I have a dilema and need some help from the folks who know about weights and calculations please. I currently have a 24' HTT that we enjoy but I dislike the fact you can hear every little noise at night. This causes us to question where we camp and who we camp by.My current setup is 4500# dry and about 5100# loaded up. We dont pack a ton as we head out for 2-3 days at a time max. We also run w/ out water and fill up near where we camp. Hitch weight is 400#.The unit I am looking at is 26' TT and 5100# dry. About 5600# loaded up and a hitch weight of 500#.My TV is a 2013 Dodge Durango w/ the 5.7 Hemi, AWD and tow pkg, its rated to tow 7200# and the sticker in the door says vehicle cargo should not exceed 1200#. So figure 700# for 4 people and 2 dogs and then it leaves me just enough for DRY hitch weight but does not include the WDH weight or fuel if that is part of the calculation. I have read posts saying that w/ a WDH that figure is not 100% accurate and you can exceed it. I just dont want to white knuckle drive if I get this new unit.I currently tow the HTT fine, I live in AZ so any travel involves heading through the mountains and I do well on all but the steepest grades where I may be slowed to 55mph. So bottom line what do you think? Am I asking for trouble and am I exceeding the vehicle weight limit w/ this hitch weight? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

mikeinaz wrote:I have a dilema and need some help from the folks who know about weights and calculations please. I currently have a 24' HTT that we enjoy but I dislike the fact you can hear every little noise at night. This causes us to question where we camp and who we camp by.My current setup is 4500# dry and about 5100# loaded up. We dont pack a ton as we head out for 2-3 days at a time max. We also run w/ out water and fill up near where we camp. Hitch weight is 400#.The unit I am looking at is 26' TT and 5100# dry. About 5600# loaded up and a hitch weight of 500#.My TV is a 2013 Dodge Durango w/ the 5.7 Hemi, AWD and tow pkg, its rated to tow 7200# and the sticker in the door says vehicle cargo should not exceed 1200#. So figure 700# for 4 people and 2 dogs and then it leaves me just enough for DRY hitch weight but does not include the WDH weight or fuel if that is part of the calculation. I have read posts saying that w/ a WDH that figure is not 100% accurate and you can exceed it. I just dont want to white knuckle drive if I get this new unit.I currently tow the HTT fine, I live in AZ so any travel involves heading through the mountains and I do well on all but the steepest grades where I may be slowed to 55mph. So bottom line what do you think? Am I asking for trouble and am I exceeding the vehicle weight limit w/ this hitch weight? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.If you think your TV can handle 600 more pounds. Go for it. It really should

Like Tarryallen said.I will add, if you question the brakes... upgrade truck brakes to a better type.ceramic, or carbon.. I use only ceramic for car and truck.adjust trailer brakes slightly harder with controller.. or use boost setting.

Better brakes is always a good thing but the tires are just as important. Most new half tons come with p rated tires that barely meet the max cargo rating of the truck. If you have decent brakes already, I would go for a LT or C class tire.

I think your current setup already puts the Durango over GVWR and maybe rear axle rating. Spend $15 at a CAT scale with the current setup and family. Then you can make a more educated decision about what to upgrade next. IMHO, find a 1600+ pounds payload TV first.

Best few bucks I spent was on the way to my first camping trip, stopped by the CAT scales. Found out that I was over GVW by 100lbs. No sweat. I don't travel with water and it was weighed with a full tank. Draining 20 or so gallons should put me pretty close. I have also reloaded the trailer a bit, but have not had the opportunity to go back by the scales.

Opinion on towing and weights | Good Sam Community

APT
Explorer
Jan 23, 2014
I think your current setup already puts the Durango over GVWR and maybe rear axle rating. Spend $15 at a CAT scale with the current setup and family. Then you can make a more educated decision about what to upgrade next. IMHO, find a 1600+ pounds payload TV first.
DukeAJuke
Explorer
Jan 23, 2014
Better brakes is always a good thing but the tires are just as important. Most new half tons come with p rated tires that barely meet the max cargo rating of the truck. If you have decent brakes already, I would go for a LT or C class tire.
Chuck_thehammer
Explorer
Jan 23, 2014
Like Tarryallen said.

I will add, if you question the brakes... upgrade truck brakes to a better type.
ceramic, or carbon.. I use only ceramic for car and truck.
adjust trailer brakes slightly harder with controller.. or use boost setting.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Jan 23, 2014
mikeinaz wrote:
I have a dilema and need some help from the folks who know about weights and calculations please. I currently have a 24' HTT that we enjoy but I dislike the fact you can hear every little noise at night. This causes us to question where we camp and who we camp by.

My current setup is 4500# dry and about 5100# loaded up. We dont pack a ton as we head out for 2-3 days at a time max. We also run w/ out water and fill up near where we camp. Hitch weight is 400#.

The unit I am looking at is 26' TT and 5100# dry. About 5600# loaded up and a hitch weight of 500#.

My TV is a 2013 Dodge Durango w/ the 5.7 Hemi, AWD and tow pkg, its rated to tow 7200# and the sticker in the door says vehicle cargo should not exceed 1200#. So figure 700# for 4 people and 2 dogs and then it leaves me just enough for DRY hitch weight but does not include the WDH weight or fuel if that is part of the calculation. I have read posts saying that w/ a WDH that figure is not 100% accurate and you can exceed it. I just dont want to white knuckle drive if I get this new unit.

I currently tow the HTT fine, I live in AZ so any travel involves heading through the mountains and I do well on all but the steepest grades where I may be slowed to 55mph. So bottom line what do you think? Am I asking for trouble and am I exceeding the vehicle weight limit w/ this hitch weight? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

If you think your TV can handle 600 more pounds. Go for it. It really should

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