Community Forums

JohnBoyToo · 05-08-2014, 01:22 PM

So,
someone is complaining about newbie questions?
someone said if it is too heavy, don't tow it...
someone said if you can't afford it, don't do it ?

I say,
if you don't want to help the newbies,
(like YOU were when you started) don't read it !!!

heck, don't waste your valuable time on the forum or on the internet even !

Just move along - some are more helpful than others and really quick we can determine if there is a legitimate need or an issue that needs to be addressed....

don't let this turn into rv.net

RVGuy1966 · 05-08-2014, 11:01 PM

LBZYA, what are you talking about? I never argued with anyone about towing anything. I was asking advise and making statements about shady dealers..... are you off your meds???

I am not about to put my family in a truck pulling a trailer that weighs 7100 lbs and expecting the truck and trailer and the people in it to be safe. its pretty much common sense to make sure you are not putting ten pounds of **** in a five pound bag.

I really don't want to get off on the wrong foot with you but you seem a bit aggressive towards me. relax man.

Happy Camping!!!!!!

oh, I might be interested in that HA when I figure out what TT if any were getting.

Franka548 · 05-09-2014, 06:03 AM

RVGuy1966,
Here are some facts that might help answer some of your questions. The tag on the inside of the frame on the drivers door has some important information, GVWR, front GAWR, and rear GAWR. These are the max loads that your particular truck is rated for, this includes passengers, things in the bed and the hitch weight. The next number you will need out of the owners manual is the GCWR of your truck, this number is the maximum weight of your truck, passengers, and trailer. You already have the maximum weights that your hitch can handle.
Next you need to fill your gas tank, put all the people in your truck and anything that you would think you would normally take camping and go too a set of truck scales to get the weights of each axle ( this will cost around $10) Now compare this to the numbers on your door, Manufacturers tell you not to exceed any of these numbers.
Also forget the dry weight of the trailer, figure 12 to 15% of the GVWR of the trailer for hitch weight. Doing the math will give you the maximum trailer GVWR that you can tow while staying within the weight ratings of your truck.
If you have any other questions, or need other explanations, just ask.
Frank

**NLOVNIT** · 05-09-2014, 09:03 AM

Ok folks, it's getting a bit too personal here. Our Community Rules state no personal attacks &

Quote:

We take the "be nice" rule VERY seriously! We do not tolerate ANY rudeness.

This is a hot topic on our Forum, so please be respectful even when you disagree.

Any further attacking posts will be removed without notice.

Thank you,
Lori-

Franka548 · 05-09-2014, 12:18 PM

I saw that too Lori, that is why I tried to answer the questions asked.
Frank

MarksFam · 05-09-2014, 12:32 PM

Haha. This is a fitting topic for today. I was out for my morning run and I noticed one of my neighbors here at the park I am staying at had the same 5th wheel hitch as me. I looked around and saw the rig he was towing (one nearly as heavy as mine (20k loaded). I could only shake my head in disbelief as I realized he was towing with a 3500 SRW. ( I use a DRW 3500). NO idea how he controls it on the highway.

Hope he stays safe and doesn't hurt himself or someone else.

RVGuy1966 · 05-09-2014, 02:49 PM

Frank548, much appreciate your response. I will definitely print and use in making my decision on my families TT choice. your response is the kind of info I was hoping to find when I joined the forum. I am looking forward to camping in a TT/RV to see what its like. I heard you can rent one and I might to get a feel for it. Since I am thinking about a TT for our first purchase I am going to check to see if I can rent one that would be towable with my truck. of course I will follow the things you outlined and discuss them with the sales rep if I find a suitable place AND if there actually is any TT of any type that I can rent for a weekend. My Wife has been pestering me to buy her a truck so this might be a good time to convince her to get a heavy duty truck.

ah, I sure am hoping for a lot........

I'll post my experience if anything works out.

thanks.

Franka548 · 05-09-2014, 08:04 PM

Good idea RVGuy1966, I think Camping world rents TT, spend a couple weekends or so to get the idea of what RVing is all about. Then if you and DW like it, and want to do more, do research as to the make and floorplan that suits your needs and budget. Suggestion would be to go to a couple of RV shows in the area to look at multiple makes and models in one place. Don't depend on an RV salesman to give you the proper information on weights and what your TV can handle and still be within the manufacturers limits, so you have to do your own research. And as I said before, if you have a question, just ask.
Frank

jimmerz · 05-09-2014, 08:59 PM

Listen I am that Newbie! I am looking for info and I am very glad I found this forum before I bought my TT! However, I did not find the forum before I bought my Truck! So, now I have a truck and I will have it for a while and I need to make sure I get an appropriate TT for MY truck.

I have asked numerous questions in this forum and received a lot of good, informative help. Even though some have been short and a little rude. That doesn't bother me, I will make an adult decision for me and my family and it will be a safe decision!

It's a shame that the Auto industry (Ford, Chevy, Ram Toyota) all mislead people with what their trucks can tow and the TT industry falls right in step and tells uninformed people that their trucks CAN tow trailers that they shouldn't be towing. There should be regulations for TT dealers to have scales and weight the truck and trailer and sit down with customers and tell them if they are within the specs or not.

1/2 tons are great trucks and I have found a LOT of great TT that I can safely tow. Unfortunately, I wish I knew what I know now before I bought anything. I think My wife would have opted to save a little more and get the Class A she wanted....lol 5 year plan!

(it doesn't help when I explain this to my wife and then someone she works with says Oh we tow this TT with our 1/2 ton and have been for years). I just smh and tell her they are out of their tow capacity.

Fast0ne · 05-09-2014, 10:01 PM

I agree that the auto community and tralier community should be on the same page.

But as sad it sounds ppl want to hear what things can do. Not bare minimum of what it can do. And sales ppl care about commission not safety for ppl.

It's just like looking at the speedo in your truck or car. Why make it go to 200kph when the vehical stops at 160kph. Why make a radio dial go to 30 when you can't use it past 20. Because it looks great to people.

I spent a year research my truck for a tralier and how many arguments between me and the wife. She wanted one thing I wanted another and there was a very small margin to what we could make work. End of the day we found a great trailer and we use it lots. We look forward to getting a bigger truck and trailer but that a few years down the road.

But end of the day sites like this do help ppl. But with out doing home work it is buyer beware. And will be interesting to see if this ever changes.