Help match TV to TT

[Riverdog]

I could use some help on suggestions for matching a TV to a TT. My DD & SIL have a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad cab with a 4.7 V8 and 3.55 rear end. He looked at a chart by Trail Manor which says he can pull 6050. The have 2 small boys and would like something with bunks.

I'm new to the TT side of camping myself so I don't have much knowledge regarding what might fit for them. Anyone with the same or similar TV or previous experience that could give us good advice would be appreciated.

[Riverdog]

I could use some help on suggestions for matching a TV to a TT. My DD & SIL have a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad cab with a 4.7 V8 and 3.55 rear end. He looked at a chart by Trail Manor which says he can pull 6050. The have 2 small boys and would like something with bunks.

I'm new to the TT side of camping myself so I don't have much knowledge regarding what might fit for them. Anyone with the same or similar TV or previous experience that could give us good advice would be appreciated.

[Gary RVRoamer]

I've added a shortcut in the trailer & Fifth Wheel area where you are more likely to get some input from current trailer owners. Good luck in your search.

[RKamperRV]

With a light duty truck you will have to stay with a lighter trailer. For starters you can look at the CrossRoads Sunset Trail. There are many other lightweight and hybrid trailers that will fit the truck. You might also check Outback.

[TXiceman]

The tow rating is a max based on an empty truck. Load passengers, cargo etc. and it is reduced accordingly. As a rule of thumb, find a loaded trailer that is under 80% of the max tow rating, ot in your case, about 4800# loaded, not dry weight.

I had a Ram 1500 with the 4.7L and 3.55 and it was a gutless wonder when loaded. I personally would not want to tow over about 3500#. The 3.55 is not a good towing axle.

Ken

[Randy the sly old fox]

I hate to say this, but most TT salesmen have one thing in mind - sell the TT. RV Mfgs also want to sell TTs. Most TTs weigh more than the brochure says.

On the other side of the equation - truck mfgs want to sell trucks and often inflate their trucks ability to tow - read all the fine print.

Combine the underpowered TV and the overweight TT and you have a real big problem.

The solution is an educated consumer who seeks out advice - such as these forums - and then believes the people on them when they say that they won't be happy towing as much as the salesmen say they can.

When dealing with these smaller rigs you can usually take the CGWR of the truck and subtract the GVWR of the truck and find a TT with a GVWR of that number or less. For example the CGWR of the truck is 8000 lbs and the GVWR of the truck is 5000lbs that leave 3000lbs for the GVWR of the trailer. This formula is simple and give you a realistic figure to start with. I had a 20' Komfort Lite with bunks back in 1986 - one of the best TTs I ever owned. Towed it with an S-10 pu that had a 2.8L V6 with a 3.73 rear end which was OK at best. I then upgraded to an Astro Van with the 4.3L V6 and the same rear end - what a difference - the Van made traveling with the TT lots of fun. BTW the Komfort weighed in at 3600lbs with a 4000lb GVWR. It didn't have much in the way of "extras" like AC or an awning and only held 22 gal of fresh water - but it still a great little camp trailer.

My towing experience has also included my AF 22H with a 99 Tahoe. The combo was right at the max CGWR - and I knew it. The Tahoe did OK but I felt like I was being pushed all over the road. I was never sure exactly how the combo would react to bumps etc. Hills and winds were another issue - I was always in a lower gear that with the previous TT. Now with the 3/4T PU with larger engine and 4.10 rear end the 22H has met its match. Hills are no problem and towing in high gear is possible and head winds are no problem. The whole combo feels very good going down the road.

Now as for that Dodge in question, I found some information that shows the Max Tow Weight between 7850 and 8650 lbs I extrapolated a CGWR of around 12,000lbs and the GVWR of between 6350 and 6800lbs leaving a GVWR of the TT to be around 5200 lbs. There are lots of hybreds and ultralightweights out there in that wt range - remember that 5200 should be the GVWR not the Dry Wt and should include tounge wt as well.