Towing question before purchase

[mileyjean]

Here's another towing question that needs answered before the big purchase!!!

We have a 2010 Ford 150 super crew 4x2 with towing pkg
5.4L3-V8
Axle ratio 3.55
GCWR 15,300
Max loaded trailer weight 9800

We are wanting to purchase 2015 Cherokee 274 RK
Length 33'7"
Hitch weight 810
Dry weight 6892
Gross weight 9985
Cargo weight 3093

All numbers above for the trailer are stated on dealers web page and just a little confused what the difference Between all these numbers are.

It will be just my husband and myself with our 2 dogs traveling in our truck and will not be hauling a lot of excessive stuff. We also will not be traveling far distances with it. The most would be within a 50 mile radius and on occasion maybe once or twice a year traveling a couple hundred miles away. What's your thoughts? Also my husband travels to work over 60 miles each day so to purchase larger truck would kill him on gas.

[PhilipB]

I think you'll be fine. We had a similar TT years ago. We towed with a 1996 GMC 1500 5.7 3.73. Trailer weighed 8,000 loaded. We travelled thousands of miles with our boys.

Am I happier with 2500 diesel? Sure. But at the time we made due with what we had.

[Lantley]

What is the payload capacity of your current truck? Tow rating is not the determining factor, but just one parameter to consider.
My instincts/experience tells me you need more truck to tow that trailer comfortably. Proceed with caution

[2Macs]

I agree with mowermech, you need more truck for the TT you are looking at. I tow a 35' TT and use a Chevy 3500 diesel dually to do it with. Past experience with a 26' TT and 5.3L Chevy 1500 that struggled when going up hill or a head wind or in the mountains taught me to get a larger engine with significant torque. When towing, torque becomes more important than horsepower.

[hbillsmith]

For the short trips you describe I think you will be OK. Just don't pack the trailer to max load. Take what you need and run it by the CAT scales. It sounds like you'll probably be adding about 1000 to the dry and that keeps you below your ratings. You will definitely need a weigh distribution hitch with anti sway. I use the Andersen and like it. My trailer is 27ft and 6000 pounds.

[mowermech]

My thoughts are you can do it, but you won't be happy with the performance.
IMO, you need to look at a smaller trailer or get a larger truck.
I recommend a Dodge 2500 quad cab short box Cummins diesel with 3.54 gearing. A 4X2 will be difficult to find, but there are a few out there.