Bought a truck, TT next...?

[Highway 4x4]

I would not want to be towing right at the limit of my truck. Unless someone has a truck like your truck and can advise a max weight more than I previously suggested, I stand by it. If you get a TT that is more than you want to tow with your truck you will be setting yourself up for a change in trucks. If you stay close to home it won't be as big an issue. My trips are usually 300+ miles each way and grades to climb.

[jimmerz]

I definitely want to be safe. Most of our trips will weekend get away locally (1-2hrs). We do plan on doing an annual Myrtle beach trip from Pittsburgh, I think that's an 11 hour drive normally?

[Highway 4x4]

1-2 hours is not bad when loaded heavy, be aware that things can happen a few blocks from home. But the grind of the truck at the max won't hit on a short trip. But the 11 hour one, well the short ones will tell you how that will go. You'll have to get the WD hitch with sway control dialed in right along with the brakes. Whatever you do get be sure to take it out for some test runs. If you go back just a few years you can find a slightly used one at a deal. Then in a few years you decide to go with another larger truck and trailer the hit won't be so bad. Most important is get the trailer you will want to use. then have fun.

[marcham]

Originally Posted by jimmerz

That number is 1236lbs? So after me and my family that leaves me about 750lbs...
That's not counting anything additional.

We recently found a nice 5th wheel. Light weight. 7900lbs. Is a 5th wheel easier to travel with?

How big is your family? 1236 - 450 = 786 remaining for gear in the back of the truck, hitch and tongue weight... That means a tent trailer, a hybrid travel trailer or very smaller travel trailer (under 24').

You can't tow a 5th wheel with that truck.

Are you sure about the 1236lb figure? It seems pretty small... Maybe take a photo of the label and post it here. Crew cab short bed with a lot of options usually means a lot less payload. Did your dealer know what you were buying the truck for?


Wdh doesn't increase payload, it transfers some weight to the front axle which improves handling.

[jimmerz]

After subtracting my family I'm at 776lbs.



Not sure why this posted upside down?

[TDI-Minnie]

Originally Posted by jimmerz

Not sure why this posted upside down?

iPhone

[TDI-Minnie]

Originally Posted by jimmerz

After subtracting my family I'm at 776lbs.

So you will be "maxed out" if your trailer has a loaded hitch weight of 776. No gear in the truck/bed.

So I would go with an advertised dry hitch weight of no more than 500lbs. Keep in mind that the dry weight does NOT include the two 20 or 30 pound propane tanks and the house battery which sit out there!

[jimmerz]

Originally Posted by TDI-Minnie

iPhone

NO! Galaxy Note 2...(user error I'm sure)

[TDI-Minnie]

Originally Posted by jimmerz

NO! Galaxy Note 2...(user error I'm sure)

Happens to the best of us.

As far as your trailer options, I know you mentioned something in the 33' range, but I think you'll really be over any sort of safe/comfortable margine when you do longer trips on the highway.
You might be fine at local campgrounds, but that gets old after a while. Highways speeds with trucks and large dips that bounce the rig around will white knuckle affairs.

That said, we looked at a ton of trailers over six months and most were in the 28-33' range but we fell in love with our Winnebago Minnie. It's a 23' box and about 26' overall, which makes it nearly the smallest one we looked at. It's cozy and easy to deal with and actually encourages the whole family to spend more time outside. We have had plenty of rainy days where we were inside watching movies or reading, and it does fine then, too. And I still got the bunk beds AND an outdoor kitchen! We usually camp with two kids and two LARGE Dobermans.
The point is that you can find everything you want in a smaller package than you think and actually like it better. So don't be discouraged by the "limitations" you're encountering here!

[Highway 4x4]

Good advice TDI, I totally agree. You've got a good truck Jim, get the trailer that will fit it. I have big now but down the road, 7-10 years I will be downsizing to where you are now. It's much easier to wax a 26-28 ft TT. I will be looking at <6000 so I can not struggle or wind the hemi tight on the grades. The TT I had befor this one was a 28 ft at 6400 UVW and there is a noticeable difference between that one and my 30 ft 7000 UVW now. Remember, you're camping.

[jimmerz]

Thanks everyone. It's hard when you go to these dealers who are supposed to be the professionals and they either don't really know themselves or intentionally deceive people. As long as that trailers dry weight is under say 10,000lbs they say "oh yeah, your truck can tow this!" Grrrrrrrr.

What do you guys think of these specs:
Dry Weight 6726lbs
GVWR 8625lbs
Cargo Capacity 1766lbs
Hitch Weight 625lbs
Axle Weight 6200lbs
Exterior Height 10.83'
Exterior Length 35.08'
Exterior Width 8.00'
Interior Height 6.67'

I notice it is a little long at 35' but is something in this weight/hitch weight range acceptable for my truck...

[bigdog]

WD bars don't help with the carrying capacity,but with the sway and some handling. When you're figgering the weights ,you really need to figger what you're going to be carrying for a trip. you'll probably have your tools,BBQ,beer and soda,food (it doesn't take too many cans to add up in weight),kids clothes and misc toys,campground stuff like chairs,etc.ooppss,forgot the bikes and momma's clothes. Take it from one who's been there,the last item can be a big load.
A suggestion for increased handling would be to have rear air bags installed.I had them on my Tahoe pulling a 27X Wilderness and then on my '98 Chevy 3/4 'Burb for the Cougar 304BHS and actually put them on my '01 PSD Excursion,but didn't really need them on that one. The Cougar was weighed fully loaded for a week with food,clothes,etc and with 1/2 tank of water,full propane and two 6V batteries at 9600# and the "X" was rated for 10,500# and even that was pushing it on some hills out here.
There are some great lite trailers out there,but watch your length.

[Highway 4x4]

It's going to be you're call on what you get so I will not say what is too much for you. I am sure it is a nice TT with plenty of room. But, if I owned your truck I would not pull a TT like that with it. It would be out of my comfort zone with size and weight. Fill up all the holding tanks, probably 50, 40, 40, = 1100 pounds, with water to simulate loaded weight and take it for a test tow up and down a nice long grade.

[jimmerz]

I'll probably end up going a little smaller than that. But that is a great recommendation on the test tow... I'm sure the dealer allows that right?