Need help picking out a used truck to tow
We are considering buying our first travel trailer, and I could use some help figuring out the tow vehicle needs. We are looking at a Keystone Sprinter (278BHS). The overall length is 31'8", weigh...
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Here are a few averages that you can use to estimate your payload requirements.
Average tongue weight is about 12.5 percent of what the loaded trailer weighs.
Average trailer load (dishes, pots and pans, camp chairs, BBQ, bedding, groceries and water, etc) is about 1000 lbs.
Payload is the truck's capacity to carry weight, it is used up by the weight of everything and everybody, you put in or on the truck. That includes aftermarket accessories like bed caps and tonneau covers, people, cargo, pets, weight distributing hitch, and trailer tongue weight.
Weight distributing hitch is required, and, due to trailer length, sway control would be strongly recommended.
If the numbers you have listed, are unloaded weights, your could be looking at 8000 lbs loaded with a little over 1000 lbs tongue weight. The WD hitch would add another 100 lbs.
You would need a truck with enough available payload to support 1100 lbs of trailer weight, plus the weight of your family, plus the weight of any guests and cargo in the truck.
Normally, 2 X 4 will have more payload because it weighs less than the same truck with 4 X 4.
With 30+ feet of trailer, you do not want something with a short wheel base.
With 4 - 6 people, plus cargo, plus 1100+ lbs trailer weight, you're in the neighborhood of heavy duty 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton trucks. Heavy duty 1/2 ton is extremely hard to find. If you find one on a used car lot, it will be well used.
Your search will go faster, if you just start looking at 3/4 ton crew cab trucks, or 3500/350 series vans (watch the payload on the vans).
Average tongue weight is about 12.5 percent of what the loaded trailer weighs.
Average trailer load (dishes, pots and pans, camp chairs, BBQ, bedding, groceries and water, etc) is about 1000 lbs.
Payload is the truck's capacity to carry weight, it is used up by the weight of everything and everybody, you put in or on the truck. That includes aftermarket accessories like bed caps and tonneau covers, people, cargo, pets, weight distributing hitch, and trailer tongue weight.
Weight distributing hitch is required, and, due to trailer length, sway control would be strongly recommended.
If the numbers you have listed, are unloaded weights, your could be looking at 8000 lbs loaded with a little over 1000 lbs tongue weight. The WD hitch would add another 100 lbs.
You would need a truck with enough available payload to support 1100 lbs of trailer weight, plus the weight of your family, plus the weight of any guests and cargo in the truck.
Normally, 2 X 4 will have more payload because it weighs less than the same truck with 4 X 4.
With 30+ feet of trailer, you do not want something with a short wheel base.
With 4 - 6 people, plus cargo, plus 1100+ lbs trailer weight, you're in the neighborhood of heavy duty 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton trucks. Heavy duty 1/2 ton is extremely hard to find. If you find one on a used car lot, it will be well used.
Your search will go faster, if you just start looking at 3/4 ton crew cab trucks, or 3500/350 series vans (watch the payload on the vans).
