Realistic 1/2 ton towing

smkettner wrote:

Terryallan wrote:

smkettner wrote:
The Texan, I did not say the larger trailer would not work. Just that they are over my general guideline for a new RVer. Saying if towing at the very max the OP needs to adjust his expectations. Everyone is different. Very doable for some and white knuckles for others. I have no inclination on what type person the OP or DW might be. You or me might go 12,000+ gvwr trailer but that does not mean I would call it slam dunk easy for everyone.

Only indication was the word "realistic" in the title. Not "I need to figure out how to tow this" or "what is the very max" or "just bought the trailer, must make it work"

In all honesty. The GVWR of the trailer is a useless number. Few people actually add 2500 lb to the trailer. The national average is 1000 lb. We added 900 to our's. So even though my trailer GVWR is 7200lbs. The trailer actually weighs 5700, a far cry from the GVWR./ So it is highly unlikely that any one of those trailer would ever be close to 10000lbs.

Having said that, a dry weight of 6400, or 6800 is a little much for that truck. If it was a 2 wheel drive. I'd say go for it. But as it's a 4x4. I'd stay with a lighter TT.

You are sorta talking a different story out of each side of your mouth :R

If a person has to ask, I will continue to recommend keeping the trailer GVWR within the tow vehicle tow rating. OK they might end up at less than the very max but I think that is the point when new to the RV towing scene.
Not exactly easy for a beginner
I will contend that dry weights are even more usless because with options etc the delivery weight commonly exceeds the brochure dry weight. Where as it is very unusual to load a trailer over GVWR.

The very best is to load up and hit the scales but by then you own it so good luck with that too. Not exactly easy for a beginner.

Not trying to ruffle any feathers, but I don't think towing is some magical skill that needs to be acquired over years of trial-and-error. I think in general towing "as a skill" gets inflated on the forum.

To me, it's common sense, being careful, learning what to do and (more importantly) what not to do when it comes to loading and hitching up. I remember my dear old mom towing our TTs in the 70s and 80s sometimes when Dad got stuck at work (he'd drive out and meet us at the campground later).

She wasn't exactly some hardened trucker with years of experience, she just used her head and drove appropriately and we always got there, drama-free.

Give me a reasonable person who's willing to be careful and do some homework up front and their first tow will likely go as well as their 100th.