Ram 1500 with starcraft 289bhs

samhain7 wrote:
Also. Btw. I don't see us loading more than 500 lbs. does that equat to 50lbs of hitch wieght?
I never travel with water.

Empty, you look like you'll be fine. As for the 500lbs statement. Is that including Dishes and cutlery? Outdoors equipment such as chairs, tables and maybe an barbecue or stove? Does that include your food supply as well? Is that including clothes, recreational equipment/bicycles? Also, typically you also need to add propane to your tanks which will add around 50 to 120lbs (when filled) onto your tongue as well since your propane tanks are in the front. Will you be hauling any water? 8.5lbs per gallon. How about firewood? Will it be in the trailer? In the truck's bed? If you want to get really anal on weight, you can buy a tongue scale and figure out how much weight you're going to be putting on your hitch. But generally, tongue weight on a trailer will be 10 to 15% of whatever the trailer weight is (and that's where you want to be).

Again, it's amazing how fast 500 lbs goes away.

I've read the whole thread, and that is the reason why I have the truck in my signature below. Previously I owned a 2010 F-150, I bought it solely based on its "Max Tow" rating of 11,000 lbs. I thought I did the right thing. Then I saw my payload was 1,400 lbs. That's rated at a 150 lbs driver and a 1/4 tank of fuel. I know I drive around with a full tank, lots of gear and my wife along with the dog. When trailer shopping, my wife liked trailers that had around 800 to 1,000 lbs of tongue weight when loaded. Then we got into looking at 5th wheels which have even more hitch weight. I also found myself overloading my F-150 occasionally when I do the spring time stuff (Dirt, Mulch, pavers, yard scraps, etc). The 150/1500 series trucks are really made for hauling lighter but bulky items. Not so much hauling really heavy items. So that's why I'm in a RAM 3500 SRW. Same physical dimensions as my F-150, just much more payload which is what I was lacking and only 3,000 lbs more rated tow capacity (trailer pull) over my F-150 despite having more power and heavier components. But it will work for what I want.