New Travel trailer

No offense to anyone intended, but I get these "what can I tow" questions answered before I buy a trailer or a truck. The information is out there. Coming here gets lots of opinions and arithmetic gyrations.

Mtwolfer wrote:
I just purchased a new Cougar 32BHS travel trailer, they say "half ton tow able" is that true?, it says 34' .I have a 3/4 ton chevy duramax, will that do? Dry weight about 7000lbs., my owners manual for the truck says up to 12,000lbs towing . I'm in Montana sooo High winds and tall mountains.

Your 2500 Dmax/A is a great tow vehicle for that size TT (8000-9000 lbs).

And yes there are 1/2 ton trucks out here that would also tow that size TT just fine.
Most rv folks tend to lump all 1/2 ton trucks as the same size which in fact our 1/2 ton trucks have had greater range of gvwr/gawrs than any of the other LDT size pickups.
The last 20 years or so 1/2 ton trucks have had gvwrs ranging from 6400 lbs up to 8600 lbs . But more importantly rear axle (rawr) from 3200 lbs up to 6000 lbs. All depending on brand and year model pickups trucks. So sure....choose the right 1/2 ton truck for a 9000 lb TT and enjoy the ride. Choose the wrong size 1/2 ton truck and its not gonna' match.
Enjoy the 2500/diesel combo.

I am lost as to why we are debating half ton towable if the OP has a 3/4 ton? My previous truck ( 07 150 w/HD payload pkg) was within weights just barely, but my tongue weight was 1100 lbs on my 8000 lb trailer. My OEM receiver wasn't up to the job @ 930 lbs WD rating. I had to upgrade to a Reese unit rated at 1200 lbs because the OEM started cracking in the bottom of the pin box. Another thing to look at when half ton towing.

Mtwolfer wrote:
I just purchased a new Cougar 32BHS travel trailer, they say "half ton tow able" is that true?

Yes it's true they say that.
;)

naturist wrote:

wing_zealot wrote:

naturist wrote:
... And don't forget about a full tank of go-juice at 7.4 lbs per gallon...

Just to set the record straight, the payload weight on the sticker on your truck already includes a full tank of fuel.

That's not the way I heard it. Since the weight of fuel changes as you drive, I have always heard it was not included. I guess it is time for a deep dive on the issue.

No, it’s not. It’s not that intersting or beneficial to anyone except those that sit around wringing their hands over gvws and payloads as if a few lbs or even a few hundred lbs makes an iota of difference.
But fwiw curb weight is ready to roll, full of fluids, all of them. And generally payloads are considering at least a driver and some consider all seats full of hypothetical 150lb passengers.

And it absolutely doesn’t matter with that trailer and a 3/4 ton of any flavor.
The Duramax is just a bonus in the equation.

wing_zealot wrote:

naturist wrote:
... And don't forget about a full tank of go-juice at 7.4 lbs per gallon...

Just to set the record straight, the payload weight on the sticker on your truck already includes a full tank of fuel.

That's not the way I heard it. Since the weight of fuel changes as you drive, I have always heard it was not included. I guess it is time for a deep dive on the issue

EDIT: It seems 'twas I who was wrong, @wing_zealot was right. I stand by the calculations and conclusions otherwise.

naturist wrote:
... And don't forget about a full tank of go-juice at 7.4 lbs per gallon...

Just to set the record straight, the payload weight on the sticker on your truck already includes a full tank of fuel.

Congrats on the new RV! Your 3/4 ton will be great and comfortable. Half tons - that gets complicated as travel trailers tend to tow the worst with related to weight of any other trailer type. So 8500 pound flat bed or car hauler - maybe okay for the most capable half tons. 8500 pound TT - I will say that very few reports of half ton owners towing that weight range are "comfortable". As mentioned above, the key are is payload and rear axle ratings.

1/2 ton trucks can often pull the load. It's payload where 1/2 ton trucks typically fail.

If you get a "unicorn" 2500lb payload 1/2 ton, yes, you likely have enough tow rating and enough payload rating.

Your average 1/2 ton truck is somewhere in the vicinity of 1500-1700lb payload and that get's pretty marginal.

Some 1/2 ton trucks have truly pathetic payloads (under 1000lb) and no question they will be over their ratings.

7000lb empty will likely be up around 9000lb full with a hitch weight of around 1200lb. Add in say 500lb for a family of 4 plus cooler, firewood, etc... in the truck bed and you are very quickly going to be asking the truck to carry (ie: payload) 2000lb or more.

So assuming you want to stay within the manufacture ratings, it's unlikely to be half ton towable unless you camp by yourself and take nothing in the truck or trailer.

3/4 ton trucks on the other hand start around 2200-2500lb payload (check the door jamb to see what your payload is). Odds are you are fine with a 3/4 ton.

Mtwolfer wrote:
I just purchased a new Cougar 32BHS travel trailer... .I have a 3/4 ton chevy duramax, will that do? Dry weight about 7000lbs.,.

YEP! a 2500 Duramax will be an awesome tow rig for that trailer.