I am posting this here because it is one of the few forums I look at.I see a lot of critical reviews of people and their choice of trailer or TV and the research they do. I only ask that we give them a break.I did a little experiment and went to two different Dodge dealerships and spoke with a multitude of people. Neither of which gave me the correct information. I positioned myself as a CURRENT truck owner who was curious about it's capabilities, so no one can say they were just trying to make a sale. Either way of all the people I spoke to, I got 90% incorrect information. The last guy even told me that tongue weight does not decrease from the payload. I saw calculators, papers, pamphlets...everything...they all really went out of their way to help, just didn't get much right. I spurned a lot of conversations in offices between sales guys, managers and service dept while I was there. Still, not a lot of correct information.Even on this forum, there was a recent conversation on the ratings which caused confusion.So, when people say research things, it isn't always that easy. Some people expect "experts" to be able to give them accurate information.If I were a consumer, I believe that I did everything right by going to two different dealers, going to the trailer dealer, looking on websites..etc. It still doesn't mean that you will get a proper hook up. Even I was mis-lead somewhat and will be towing a bit over weight this summer, until next year when I can afford a new truck (I ain't made of money).So for now, I drive careful, kept the trips short this year and will be just fine.So I guess the point is, we should give those people a bit of a break, after all, we are here to "help" each other right?

I don't know why people believe they can trust salesman. Its VERY rare you find a good one with real knowledge and facts that cover most peoples needs. They are typically not technical either. Car dealerships are the WORST. Don't EVER trust those guys. Most cant even remember what the dang brochure says sitting on their desks.Look up the definition of "Salesman". How do you know what their background really is? How do you know you can trust a single word out of their mouth? They are only there to SELL YOU PRODUCT! And the internet is full of everything. Do your own research.Take personal responsibility and accountability.

You raise a good point. However the info is there many are just reluctant to accept it. Letting someone know there combo is poorly matched is not intended to be critical but is meant to inform them.There is a lot of misinformation as well but at some point along the line a newbie will encounter the real truth and become enlightened.Sometimes the truth hurts,sometimes the info is too late and a mismatched sale has already taken place nevertheless I wouldn't be too critical of the messenger especially if the messenger is attempting to enlighten and newbie with valid towing facts and parameters.

Lantley wrote:You raise a good point. However the info is there many are just reluctant to accept it. Letting someone know there combo is poorly matched is not intended to be critical but is meant to inform them.There is a lot of misinformation as well but at some point along the line a newbie will encounter the real truth and become enlightened.Sometimes the truth hurts,sometimes the info is too late and a mismatched sale has already taken place nevertheless I wouldn't be too critical of the messenger especially if the messenger is attempting to enlighten and newbie with valid towing facts and parameters.My feelings about this also. Good post.

I just said this on another post but Ford salesman and business manager tried to sell me a 150 ecoboost when I was looking as 350's stating the 150 could tow almost as much at 11,300 pounds. When I asked about the payload they had no idea so I explained it to them. I hate weight police but will suggest people look up their numbers at times.

Give them somewhat of a break | Good Sam Community

jaycocreek
Explorer II
Jun 20, 2014
I have hauled cattle and sheep. A lot of the ranchers around here have an old semi sitting around, so old they run the old 5/4 transmission which is a son of a gun to learn to drive, especially loaded and on grades. So they rely on local logging truck drivers or old timers to run there cattle. A few hire out.

There better drivers towing because of the vast experience they have on mountain roads/snow and ice/wind and storms and the hours they put in doing it....

No comparison to the common rver in my opinion.
sacmarata
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
Commercial carriers (those requiring state and federal credentials/authority regardless of CDL or not) are safer than non commercial drivers. Across the board every states stats repeat this.
Theres lots of folks hauling commercially (heavier than standard large RV) that arent required to have a CDL. So it even goes beyond the fact that CDL drivers are more educated, commercial drivers in general are more educated.

I only bring this up because of earlier posts questioning if livestock haulers are more educated. The stats reflect they are better drivers, so it can be assumed they are more educated drivers
Thers a lot of carriers out there hauling in excess of 10k lbs that arent required to have CDL.
shfd739
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014
fatboy66 wrote:
I went camping in Arkansas last week and watched the procession of 3/4 ton trucks pulling huge 5W's, each sagging badly in the rear. My impression was these guys thought because they have a 3/4 ton diesel, they can tow the world.

I'll bet everyone of them was well overloaded. Scary.

Most are probably like my father in law who thought "I have a 250 diesel pickup and plenty of tow capacity for the trailer" but didnt think about the payload.

He didnt think about his till he asked me my opinion on which toolbox/aux tank combo to get..knowing he has a 250 I told him to hook up the trailer and go make some scale passes to make sure he has enough payload left. Turns out he was fine and loaded with diesel and fiver hes got about 300lbs to spare.

Father in law is a smart guy but it never occurred to him that his big diesel pickup could be overloaded so easily. I bet some of those owners are the same...some also probably dont care though.
fatboy66
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014
I went camping in Arkansas last week and watched the procession of 3/4 ton trucks pulling huge 5W's, each sagging badly in the rear. My impression was these guys thought because they have a 3/4 ton diesel, they can tow the world.

I'll bet everyone of them was well overloaded. Scary.
Lantley
Nomad
Jun 02, 2014
atreis wrote:
(Not surpringly) I disagree. One can have too much truck: Having more truck than necessary is wasteful, both in terms of money and resources consumed, unless you already have the big truck for other reasons.

It's good that towing is a pleasure. It is for me too.

In terms of resources it's all a waste Ford Ranger or Diesel dually.
None of us have to camp.
In terms of reduced stress and a nice relaxed tow you can't have too much truck.
The guys that tow with HDT's capable of towing 80K loaded trailers do so because they know a 20-30K loaded 5'er will be no challenge for a truck that large regardless of the terrain.
When talking commuter cars less may have advantages. However when talking RV towing more truck beats marginal or adequate any day.
westend
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014
atreis wrote:
(Not surpringly) I disagree. One can have too much truck: Having more truck than necessary is wasteful, both in terms of money and resources consumed, unless you already have the big truck for other reasons.

It's good that towing is a pleasure. It is for me too.
Yeah, Ok.
atreis
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014
(Not surpringly) I disagree. One can have too much truck: Having more truck than necessary is wasteful, both in terms of money and resources consumed, unless you already have the big truck for other reasons.

It's good that towing is a pleasure. It is for me too.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014
MFinCA wrote:
I think that I am too conservative when it comes to towing. My current TT weighs in at 6,000 lbs. fully loaded. My 'Burb (7.4L, 3.73 gears) has a listed towing capacity of 8,000 lbs. It is a great match of TV/TT. I have towed a 7,500 lb. boat with the 'Burb and it towed just fine.

I had a Dodge Ram 1500 (5.9L, 3.55 gears) that I towed the TT with from time to time. That was also within the weight limits. When it came time to trade in a vehicle, I traded in the Dodge--there was simply no comparison between the two--the 'Burb won hands down.

I'll do the same next year when we upgrade our TT/TV combo. I am leaning towards a 5er with a 1-ton dually diesel.

Can't be to "conservative" or have too much truck, within reason. (Towing a pop-up with a semi would be a little too much)

Check my signature. One ton dually towing 8,000 pounds. Towing is a pleasure.
MFinCA
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014
I think that I am too conservative when it comes to towing. My current TT weighs in at 6,000 lbs. fully loaded. My 'Burb (7.4L, 3.73 gears) has a listed towing capacity of 8,000 lbs. It is a great match of TV/TT. I have towed a 7,500 lb. boat with the 'Burb and it towed just fine.

I had a Dodge Ram 1500 (5.9L, 3.55 gears) that I towed the TT with from time to time. That was also within the weight limits. When it came time to trade in a vehicle, I traded in the Dodge--there was simply no comparison between the two--the 'Burb won hands down.

I'll do the same next year when we upgrade our TT/TV combo. I am leaning towards a 5er with a 1-ton dually diesel.
Lantley
Nomad
Jun 01, 2014
atreis wrote:
rockhillmanor wrote:

Only difference is the livestock owner/drivers are far more educated and more conscious of what the "correct" tow vehicle should be due to precious cargo.......hmmmmm, you'd think the average RV'er would want to be also, since their family is their precious cargo.

Where is your evidence that they're better educated? If it's that they flip less, that's flawed for the reasons stated above. They could flip less because they're different trailers, not because those who pull them are better educated. There also might be fewer of them on the road, and on average pulled for shorter distances.

Of all the people towing trailers, one could logically assume that those with a CDL are the best educated. They still flip. Not every flipped trailer is the result of a poorly educated owner/operator.

I've yet to see a news story about a flip involving a minivan though. :)

Live stock trailers are generally smaller. I would also agree the drivers are generally more experienced.
They are using dedicated work trucks and are not trying to get by with a smaller truck that is also used as a daily driver.
While they may not hold CDL's they are a business operation with the resources and financial backing to do things right.

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Give them somewhat of a break

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