What TT can I pull with my Durango??

twincoast wrote:
---I have max cargo wt for my Durango of 1200 pounds. Me my wife and two kids weigh in at 600 pounds and that's on the high side. I figure cargo inside the truck on a trip another 150 -200 pounds so right now were at 800. Do I have to add the hitch weight to this and be under 1200?---

Yes, you also must include the weight of the WDH -- approximately another 100#.
That means you have only 1200-900 = 300# of remaining payload capacity left to accommodate the vertical load imposed by the trailer.

With a properly sized and adjusted WDH, the vertical load imposed by the trailer will be equal to approximately 75% of the trailer's loaded tongue weight.
That means the maximum allowable loaded TW would be approximately 300/0.75 = 400#.

Since you will be limited to a relatively short trailer, you probably could tow safely with a tongue weight percentage of 11%.
This means the maximum loaded trailer weight would be 400/0.11 = 3600#.

If the 200# of cargo could be carried in the trailer instead of in the TV, the TV could accommodate a maximum trailer imposed vertical load of 500#.
The maximum loaded TW could be about 500/0.75 = about 660#.
Now, assuming a TW% of 12% (because the trailer would be larger), the maximum allowable loaded trailer weight would be about 660/0.12 = 5500#.

As you can see, any of the TV cargo which can be carried in the trailer, results in a significant increase in the allowable trailer weight.
In this example, moving 200# of TV cargo to the trailer gained a net increase of 5500-3600-200 = 1700# of allowable trailer weight.

Ron

The 1200 pounds of payload should include the things you listed, you, family, and trailer tongue weight. I can think of very few things that you would put in the Durango that could not fit in a TT, so that helps a bit.

Stick to about 4k dry and I think you'll be a happy camping family!

Thanks to everyone who have replied. I guess from the responses my biggest question now is the WEIGHT issue. I have max cargo wt for my Durango of 1200 pounds. Me my wife and two kids weigh in at 600 pounds and that's on the high side. I figure cargo inside the truck on a trip another 150 -200 pounds so right now were at 800. Do I have to add the hitch weight to this and be under 1200? Also I know to add at least 1000# to the listed dry weight to include LP, awning, etc...with these numbers in mind whats the weight Im looking at?? I still get confused with what I need to subtract, add etc...Thanks again for helping out a newbie!!

Check out KZ 196s. Bunks and slide.

Forest River 195BH, no slide though.

Gulfstream 198BH, no slide

Check out the Camplite 21BHS. Queen bed, two bunks. 3500 pound dry weight with a 5000 pound max weight. I tow mine with a Ram 1500 and 4.7L engine and it does great. However, I also know people who tow them with a vehicle such as a Ford Flex with the V6 and do fine with that, including the mountains in TN. The Pentastar V6 in your Durango is a great engine, and it should be fine. Just make sure the tongue weight (figure 600 pounds to be conservative) plus the passengers and cargo in the truck, do not exceed the max cargo allowed in the Durango.

For info on the 21 BHS CLICK HERE.

For info on a smaller and lighter Camplite with twin bunks, CLICK HERE.

Well for sure your choices are somewhat limited, but if you're willing to compromise on some of the amenities, you should be able to find something that will get you and the new family out there enjoying camping. You didn't mention the ages of the children....that can make a big difference. How firm is you wife in eliminating a hybrid.....having had one, you could get pretty much everything you want in one package and they are really wonderful....personal opinion. If you haven't gotten all the specs for your vehicle, you need to get those #s from the yellow sticker inside the drivers side door. You need them all to know what you really can and can't tow. You also need to factor in the barn door effect in towing a travel trailer vs a boat of the same weight....your owner's manual should give you that info. If not, go back to your Durango dealer with VIN# in hand and get those specifics. Then you can start your list of "gotta haves" and "don't cares".

Are you thinking maybe having this first trailer for a short time and see how it goes, or thinking long haul? You really need to have this chat and see what the goal is. Beware.....steer clear of dealer lots until you have all your numbers sorted out. The emotional factor comes in and pretty soon you're thinking you can certainly tow a trailer that's just a "little bit" over your weight because it's awesome and you love it. You need to know what you can and cannot tow safely and don't let a salesman show you anything that does not fit your vehicle...BTW, you need to allow 1000# wiggle room in there. Salesmen don't always tell you what you need to know if it'll effect a sale. Good luck, let us know how it goes and if you need help sorting it all out. It's not always an easy thing.

I would suggest that you look at the Winnebago Minnie Winnie 2101DS. I pull one with my RAM 1500 3.6l V6 and 8 speed transmission. It is very easy to pull with that combo. You can see it here.

BubbaChris wrote:

Probably not much. You'll likely be limited to trailers with a box length around 20 feet or less. Look at the Lance 2185

at 4330 dry weight and 590 lbs. tongue weight that fits right into my figures and it has a slideout.
the Ascend without slide would be 400?? lbs. less.
bumpy

westend wrote:
Look on the driver's side door pillar for the Payload weight rating, something like, "weight of passengers and cargo should not exceed..." The payload weight will be the limiting factor for towing, you will run out of payload weight before you hit the GCWR of the Durango.

This is one of the best replies so far. You'll want a minimum of 10% of the trailer's total weight to be on the tongue. So subtract the weight of your family and likely in-Durango cargo and that is the number left for tongue weight.

Probably not much. You'll likely be limited to trailers with a box length around 20 feet or less. Look at the Lance 2185

Keep your eye on the tongue weight, subtract that from the GCWR, then subtract the families wt. The left over wt. will be supplies and food. I see way to many vehicles over loaded and it is dangerous, no need to put the family at risk. Bunk beds may not be an option, they are usually heavier TT.