Towing Help...(I know another one)

westend wrote:
...and using the cargo capacity numbers on your driver's side door label, "Cargo and capacity should not exceed....". That label number will be your payload capacity and all passengers, cargo, tongue load, and weight of WDH should not exceed that number. The payload number is the definitive limit for 1/2 ton pickups and TT towing numbers. Forget about the rest.

There it is, and this is where most folks get jammed up with RV towing. The tow rating is fine for boats and utility trailers, but is meaningless with RVs. Why? Because RVs add more weight on the tongue, which is weight that must be carried by the truck. AQ typical travel trailer (TT) puts 13% of it's total weight on the tongue.

Keystone Cougar 28RBS
Dry Weight:6338lbs
Hitch Weight:955lbs

In this case tongue weight is 15% of total. A typical family adds about 1000 lbs or ,more top an RV with clothes, food, pots/pans, etc, depending on how much storage you have. So if you add 1000 to 6338 = 7338 x 15% on the hitch = 1100 lbs that the TT will add to the truck. Add 4 passengers and whatever is in the truck bed and you will be waaay over the cargo limit of the truck.

It's not just 150/1500's that have this issue...my TT is 8500 lbs loaded with 1200 on the hitch. With a family of four I run right at the 8600 lb GVWR, even though the "tow rating" is 12,000 lbs.

FWIW, changing gears and adding power doesn't do anything to change carrying capacity of the truck. The tires need a higher load rating, and in turn the rims need a higher load rating, as do the springs, brakes, axles, etc. Even if you swapped out rims/tires, added air bags to level the rear, added a tuner for the 5.0 to increase HP, the trans or diff is likely to give up. For all the $$ you spend in upgrades you can get a nice 2500 truck and be done with it. OR, get a smaller TT and put that cash back in your pocket.