Half ton truck towable

[mricet1005]

Anyone towing an ORV 21RBS Mountain/Titanium Series travel trailer with a half ton truck? How does it tow? I have a 2018 F150 Platinum 4x4 with 1575 payload capacity. I would be traveling solo. Anyone know the loaded/wet tongue weight? I really like this trailer but heard they are tongue heavy. Using 13% of trailers GVWR and estimated other cargo, I think I just fit within the payload rating.

[guten tag]

Using the GVWR of the trailer & 13% gives a tongue weight of about 930 pounds, and with your payload of 1575 = 645 pounds remaining so I see what you mean with "I just fit", and of course this means fully obtaining that GVWR for your trips. With a dry weight of 5395 you could be under the maximum weight with your typical pack. Have you used a Cat Scale with your truck and a typical load for travel? This could be revealing as well.

[Cumminsfan]

I see no problem towing that TT with your 1/2 ton. Just use a good WDH with built in sway control.

[keymastr]

My 23 rbs has a 7500 pound gross weight and my loaded tongue weight runs between 1000 and 1200 pounds depending on how long we will be out. It can be done with a half ton but it means constantly adjusting weight and not bringing anything else in the truck. Firewood and generators become a problem as well as tools, floor Jack's etc.

[Vintage465]

I had a 1999 GMC 1/2 ton Suburban 4x4 with tow package. I pulled a 25ft Nomad trailer all over the US with this rig and never once over heated or felt like it had more behind it that should've been. Compared to modern 1/2 tons, this rig would be gutless at 245 horsepower, but for the most part I made it up most hills at 45-50 mph. But, having said all that, I worked at an RV shop for years and it was set up right. Good W.D. Hitch w/a friction sway control(contrary to popular belief, they work just fine). Good E-rated Michelin tires. Since it was a 4x4 it was sprung a little stiffer. And since it was a Suburban and not a Tahoe it had a longer wheel base. The most important thing is the W.D. hitch.....set up correctly(when I drive down the road and see what some people have for lash-ups, I just shake my head, the parts are all there but not set up right)and the Tires. I think these are more important than the GCWR's as most of those are optimistic and shouldn't really be relied on.

[Nicksstorm]

Vintage you nailed it. I’m amazed at what folks believe a 1/2 ton truck is capable or lack thereof. I keep hearing say tongue weight on the Orv is heavy, but isn’t that what a w/d hitch is for? I remember using a 1987 Toyota van with a 4 cylinder to tow a 4 place snowmobile trailer. Was it quick? Nope. Did it do the job? Yep. My 2002 3/4 ton truck with a 6.0 gasser is hardly comparable to a new 1/2 ton and I’ve never had a problem pulling our 26bhs. Oh and yesterday I met a retired crash reconstruction specialist cop from California. I asked about “towing over the tongue weight” because that’s the scare tactic a lot of people use to get a bigger truck (maybe they use that line on their spouse??). He said he never did. He asked how they could determine tongue weight if “all things haven’t remained constant” because they haven’t in most accidents.

[ColoNative]

I’ve been pulling my 21RBS with our 2013 D1500 Laramie with towing package for 2 years, 17,000 miles, 134 nights, no troubles at all.

[mricet1005]

Originally Posted by ColoNative

I’ve been pulling my 21RBS with our 2013 D1500 Laramie with towing package for 2 years, 17,000 miles, 134 nights, no troubles at all.

Thanks. Btw, how do you like the 21RBS?

[Highway 4x4]

How you drive will make the difference. Drive safe and be safe.

[winniman]

How you load the trailer, and truck can make a difference. Putting some of your heavy stuff near the back of the trailer can make a difference on tongue weight. Depending where the water tanks are, traveling with full or empty tanks can make a difference. I would say you have plenty of truck to pull that trailer. Packing correctly will help with the handling.

[Cumminsfan]

Not everyone packs the kitchen sink when camping. Some just pack the dishes. Assuming people tow at max GVWR is well an assumption. I frequently read about RV'ers that don't use the stove, or the toilet, or the shower and take just the bare necessities when camping. Same as if they're staying at a motel.
And there's those that pack the whole kitchen and garage. Tools up the ying yang, enough kitchen stuff for 1/2 the CG and firewood for a weeks worth of camping.

If the OP is semi prudent he'll be just fine.

[mricet1005]

I’m in between with regards to packing. I like to cook so would have dishes, pots, pans, coffee maker, and food. But not extreme. Only pack basic tools. I currently have a 41 ft DP towing the pickup. So if I pursue this, it will be a major downsizing! I’m solo due to DW passing from pancreatic cancer 1.5 years ago. Reason for considering change is to simplify and do lots more NP/SP camping and boondocking on public lands. I haven’t decided yet but wanted to see if possible without having to trade the pickup since I just bought it 4 months ago. Thanks for all the input. I think I can manage the weight to stay well below trailers GVWR as well as keeping below my trucks payload capacity. If I’d been smarter and considered this before I would have bought an F250 to have given me more options.

[volks1963]

We have a 2018 21RBS and only had one problem with is so far, and that was fixed by one of the dealers up in Oregon while we were on vacation. I tow with a 2500HD 4x4 GMC. 8.1 liter big block so it tows very nice.

Waiting for better weather in Northern Nevada so I can remove the cover and start waxing and getting the trailer for weekend trips this year. Need to install a in-line surge protector into the incoming power before we take it out this year. Have replaced the bed and put a new sewer hose holder instead of using the rear bumper.

[ColoNative]

Originally Posted by mricet1005

Thanks. Btw, how do you like the 21RBS?

We love it! We had FS and NP campgrounds in mind when we bought it, but just spent 2 weeks in Mesa, AZ snowbirding. Very comfortable no interest in changing a thing for our lifestyle
Cheers
Tim