Forum Discussion

KirstenS's avatar
KirstenS
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015

Short bed truck with camper towing horse trailer?

Hi, I'm hoping to get some "expert input":
We have a 2015 RAM 3500 crew cab with a short bed (6.4), our trailer is a 2 horse stock type, and we are considering buying a 2007 Bigfoot 15C9.3 made for short beds. The truck has a max payload of 4073 lb, max towing 17,200 lb, GVWR 11,700 lb and GCWR 25,300 lb. Dry weight on the camper is 2,100 lb, total length is 15"1'. I'm currently waiting on confirmation how much of this is over the cab vs. on the bed of the truck. The trailer with horses, tack, hay, water is around 5000 lb.
My question: Can this be safely done, and if yes, how? I've been asking around and have gotten as many answers as there are possible options... Would love to hear from people who are actually towing horses with a camper, or have tried and given up.
Btw, we had a gooseneck trailer with small LQ, but want the flexibility to go camping without horses, therefore prefer a camper with bp trailer.
Thanks so much in advance!
Truck Campers
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Oct 17, 2015
    Totally do able. I'm guessing the 9.3 is the length in the bed which is pretty long for a short bed camper.
    Length of extension for the hitch will be dependent on the tongue length on the trailer and overhang of the camper.
    Ideally a super hitch but if you don't have a lot of tongue weight may get by with just a hitch extension.
    Plus that's a light camper if it will be at or under 3klbs loaded up.
    I've not towed horses but have pulled 5-6klb trailers all over with my 07 short bed with a much heavier camper and just a 12-18" hitch extension, including up the Alcan hwy to AK.
    IMO you got the right truck and 19.5s are not really needed at your weights, again provided the camper weight and cg is reasonable. And the new Rams have a beefier hitch than the one I have.
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer
    Oct 17, 2015
    KirstenS wrote:
    Hi, I'm hoping to get some "expert input":
    We have a 2015 RAM 3500 crew cab with a short bed (6.4), our trailer is a 2 horse stock type, and we are considering buying a 2007 Bigfoot 15C9.3 made for short beds. The truck has a max payload of 4073 lb, max towing 17,200 lb, GVWR 11,700 lb and GCWR 25,300 lb. Dry weight on the camper is 2,100 lb, total length is 15"1'. I'm currently waiting on confirmation how much of this is over the cab vs. on the bed of the truck. The trailer with horses, tack, hay, water is around 5000 lb.
    My question: Can this be safely done, and if yes, how? I've been asking around and have gotten as many answers as there are possible options...

    Would love to hear from people who are actually towing horses with a camper

    , or have tried and given up.
    Btw, we had a gooseneck trailer with small LQ, but want the flexibility to go camping without horses, therefore prefer a camper with bp trailer.
    Thanks so much in advance!


    Wait for it.......
    There is a forum member that shows horses and tows with his TC. He will be able to help you, both he and his DW are 'very' experienced towing their horses with a TC. Think the name is buzzcut. Hope they chime in for you.

    Myself, I pull a 4 place slant with my 31ft MH. :W

    BTW: Why can't you go camping with an LQ? Some of them are very very nice. They are nothing more than a toy hauler that some of us decide to put horses in, just don't put them in when you want to get away by yourselves. :B
  • Buzzcut1's avatar
    Buzzcut1
    Nomad II
    Oct 17, 2015
    totally doable , dually no problem, SRW you will need 19.5 wheels and tire. for either, superhitch, supertruss and a weight distribution hitch. then go have fun
  • Vinsil's avatar
    Vinsil
    Explorer
    Oct 17, 2015
    Solid advice so far.

    Superhitch, supertruss, some stableloads and I predict 19.5's as well. Very doable, just takes $$$$$!
  • slickrock_steve's avatar
    slickrock_steve
    Explorer
    Oct 17, 2015
    Listen to them!
    I tow with my "05" Ram, CTD, and have a hitch with extension. I tow my two 1000 lb horses in my enclosed aluminum trailer, and the only problem is trying to back the beast up!!
    You will need a super hitch, some suspension/load equalizer connections, and lots of patience and care with towing live cargo.
    I have taken our horses, my Arab mare, and my Wife's Tennesee Walker, all over the south west, and that does include lots of mountains and distances.

  • K_Mac's avatar
    K_Mac
    Explorer
    Oct 17, 2015
    Torklift is definitely in your future. A lot of us here tow our toys in all kinds of set-ups. What you want to do is very doable. There's a fellow with a post on Pg.3/6 (Just got a hitch mount for my Honda 2000) who is a wealth of knowledge when it come's to horse's and trailers, send him a PM. I'm sure he'll help you out.
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Oct 17, 2015
    There are plenty of us towing heavy trailers behind our truck campers. You need a dual receiver SuperHitch with a dual truss extension SuperTruss. These Torklift products allow you to tow a 10,000 lb trailer on an extension up to 4' long.

    Your biggest concern will be to not overload the rear tires and rims past their capacity. The rear axle has plenty of reserve capacity, but is limited by the 7000-7500 lb wheel capacity. I went with 19.5" commercial tires to allow me to carry a 4000 lb truck camper while towing an 8000 lb enclosed trailer with my short bed F250.



  • hedgehopper's avatar
    hedgehopper
    Explorer
    Oct 17, 2015
    Welcome to the forum.

    To get you started, do a search on "horse trailer," or "trailer." Check the "truck camper only" box.

    I have no experience with trailers. But from the numbers you specify, your project sounds doable. Knowing the numbers gives you a head start. I'm impressed.

    Forum members with horse trailers or other trailers will chime in shortly, I expect.

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