Travel trailer towing.

evanvalk wrote:
Thanks, Bulldawg, that's what I was hoping to Hear, Ed, Happy RVing.

When I read new forum threads here, I have come to the conclusion that the original poster has already made up his/her mind and is simply seeking affirmation of their decision. Here is one such example.

Right or wrong, the original poster will have to live with his choice, no matter how much warning, advise, or suggestions anyone presents here.

That being said (and hope I have not turned the original poster "off" to bad yet), coming from personal experience, I would not tow anything with a 1500 / 150 vehicle. Now granted, each tow vehicle and trailer combination are different and that's the reason anyone asks questions here, but I once owned a 1500 Suburban (Chevy) and it towed the pop-up flawless. Then when we got our first travel trailer (Dutchmen Sport), it was only 5,000 pounds. But a mere 6 months after purchasing the trailer, the transmission was destroyed in the Suburban. Engine was still great! Body was great! Tires were great! I had the transmission replaced with a rebuilt one, and it simply never drove the same again.

We sold it for our first 3500 dualy (gas) model and learned from our miss-fortune.

Now, on the other hand, automobiles and trucks have come a long way since the middle 1990's. We just took a week trip to Florida with our current trailer and back to Indiana. En route we saw some mighty strange tow vehicle-trailer / 5th wheel combinations that made, both my wife and me, shake our heads in unbelief. 1500 and 150 single rear wheel vehicles towing some behemoth trailers. I suppose those folks never read anything on RV.net. Yet, they were buzzing down the "highway of life".

We did experience seeing many trailers with a lot of fishtailing going on with some of these rig combinations. But still, the owners were buzzing down the road at 70 and 75 mph. Made us shutter in our boots watching some of this.

Another thing that amazed us was how many were NOT using any kind of weight distribution set-up.

But you know what? Those trucks were on the road pulling those trailers. So I suppose, they must be making trucks and transmissions a whole lot better these days than my 1995 Suburban!

To the Original Poster: If you feel comfortable towing a trailer with that length and with a vehicle the size you are considering, all I can say is "try it!" I hope it works well for you. BUT ... please do keep an open mind, (if) the truck begins to experience mechanical issues, do get a heavier truck the next time.

BillyW wrote:

beemerphile1 wrote:
A 1/2 ton with a 3.55 gear does not make a great tow vehicle. A +30 feet trailer will likely have too much tongue weight. That is as good an answer as can be given without specific info.

Go to the Ford website. You can build a well appointed F150 with Max Tow Package that sports a 3.55 rear end and 2000lb payload. They don't even offer a lower ratio in some instances. You can build a Ram 1500 Laramie with 3.21 gears rated to tow nearly 8000lbs, while adhering to J2807. 3.55 gears hobbled my old F150, but the newer transmissions have spread out the ratios pretty nicely, not to mention these newer engines with power to spare. Just like Buicks, these ain't your grand dad's half tons.

The one thing, IMHO, the J2807 standard does not take into effect is wind resistance. Towing a flat trailer with steel is way different than towing a Box on wheels. One thing it does do is put all the players on an even field.

But, you are right with these newer trucks and gears. These multi-speed transmissions are doing wonders. I still would prefer a little better of a gear for towing than 3.55 where it can be hilly.

I'm always confused on the 1/2 ton length limitation. I come in at 31' 8", no sway whatsoever but I do keep my speed below 65. Yes, I'm below every weight limit on payload, hitch, axle...all of it. The blanket '1/2 ton cannot tow it or it will be a bad experience' is dictated by people who have not towed with current properly equipped vehicles.

beemerphile1 wrote:
A 1/2 ton with a 3.55 gear does not make a great tow vehicle. A +30 feet trailer will likely have too much tongue weight. That is as good an answer as can be given without specific info.

Go to the Ford website. You can build a well appointed F150 with Max Tow Package that sports a 3.55 rear end and 2000lb payload. They don't even offer a lower ratio in some instances. You can build a Ram 1500 Laramie with 3.21 gears rated to tow nearly 8000lbs, while adhering to J2807. 3.55 gears hobbled my old F150, but the newer transmissions have spread out the ratios pretty nicely, not to mention these newer engines with power to spare. Just like Buicks, these ain't your grand dad's half tons.

beemerphile1 wrote:

dvitale300 wrote:
I've got the same rig you have. I have a 31 ft Starcraft Launch Ultre Light. When I bought my TT I told the RV dealer to set it up right or I would drive the whole thing into their show room if it wasn't. They put on a WDH and electronic break switch. I have zero problems towing. No sway at all. I have found that the sweet spot speed on the open highway for me is about 68 mph. Mainly for gas. I average about 7.8 mpg without significant winds. I can go faster, low 70's, but gas mileage drops down to 6.8 mpg if I do. Next truck will be a 2500 diesel. For three reasons: one is power, the second is gas mileage and the third is the ability to refuel in diesel pull throughs.

The fact that you have had zero problems does NOT mean you are under all weight limits including truck and trailer payloads. According to your post, you are exceeding the speed ratings of your tires. What other limits are you exceeding? You should get your rig weighed.

Ok will do. I'll set cc at 62/63 and get the thing weighed asap. Since its a launch ultra light, th unloaded weight is 5335. At the dealer we sat down and calculated the weights based on my truck and WDH. We had room to spare when estimating loaded weight.

dvitale300 wrote:
I've got the same rig you have. I have a 31 ft Starcraft Launch Ultre Light. When I bought my TT I told the RV dealer to set it up right or I would drive the whole thing into their show room if it wasn't. They put on a WDH and electronic break switch. I have zero problems towing. No sway at all. I have found that the sweet spot speed on the open highway for me is about 68 mph. Mainly for gas. I average about 7.8 mpg without significant winds. I can go faster, low 70's, but gas mileage drops down to 6.8 mpg if I do. Next truck will be a 2500 diesel. For three reasons: one is power, the second is gas mileage and the third is the ability to refuel in diesel pull throughs.

The fact that you have had zero problems does NOT mean you are under all weight limits including truck and trailer payloads. According to your post, you are exceeding the speed ratings of your tires. What other limits are you exceeding? You should get your rig weighed.

3oaks wrote:

Nvr2loud wrote:

beemerphile1 wrote:
By fish tailing, I assume you mean trailer sway? It probably wouldn't be any worse than another overloaded 1/2 ton truck.

A +30 feet trailer will most likely be too much for any 1/2 ton.

How many times do we (as a travel trailer forum) need to go through this argument. There is no 'magic' length that is too much for any given truck. There are many factors to determine appropriate tow vehicle / trailer combinations.

I had an 18 foot trailer that was WAY WAY too heavy for my 1/2 Ton Sierra, I needed to have a 3/4 Ton for that trailer. My 30 Foot trailer is easily under what the truck is rated to pull, under the max combined weight rating, under the max hitch rating with WDH (over the max hitch rating without WDH) and I am at my payload max when I'm fully loaded with family, bikes, wood, and propane in the bed of the truck. I could shift the wood and propane to the trailer if I ever need that little bit of extra payload.

I don't even have sway, since I keep nearly 15% tongue weight on the truck.

Exactly! Often too many automatic nay sayers without even knowing all the details.

My post was made based on the details the OP gave which was very little. In case anyone missed it, I said "will most likely be too much". I didn't say it will be.

A 1/2 ton with a 3.55 gear does not make a great tow vehicle. A +30 feet trailer will likely have too much tongue weight. That is as good an answer as can be given without specific info.

Your TT will max out on weight around 7000lbs. You tires are 205/75/14 according to your profile info. They have a max load rating of 1760lbs each. That's 7040lbs for all for. Your TT has less than 1000lbs for cargo per the brochure. 925lbs to be exact. Add a battery and propane and you're likely around 800lbs for CCC in the TT. What all that means is if you load the TT like most do then you'll be at or maybe even over the TT' payload rating. Running 14" tires maxed out near 65 mph is a recipe for disaster.

1st thing I'd do is get everything weighed to see exactly where you stand. Not sure what the trucks payload rating is. Rams are typically a little lower than GM and Ford. If you have a Laramie then your payload capacity will be even lower. Again, get it all weighed to see where you stand for load limits.

I would take the open approach. What is the available payload of this vehicle? (Rams are known for low payload) Subtract the tongue weight of the trailer (if unknown, add at least 150 - 200 to the so called dry tongue weight). Subtract 50 pounds for hitch. Then subtract the weight of all cargo and passengers. If you end up in the negative, you are overloaded and will probably not have a pleasant experience.

I towed a 35 foot trailer with a 150 for 3 years. It did fine, I was at my limit with the payload and just under my tow capacity. The truck sat pretty level without air bags or anything as I had the equil i zer hitch doing what it was suppose to. I was happy with the set up. If it was not for other life events I would still be towing that way.

As for speed, I try to keep it under 65 at all times. First for tires and second for gas. I set the cruise control at 62/63 generally and that is ok gas milage, if I hit 65 or higher I can see the gas gauge move.