Hi Jason,
Well, as you know, I'm right on the jagged edge of what my 1500 is rated for. So, with that in mind, we try to keep it as light as possible and plan ahead. I always carry a small Coleman generator and 5 gallons of gas, a little firewood, a small air compressor, a Coleman bbq grill, a bottle of propane, and a few other assorted things in the truck... but not much more. We try to figure how much water we'll need between refill opportunities and fill the tank accordingly. We have carried a full load of water in the trailer and ten extra gallons in jugs in the truck without a problem.
We just got home from a five-day trip that started out light and ended up heavy. We had the usual supplies in the truck but on the first stop we loaded the truck with about 400 lbs of slate that my wife just had to have for the flower garden. We then proceeded to pull about 300 miles to our destination and back (through the mountains). We were headed to a nice camground in Palmer that had water though so I only had about 15 gallons in the tank. But I could really tell the difference with the extra weight on the truck. Back end was pretty heavy.
If we only carry the basics in the truck and the typical load in the trailer (even with a full water tank) it pulls very nicely. We always go north and that takes us through the Chugach Range but that sweet little Hemi is always ready to snatch the trailer up and through the mountains. She never gets hot.
The photo was taken last September in Turnagain Pass, the highest point on our way home. We had just finished the toughest and longest pull uphill, about seven miles. We try to do that part empty if possible. In the photo the truck was pretty heavy, you can see it's squatting just a bit. Normally the truck sits nice and level.
On good road I have no problem holding the speed limits... 55 and 65. She'll cruise at 70 if I need to but I like to keep it around 60. At that speed I average about 8 mpg.
A 2500 truck would be a better match for the 31BHDS but we'll make do with the 1500 for now. I do plan to upgrade to a dedicated tow truck in the future. I'd like a 1-ton diesel.
Happy camping,
Dale
Dale in Alaska
2003 Ram 1500 Hemi, 4X4, RC, SB, 3.92
2007 Jayflight 31BHDS