? 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!

[rsaylor3]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I do think I will end up in a bigger truck one day, but I think I am going to upgrade the hitch to a ProPride P3 soon. I know the truck will get up the hill quicker and probably give me a better ride but I think the hitch will make the biggest difference in the driving comfort right now.

My question is do I need to worry about being right at 13% tongue weight with this hitch? I would love to put my spare tire back on the rear of the trailer and get it out of the bed of my truck. This would also give me a few more pounds of available payload in my 1/2 truck if I don't need to keep it right at 13%.

Thanks.

[silverfz]

I would go for a titan xd or the f150 with the max tow and payload package.

[Slowmover]

With a VPP style hitch you won't feel the winds until they hit the TV. ProPride is the better choice. I have a Hensley.

It should also be said that a lead sprung trailer needs both shock absorbers and improved equalizers for best performance. An increase in wheel travel and better spring control also dampens (lessens) adverse wind force problems.

[Lantley]

befu wrote:

rsaylor3 wrote:


Will I still get the push pull of semis with the propride? My father in law says he doesn't feel it with his fifth wheel but I question that. He's got to feel that as well right?

I will say yes. On my 2500 burb with the trailer, when I get passed by a semi moving much faster than me, you get a slight push as they meet you, then you get pulled towards them as they pass. A bit un-nerving until you get used to it. Just too much sail area not to feel that. Bigger trucks may not move as much, but that is a lot of force not to have some feedback.

I have talked to a few truck drivers while unloading them, and they report the same. Not as severe, but when they are empty (only 30,000 lbs), they definitely feel passing semi's. They are just used to it and know it will only move so much, not getting sucked in. Wind does the same, especially in hills where it comes and goes. When loaded over 70,000 pounds, they say it is much more steady and harder to notice. They feel it but the truck really does not move side to side much.

If a truck driver in a 70,000+ pound rig can at least feel it, how does any RV not feel it? Not saying they are getting pushed around, but they feel the wind and force on the trailer.

Just my experience.

Because of the geometry of the linkage hitch the trailer does not translate the force of the push back to the TV.
In short the trailer absorbs the force so to speak and does not transfer the forces back to the truck.
My explanation may not totally accurate but my experiences have been free of the semi push.
One of the main reason I purchased my HA was I traveled I-81 regularly through PA, VA and WV. This road is loaded with Semi trucks traveling North/South that prefer to avoid I-95 and east coast congestion.
You can often be passed by 10-12 trucks in a row traveling in excess of 75 MPH. The frequent push of the trucks was nerve racking and made traveling I-81 a miserable experience.
I was a skeptic as well but I eventually broke down and purchased a Hensley after talking to the rep at the Hershey RV show.
I can only say that the Hensley worked. No more push,no more anticipating trucks, no more sliding as far right as possible when the truck approached. Just smooth sailing. The Hensley delivered a relaxing tow.

[hawkeye-08]

TomG2 wrote:

rsaylor3 wrote:
Ok guys after pulling it a few more times I have decided that I am getting a 3/4 ton. Couple questions now.

Looking at 2012 GMC 2500 crew cab 4x4 with 6.0 gas. Tell me how much different the 4.10 is compared to the 3.73. It seems there are a lot more used 3.73's out there. Also with the 2500, is the wheelbase longer than my Silverado 1500 crew? Longer bed? When climbing hills how will the different rear ends act?

Thanks guys I appreciate all your advice and knowledge.

I have had both and there is not much practical difference now that we have six speed transmissions. One might have to run in fourth with the 3.73 instead of fifth with the 4.10, but the tow will be very similar.

I have the 3.73 and wish I had the 4.10 since it would raise rpms a few hundred at towing speeds, which I think would reduce shifting down as much.

I like my truck (2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD CCSB 6.0/6sp/3.73), but I would change that if I ordered again.

[befu]

rsaylor3 wrote:


Will I still get the push pull of semis with the propride? My father in law says he doesn't feel it with his fifth wheel but I question that. He's got to feel that as well right?

I will say yes. On my 2500 burb with the trailer, when I get passed by a semi moving much faster than me, you get a slight push as they meet you, then you get pulled towards them as they pass. A bit un-nerving until you get used to it. Just too much sail area not to feel that. Bigger trucks may not move as much, but that is a lot of force not to have some feedback.

I have talked to a few truck drivers while unloading them, and they report the same. Not as severe, but when they are empty (only 30,000 lbs), they definitely feel passing semi's. They are just used to it and know it will only move so much, not getting sucked in. Wind does the same, especially in hills where it comes and goes. When loaded over 70,000 pounds, they say it is much more steady and harder to notice. They feel it but the truck really does not move side to side much.

If a truck driver in a 70,000+ pound rig can at least feel it, how does any RV not feel it? Not saying they are getting pushed around, but they feel the wind and force on the trailer.

Just my experience.

[Lantley]

martipr wrote:
Come on folks, you can get that simi push-pull in any vehicle, even a car.

A bit late to the discussion but with a premium hitch you will not feel the push of the 18 wheelers.
If you want to eliminate the push sensation get a Hensley or ProPride

Yes they are expensive but they do work. I towed a 39' 11K GVW TT with a Hensley without issue. I went through lots of trial and error and all kinds of adjustments however the Hensley cured all my towing issues.
For a totally relaxing towing experience get a premium hitch you will not regret it. Hensley has a 60 day money back guarantee.
Those who have not towed with a premium hitch believe the push pull of semis is normal. Those that have used a premium hitch know the PP or HA will eliminate the the push of the 18 wheelers

[TheGriswolds]

I went through exactly what you have described about two years ago. Went from a 25 foot 5k lb trailer to a 35 ft 8k trailer with a 2009 F150. One trip with the new trailer and I decided to get a used 2011 F250 6.2 gas. It does a lot better job and I look forward to our trips. Not to say that I couldn't have towed with the half ton (I would have been over payload though because the 920 lb factory tongue weight was 1,230 once loaded) I just didn't like the way it felt. I had an equilizer setup, so it wasn't the best hitch system, but it works great on the 3/4 ton. Folks tow more than I have with a half ton, I've seen it and I'm glad it works for them, there is no right or wrong here. If your able to get a bigger truck I don't think you'll regret it one bit.
Happy camping

[martipr]

Come on folks, you can get that simi push-pull in any vehicle, even a car.

[wrenchbender]

As long as you stay in Florida keep your truck.Venture to the Mts trade it in.

[zogg]

Im getting about 13-15 around town but I live in the county without a lot of stop and go driving..high way I've seen almost 18 mpg, but usually 16.5-17 or so.
Have not towed yet....not till April....

[rsaylor3]

I am camping presidents day weekend so I will get some more seat time behind the wheel. I have also decided to rent a 3/4 ton truck from Enterprise and try it out before buying one. I am also thinking that I will upgrade to bilsteins for sure if I keep my Silverado 1500.

I appreciate all the advice, I wish one of you lived near Orlando so I could catch a ride and see what someone else's rides like. Would be nice to have someone that knows ride with me as well.

Love the trailer though and can't wait go get back out there!

[rbpru]

I pull a 6000 lb. 25 ft. Dutchmen with my F-150 4x4 and E-Boost engine. It does the job just fine.
However,
• I do get side push from passing Semis. I am only going 60 mph so they all pass me.
• I do get an occasional side push from strong winds gusts.
• It takes me longer to accelerate and stop while towing.
• I only get 10 mpg, less in a cross wind.
Why, because I am pulling a 6000 lb. 25 ft. Dutchmen TT.

I do not get any sway or fishtailing, I even had my wife follow me to verify that. I have had Panic stops and swerves with no handling problems.

No matter what you hook your TT too, it is going to feel different. The point is, YOU have to decide if you feel safe and comfortable.

In my case, I had to trade off my 200 hp. F-150 for a 356 hp. E-Boost F-150 before I felt safe and happy with the TV. That was a costly but in my opinion worthwhile investment. Sure, I would have liked to have some gonzo behemoth for a TV. But I use my truck on a daily basis.

[jerem0621]

zogg wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:
I went from a half ton F150 to a Crew Cab Long bed dually...

People who say they can't feel the trailer back there are exaggerating....grossly. I felt semis and vans and cars and SUV's pass me in the dually just like I did in the F150. It's 100% normal and it's fine. You will get use to it.

Both of my trucks were properly set up and they both did a good job.

Up trucking is often used on this forum as a symptomatic treatment for a bad set up.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

I agree...I always feel the push and pull from passing trucks....not bad but it is there. Drove a dually last summer with a friend a nd still felt the same. The heavy duty trucks do handle it better that a half ton....th e re is a big difference.

I had a 2011 gmc 3/4 and hated it. We towed from st louis to milwaukee and my wife wanted me to trade it in before we drove back. Rode like******loaded and empty, shifted constantly, awful mpg, and very unstable. My ram is by far better in every respect....imo

Nice report on the 2014 Ram....how is the 5.7 doing on MPG?