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InTheRockies's avatar
InTheRockies
Explorer
May 27, 2020

Considering a TC & Towing my Travel Trailer

Hi Folks. My current rig is a 2019 FR Cherokee Grey Wolf 17BHSE travel trailer (24', ~5,200 lbs loaded) towed behind a 2006 Ram 1500 Sport 5.7L Hemi, Crew Cab with 6.5' box. I use a Husky Centerline WDH with sway bars. I took a 4 month trip with this combo last year and it worked really well. However....

I am now seriously considering adding a truck camper to this mix, and upgrading my truck (which I had planned to do anyways). Looking to purchase a Ram 3500 SRW gasser CC 8' box to accommodate a mid-size truck camper (the Palomino hard side 750 or 1803 models fit my bill in terms of weight, profile, amenities like a wet bath, and price). I want to be able to tow a travel trailer while carrying the TC - ideally the TT I already own!

I've read through the forums, TC websites and posts on towing with a TC and think I have a basic understanding of some of the considerations. With the TC I'm considering, I'm choosing models that are 8'2 in floor length to avoid needing a lengthy hitch extension. I believe the 2020 Ram would give me about 4,300 lbs of payload configured the way I want it. The majority of my cargo would be hauled in the TT, so with a 5,200 lb loaded TT I have about 650 lbs of tongue weight to deduct from the truck's payload. TC might carry 300-400 lbs of stuff for a total gross weight of the TC around 2300 lbs. Figure another 500 lbs in the truck cab for us passengers and small stuff and total payload is around 3,450. That leaves a 850 lb cushion. Does my math seem right? I know I need to be sure the truck's tires can handle the weight I'm expecting as well as the rear axle.

The reason I'm wanting to explore this setup with the TC and TT is mainly to try and give me the best of both worlds in terms of my travel/camping style. I travel with an older family member and we love the comfort (dry bath, 2 separate sleeping areas) of the travel trailer and having a home base at the State Park and National Park/NF campgrounds we primarily stay at. What we're missing is having some comforts to take with us on extended day-long trips from those campgrounds. It would be great to have our own facilities (basic restroom, kitchen, sleeping area for cat naps) with us when we're out exploring for the day.

So, my questions for all you wise and experienced folks are:

1. Does this set-up seem doable as I've laid it out? Anything major (or minor) I'm missing?
2. Do you see any glaring issues with the weight/payload info I've described?

Thanks in advance for your input and for reading this post!
Truck Campers

19 Replies

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  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator II
    May 28, 2020
    No different than towing any other trailer behind a truck with a TC on it.
    Sounds like you have everything you need except the truck and TC!
    Any 1 ton SRW truck will do what you want to do, safely.
  • wnjj's avatar
    wnjj
    Explorer II
    May 27, 2020
    billtex wrote:
    Sorry-this site has been TERRIBLE lately.

    I find that when it hangs after posting, usually the post went through and it was just having trouble reloading the page. That's what causes the extra posts. I just copy the text to save it then start over or go to another portal to see if it showed up.
  • InTheRockies's avatar
    InTheRockies
    Explorer
    May 27, 2020
    Billtex: we don't full-time but do go on the road for several months at a time, as well as taking shorter 1-6 week trips. I hear you on the gennys and solar. We may be able to ditch them someday, but we typically camp without electric hookup in NP/NF campgrounds, and the gennys come in handy for running the A/C when the weather turns hotter. I travel with my elderly mother who doesn't handle the heat very well.

    I'm not keen on the idea of doing away with the travel trailer in favor of a larger TC. The TT gives us two permanent sleeping areas (a full-size sofa and a double bunk), and use of the dinette (which we do use a lot). I also prefer the idea of having a smaller-profile TC on the truck for tooling around towns, making runs to the grocery store, parking at trailheads where space can be at a premium, being able to drive some places with height clearance issues, etc...
  • billtex's avatar
    billtex
    Explorer II
    May 27, 2020
    InTheRockies wrote:
    Thanks for the feedback.

    I don't mind getting a small(ish) TC to stay below payload ratings - in fact I prefer it as the TT is my main living/sleeping area and the TC is just a means to have the basic amenities along on day trips.

    I considered getting a smaller (shorter & lighter weight) TT like an Rpod to tow behind the TC, but even reducing the trailer weight by 1,000 lbs would only net about a 130 lb decrease in tongue weight/payload. That doesn't seem like a significant savings by downsizing the trailer.

    The shortened length may mean it would tow better - thoughts on that?

    One thing I need to determine is how I'm going to store the stuff I currently bring along in my truck bed. My main concern are my two Champion 2,000w generators.

    Where do people typically store their generator with a TC if it doesn't have a dedicated compartment? A cargo rack on the hitch?

    Are you full-timing?

    If not...get rid of some stuff!

    Get solar (not gennys).

    It’s true one advantage of a TC is you CAN tow stuff...but it’s not mandatory!

    We have spent a month at a time in our TC with 3 plus dog and we fit no problem (and no trailer).

    I town when I need to (boat/canoes/Scout trailer) but not because I have to...

    Maybe you can just rethink what you are packing.
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    May 27, 2020
    InTheRockies wrote:


    Where do people typically store their generator with a TC if it doesn't have a dedicated compartment? A cargo rack on the hitch?

    I love front hitch for my Honda 3000.
    But being metal fabricator, I made secure platform who doesn't obstruct cooling.
    I also have backup 1000W inverter generator, that I usually keep in the shower pan when in motion.
    Some people keep small generator in supercab, but I usually camp in triple digits temperatures, who cook gasoline inside the cabin.
  • InTheRockies's avatar
    InTheRockies
    Explorer
    May 27, 2020
    Thanks for the feedback.

    I don't mind getting a small(ish) TC to stay below payload ratings - in fact I prefer it as the TT is my main living/sleeping area and the TC is just a means to have the basic amenities along on day trips.

    I considered getting a smaller (shorter & lighter weight) TT like an Rpod to tow behind the TC, but even reducing the trailer weight by 1,000 lbs would only net about a 130 lb decrease in tongue weight/payload. That doesn't seem like a significant savings by downsizing the trailer.

    The shortened length may mean it would tow better - thoughts on that?

    One thing I need to determine is how I'm going to store the stuff I currently bring along in my truck bed. My main concern are my two Champion 2,000w generators.

    Where do people typically store their generator with a TC if it doesn't have a dedicated compartment? A cargo rack on the hitch?
  • ppine's avatar
    ppine
    Explorer II
    May 27, 2020
    You could do that but it does not mean you should.
    Hauling a camper around for day trips seems like massive overkill to me, but that is why everyone gets to have an opinion.

    If you have any sense you will purchase a DRW. Consider a diesel.
    A pop-up camper like a Four Wheel Drive will save you about 800 pounds in your truck bed.

    I sold my TC because I did not like loading and unloading it, driving in the wind, or driving on windy mountain roads that are sometimes banked the wrong way. Those issues will be magnified with a TT added to your rig.
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    May 27, 2020
    I think it’s doable but a DRW would obviously be better and give you more options for the TC part of the equation. I wouldn’t want to push the weight capacity that much if a DRW is an option for you. I have a 9 1/2 TC and use a 18 inch extension. I towed my wife’s Aunt/Uncles TT behind me to Yellowstone a couple of years ago. Of course, my F450 is a beast, but you couldn’t even feel their trailer.

    A diesel would have more power in the mountains, but if the current setup works, my guess is the larger truck also with a gasser would still be ok for you. There are a lot of people on here that tow larger trailers etc. That’s one of the main advantages of a truck camper.
  • billtex's avatar
    billtex
    Explorer II
    May 27, 2020
    It is do-able. Track down moosetags (Brian) He was towing an AirStream behind his TC. For that load you may want to go diesel. F450 would be a good choice too...

    Good luck, keep us posted.

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