Family Road Trip

Also one more question for you guys, are the parks usually full, meaning should I try to book ahead like a hotel or is it pretty normal to just pull up and have plenty of room?

That depends on where you're going and when you'll be traveling. National parks, especially the well-known ones, can be pretty booked up well in advance, and it might be difficult to find a spot for your rig in (or sometimes even near) one. We have found that state parks, and campgrounds near popular tourist spots, tend to fill up especially on weekends and over holidays, and it's hard to find campsites then too. Campgrounds along the road, say along I-80 in Nebraska, will likely have a few spots available almost anytime - but then, that's their basic function, as overnight spots for travelers.

I agree with the day trip advice. Also, the 4.7 is not renowned for power. Depending on the gearing I might try to avoid the steepest and tallest routes. A good hill could bring my 97 4.6L Ford to its knees with 3.55 gearing. 4.10s were a totally different story.

I tow my Camplite 21BHS, which weighs in at just under 5,000 pounds, with my 2009 Crew Cab Ram 1500 with the 4.7L engine (2WD). We've towed from Florida out to Arizona and Utah with no problems, as well as up to Tennessee to the Smoky Mountains. If you keep your weight low, you'll probably be fine; but if you get up there near your GVWR, you will be borderline.

The 4.7L engine did a great job for us.

Thanks everyone and yes I am aware I am right at the limit that was why I was wanting some senior RVers opinions on the matter because even though I drive truck, this scenario is night and day to that and I understand what weight does to them in mountains and such so I'm sure it will be slow going at best

in reply to Dick_B, yes actually as you can imagine I drive so much that a road trip was not my first choice, this whole thing was the family's idea, and I have drilled it into them about the long endless highways we will be traveling and they are still all for it.

best thing about a vacation with an RV as I'm sure most of you know, if we get tired we can turn around and head the other direction anytime we like, as we will not be tied down to any plans

Also one more question for you guys, are the parks usually full, meaning should I try to book ahead like a hotel or is it pretty normal to just pull up and have plenty of room?

Thanks again everyone

As other RVer's have indicated, your 1/2 ton Dodge truck is marginally capable of towing your trailer. What I would suggest is that you load up your trailer to approx. the same weight you would normally towing when RVing, then take a day trip with varying road conditions i.e. up and down some hills, against the wind. This will give you a more realistic idea of your trucks towing capacity and ability to control the towing of the trailer. This trip might reveal that you need to buy a different type trailer hitch/sway control. I had great towing experiences with the Reese Dual Cam trailer hitch. The Reese provided good sway control capabil
If financially possible, I personally would buy at least a 3/4 ton Dodge truck. I currently have a Dodge 3500 1 ton for towing my 34' 5th wheel.






t

Just slightly off topic but are you sure your family wants to spend as much time on the road as you are used to?

Go for it! You are adequately equipped. There will be some who don't think adequate is enough but it is. I've towed all around the USA and Canada and had a blast! I hope you do too!

I am sure you know you are nearing your towing limit. You don't say how big of family, or what gearing your Ram has. Tow guide shows 5900 lbs for 4x4 3.55, and as much as 7350 lbs for 2WD with 3.92.

The empty weight of trailer is just under 5000 lbs. If the truck and trailer are not heavily loaded it may work. The wind, hills, or mountains will be a challenge.

Jerry

Shouldn't be an issue as long as the truck is healthy.