Can I pull this travel trailer?

bnelsonjax wrote:
Thanks for the answers. I just bought my Ram 1500 3 weeks ago so i dont think trading it in would be an option.

so for a Ram 1500 that can pull 9600, what should i be looking at in relation to length?

Are the half ton fifth wheels better option for me than the regular travel trailers? what is the pros and cons to those compared to the regular travel trailers?

First step, forget about that 9600 lb tow rating. It was calculated without passengers, aftermarket accessories, or cargo. That's not how we go camping. In theory, your truck could tow that weight, if, it only had a driver. In the real world, we throw in things like bed liners / covers, floor mats, step bars, tool boxes, car seats, wife, and a couple kids, along with associated snacks and entertainment systems. At that point, the truck's real world towing capacity has been reduced by one pound for every pound we added, so has the truck's carrying (payload) capacity.

As others have mentioned, check your tire / loading sticker. It will have a number for max occupant / cargo weight. That is the carrying capacity you have to work with. Every thing and every body, you put in or on the truck count against that number and your max towing number.

Biggest problem with half tons and fifth wheels is with the pin weight. The truck needs to carry about 10 percent more trailer weight than it would with a travel trailer.

Here's a link to a calculator that may help with matching a trailer with your truck. It will give you a loaded trailer weight that puts you close to your limits.

Average trailer load (dishes, pots and pans, utensils, bedding, camping gear, BBQ, groceries, and water etc) is 800 to 1000 lbs. Trailer sales people only talk in unloaded weights, so, remember to add this weight when looking at trailers.

Average hitch / tongue weight is 12 - 13 percent of loaded trailer weight.