Trailer too long for truck?

[mr61impala]

Back again.

We went to the RV Supershow in Tampa yesterday and found a trailer that checks most of our boxes.

Trailer specs: GVW is #7995, #UVW is #6327, dry hitch weight is #658. total length 32'9".

2019 Ram 1500 3.92 axle ratio #1780 rear axle payload #11,400 max towing capacity; all per Ram website after entering VIN#.

I think the weights are OK but how about the overall length? Anyone towing a trailer this long with a Ram 1500?

By the way, if you are in Florida it's worth a couple hour drive to experience the show.

[Grit_dog]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:


YEP, a 1500 can tow it but can it "HANDLE" it in unforeseen conditions.

How is it less safe to pull a (the OP) 9-10klb trailer with a 6000lb+ truck rated to tow 11k,
than pulling almost 30k with a 8000lb + truck rated to tow almost 30k?

Seems like you are both at roughly the same % of max capacity...

I am talking windy conditions and evasive maneuvers. Length matters in both.

Thank you. THIS I understand and also agree with you to a point.
But I’ve Towed my high profile, deckover, 32’ enclosed trailer enough, with even a Tahoe (once to see how the air leveling and short vehicle handled it) , up and down the mountain, with different half and 3/4 ton trucks and it sure seemed fine to me.
Sure comparatively you don’t have 3x the sidewall area, but you’re dealing with 3x the mass which also affects handling.
So bottom line, it’s all subjective, but let’s don’t pretend it’s “safer” to pull 30k with a dually than 10k with a half ton.

[ksss]

dodge guy wrote:
I`m waiting for the 4500/5500 guys to show up and say how dangerous it is to tow anything with the puny 3500 dually! LOL

a properly equipped 1500 at ???? % of max capacity is just as safe as a 2500/3500 at the same ???? % of max capacity.

That may be true, but it sure doesn't "feel" that way. I haven't ridden or driven in a lot of 1500's loaded heavy, but when I have, it sure feels less "secure" than a HD pickup loaded heavy. All that is really subjective, but given the choice of running a 1500 at 90% of capacity or a 3500 at 90% capacity, no question which one I would prefer to be in.

[Grit_dog]

dodge guy wrote:
I`m waiting for the 4500/5500 guys to show up and say how dangerous it is to tow anything with the puny 3500 dually! LOL

a properly equipped 1500 at ???? % of max capacity is just as safe as a 2500/3500 at the same ???? % of max capacity.

Don’t insert actual logic and facts at this point, lol. It’ll hurt the Dooley Ram guys claims that their models are somehow now also “safer” than other who do not choose the same.
Or in other words, I agree with you, not only in theory, but through experience of towing all sorts of trailers with all sorts of pickups over the years and over the mountains.

[Grit_dog]

Me Again wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:


YEP, a 1500 can tow it but can it "HANDLE" it in unforeseen conditions.

How is it less safe to pull a (the OP) 9-10klb trailer with a 6000lb+ truck rated to tow 11k,
than pulling almost 30k with a 8000lb + truck rated to tow almost 30k?

Seems like you are both at roughly the same % of max capacity...

So, I drove a 15,000 lb(mostly aluminum) Class 8 Chevy Titan 90 tractor with 65,000 lbs of aluminum trailer and gasoline(8500 gallons) behind it. Was that an unsafe combination? The tractor was twin screw with heavy duty components and tires. 150/1500 can not be counted as heavy duty compared to their bigger brother 250,2500 and 350,3500's. Having the right tool for the job has always been important when stuff happens.

Literally no bearing on the discussion, but cool looking cab over Jimmy! Be fun to have one fixed up to take to car shows and cruises now!
And likely totally “unsafe” compared to today’s tractors based on rvnet warped logic!
(I’m not insinuating I feel it was unsafe,btw)

[Grit_dog]

rhagfo wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:


YEP, a 1500 can tow it but can it "HANDLE" it in unforeseen conditions.

How is it less safe to pull a (the OP) 9-10klb trailer with a 6000lb+ truck rated to tow 11k,
than pulling almost 30k with a 8000lb + truck rated to tow almost 30k?

Seems like you are both at roughly the same % of max capacity...

Two major differences.

#1 Cummins12v98 is towing a 5th wheel which is 100% more stable than a TT in cross winds and not affected by semi's bow waves.

#2 He also has four tires under the hitch, six total.

So magically 2x the tires (more like 1.5x because the little dually tires aren’t rated as high as big srw tires) makes it safer for 3x more weight and more side wall area to catch wind?

[Grit_dog]

Huntindog wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:


YEP, a 1500 can tow it but can it "HANDLE" it in unforeseen conditions.

How is it less safe to pull a (the OP) 9-10klb trailer with a 6000lb+ truck rated to tow 11k,
than pulling almost 30k with a 8000lb + truck rated to tow almost 30k?

Seems like you are both at roughly the same % of max capacity...

How many 30,000# TTs are out there?

AFAIK, the only way to approach that weight is with a flatbed loaded with bricks, concrete etc... Such loads do not have the large sidewalls that TTs do, making them a more stable tow

There are none that I’m aware of. So what’s your point?
(I’m sure you picked up on my reference to 12Vs proudly stated combined weight, as he’s the one who asked the question I responded to...)

[burningman]

dodge guy wrote:
I`m waiting for the 4500/5500 guys to show up and say how dangerous it is to tow anything with the puny 3500 dually! LOL

a properly equipped 1500 at ???? % of max capacity is just as safe as a 2500/3500 at the same ???? % of max capacity.

That sounds right at first but 2500-3500 pickups are much more conservatively under-rated. and the softer sidewall tires on 1/2 tons make a.big difference too.

I think the bottom line is the 1/2 ton will get that trailer where it’s going, but not comfortably or confidently.

I don’t understand why anyone who can afford a late model 1500 and a big new trailer doesn’t just get a heavier truck. That 1500 has enough resale value to go buy a similar year 2500 or 3500. You’re gonna add cash if you want a diesel, but hey you’re gas already.

[Cummins12V98]

"Having the right tool for the job has always been important when stuff happens."

This is what I have been preaching for years. I ended up rolling over South Portland with not enough truck. I was told my setup was just fine, NOT!!!

[Cummins12V98]

rhagfo wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:


YEP, a 1500 can tow it but can it "HANDLE" it in unforeseen conditions.

How is it less safe to pull a (the OP) 9-10klb trailer with a 6000lb+ truck rated to tow 11k,
than pulling almost 30k with a 8000lb + truck rated to tow almost 30k?

Seems like you are both at roughly the same % of max capacity...

Two major differences.

#1 Cummins12v98 is towing a 5th wheel which is 100% more stable than a TT in cross winds and not affected by semi's bow waves.

#2 He also has four tires under the hitch, six total.

True DAT!!!

I was blown away at how stable my last and current DRV's were in the wind towing them with DRW's. Same conditions going to Phoenix Eastbound with friends in a 40' MH. Stopped at our destination, he got out looking frazzled.

1500 with soft sidewalls compounds the problem.

[Cummins12V98]

Grit dog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:


YEP, a 1500 can tow it but can it "HANDLE" it in unforeseen conditions.

How is it less safe to pull a (the OP) 9-10klb trailer with a 6000lb+ truck rated to tow 11k,
than pulling almost 30k with a 8000lb + truck rated to tow almost 30k?

Seems like you are both at roughly the same % of max capacity...

I am talking windy conditions and evasive maneuvers. Length matters in both.

[dodge_guy]

I`m waiting for the 4500/5500 guys to show up and say how dangerous it is to tow anything with the puny 3500 dually! LOL

a properly equipped 1500 at ???? % of max capacity is just as safe as a 2500/3500 at the same ???? % of max capacity.

[Me_Again]

Grit dog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:


YEP, a 1500 can tow it but can it "HANDLE" it in unforeseen conditions.

How is it less safe to pull a (the OP) 9-10klb trailer with a 6000lb+ truck rated to tow 11k,
than pulling almost 30k with a 8000lb + truck rated to tow almost 30k?

Seems like you are both at roughly the same % of max capacity...

So, I drove a 15,000 lb(mostly aluminum) Class 8 Chevy Titan 90 tractor with 65,000 lbs of aluminum trailer and gasoline(8500 gallons) behind it. Was that an unsafe combination? The tractor was twin screw with heavy duty components and tires. 150/1500 can not be counted as heavy duty compared to their bigger brother 250,2500 and 350,3500's. Having the right tool for the job has always been important when stuff happens.

[rhagfo]

Grit dog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:


YEP, a 1500 can tow it but can it "HANDLE" it in unforeseen conditions.

How is it less safe to pull a (the OP) 9-10klb trailer with a 6000lb+ truck rated to tow 11k,
than pulling almost 30k with a 8000lb + truck rated to tow almost 30k?

Seems like you are both at roughly the same % of max capacity...

Two major differences.

#1 Cummins12v98 is towing a 5th wheel which is 100% more stable than a TT in cross winds and not affected by semi's bow waves.

#2 He also has four tires under the hitch, six total.

[Huntindog]

Grit dog wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:


YEP, a 1500 can tow it but can it "HANDLE" it in unforeseen conditions.

How is it less safe to pull a (the OP) 9-10klb trailer with a 6000lb+ truck rated to tow 11k,
than pulling almost 30k with a 8000lb + truck rated to tow almost 30k?

Seems like you are both at roughly the same % of max capacity...

How many 30,000# TTs are out there?

AFAIK, the only way to approach that weight is with a flatbed loaded with bricks, concrete etc... Such loads do not have the large sidewalls that TTs do, making them a more stable tow

[Grit_dog]

Cummins12V98 wrote:


YEP, a 1500 can tow it but can it "HANDLE" it in unforeseen conditions.

How is it less safe to pull a (the OP) 9-10klb trailer with a 6000lb+ truck rated to tow 11k,
than pulling almost 30k with a 8000lb + truck rated to tow almost 30k?

Seems like you are both at roughly the same % of max capacity...