Forum Discussion

Cicch95's avatar
Cicch95
Explorer
Mar 06, 2017

TT / TV -- the age old question again!

Hi all,
New to the forum and a potential addition to the RV world! Wife and I have decided we would like to get a travel trailer. This is so confusing and by all the reading I have done here and elsewhere I am not alone! So, I apologize in advance for the length of this post.

First the truck.....2014 RAM 1500 Express Crew Cab 4x4, 5.7 hemi, 3.92 gear, 8 speed auto, trailer tow mirrors and brake group, class IV hitch, trans and oil coolers, brake controller, heavy duty front and rear shocks. This all came from the build sheet.

GVWR: 6,900 lbs (from silver sticker on door)
Actual weight: 5,490 lbs with a full tank of gas. (nobody in it!)
True payload: 1,410 lbs
GAWR for front and rear: 3,900 lbs each (from silver sticker on door)
GCWR: 15,650 lbs (from Dodge site)
Tow capacity: 10,150 lbs (from Dodge site - seemingly meaningless!)
Wheelbase: 140.5"

So, the wife and I went to a few RV dealers and the first thing I learned was that they either do not care about your safety, your equipment, or they just don't know! Both tried to sell me 33' trailers in the 7,500 lb range. Totally disregarding payload. I was baffled by this.

The whole WDH thing is also very confusing! Does it "offload" TW to the trailer axles, therefore "giving" you payload back? Do you add the weight of the WDH before you subtract what it offloads or after?

All that being said....I have this trailer in mind......but am not sure it is a good idea. Can it pull it, sure. Is it safe to pull it and is it a good idea is another story. The elusive one in my case!

The trailer in question......2017 Keystone Bullet 274BHS. According to the Keystone website (at this point)....
Ship weight: 5,288 lbs
Carrying capacity: 2,297 lbs
Hitch weight: 585 lbs
Length: 30' 9' (manageable length??)

Right now our family of five weighs in around: 770 lbs. That's 2 adults, and 3 daughters (16, 12, 10) So...growing...but I imagine dropping off as adulthood is coming.

I would appreciate any thoughts, opinions, info to help me make an educated decision.

If any other info would be helpful that I may have missed, let me know.

Thanks,
-Rick
  • Cicch95's avatar
    Cicch95
    Explorer
    Mar 09, 2017
    Thanks everyone for the info. It is much appreciated.

    -Rick
  • poppin_fresh's avatar
    poppin_fresh
    Explorer
    Mar 09, 2017
    In my opinion, you are fine. I have a 274BHS and while my Silverado has a couple hundred more pounds of payload, I think you would run out of storage long before you would approach cargo carrying capacity.

    I am using the Andersen hitch which is not known for transferring a lot of weight back to the steer axle, but it does control sway very well. Plus it is very light, so it does not consume a lot of payload just by itself, which some heavy hitches can.
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Mar 09, 2017
    Ron3rd wrote:

    Tom, I would agree with you if he did not already own the truck. IMO his truck with do fine, but a 3/4 ton would be ideal.


    We all have our opinions. Mine is based on towing dozens of trailers for thousands of miles with a variety of tow vehicles and I have come to the conclusion that a little extra capacity makes for a better towing experience.

    The fact that the OP has a particular tow vehicle or trailer does not change the numbers.
  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    Mar 08, 2017
    TomG2 wrote:
    Go for it and be back in a few weeks inquiring about fancy hitches, suspension upgrades, LT tires etc. If you sat down and prepared an "almost good" situation, you could not have done a better job. I like excess capacity in my tow vehicles and the resulting great towing experience. Calculating weight gain on the kids is cutting it too close, for me. You most likely will be over your payload which is why I made the comment about the upgrades. Been there, along with a lot of other people.


    Tom, I would agree with you if he did not already own the truck. IMO his truck with do fine, but a 3/4 ton would be ideal.
  • Jackfate's avatar
    Jackfate
    Explorer
    Mar 08, 2017
    Last year I sold my new 2016 1500 ram outdoorsman cc sb 5.7 3:92 4x4 . It was a white knuckle affair, tried different wdh added air bags all for not . My tt is a open range 274 RLX 6200 lbs dw 8800 lb max about 31' total lgnt. I wouldn't tow a tt over 5000# max with with a 1500 and 24' long . I now tow with a 2016 3500 cummins ram cc lb tows like a dream . Parking is a different matter, always trade offs

    Cheers , trust no salesman
  • Camper_G's avatar
    Camper_G
    Explorer
    Mar 08, 2017
    I think that it's doable, but in all reality with the dry weight you listed, you'll be up around 6500lb loaded weight with that rig, so the tongue weight you listed is likely light. A 30' trailer is a large tt, so you may get into the tail wagging the dog.

    The trailers my wife and i are looking at around 29' and 7k gvwr and that's why i upgraded to a 3/4 ton truck, but i like more margin than most. Good luck with your decision
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2017
    Go for it and be back in a few weeks inquiring about fancy hitches, suspension upgrades, LT tires etc. If you sat down and prepared an "almost good" situation, you could not have done a better job. I like excess capacity in my tow vehicles and the resulting great towing experience. Calculating weight gain on the kids is cutting it too close, for me. You most likely will be over your payload which is why I made the comment about the upgrades. Been there, along with a lot of other people.
  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    Mar 07, 2017
    Cicch95 wrote:
    Ron3rd wrote:
    You're fine with that trailer and tow vehicle combo. Now hitch up and go camping!


    Thanks for the reply Ron. No worries about the payload #'s?


    The payload police might disagree, but I see no problem. Your truck is more than capable IMO.
  • 2012Coleman's avatar
    2012Coleman
    Explorer II
    Mar 07, 2017
    Your tongue weight is going to be more than you stated. Brochure weights are always understated. If your calculating, take the weight of the empty TT and add the estimated cargo weight. Multiply by 13 percent. Take this off your payload. Take another 100 lbs off for the WDH setup. Now take off the weight of the occupants and stuff your going to be hauling in the bed of the truck - bikes, firewood, waste tote BBQ, etc.

    Good luck.

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