New guy, not sure which tow vehicle to choose
Want to start camping with a travel trailer, looking at anything from 26-31ft. I don't have a tow vehicle yet, trying to research it but it's a bit confusing. I was looking at a dodge ram 5.7 hemi ...
Forum Discussion
jmtandem wrote:
Most truck specs are for a stripped model. Add options and the payload values go down. Don't get too little truck. I would look hard at the 6.4 gas engine if you want a gas Dodge Ram. If it was me looking at a 30 foot travel trailer that could easily weigh 8000 or more pounds the 250/2500 series truck is what I would purchase. Some 30 foot travel trailers like the Arctic Fox can weigh 10,000 or more pounds. That is quite a bit for a half ton truck. As stated above, find the RV you want first, then you can decide on the truck.
Your first RV is almost never your last, you might go for a pre-owned TT to learn what you want in your next RV, so having a little more truck now to later tow the future RV can be very beneficial as you move through the tiers of RV's until you find the ideal one.
The rule of thumb is 13 percent of the total trailer's weight will be on the tongue. An 8000 pound 30 foot TT will have about 1000 pounds on the ball; add another 75-100 pounds for the hitch. The truck's payload needs to also accommodate people, dogs, bbq, bicycles, kayaks, firewood, tools, chairs, generators, and all other stuff we seem to take camping in the truck.
X2 250/2500 truck would give you plenty of wiggle room and the ride. better bigger the first time out rather than later wishing you would have.
