My wife and I are interested in a '14 Keystone Passport 2650HB Grand Touring for our family of four. We will use this for 4-season camping traversing the Rockies frequently.TT SPECS:Specification DescriptionLength 29'4"Width 8'0"Height 10'7"Hitch Weight 540 lbsDry Weight 4,876 lbsCargo Weight 2,324 lbsTV: '02 Ram 1500 Quad 4X4 w/ Sport Tow Package SPECS:Curb Weight: 5,260GVWR: 6,650Payload: 1,380GCWR: 11,500Max Trailer: 6,100Axle: 3,900 Front/Rear EachWith truck fully loaded with 2 small kids, wife and I along with bikes, food and day gear we're around 6,000lbs GVWR and 640 lbs left of payload. I'm thinking if we added an additional 2klbs to the trailer making it 6900 lbs we'll have exceeded the GCWR 11,500 (Truck: 6000 + Trailer: 6900= 12,900) by 1,400lbs, as well as the payload (even at 10% GVWR 690 lbs) with the hitch weight.Am I right on my understanding of tow capabilities? Do we need to be closer to a 4,000lbs TT?This is pretty confusing and don't want to make the wrong choice for our TV.

I think you have done a nice job with your numbers and with interpreting them. You are going to be over your payload capacity. In my opinion, that's the biggie, even more so than being over the towing capacity.Looks like the classic bigger truck or smaller trailer situation.You are smart for doing this kind of research before hand.and...welcome to the Forum.

Thanks for the welcome and reply downtheroad, much appreciated. We're looking at the Keystone Passport 2300BH @ 4,300 dry weight and the Apex 238BH@ 4,100 DW.Any other BH TT models we should check out that weigh around 4k lbs?Thanks in advanced for all the help!

You might look for a Lance 2185. But they're a California manufacturer and don't have dealers everywhere. They also tend to be pricey but are generally considered to be good quality. But be careful with the dry weights. Last time I looked, Lance didn't include many standard options in the dry weight, so the stickered, out-of-the-factory weight could be 300-500# higher. The 2185 has a GVWR of 6000#, and you might get close to that once loaded up, even the though the published dry weight is only 3825#.

honestly with a family of 4 and 640 lbs available payload that truck is going to struggle in the mountains towing any TT big enough for what you want. You need to be under 4000 lbs loaded to stay within your numbers and even then the truck will be taxed and struggling in the mountains. I think you need to be looking into pop ups or a beefier TV. Sorry but better to now in advance then after purchasing.

Check out the Funfinder and Shadow Cruiser lines they are very lite.

Newbie Q: Truck Tow Capabilities. | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

Goldstalker
Explorer
Sep 11, 2013
Check out the Funfinder and Shadow Cruiser lines they are very lite.
anaro
Explorer
Sep 11, 2013
honestly with a family of 4 and 640 lbs available payload that truck is going to struggle in the mountains towing any TT big enough for what you want. You need to be under 4000 lbs loaded to stay within your numbers and even then the truck will be taxed and struggling in the mountains. I think you need to be looking into pop ups or a beefier TV. Sorry but better to now in advance then after purchasing.
brulaz
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
You might look for a Lance 2185. But they're a California manufacturer and don't have dealers everywhere. They also tend to be pricey but are generally considered to be good quality.

But be careful with the dry weights. Last time I looked, Lance didn't include many standard options in the dry weight, so the stickered, out-of-the-factory weight could be 300-500# higher. The 2185 has a GVWR of 6000#, and you might get close to that once loaded up, even the though the published dry weight is only 3825#.
ELCO5280
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
Thanks for the welcome and reply downtheroad, much appreciated.

We're looking at the Keystone Passport 2300BH @ 4,300 dry weight and the Apex 238BH@ 4,100 DW.

Any other BH TT models we should check out that weigh around 4k lbs?

Thanks in advanced for all the help!
downtheroad
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
I think you have done a nice job with your numbers and with interpreting them. You are going to be over your payload capacity. In my opinion, that's the biggie, even more so than being over the towing capacity.
Looks like the classic bigger truck or smaller trailer situation.

You are smart for doing this kind of research before hand.
and...welcome to the Forum.

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Newbie Q: Truck Tow Capabilities.

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