Tow Vehicle Sizing & Weight Calculators

["007"]

This is something to consider before you buy that new 5th Wheel or Trailer.
The size of truck and weights of tow you will buy.

Tow Vehicle Sizing

YOUR SAFETY DEPENDS ON IT.

[RustyJC]

HERE is another resource developed by iRV2.com member Ken Lenger. It's highly recommended reading for selecting a truck or RV!! At the bottom of the page is an Excel spreadsheet where you can plug in the numbers for your candidate tow vehicle and trailer to ensure that your rig stays within all of the manufacturer's ratings.

Rusty

[jwomack]

Easy way to chose your TV is to ask your RV salesperson. Then use this easy guide:
1. If sales person says a 1/2 ton is adequate, get a 2500HD diesel
2. If they say a 3/4 ton is adequate, get a 3500HD diesel
3. If they say you need a 1 ton, its time to talk to your local Frieghtliner dealer

[Cyclone Dave]

The following website is another resource.

Fifth Wheel Weight Calculator - Best user friendly towing calculator!

[majorloser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwomack Easy way to chose your TV is to ask your RV salesperson. Then use this easy guide: 1. If sales person says a 1/2 ton is adequate, get a 2500HD diesel 2. If they say a 3/4 ton is adequate, get a 3500HD diesel 3. If they say you need a 1 ton, its time to talk to your local Frieghtliner dealer

And if he says you need to call Freightliner, give up. The concrete and brick house he's trying to sell you was not meant to be towed.

[menoble]

I had one of those "1/2 ton towables", they must mean towing from the sales lot to home. Load up the bare necessities and it's time for a 3/4 ton.

[Cyclone Dave]

Fifth Wheel St. has improved their website by including worksheets and towing calculator for conventional towing.

[4allin]

Thanks for the link to towing guide. I have had a coach conversion for many years, but when it comes to hills, it doesn't matter how much horsepower you have, they all slow down. For that matter even my unloaded car requires more throttle to climb hills. Now my question, and I may be in the wrong place, I have now a 35 travel trailer, 8500lbs empty, probably close to 11000 loaded, and I would rather say its heavier than it is, but it is still under manufacturer rating. I would like to have truck recommendations for a one time trip, if I cannot sell my trailer, I need to tow it 2500 miles to new home, thanks 4allin

[TXiceman]

Does anyone know what happened to Ken Lenger's website? It shows that it is suspended. There was a lot of good information there. Hate to see it lost.

Ken

[Cyclone Dave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4allin Thanks for the link to towing guide. I have had a coach conversion for many years, but when it comes to hills, it doesn't matter how much horsepower you have, they all slow down. For that matter even my unloaded car requires more throttle to climb hills. Now my question, and I may be in the wrong place, I have now a 35 travel trailer, 8500lbs empty, probably close to 11000 loaded, and I would rather say its heavier than it is, but it is still under manufacturer rating. I would like to have truck recommendations for a one time trip, if I cannot sell my trailer, I need to tow it 2500 miles to new home, thanks 4allin

With the load you describe, I thank a 2500/250 may work for you. It is definitely to much for a 1500/150. If in doubt, and if you haven't done so, read Before You Buy - It's not rocket Science..

[Cyclone Dave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman Does anyone know what happened to Ken Lenger's website? It shows that it is suspended. There was a lot of good information there. Hate to see it lost. Ken

I'm not sure but as you noticed all the site's contents were removed. According to WHOIS the domain's expiration date is 30-Jan-2012.

[RustyJC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman Does anyone know what happened to Ken Lenger's website? It shows that it is suspended. There was a lot of good information there. Hate to see it lost. Ken

Ken,

Try HERE

Rusty

[kfdray]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwomack Easy way to chose your TV is to ask your RV salesperson. Then use this easy guide: 1. If sales person says a 1/2 ton is adequate, get a 2500HD diesel 2. If they say a 3/4 ton is adequate, get a 3500HD diesel 3. If they say you need a 1 ton, its time to talk to your local Frieghtliner dealer

Funny, very funny, and sadly true, unless you like crawling up mountain passes and being passed by 40 year old VW vans...

[justimagination]

..............whether towing Travel Trailer or 5th wheel, you will notice a substantial difference when towing with a Dually, it's much more stable and safe,JMHO. Good luck and travel safe.
david