Anyone tow a 1250lb tongue weight rv without WD?

Marty,

As you well know, equipment trailers are a whole different animal. Longer tongues, axles set farther to the rear, and complete control over where the weight is placed. RV trailers have short tongues, axles set almost dead center, and very little control over the balance.

Not only that but I sincerely doubt you were using underrated receivers, shanks, or balls to tow your equipment trailer around on a daily basis. Especially since it sounds like you are a commercial operation, and as such subject to DOT inspections.

The weights themselves are not a problem. The truck itself is capable of towing those weights day in and day out for its entire life. HOWEVER, it is not properly equipped to do it day in and day out. It needs a heavier receiver, shank, and ball to do it without weight distribution.

For a one-time tow of 35 miles, the OP *SHOULD* be okay, but I wouldn't exactly "yawn" at it.

Yawn,

Used to do this daily with an equipment trailer, 1200 lbs of HW, and 10500 on the axels. Granted not an RV trailer, but wieghts are similar. I used to tow my TT which was in the 6-7000 lb total range, with 650-750 depending upon how loaded on the hitch with out bars too. I do admit, the rv trailer towed better with WD bars, better yet with a dual cam. BUT< the HW etc did not do too much to the 6400 lb RA on the two trucks I towed it with.

The ET on the other hand, does take more wt off the front, depending upon the WB, how much the front end weighs, overhang etc. So life can get interesting in some lower friction types of driving, like rain wetted roads, ice, the BIG slick WHITE cross walk painted area's etc. It is easier to slide with a lighter front end.

marty

I have a new 3 ball shank rated for 1000lb tongue and 10000lb trailer on the 2 5/16. It is 3 months old.

inspect your hitch for any cracks or damage, get a shank and ball properly rated and go for it.

What are you using for a shank and ball?

Do NOT use a cheap Walmart shank and ball rated for 5000lbs. 25% over the receiver rating is one thing, but you'll be 150% over the shank and ball ratings!

If you go buy a heavy duty shank and ball, you'll be into it for >$100 for a one time tow! $100 would make a heck of a dent in the cost of a WD hitch.

APT wrote:
I would do it, keeping the speeds say under 50mph.

X2

I would do it, keeping the speeds say under 50mph.

Oh my Gosh 250 pounds overweight for 35 miles? OK, I have not used WD in years and have been over a lot more than that but I have joined my 500 lb bumper to my 1000 lb hitch. Do not worry about it.

35 miles? Piece of cake. I would tow it to the Dealer

It's rated for 1750/17000 with wd, and I believe 1000/10000 without. So I would be over for a few miles.