ROO 233S or 296 pop-up
Hi Camping people, I am Bill. I am 56 and getting in to camping. I bought a new 2013 RAM 1500 Quade Cabe ST sports pickup truck this past Aug. Now I am looking for my camper. I know 5th wheel is the b...
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wkm4200 wrote:
Hi Camping people, I am Bill. I am 56 and getting in to camping. I bought a new 2013 RAM 1500 Quade Cabe ST sports pickup truck this past Aug. Now I am looking for my camper. I know 5th wheel is the best BUT more $ than I can do. I like the large 296 pop-up rockwood and I like the rockwood ROO233S. The ROO is easer to set up but may eat more gas than the flolded down pop-up. Do any of you out there own eather camper? If so what do you like and what don't you like. Thanks for your help Bill M
The Rams have the lowest payload in the industry, even lower than many midsize trucks. The payload on a 1/2 ton truck really is what determines what you tow.
First, what IS the payload of your truck. It will be in the driver's side door jam on the tire loading (tread act) yellow sticker.
Second, what is the weight of ALL passengers and any gear in the truck. Truck bedliner, tonneau cover, and aftermarket side steps are all 'gear' that needs to be added up.
That will help determine where to start.
Usually the Payload minus gear and people, is what's left for the tongue weight of the trailer. Usually with a weight distribution hitch, 80% of the tongue weight will go towards the trucks axles (payload) and 20% will go towards the trailer's axles. Also, normally a tongue weight for a travel trailer with a dual axles is 13% of the total trailer weight.
These are starting points to help determine what you may be able to tow. Like I said, with 1/2 ton trucks, the tow rating means little. My truck has a tow rating of 9300 lbs but with my family and gear, I'm really limited to about a 7000 lbs loaded trailer. My yellow tire loading, tread act sticker states 1582 lbs.
For what it's worth, options are usually around 200 lbs, food, fresh water tank water, clothes, and camping gear and be anywhere from 1000 lbs to 1500 lbs. With my large water tanks and all of my gear we are about 1500 lbs. in stuff + 200 lbs of trailer options added to the 'brochure' weight. Brochure weight is about 4850 lbs and factory optioned and loaded weight is about 6500 lbs.
