Some Towing Math and Questions
Hello all, new to the forum. A little about my camping setup, I currently have a 2017 RAM Bighorn 1500. My current trailer is a Dutchmen 222ES, a three bed hybrid. Canvas flip out beds. It is 26 f...
Forum Discussion
MFL wrote:
In the end, you will know after towing. Do I feel comfortable, is my family safe? If you feel unsafe, you can upgrade the truck to a 2,500.
Jerry
Jerry, you make some good points.
However, there is a much greater risk that even though the combination may "feel safe" under normal conditions which gives you a very false sense of safety (good clear day, light winds, light traffic, ect)..
But, under less than "perfect" conditions that combination may come "unhinged"..
That is a danger of feelings and false security.
My own personal story comes from having "Mr Murphy" decide he was bored with me not once but twice with having the great fortune of having to execute emergency maneuvers at highway speeds of 70 MPH to avoid deer that Mr Murphy decided to send across the road right into my path..
Both times I was able to not only slam on the brakes but kept full control of my rig without skidding, sliding, jack knifing, veering into other traffic not even hitting the deer or causing damage to my rig or killing anyone..
Both times were with having a 3/4 ton towing 6500 lbs of our 26ft TT fully loaded for a weeks adventure.
I am not convinced a lighter tow vehicle would have commanded the trailer as well. 3/4 tons have stiffer springs, tighter handling which does make them a lot more stable for towing, heck on mine there is nearly 1,000 lbs more weight in my 3/4 ton over the same yr 1/2 ton truck.. There is more beef there..
My setup is far, far below the max weight ratings, in fact my 2020 3/4 ton has about 4,000 lbs of payload capacity which means I could if I wanted to tow 26,000 lbs!
If I was in the OPs shoes, I would be reconsidering the 31ft trailer with that combination, heck, it could be even longer than 31ft if the tongue was not included in the length as my 26ft trailer is the BOX length, the tongue adds 3.5 ft to mine making it almost 30 ft!
As far as weight goes, yeah, the OP in theory should be OK but the length may make the lighter half ton be pushed around a bit more..
The only way to know is OP will have to hook up and try to see if they will be satisfied but be aware of the false sense of security..
