Can I tow my new camper safely

When you buy your new truck....be sure that it to can pull that TT when it is loaded. Your Payload is going to be the issue. Do not buy the truck until you know that it can safely pull that trailer.

Congrats on the new TT and the truck to pull it.

Bumpyroad wrote:

JnJnKatiebug wrote:


Do you know someone who was fined for being overweight with an RV? I have read that statement here but have never heard of anyone who was actually fined.

someone on here a while back cited a situation I think in NC where after a wreck the investigation that was conducted led to such a situation.
someone towing thru Emporia, VA, was stopped and went through a very lengthy/thorough investigation but after lots of questions the cop couldn't come up with a violation.
and why do you think that this would make the news anyway? just because you haven't heard of anyone that was actually fined? but I think you would be more likely to get involved in a civil suit than a fine.
bumpy

I agree with you. I would not pull that camper with that truck unless I was going 10 miles down the road and park it at the lake for the summer. No way would I want to head across the country with that setup. A civil suit because of an accident is very possible.

My point is, I see these post about fines on here from time to time. I have never heard of anyone being fined for being overweight with an RV. I have never talked to anyone that knew anyone who was fined for being overweight with an RV. I have not been at the barber shop and someone's cousin knew this guy who knew some guy who had a son in the 6th grade who's teachers brother was fined.

bmaccue wrote:
Thanks, I new I was in bad shape with the truck but I couldnt turn down the deal I got on the camper. Now I will go get a chevy 2500HD.

Sounds like a great plan! Congrats on the new trailer (and new truck)!!

Excellent! When you do get it, you need to post what it's like towing your new TT (with pic too of course). I guarantee you'll love it. :)

You might want to look at the receiver's rating on the new truck if your actual tongue weight is indeed on the high side of the usual 10-15% range. You may find it's rated for 1250 lbs max with a WDH. Might be a good investment to get a Sherline tongue scale.

bmaccue wrote:
Thanks, I new I was in bad shape with the truck but I couldnt turn down the deal I got on the camper. Now I will go get a chevy 2500HD.

bmaccue wrote:
Thanks, I new I was in bad shape with the truck but I couldnt turn down the deal I got on the camper. Now I will go get a chevy 2500HD.

Ahh! Just saw this post.
MUCH better solution!
If it's a 6.0L gasser, just make sure you get the 4.10 axle, not the 3,73 or you will still be (a little) over the official tow rating.

bmaccue wrote:
I just bought a new camper with a UVW of 8130# towing with a 2008 chevy 1500 4x4 w/5.3L motor and 3.73 gears. Do you think I will be all right towing this?

No No No No! If you're having difficulty understanding, is the "N" or the "O" that's giving you trouble?
That 7500# tow rating is reduced by everything you put in the truck other than a 150# driver.
Your realistic tow rating is going to be less than 7000#. And you want to tow a trailer that grosses at 10,700#. Maybe you won't load that heavy but I suspect you will be close to 9500#.
"ONLY" 2500# over!
Don't do it.

Thanks, I new I was in bad shape with the truck but I couldnt turn down the deal I got on the camper. Now I will go get a chevy 2500HD.

bmaccue wrote:
The camper I just bought was a 30ft TT Palomino. Even the camper place where I bought it said I could tow it fine. Are they pulling me leg?

Shouldn't be a problem as long as you're going downhill :R

In all seriousness, you know the trailer weighs almost 1000 lbs more than the truck is rated for and that's before you've loaded the truck and trailer with gear... which will likely be another 1000 lbs!

Never believe any salesman (be it trailer or truck) when it comes to towing. They will tell you what ever is needed to close the sale.

JnJnKatiebug wrote:


Do you know someone who was fined for being overweight with an RV? I have read that statement here but have never heard of anyone who was actually fined.

someone on here a while back cited a situation I think in NC where after a wreck the investigation that was conducted led to such a situation.
someone towing thru Emporia, VA, was stopped and went through a very lengthy/thorough investigation but after lots of questions the cop couldn't come up with a violation.
and why do you think that this would make the news anyway? just because you haven't heard of anyone that was actually fined? but I think you would be more likely to get involved in a civil suit than a fine.
bumpy

Truck is too small, TT is too big, or both. :( This isn't a question whether or not it's okay to tow slightly overloaded, you are way over and that's not good at all.

It's more than just about "towing capacity". You need to look at payload capacity as well. With TTs, you usually run out of payload capacity well before the towing capacity. You're already over on just towing capacity though. For that TT, the gross weight all loaded up is probably around 9500 lbs. Without going to a scale, allow 15% of that for tongue wt., 1425 lbs. That's way too much for a 1/2 ton. You've got to allow for any passengers, kids, pets, groceries, and any camping gear in the truck which can easily be at least 400-500 lbs. So you need a truck capable of handling a payload of nearly 2K lbs. minimum. That needs a 3/4 ton, and even then, not all 3/4 tons can handle that. Our F250 can only handle 1800 lbs due to wt. of factory options. Your GCWR and axle ratings could be an issue too.

Towing at near or at max. towing capacity can be hard on a TV (brakes, engine) but in your case, you are way over. Also, you may exceed the rating of the receiver by quite a bit.

If you want to get an accurate figure for your payload capacity, ignore what's on the door pillar sticker and go to a scale, then subtract that from the GVWR. Load the truck up as you would for camping along with a full tank of gas. You may get a surprise.

If you do end up with a 3/4 ton, you'll find the difference is night and day and you'll be much happier while towing.

3 options:

1. Get a new truck.
2. Forget about warnings and tow well overloaded.
3. Get a "1/2 ton towable" sticker off the internet.