? much help will 3/4 ton make for ride quality comp to 1/2?

[rsaylor3]

I just posted about weighing my new travel trailer. Thankfully I did because the dry weight was quite a bit higher than what the manufacturer listed.

I have a 2015 Viewfinder 32rlss. My tow vehicle is a 2013 Silverado 1500 with 5.3 6 speed. I knew I would be pushing it when I bought it but also knew I would be under the max payload and tow capacity by a safe bit. I also will be doingost of my camping in Florida to atart with.Now after hitting the scales as well as pulling my first camper I am realizing that a 3/4 ton is in my future.

My question is more about towing comfort and sway. I have a Blue Ox with 1,000 lb bars. Being my first travel trailer I really don't know how good or bad the ride is. I can say that doing 65 mph, I feel some bigger SUV's, going under overpasses and for sure when buses and semi's overtake me. I feel the push and pull. It was very windy on my first drive home last weekend after picking her up in Georgia and camping at Stone Mountain. Felt the wind all the way home. Never swayed out of control or had to reach for the manual override; but definitely felt different than towing big boats that I have plenty of experience with. Not what I would call white knuckle, but a bit exhausting for sure.

Will a 3/4 ton help stabilize my drive? I know the pulling will be easier and the stiffer suspension will be welcomed, but how much if any will it help with the ride qualities above? I know a pullpride would make a difference and I almost bought one to start with but thought I would try the Blue Ox first. Figure I will end up with one even with a new truck, should I get the pullpride first? Truck probably won't happen till late this year.

Thanks and sorry for such a long post!

[lushy]

rsaylor3 wrote:
I just posted about weighing my new travel trailer. Thankfully I did because the dry weight was quite a bit higher than what the manufacturer listed.

I have a 2015 Viewfinder 32rlss. My tow vehicle is a 2013 Silverado 1500 with 5.3 6 speed. I knew I would be pushing it when I bought it but also knew I would be under the max payload and tow capacity by a safe bit. I also will be doingost of my camping in Florida to atart with.Now after hitting the scales as well as pulling my first camper I am realizing that a 3/4 ton is in my future.

My question is more about towing comfort and sway. I have a Blue Ox with 1,000 lb bars. Being my first travel trailer I really don't know how good or bad the ride is. I can say that doing 65 mph, I feel some bigger SUV's, going under overpasses and for sure when buses and semi's overtake me. I feel the push and pull. It was very windy on my first drive home last weekend after picking her up in Georgia and camping at Stone Mountain. Felt the wind all the way home. Never swayed out of control or had to reach for the manual override; but definitely felt different than towing big boats that I have plenty of experience with. Not what I would call white knuckle, but a bit exhausting for sure.

Will a 3/4 ton help stabilize my drive? I know the pulling will be easier and the stiffer suspension will be welcomed, but how much if any will it help with the ride qualities above? I know a pullpride would make a difference and I almost bought one to start with but thought I would try the Blue Ox first. Figure I will end up with one even with a new truck, should I get the pullpride first? Truck probably won't happen till late this year.

Thanks and sorry for such a long post!

I can relate to your issue since I had a similar circumstance and similar equipment. Getting back to some of your questions, I towed my current TT with a 1500 and switched to a 2500HD diesel using the Blue Ox Sway Pro both times. You asked, "will a 3/4 ton help stabilize my drive?" It made a HUGE difference for me as I had expected. With the 1500 I felt all the "stuff"... sway, drag, wind, trucks, etc. I got a workout each time. You are close to all of your maximums as I was. Two hands gripping the wheel, tensed up a little, waiting for that next truck to blow by or fighting the wind. I'm sure you can relate. I wasn't uncomfortable, but I sure as heck wasn't comfortable. I had to tow with the 1500 for the last part of the season which was about 5 or so trips.

Towing with the 2500HD diesel with the same Blue Ox Sway Pro was like night and day. I hardly feel any sway, the wind is not an issue, and semi trucks pass by me without much effort on my part. I drive down the highway now with the cruise on, hands are relaxed on the steering wheel and I'm very comfortable. I can now talk on my phone, text, play with the GPS and drink my coffee without any problems! (Just kidding :W)

Last summer I drove 20+ hours straight through from Colorado (I know that's too long) and it was a very enjoyable drive. Hope this helps and good luck on your decision.

[Nvr2loud]

Weight calculations aside...

I installed extra leaf springs in the back of my 1/2 ton to stiffen the ride a little bit and it made a huge difference. Running empty the truck is a lot rougher ride, but when loaded / towing it has been great. Most of the bounce between the truck and trailer are now gone.

So I agree that a 3/4 ton with a stiffer suspension then your 1/2 ton will make a big ride difference (in a good way while towing)

[goducks10]

First off JMO but 34'5" is too long for a 1/2 ton. 2nd the dry weight is 6880lbs in the brochure. We all know brochure weights are low. Have you weighed your TT? MY guess is it's 7000lbs as it sits without gear. You could be near 7800=8000lbs loaded. If you have 13% for TW that would be 1040lbs. That's a load on the rear of a 1/2 ton.
Also have you done the measurement thing? Measure the front fender well height unhitched than hitch up w/o the WD and see what the difference is. You need to return the front to as close to the original height as possible.

JMO but the overall length of 34'5" and a loaded weight near 8000lbs coupled with a 1/2 ton is what is causing the the push pull you're experiencing. Not way to get around the fact that the TT weighs more than the truck and is going to move it around. Going to a 3/4 ton will help, but a cheaper alternative and a better idea IMO is to go with one of the premium hitches like the Hensley Arrow or ProPride. @ $2500.00 or so they're expensive. But they will 100% eliminate your push pull feeling. Cheaper than a 3/4 ton and 100% better than throwing money at the 1/2 ton trying to make it like a 3/4 ton. For the money you're spent on the Blue OX, C rated tires and now looking at shocks, you could've bought an HA or PP. BTDT. Going used is even better for those hitches.

Save your money and get an HA or PP or if you really want to get a 3/4 ton truck get it. But you'll pay for it at the pump when not towing.

[Drew_K]

Like the OP, I had a 2004 Nissan Titan until it was totaled by a drunk driver 2 years ago, then a 2012 F150 and now a 2013 F250 diesel. The F250 tows the best among that group, no surprise, but I still feel a little movement from passing 18 wheelers and large vehicles. I can also feel some movement during strong cross winds. So the 3/4 ton doesn't magically make the truck 100% stable when towing, but it's a significant step up. And more importantly, it's a more comfortable, relaxing tow.

[kearlms]

I tow a 23 ft 6000 lb. loaded TT with a Chevy C3500 dually and still can fill the push pull of a big rig passing. I think its just the nature of the beast. I don't notice it as much as I did with the Dodge 1500, but its still there. I have just learned that when something big is going to pass to hold on the let off the gas a little. It helps a little bit.

[rbpru]

I pull a 25 foot TT with an F-150, so I belong in the group that feels the side push from trucks, busses, and wind buffets. I would expect that from a 5000 lbs. TV and a 6000 lb. TT. As mentioned it is a really big sail.;)

I have a Blue Ox hitch and absolutely no sway or fish tail. This was confirmed when my wife followed me for over an hour, on different road surfaces, in a separate car between RV parks. Also I had no difficulties with a panic stop maneuver to miss some deer; it did however give me a better perspective on the increased stopping distance needed. :E

Likewise, a hard steer turn to the right to avoid being sideswiped on a freeway entrance produced minimum rebound. In short I am happy with my set up.

Would an F-250 be a better choice? Probably, particularly with a bigger TT but I still would not count on it eliminating the side buffeting.

[rsaylor3]

They were wrong in a way on what they told you. The door is the best ride for comfort, but when towing you should air up.

My shocks are original and I was thinking of going to Bilsteins or adjustable Rancho. Would that be a benefit? Don't think they need to be replaced yet, but if it will help I would be whiling to do it.

When I looked at the Cooper website it appeared to me that the load range C and E have the same sidewalls just more layers on tread and higher load/psi ratings. I didn't plan on gover over my trucks max axle rating so the C's fit the bill. the side wall is much stiffer than the P's there were on there before.

[GaryWT]

Before I went to the 350 I was looking at new tires. The place I we t to told me that if I went from P to a LT tire I still had to keep the tire pressure at what the door said and not to pump up to what the sidewall said. Did not make sense to put tires that could go to 44 or 65 or 80 on the truck but only run them at 35psi.

[Dog_Trainer]

I put michelin LT M/s2 E rated tires on my F150 That got rid of the squishy p rated wranglers. You say you upgraded with the Cooper c range tires what was the upgrade you need to be on D or E rated tires to make a difference. I also put a set of Timbrens on the truck. Those 2 changes have made a world of difference. I also have the Blue OX sway pro and my Tongue weight is 1040 loaded and ready to go. I realize that I tow at near my max weights but not over and I give myself extra caution. I never exceed 65 and mostly stay 60-62. If you can stay within your truck Manf limits. And discipline yourself to stay within your guidelines you can tow with your truck all day long. If not get into a bigger truck.

[Iraqvet05]

I went from towing our 5500 lb TT with a 1500 crew cab to towing with a 2500HD crew cab and the difference was well worth the switch. The drive train in the newer Silverado's has been updated (6 speed transmissions and more engine output) but I don't think the suspension has changed much over the years. I can tell you towing with the 1500 was sometimes a white knuckle experience and almost always a two hand ordeal but towing with the 2500 is much less stressful. I don't feel the trailer porpoising nearly as much as I did in the 1500 and the sway from semis and side winds (while not completely eliminated) is much more tolerable. Sure the 2500-3500s have a bit rougher ride but a set of Bilstein shocks helps and much of that stiffness goes away when there is weight on the tongue or in the bed.

[rsaylor3]

Thanks for all your replies! I have upgraded my tires in the past year to load range C Cooper at 3. On my trip down with the camper I ran all four tires at max pressure of 50 PSI. Yesterday when running some trial runs, I dropped the front tires down to about 44 psi and I think that gave me much better steering response. Now that I have the tongue weight at 13% I think it's more a matter of me getting used to these new feelings when towing.

What is your tactic when a semi trailer is coming your way, do you hug there inside line?

I had a 2004 Nissan Titan, loved it, everything except the rattles inside was great. Looking forward to testing of that new Titan with the diesel engine. If I did upgrade it would get a good luck as well as the 2500 RAM with a 6.4 Hemi.

Thanks again for all the advice, I'm sure I'll be back with more questions soon!

[ChooChooMan74]

Wait and see what the Nissan Titan XD has to offer. Maybe you will like it.

[aftermath]

According to you, you don't have any trailer sway and that is a good thing, a great thing actually. Will you feel the push pull when being passed? I say you will. You can spend a few thousand bucks for a new hitch and it might be a bit less but you will probably still feel something. I have a Tundra and when I was towing with the original P metrics I did notice some loosey goosey behavior on turns. I replaced the tires with some sturdy LT LRD, pumped them up to close to 80 and haven't had any issues since. I have towed 10s of thousands of miles with my current setup and will "feel" the big trucks passing, especially if it is also windy outside. No sway at all, just the push pull that you described.

You might still need to move up to a 3/4 ton truck because of axle ratings and/or carrying capacity. Your numbers should dictate.

[GaryWT]

We went from a 150 to a 350 last year and for sure it is a stiffer ride 100% of the time. The 350 has a lot less movement when towing. Never had an issue with the 150 but we did have some sway and movement when trucks and buses passed. With the 350, not so much. Love the set up now. We use an equil-i-zer hitch.

[handye9]

rsaylor3 wrote:
Will I still get the push pull of semis with the propride?

You probably won't get rid of 100%. Your Blue Ox hitch should be fine. You do need to remember, you have a 7000+ lb trailer behind a 6000 lb truck, and that trailer is a very large sail.

Buying a new hitch may be money spent needlessly.

Is that a lot of trailer for your truck? Yes
Will a 3/4 ton make your rig more stable? Yes, It will have a stiffer suspension, more body weight, and "LT" tires.
Will it get rid of 100% of the push pull? Probably not.

The push pull is called "bow wave". Even the big rigs are affected by it.

Part of what you are feeling, could be sidewall flex in your tires. You've most likely got "P" rated tires on your 1500. Their sidewalls are weaker than "LT" tires you would find on a 3/4 ton truck.

Check your tire / loading sticker on drivers door post. The tire pressure listed there, is the recommended pressure for comfort. It is not good for carrying a heavy load. Your max tire pressure is printed on the tires themselves.

On your next tow, pump the tires to near max pressure, and see if that makes a difference.


I do the increased tire pressure (3/4 ton) for carrying my TC and for towing my TT. When I go in for oil changes, I have to watch the grease monkeys, they look at the door post sticker, and let air out of my tires, every time. My door post says 65 PSI. For towing and load carrying, I set them at 75. My max is 80 PSI.