Newbie towing recommendation

Found another trailer and I think I'm going to pull the trigger. GVWR 7420 lbs. I feel way better about this one.

Like you, I am new to the Travel Trailer scene. I have evolved from tents, to a slide in camper (91 Six Pac 78S model in a 65 chevy C10 short-wide bed). The wife and I are now looking at a Starcraft Autumn Ridge 245DS because it is small enough for us, and big enough for us at the same time. ;) Hope that makes sense...

We had originally thought that I could just upgrade the front end of the '65 (the back end I had already done to accommodate the slide-in) with disk brakes, power steering, and a new transmission. But the more I read on the forums here, the more I realized that I would be in the end destroying my 65 Chevy. Even with all the upgrades, no matter how "Cool" it would look towing the trailer, it is Still a 52 year old truck.

I have now started looking at a Heavy Duty 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton truck to do the job. Budget is the deciding factor, and even then, if I go with the 1/2 ton, there will be upgrades to suspension and engine/trans cooling before I tow a trailer Mile One.

Take what these people say with the Thousands of Miles of experience they have behind them. Almost all of them would not intentionally steer you wrong, and like I have, you will learn alot from their experience.

: Stepping off my soapbox :

Badger

aclay wrote:
I see so many posts like this, with people just starting. And I did it too, we had a Yukon XL towing a Jayco 26BH, and it was just a struggle. I realize a diesel rig is not for everyone, but it's more than just the facts and figures. I think of brakes and transmissions, and safety. It's one thing to be able to get going, it's another to bring it all to a stop, and to control on descent grade without burning up either brakes or transmissions. I'll never go that close to the limits again, especially after pulling with a diesel.

X2. My thoughts exactly. My first TV was '96 Ford Explorer pulling a 21' "lite" TT. Didn't know better then, but I do now: was towing that TV into the ground on long pulls in this mountainous territory. Next TV was a 1/2 ton F-150 pulling a 31' "lite" TT for 10 years (see my post above). Same result.

We all learn by doing. My current 3/4 ton Duramax diesel/Allison tranny TV "seems" and "is" safer for towing, not only because I feel the power up and over the mountains, but also because of the security of compression brakes, etc. slowing it coming down the other side. Saves my brakes for another day.

I had plenty of uncertain, unsettling emotions coming up and over the mountains on hot summer days back in the day with my underpowered TV's. Much safer and more fun now. "Overpowered better than underpowered" - so true.

I see so many posts like this, with people just starting. And I did it too, we had a Yukon XL towing a Jayco 26BH, and it was just a struggle. I realize a diesel rig is not for everyone, but it's more than just the facts and figures. I think of brakes and transmissions, and safety. It's one thing to be able to get going, it's another to bring it all to a stop, and to control on descent grade without burning up either brakes or transmissions. I'll never go that close to the limits again, especially after pulling with a diesel.

It's not what your tow vehicle can pull (tow capacity) but what it can carry (payload), unfortunately even modern half tons suffer from low payload numbers. Tongue weight should fall between 12%-15% for optimum towing comfort, anything less could lead to sway conditions that can be significant at highway speeds. Maybe you can find something in the ultralite TT category that will fit your needs. Good luck, I hope you and your family will be out there soon enjoying the RVing life.

Laziebun wrote:
Man...I want to attemp th combination so bad, because of the size and price point. I know it will probably tow it and I know it would be a struggle, but could be done. However given my experience level, I rather not risk injuring anyone to include the public.

Probably a good choice.

That mythical max tow capacity number, gets a lot of folks in trouble. When manufacturers say their truck can tow 10,000 lbs, they are calculating that with a truck that has zero aftermarket accessories, zero cargo, zero passengers, and they are using a flat trailer that has much less wind resistance. When these things get loaded, the available payload and max tow capacity are going down, pound for pound.

People don't go camping that way. We install bed covers / caps, bed liners, and step bars, etc. Then we load up the family, a tool box, a BBQ grill, lawn chairs, firewood, and bicycles, etc.

Here's a link to a towing calculator. It may help you with your search.

When you look at trailer dry weights, figure loaded for camping weight will be about 1000 lbs more. Then figure hitch weight will be 12 - 13 percent of the loaded weight.

Keep in mind, hitch / tongue weight is not a constant number. It fluctuates, up and down, during every trip. Depending on location, in relation to the trailer axles, the holding tanks can have a significant impact on tongue weight. If the tanks are in front of the axles, they add tongue weight. If they are behind the axles, they subtract tongue weight. In any case, tongue weight should always be above 10 percent, and it could be up to 15 percent. My trailer has fresh water (behind the axles), black tank (above the axles), grey tank (above the axles), and a grey tank (in front of the axles). My tongue weight can be anywhere between 975 and 1200 lbs. The advertised dry tongue weight was 880.

Laziebun wrote:
Man...I want to attemp th combination so bad, because of the size and price point. I know it will probably tow it and I know it would be a struggle, but could be done. However given my experience level, I rather not risk injurying anyone to include the public.

The solution to your problem is a F250.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Laziebun wrote:
Man...I want to attemp th combination so bad, because of the size and price point. I know it will probably tow it and I know it would be a struggle, but could be done. However given my experience level, I rather not risk injurying anyone to include the public.

Yes, your truck will tow it, but you already know the trailer tongue wt, with family added, will put you over your payload, GVWR, and right at, or over RAWR. Others out there are doing this, and getting by, even loading the bed full of firewood, bikes, large grills etc. You are wise to be doing research FIRST, before buying trailer, that is too much for the truck.

Unless you are willing to trade the truck, within a short time, you really need to find a smaller trailer.

Jerry

Man...I want to attemp th combination so bad, because of the size and price point. I know it will probably tow it and I know it would be a struggle, but could be done. However given my experience level, I rather not risk injurying anyone to include the public.

I did for 10 years what you are contemplating: I towed a 30' TT with dry weight of 5333 lbs with a 1/2 ton 5.7L 2003 F-150. Probably around 7000 lbs when loaded for trips. After our last "long" trip I came home ready to sell the TT and retire from Camping. The next spring (2 years ago) I traded the 1/2 ton for my 3/4 ton diesel. Last spring traded the old TT for a heavier one (both in my signature). My philosophy now is, "It's way better to be over powered than underpowered."

My advice: either get a smaller TT or a beefier TV.