RV Towing #'s Help

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11K on a flat trailer? Usually how they test. A TT is totally different, wind resistance, sway, length etc. etc.

The power is there yes, but my 02 3/4 ton has larger brakes, full floating axles in the rear, better frame, better suspension for more payload, better transmission(well the transmission is a 4L80E, I would like the 6 speed but they take a beating) then a current 1/2 ton. I think you get the picture. Towing is just not about power it is about matching it to the trailer you are towing. If you want something that big a 3/4 ton or more will better, no ifs, ands or buts about it.

If you are at 7000 to 8000 loaded that is most likely fine for a current 1/2 ton and none of the current 1/2 tons will break a sweat with that, but mind your tongue weight and length of trailer vs truck wheel base.

I will say it again. You can always be under trucked but never over trucked when towing something that large.
 
Thanks. That does make sense. The one confusing thing to me is that reading the manufacturer's specs there is a bit of overlap. Taking for example, Ford (since that's what I'm looking into), the F150 is spec'ed at 11,200 and an F-250, 6.2 is spec'ed for 12,000. My guess is that at 11,200 you're at the limit of the 150 and at 12,000 you're well under for the 250 (IIRC the Diesels were good for over 13k).

From what I've gathered if we keep it at under 30 ft and under 8k lbs we will be fine with the F150. And we've found a few that we like in that range. Not the behemoths we initially were thinking but we usually dream big and end up somewhere in the middle. Been that way with just about everything for us.
 
EB is nice in the mountains, as it will lose less power as the air gets thinner (the turbo works a bit harder), so the EB has that going for it. Careful on the GCWR and GVWR numbers. Usually GCWR is significantly less than truck GVWR + max towing -- usually (not always) I've seen on trucks that max towing is achieved at basically nothing more than the driver in the truck. Put in 500lb+ of passengers and juice boxes and toys and then trailer weight has to come down.

I've wondered if the 1/2 tons are spec'd at "mild" or occasional usage, whereas the 3/4 tons are expecting to be used at the limits a larger portion of the time.

I watched the Fast Lane vids and wasn't quite sure what to make of them. Pulling up the pass, that was cool; but I get the impression those guys don't know how to set up trailer brakes.
 
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Someone once told me buy your second trailer first


I've read of that too, to buy the second trailer first. So I'm hesitant to buy this new one (my first one was a cheapie and I think it made a lot of sense: how can you go wrong on a $275 popup?). Problem is, unless if I find a place to park my trailer off my property (or get the town to let me put in a third driveway) I'm kinda stuck on length.

At least I think I am: does this arrangement look bad? I took this after our big snowstorm, so the road hadn't been plowed yet, but you can tell that it's a single lane wide by the tire tracks.

http://youtu.be/V9xj9mKyZvM

http://youtu.be/ih8AB5BAU-s
 
That isn't bad. I have gotten my big trailer in spots smaller than that. I have lots of space to park mine, but it's is all single lane getting into it spot. You have plenty of room to get in and out. Where I park mine.
 
I can't quite tell by the roads but the intersections look like they could be fun.

I've taken to backing in from the road, rather than going down the dirt road and turning around (depends upon my mood). With the Jetta it wasn't bad but with the truck I often start dropping a tire off the road edge (where the snowbanks are right now). Which is ok, as I have the ground clearance.

I dunno, I read about what others do and am stymied as to why I find it hard. I manage just fine with the setup I have now but I wonder if it's not far from the limit.
 
Originally Posted By: itguy08
Thanks. That does make sense. The one confusing thing to me is that reading the manufacturer's specs there is a bit of overlap. Taking for example, Ford (since that's what I'm looking into), the F150 is spec'ed at 11,200 and an F-250, 6.2 is spec'ed for 12,000. My guess is that at 11,200 you're at the limit of the 150 and at 12,000 you're well under for the 250 (IIRC the Diesels were good for over 13k).

From what I've gathered if we keep it at under 30 ft and under 8k lbs we will be fine with the F150. And we've found a few that we like in that range. Not the behemoths we initially were thinking but we usually dream big and end up somewhere in the middle. Been that way with just about everything for us.



Max bumper pull rating for a F250/6.2L Crew with 4:30 gears is 12,500lbs, Max 5th wheel rating is 15,400lbs for the same truck.

Max bumper/5th wheel rating for a F150/EB Crew with 3:73 gears is 11,300lbs, Depending on what GCWR it has....You may need 2 tow package options.
Like what was already mentioned you will run out of GVWR before you run out of GCWR. Until you get the truck loaded with the trailer, Gear, Fuel, Water etc. etc. & On Scales, You don't know if your overloading the truck itself. Weigh just the truck by itself with the trailer hitched...If the weight is over the GVWR it's a no go. Then weigh the truck/trailer together, Needs to be under the GCWR.

The Super Duty is one [censored] of a platform for towing!
 
Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Like what was already mentioned you will run out of GVWR before you run out of GCWR. Until you get the truck loaded with the trailer, Gear, Fuel, Water etc. etc. & On Scales, You don't know if your overloading the truck itself. Weigh just the truck by itself with the trailer hitched...If the weight is over the GVWR it's a no go. Then weigh the truck/trailer together, Needs to be under the GCWR.

The Super Duty is one [censored] of a platform for towing!

This.

I weighed my whole setup loaded for 6 days of camping was 14,200 lbs. 1800 lbs under GCWR. I was pretty happy with that because I was heavy with wood and water. Normally I don't travel with water or that much wood. Truck is rated at 9200lbs. Truck weighs 6000 lbs with me, the boy and a full tank of gas. It's payload is depending on where you look is 2500 to 2900 lbs. I stick with the 2500.

I would say any of the 3/4 ton and up trucks from the GM, Ford or Mopar do a good job towing. Just depends on what you are used to or like.
 
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
I would say any of the 3/4 ton and up trucks from the GM, Ford or Mopar do a good job towing. Just depends on what you are used to or like.


I'm a Chevy guy myself, I was comparing the F-150 & SuperDuty.
 
Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
I would say any of the 3/4 ton and up trucks from the GM, Ford or Mopar do a good job towing. Just depends on what you are used to or like.


I'm a Chevy guy myself, I was comparing the F-150 & SuperDuty.



No doubt. I am GM guy, but my buddy has a 29 foot Jayco, he pulled it for 6 years with a 5.4 1/2 ton Ford. It did everything he asked. He just UPGRADED to a 6.2 1 ton Ford. What a truck!! I would even drive it. Pulls so awesome! So stable. I told him for years to upgrade to at least a 3/4 ton.
Pulls that Jayco so much better. That 6.2 is something else!
 
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
No doubt. I am GM guy, but my buddy has a 29 foot Jayco, he pulled it for 6 years with a 5.4 1/2 ton Ford. It did everything he asked. He just UPGRADED to a 6.2 1 ton Ford. What a truck!! I would even drive it. Pulls so awesome! So stable. I told him for years to upgrade to at least a 3/4 ton.
Pulls that Jayco so much better. That 6.2 is something else!


GM should offer the L92 6.2L in the 2500HD.
 
Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
No doubt. I am GM guy, but my buddy has a 29 foot Jayco, he pulled it for 6 years with a 5.4 1/2 ton Ford. It did everything he asked. He just UPGRADED to a 6.2 1 ton Ford. What a truck!! I would even drive it. Pulls so awesome! So stable. I told him for years to upgrade to at least a 3/4 ton.
Pulls that Jayco so much better. That 6.2 is something else!


GM should offer the L92 6.2L in the 2500HD.

Totally agree. Not sure why they don't.
 
Just to put some closure to this....

Thanks for all your advice and suggestions. Gave me a lot to think about and go over with the wife. Also found an interesting towing whitepaper written by the RVIA that echoed a lot of points made here.

Ended up pulling the trigger on the F150 on Friday. We both really liked the truck, at 43k it is practically new and with the max tow package should serve us well. Been driving it the last few days and it's a great truck and almost as smooth of a ride as the SHO (which I am keeping).

We looked at a lot of floorplans in the under 30 ft range and around 8k GVWR. We're both confident we can find something that will work with the truck and allow us to tow safely.

Once again, thanks all!
 
I don't know how old you are , or if you have kids. If you are younger and have children, the tent hybids are fun.I have a 2005 jayco jayfeather 23b. queen bed on one end double on the other, also a slideout. Kids loved it when young. Lots of floor space for a 23ft as the beds don't take up floor space. The downsides are if you have to setup and or packup in the rain. You have to get home and open the ends and let it dry out. the other down side is the mattress is pretty simple on each end, not good if your are big or have back problems. We have had a lot of fun with ours and plan to keep it for use in the future if we have grandkids. I do know that one day it will not be practical for me.
 
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I really want to build a lean-to to store my popup under; just some sort of roof over it, keep the snow load off, and the rain off, and allow it to dry out if I had to put it away wet. I think I'd want one even with a TT, as it seems water intrusion is their worst enemy. Covering helps, but a real roof probably would work even better.
 
Originally Posted By: supton
I really want to build a lean-to to store my popup under; just some sort of roof over it, keep the snow load off, and the rain off, and allow it to dry out if I had to put it away wet. I think I'd want one even with a TT, as it seems water intrusion is their worst enemy. Covering helps, but a real roof probably would work even better.


I have a metal type shed, open on each end, closed on the sides. Mine is roughly 28long by 20wide. I oriented mine north south to keep the sun off my tt.
 
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