything large you'll really like the way it drives. Plus it allows you to get the whole thing balanced correctly. My 2500HD Dmax makes the whole thing seem effortless and gets GREAT fuel economy...
 
Originally Posted By: itguy08
So we re-grouped and are thinking smaller - something like this:

http://www.forestriverinc.com/TravelTrai...RVType=trailers

V-Lite 28WRBS - the specs peg it at what seems to be the sweet spot for that particular F150 - around 8k and 31'.

Meep, what trailer do you have - just curious as I'd like to take a look at the floor plan.


I found this on the same site http://www.forestriverinc.com/FifthWheel...loorplanid=3009 , It's a 5th wheel & only 26.9', This will be extremely easier to tow & put miles on. Large bumper pulls are more "Park" trailers than Road trailers.

I used to have a '06 Heartland Bighorn 3055 & put a lot of pleasurable miles on it with my 2500 Duramax, You will have a stressful time with a 30' bumper pull
 
Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Originally Posted By: itguy08
So we re-grouped and are thinking smaller - something like this:

http://www.forestriverinc.com/TravelTrai...RVType=trailers

V-Lite 28WRBS - the specs peg it at what seems to be the sweet spot for that particular F150 - around 8k and 31'.

Meep, what trailer do you have - just curious as I'd like to take a look at the floor plan.


I found this on the same site http://www.forestriverinc.com/FifthWheel...loorplanid=3009 , It's a 5th wheel & only 26.9', This will be extremely easier to tow & put miles on. Large bumper pulls are more "Park" trailers than Road trailers.

I used to have a '06 Heartland Bighorn 3055 & put a lot of pleasurable miles on it with my 2500 Duramax, You will have a stressful time with a 30' bumper pull


Why do you say that? I could see if it were heavy. But something like mine at 7500 lbs on a cat scale loaded is easy to pull. I camp with two folks all the time who have pulled 29 and 32 footers for years with no issues. You need the right setup. I have towed this trailer 12,000 miles in two years. Not a lot by some standards, but we don't full time So 6000 miles a year is a bit. I stay at or under 60 and have had no problems anywhere I have went. So the difference between 26 feet and 32 feet really isn't an issue for anywhere I camp or anyone I camp with.
 
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Why do you say that? I could see if it were heavy. But something like mine at 7500 lbs on a cat scale loaded is easy to pull. I camp with two folks all the time who have pulled 29 and 32 footers for years with no issues. You need the right setup. I have towed this trailer 12,000 miles in two years. Not a lot by some standards, but we don't full time So 6000 miles a year is a bit. I stay at or under 60 and have had no problems anywhere I have went. So the difference between 26 feet and 32 feet really isn't an issue for anywhere I camp or anyone I camp with.


You also have a 2500HD truck, The OP seems to be fixated on a 1500, Would you tow your camper with a 1500? 5th wheels are more stable & puts 4' of that 26.9' on top of the truck, You can back a 5th wheel in places you cant with a bumper pull of equal length.
 
Roger that. I think he needs a 3/4 ton(at least) for something that big. I would not tow my trailer with a 1/2 ton. Some do. Not sure why.

I find this trailer much each to maneuver than the old 5th wheel I had based on the pivot point. I do believe that is a personal thing though.

I had a 28 foot fifth wheel for 5 years. I have been very happy with how well this Passport tows as compare to my old Prowler.
 
I have to laugh at myself, I bought my half ton as I didn't like how my Jetta moved my trailer in the yard. I felt a bit foolish moving my 1,000lb popup with my truck this summer! I am about to pull the trigger on a 3,500lb GVWR one though. From what I understand it can run tongue heavy, but I suspect I'll be ok.
 
Originally Posted By: supton
I have to laugh at myself, I bought my half ton as I didn't like how my Jetta moved my trailer in the yard. I felt a bit foolish moving my 1,000lb popup with my truck this summer! I am about to pull the trigger on a 3,500lb GVWR one though. From what I understand it can run tongue heavy, but I suspect I'll be ok.

When towing you can never be over trucked!

I am not sure I would get another 5er. Like having the bed. When the kids are gone just a smaller tt. Right now when we camp we usually have 6 people.
Someone once told me buy your second trailer first
 
Just out of curiosity - has anyone towed large trailers with the new crop of 1/2 tons? Just curious as the more I've been reading it seems like people agree that these newer trucks are about as capable as, say a mid 90's to mid 2000's 3/4 ton. They're supposedly bigger, heavier, have better brakes (4 wheel disks vs disk/drum), etc.

I've watched the Fast Lane Truck's videos on You Tube and when they ran the Eisenhower Pass with 11k lbs in a 2013 F150 it looked quite stable and it seemed to do well. I'd imagine if it can handle that our little hills in the Northeast will be no issue. Especially if we're down at 7-8000 lbs.

Trying to make sense of it all and it seems when I do something changes.
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