1500 vs 2500
The trailer we are looking at weighs #5595 according to Grand Design, with a hitch weight of #505. We will get a new tow vehicle to handle this weight, I am considering 1500 Eco Diesel, 1500 Hemi ...
Forum Discussion
TurnThePage wrote:
snip...
Define "wallowing" and "fully loaded". My half ton admittedly came with a very forgiving suspension. It's soft. Rides great empty. REALLY great empty. It does squat under load. But there is NO WALLOWING. It remains right where it's supposed to with no wagging or other squirming. It's simply squatting.
snip....
Will try to explain...but...it is like trying to explain sex to a virgin...
'P' class tires the OEM's outfit all of their 'half ton' (except for the fake half ton, which has higher class tires) with 'P' class tires. Higher class TV's has 'LT' class tires and many recommend going that way for half tons...noodle the why of that after reading the below...
Passenger tires and RMA recommends (really a mandate) that whenever 'P' class tires are mounted on full sized pickup trucks (SUV's derived from pickups too)...they must be de-rated a mine of 9% in their weight carry rating.
That has 'ride quality' high on the 'have to have' list for most half ton owners.
With that 'ride quality' those 'P' class tires will 'roll over' during hard cornering/maneuvering....or when loaded close to, at or over their weight rating...That is the main cause of that 'wallowing' am referring to
Other issue (there are more, but will keep it simple here) is that the slip angle is typically higher on a narrow rim width. Of which most OEMs choose to do...except for their 'performance' optioned Pickup/SUV. This part of that 'wallowing' thing. A fast left/right/left/right type of maneuver will have those 'P' class tires not keep up...PLUS rolling over the sidewalls...but mushy response (wallowing)
The lower rated springs (mainly rear axle) will be "soft" and allow the vehicle to move around (another wallowing thing). Part of the half ton'er complaint of harsh ride quality on higher class TVs
My 1980 half ton Silverado wallows a bit with 33/12.5R15LT load range C tires. KYB MonoMax shocks. 1 ton coil helper springs. It wallows when loaded up with firewood, woodpellets, dirt, gravel, sod, etc...but not as much before all of those 'upgrades' were made. Dad's very small grocery/butcher shop truck and he didn't want anything to do with reducing the ride quality...but...allowed those 1 ton coil helpers...as the guys (brother & stock clerks) working there always loaded it up (down to the bump stops) when going to the produce market, slaughter house, etc
