Half-ton TV options

Works for me. Either one. Of course if you had a Ford there would be no question.

You will be over on payload in either trailer. The tongue weights that you specified aren't realistic. I would expect they are closer to 800 lbs or higher when the trailer is ready to go on a trip. If you lowered what you carry in the truck you will be better off.

Other than that you should be fine. It's all about payload in half ton trucks.

In my opinion, any trailer with loaded tongue weight exceeding 800 lbs is not a good candidate for a 1/2 ton truck. Most 1/2 tons have 1500 lb payload rating with the exception of f150 with max tow option.

I suspect the TW’s you noted are dry. The real TW will run about 12 to 15% of the loaded TT weight, which will take up the better part of your payload. Payload is always the weak point on ½ tons. Then too, pulling 7000 to 8000# plus with your TV will be quite a load. If you’re within your ratings it will work, but any mountains will likely not be a pleasant towing experience.

800-1000lbs of payload in the truck? Besides the people, can you put the rest in the trailer? That number is killing your options.

CraigGe wrote:
Trailer 1:
Dry: 5,727 lbs
GVWR: 6,900 lbs
Tongue weight: 544 lbs

Trailer 2:
Dry: 6,550 lbs
GVWR: 8,600 lbs
Tongue weight: 560 lbs

Tire max load: 2,469 lbs

Figure it out this way, starting with 12% trailer (10% - 15% is good) GVWR as a tongue load as a good starting point for mitigating sway, and ignoring the WDH capacity of the hitch receiver.

Trailer 1 tongue load = 828#
Trailer 2 tongue load = 1032#

If your payload is limited to about 1500# and you have 800# of people and cargo (put some cargo in the trailer) you have a tongue capacity of about 700#, depending on if your rear axle is able to take the load attributed to it.

700# kills both choices if loaded full.

Even if you look at the lighter RV and figure the tongue load based on its dry weight you are still up to 700#, so basically you can do Trailer 1 with next to no cargo in it while at maximum payload.

I can get my truck loaded weight with 2 people + full gas tank + some cargo to a conservative 650# putting some cargo in the RV. That would leave me an allowable tongue load of about 850#, and working backwards, a maximum trailer of 850 / 0.12 = 7083# loaded.

Using the Rule of Thumb of 80% of max trailer capacity, you can see that you cannot get to 9300 x 0.8 = 7440# before running out of payload.

If you pack carefully, accept 10% for the tongue load, get a good anti-sway WDH, you might be able to swing this RV, which is the one I am looking at next. Pretty much the limit of our trucks.

Cargo is more realistically < 800 lbs, but I would like to plan for 1000 lbs in case I want to load the quad in the bed instead of the dogs. Either way, I hate to worry about a couple of hundred pounds every time I load.

I may grab a tongue scale and see how much these trailers really weigh. If they really weigh <700 lbs loaded at the tongue, I wouldn't worry as much.

Load your tt not your tv to save on payload.

I think you will be fine with the first one not the second. I tow a similar set up and love it, have no issues.

CraigGe wrote:
Cargo is more realistically < 800 lbs, but I would like to plan for 1000 lbs in case I want to load the quad in the bed instead of the dogs. Either way, I hate to worry about a couple of hundred pounds every time I load.

Frankly, you have to because you have a half ton. Payload is your limit. The specs you listed look like base model/max, not as equipped like actual owners have.

Check the actual payload on the Tire and Loading sticker on the driver's door or door jam. Even at 1500 pounds of payload, 800 pounds of people and cargo, leaves 700 (loaded) tongue weight for the trailer. That's about 5000 pound dry TT.

Skip the quad as it costs you about 3000 pounds in actual towing capacity. Stick to under 6k dry and 700 pounds dry TW. Get a WDH with integrated sway control and you should be pleased.