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Old 10-20-2020, 07:05 AM   #29
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Originally Posted by Jayc71 View Post
What length is that trailer if you don't mind me asking? I have a 2019 RAM 1500 with the Hemi and 3.92 ratio, it's rated for ~11400 towing and 1500 payload. I'm looking at RVs now and I see many that are well within those numbers in the 25-31ft range, 6000-7000lbs gvwr range, and 600-700 tongue weight, I'm trying to get a feel for how well it would tow something like that. The numbers say it would work just fine, but I know that's probably an oversimplification. It's just two of us and we travel pretty light, but I'm concerned about going uphill and how it'll handle a crosswind, any thoughts?
On a 6-7000# GVWR trailer your tongue weight will be higher than 600-700 pounds. My 212qb, not fully loaded (4325 dry weight and 5500 GVWR) had a published tongue weight of 435 pounds, but when I picked it up from the dealer, on the lot it was 625. With the trailer loaded just around 5000 pounds, the tongue weight was 715. The 7000# GVWR trailer will probably be in the 900-1000# tongue weight range which will put a huge dent in that 1500 pound payload capacity...
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Old 10-20-2020, 09:40 AM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayc71 View Post
What length is that trailer if you don't mind me asking? I have a 2019 RAM 1500 with the Hemi and 3.92 ratio, it's rated for ~11400 towing and 1500 payload. I'm looking at RVs now and I see many that are well within those numbers in the 25-31ft range, 6000-7000lbs gvwr range, and 600-700 tongue weight, I'm trying to get a feel for how well it would tow something like that. The numbers say it would work just fine, but I know that's probably an oversimplification. It's just two of us and we travel pretty light, but I'm concerned about going uphill and how it'll handle a crosswind, any thoughts?
You should be fine if you stay under 7,000 lbs GVWR for the TT and keep it on the short end of the 25'-31' range.
I towed 9200-9500 lbs @31' with a Ram 6.4, 4.10 gears and even with the crappy 6 sp it had enough power to climb any hill. Your 5.7 and 3.92 gears will be fine with that much weight.
Main issue will be payload. You true payload is you, passengers, the WDH and stuff in the truck subtracted from the cargo weight sticker on the door jamb.

You need to take that number and work it backwards to find the GVWR of the TT you can tow. Figure at least 12% for tongue wight when doing so.

Lets say you really have 1500 lbs for cargo capacity in the truck.
Passengers 300 lbs
WDH 100 lbs.
Stuff in truck 200 lbs.
Thats 600 lbs.
Thats 900 lbs left for tongue weight of the TT.
A 7000 lb GVWR TT will have an 840 lb TW at 12%

If you look for a TT with a UVW of 5,000-5,500 lbs that will leave you a decent cushion.
Remember brochure weights are deceiving. Your actual dry weight will be higher as well as the TW.
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Old 10-20-2020, 10:09 AM   #31
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It’s important to know what your payload is, but IMO it’s not your limiting factor.

On longer planned trips I am probably over a few hundred pounds with all my extras in the truck bed.

But my trailer is only 23’ overall length and weighs 5,500 lbs loaded. Very nice riding combination.

Versus a 1/2 towing a 30’ trailer that is within his payload ratings? Seen enough of those on the roads in windy situations that the back end doesn’t look stable at all. I keep my distance.
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Old 10-20-2020, 03:29 PM   #32
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1/2 ton will make a good suicide rig. If you want a cute little truck forget about TT. If you want to RV get a TV that will control the trailer.
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Old 10-20-2020, 04:36 PM   #33
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1/2 ton will make a good suicide rig. If you want a cute little truck forget about TT. If you want to RV get a TV that will control the trailer.
Stupidest thing I've read in a few days.
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Old 10-20-2020, 07:48 PM   #34
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Many of the current half-tons are basically fancy cars with an open trunk. Car tires, soft cushy suspensions, wimpy payload, etc. My "car" is the 2020 Ram 1500 Laramie. My truck is the Ram 3500, now the DRW version.
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Old 10-20-2020, 08:19 PM   #35
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Use this online towing calculator to accurately and safely match a TT and towing vehicle. This also removes all bias and chest thumping from the discussion. Note it requires some actual scale weights instead of mfgrs. advertised weights. It even offers the choice of using the 20% safety factor popular with full-timers for towing vehicle longevity and safety.
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Old 10-22-2020, 10:08 AM   #36
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It’s important to know what your payload is, but IMO it’s not your limiting factor.

On longer planned trips I am probably over a few hundred pounds with all my extras in the truck bed.

But my trailer is only 23’ overall length and weighs 5,500 lbs loaded. Very nice riding combination.

Versus a 1/2 towing a 30’ trailer that is within his payload ratings? Seen enough of those on the roads in windy situations that the back end doesn’t look stable at all. I keep my distance.
Same length and weight (empty) as our trailer except I am not counting the tongue on mine. Brought it home with a 1/2 ton totally set up for towing, even airbag suspension, but the truck wasn't enough for the trailer. This was my first half ton since 1991, and I couldn't get back into a 3/4 or larger fast enough.
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Old 10-22-2020, 11:40 AM   #37
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Same length and weight (empty) as our trailer except I am not counting the tongue on mine. Brought it home with a 1/2 ton totally set up for towing, even airbag suspension, but the truck wasn't enough for the trailer. This was my first half ton since 1991, and I couldn't get back into a 3/4 or larger fast enough.

Mine is 23’ overall length that’s including the tongue. The box length is just under 20’. Tongue weight is around 650 loaded. Dry weight at 4,400 lbs, and it’s a lower profile, with an aerodynamic front end trailer. Going to a 3/4 ton is not necessary. But on strong windy days a CTD would be so nice to have.

BTW if you talking about the Ram 1500 air ride, yea that’s junk. Ripped it off of mine and went aftermarket. Ride height was never the same, and would throw off the WDH. Went with greater capacity front, and rear coils. Rides more like a truck, but handles the trailer much better.
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Old 10-22-2020, 11:48 AM   #38
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What length is that trailer if you don't mind me asking? I have a 2019 RAM 1500 with the Hemi and 3.92 ratio, it's rated for ~11400 towing and 1500 payload. I'm looking at RVs now and I see many that are well within those numbers in the 25-31ft range, 6000-7000lbs gvwr range, and 600-700 tongue weight, I'm trying to get a feel for how well it would tow something like that. The numbers say it would work just fine, but I know that's probably an oversimplification. It's just two of us and we travel pretty light, but I'm concerned about going uphill and how it'll handle a crosswind, any thoughts?
You will have NO problem with this setup
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Old 10-22-2020, 12:36 PM   #39
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Mine is 23’ overall length that’s including the tongue. The box length is just under 20’. Tongue weight is around 650 loaded. Dry weight at 4,400 lbs, and it’s a lower profile, with an aerodynamic front end trailer. Going to a 3/4 ton is not necessary. But on strong windy days a CTD would be so nice to have.

BTW if you talking about the Ram 1500 air ride, yea that’s junk. Ripped it off of mine and went aftermarket. Ride height was never the same, and would throw off the WDH. Went with greater capacity front, and rear coils. Rides more like a truck, but handles the trailer much better.
My Air Ride never had a single issue. The suspension wasn't an issue at all towing. It was everything else.

My trailer is quite tall, very tall in fact for what it is. It makes the Mini Lite models look squatty. Trying to pull that trailer home with that truck was a joke, the engine was revving like hell and the trans was hunting between 3rd and 4th. But keep in mind again I'm talking a much taller and heavier trailer than yours. Mine is 5600 lbs. dry, and 134" high including the A/C. Length from hitch to bumper is 25'.

Same half ton truck pulling my rock crawler Jeep (well over 4,000 lbs, it's on F350 axles and isn't light) on my 18' steel deck dovetail trailer (around 2500) was a dream. Pulled 70 mph with no trouble at all. The difference is the trailer profile.
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Old 10-22-2020, 03:15 PM   #40
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Yeah go big or go home ,, 3/4 ton pulling a 3200 lb trailer.er. No worries.
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Old 10-22-2020, 03:58 PM   #41
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We also have 2 pickups. A Dakota and a Ram 2500. Both are double cabs, 4wd and the Ram is 8' bed. The only thing we tow with them is a smaller utility trailer and a 19' boat. ( we have a 35' class A MH as well )
There is no comparison between the 2 trucks. Both have enough power and will get the job done. That being said I can honestly say you should buy the 3/4 ton truck. You will have a much more stress free ride and be way less tired at the end of the day.
Oh ya, we bought the Ram to repl a 1500 series Ram because it wouldn't carry 1,000 lbs of payload. We could have added Sumo springs, air shocks and changed the tires but why would you. Get a truck that is designed to do the job from the start.
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Old 10-22-2020, 04:33 PM   #42
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NOW HEAR ME OUT. I have a 2010 GMC 1500 crew with the 5.3 and 342 gears and regularly get 17-19 on the hiway i travel 200mi. one way to visit my boy half of that is rural 2 lane hiway the other is freeway miles. i get 17-19 every time. i check when i get their and check when i get home i fill up at home and fill agian when i get to his place then do the math, thats the only real way to do it. i get an average of about 9-11 sometimes better depends greatly on terrain, pulling 6500# travel trailer. you must of had something wrong lower rear gears or something.
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I have a 2015 Silverado 1/2 ton. Same rear end as yours. The only thing I did change was to put load range E tires on it and add Timbrens to the rear suspension. I also have a full cap on the bed. I get 18-21 on the highway without the trailer, 6500 lbs, and 10-11 with the trailer. My engine has the direct injection system, which increased HP and torque.

The load range E tire did decrease my mileage a little, since they are heavier tires with more aggressive tread. With the original P rated tires, I got about 2 MPG higher, but the soft sidewalls made the truck squat.

No problem pulling the trailer. Also have the Equalizer 1400lb 4 point hitch.
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