Half ton TV advice

bmcewan wrote:
I'm new to the TT world, looking for a 19-26' TT for the wife and I. We planning to semi-retire in 5 years, when we'll be late 40's, and live a minimalist lifestyle, try fulltiming and visit a lot of the national parks.

I've read a lot of threads on the viability of pulling with a half ton pickup, and what it seems to come down to on these trucks is a low payload weight. Since there is a lot of variability in half tons, here's what I have. A 2011 Ram 1500 Tradesman, with tow package, which gives me some nice-to-haves. My limiting factor appears to be payload. Here's my TV specs:

Class IV receiver hitch, 4 and 7 point harness.
V-8 Hemi, 390hp, 407lb-ft torque
Heavy duty oil cooler
Heavy duty transmission cooler
160 amp alternator
3.55 gear ratio
Multilink Rear coil springs
6350 GVW; 14000 GCW; 1440 max payload
Max trailer 8900lbs.
To improve towing capacity, will add:
* load balancing system
* integrated electronic trailer brake controller
* 1000# rear suspension airlift system

My problem is, between the wife and I and a full tank of 26g of fuel, plus 50# of extra gear, and subtracting the 150# of driver weight (boy I wish I was back at 150#!) we're left with payload of 870 pounds.

Dialing in the tongue weight at 15% of trailer weight, I'm looking at a limit of 5800 pounds.

Have I calculated this correctly? Any advice for fulltiming in something this light? I suspect the answer is "give up and buy a 3/4 ton truck." But would appreciate any help analyzing this and some advice on looking at the problem from people with more experience on this than I. Thanks!

Your calculation of 5800# (fully loaded) is certainly in the ballpark of what you can pull with the truck you have. As a matter of fact I would even use the 75% "rule" on the rated 8900# to arrive at 6700# fully loaded), leaving you 950# under GCWR.

Figuring say 1500# of cargo in the trailer you are down to 5200# light. The heavy tongue load based on 12% would be 800#. Working backwards on your truck's payload you will have 640# payload remaining for gas, people, cargo etc. Don't forget you can put cargo in the trailer to ease up on the payload seen by the truck, as long as you don't exceed the 6700#/800# as-weighed weights. Since you are wanting to fulltime, the cargo carried is very important.

With the 1/2 ton truck, payload is certainly the limiting factor, but also the pulling power is not far behind.

I recently finished a pull from Houston TX to Santa Clarita CA through New Mexico and Arizona and my truck performed beautifully, pulling my trailer at 7500#. The tongue load is about 800# as well. Maximum altitude was almost 5000' and max ambient temperatures of 106 deg.F in the desert. I have many more measurements I can share upon request.

Am I happy with my 1/2 ton - you bet! The only thing I would improve is the factory tranny cooler.