Best Design Trailer for Half-Ton

bid_time wrote:

GordonThree wrote:
... Overload and kiss your insurance coverage goodbye, not to mention warranty.

This is absolutely wrong. You can't be denied coverage just because your vehicle is overloaded. Think about it, even if you are drunk driving and get in an accident you are still covered (except if you happen to have a specific exclusion). The insurance company can after the fact cancel your policy but they can't deny the claims from the accident. Same for overloaded. Look up the term "Gross Negligence".

And warranties are covered by the Magnuson - Moss Warranty Act. Look it up.

I don't in anyway condone operating over the vehicle limits (up to and including 100% is fine), but the "scare" stuff along with the "your going to kill you wife and kids" is baloney.

While we're at it, the "bit stiffer ride" is a hoot!. Loaded maybe, empty they ride like you have no suspension. You can't competently handle a payload of 2500 pounds and have a soft ride while empty. They are mutually exclusive. Don't fall for that line.

The newer HD trucks ride really well. My Ram with the coil setup has a fantastic ride. It's firm but doesn't beat you up, and coupled with a very stout chassis it has a great ride and handling balance without any of the porpoising you get in half tons with the softer suspensions. I prefer it, but I admit it's a subjective thing.

cbshoestring wrote:

GordonThree wrote:
I thought my 20ft is pushing the payload on my 1/2 ton, can't imagine hanging a 28-30 ft on the bumper.

Good luck on your search, maybe one of those high tech aluminum frame models?

1st....on the bumper ??????

Anyone towing with a bumper mounted ball should be hog tied and beat with a wet noodle. I wouldn't pull a utility trailer on my bumber.

2nd....20ft is pushing the payload.

That must be one stout 20' trailer. My 19' has a dry weight of 2,600 with 900 payload for a total of 3,500. No where, not even close, to the 1668lb payload of my 1/2 ton RAM 1500.

3rd.... the length of a trailer has nothing to do with the payload placed on a truck. Sure, one can assume that a longer trailer will also be heavier, but last time I checked... adding LxWxH had nothing to do with weight.

I think you may be misconstruing how the term "bumper pull" is being used. It simply denotes a hitch and ball system, as opposed to a 5er. I couldn't imagine using the hole in the bumper for anything either.
RichH

GordonThree wrote:
I thought my 20ft is pushing the payload on my 1/2 ton, can't imagine hanging a 28-30 ft on the bumper.

Good luck on your search, maybe one of those high tech aluminum frame models?

1st....on the bumper ??????

Anyone towing with a bumper mounted ball should be hog tied and beat with a wet noodle. I wouldn't pull a utility trailer on my bumber.

2nd....20ft is pushing the payload.

That must be one stout 20' trailer. My 19' has a dry weight of 2,600 with 900 payload for a total of 3,500. No where, not even close, to the 1668lb payload of my 1/2 ton RAM 1500.

3rd.... the length of a trailer has nothing to do with the payload placed on a truck. Sure, one can assume that a longer trailer will also be heavier, but last time I checked... adding LxWxH had nothing to do with weight.

GordonThree wrote:

APT wrote:
You are really only limited by weight, specifically loaded tongue weight and available payload. Say you have 1400 pounds availabl. 7000 pound loaded TT means 950 for TW. That's only 450 left for people and a bed full of camping gear.

This is what limits my Ram. 10k towing but only 1300 payload. Subtract 550 tongue, 260 for 32 gal fuel tank, 75 spare tire, 80 for two water totes, 100 for Yamaha twins, etc etc. Maxxed out really easy.

It's not about stopping or control, its about stressing components beyond design limits, and liability. Overload and kiss your insurance coverage goodbye, not to mention warranty.

You might lose your warranty if they can prove you overloaded the truck. But your insurance is going to cover you. And besides. Who is going to tell them you were overloaded, Overloaded by who's standard. The capacities the manufacturer gives are just for warranty. they are not law. Ford, GM, Dodge. Do not write law.

Chopperbob wrote:
I spent a ton of $ on my half ton and my trailer was only
7,000 lbs. 25 ft Fleetwood. I also can't imagine towing
a 30 ft with a half ton. Not safe, hard to stop etc.

Length has nothing to do with stopping, and if your 1500 could not tow 7k. You didn't have much of a 1500. Must have had the strip model with a 4 cly

GordonThree wrote:
I thought my 20ft is pushing the payload on my 1/2 ton, can't imagine hanging a 28-30 ft on the bumper.

Good luck on your search, maybe one of those high tech aluminum frame models?

Unless your little TT is super heavy. you haven't put a dent in the capacities of your truck. I don't know who tells people that So called 1/2 tons can't tow long trailer. But it is wrong. BTW. there is no such thing as a 1/2 ton truck any more. Most 150 are rated for more than 1500lbs payload, and yes you guessed it. that is 3/4 ton.

In truth length has nothing to do with what a 150, or 1500 can tow. It is all about weight. No matter how long, or short the trailer is. IF it is within the weight capacities of the truck. It will safely tow it.
My TT is 31' bumper to ball. It weighs ready to camp in the 6000lb range, give or take a couple hundred LB depending on where it is going. I am WELL under ALL my weight capacities. The TT tows with no sway, and the truck has plenty of power.
I don't know who told folks about the stopping thing. But that is why the trailer has brakes. No truck 3/4, or 1 ton, or MTD has brakes that are designed to stop anything but the GVWR of the truck. You are no worse off in a 150 with a properly weighted trailer than you are in a 250 with a properly weighted trailer. and by the same token. You are no better off with a over loaded 250 than you are with a over loaded 150.

The truck stops the weight up to the GVWR, and the trailer stops the weight that is over the trucks GVWR. It really is that simple

Ever see the guy driving the half ton with a bed full of sand?
Sure you can do it but does that make it right or safe?

augustpilot wrote:
Looking to see if anyone in group has found a great floor plan in 2 slide trailer to pull with half ton truck.

It can be done but you'll likely be over weight. With my trailer and me in the driver seat, I'm maxed out on payload. Wind is the biggest factor, imo. At over 35', I have to really slow down in strong side winds. Wish it had a stiffer chassis. My next truck will be a one ton.

Personally my DW and I love our F-150 4x4 when towing, but both agree that it a real barge then driving through the shopping center or parking. Even with the “P” tires it a bumpy ride. It is after all a truck.

However. it is not quite as bad the Mercury Marque I once owned. We needed deck hands to cast off the line when we backed that ship out of the garage.;)

Our Bullet Premier trailer has 2 slides and is towed by a half ton SUV. I've put over 10k miles on my old Tahoe and a couple thousand on the new one towing two trailers. The first was 26' and about 6500 empty. The new one is 30' and about 6800 empty. I've had no issues with stopping or going up hill or down hill with my set up. I'm at my max limits when fully loaded with my GF and 3 dogs in the truck, but everything else is stored in the TT, so I hit payload, axle ratings and receiver rating, but do not exceed them. Only time I've ever gone over was on a 3 week trip to Maryland and I Was 120lbs over the GCWR, but that with an unusually large amount of stuff. I've been considering a 2500 Suburban because pick ups don't have the room for 3 dogs, but I've had no problems towing all over the country with my old or new Tahoe.

Check out the Bullet Ultra Lite's from Keystone. 2 slides and low weight with nice features.