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Trailer too long for truck?

mr61impala
Explorer
Explorer
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.
Shopping for Travel Trailer
53 REPLIES 53

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
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 Iโ€™ve Towed my high profile, deckover, 32โ€™ 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 donโ€™t have 3x the sidewall area, but youโ€™re dealing with 3x the mass which also affects handling.
So bottom line, itโ€™s all subjective, but letโ€™s donโ€™t pretend itโ€™s โ€œsaferโ€ to pull 30k with a dually than 10k with a half ton.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5โ€ turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

ksss
Explorer
Explorer
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.
2020 Chevy 3500 CC 4X4 DRW D/A
2013 Fuzion 342
2011 RZR Desert Tan
2012 Sea Doo GTX 155
2018 Chevy 3500HD CC LB SRW 4X4 D/A
2015 Chevy Camaro ZL1

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
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.


Donโ€™t insert actual logic and facts at this point, lol. Itโ€™ll hurt the Dooley Ram guys claims that their models are somehow now also โ€œsaferโ€ 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.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5โ€ turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
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 โ€œunsafeโ€ compared to todayโ€™s tractors based on rvnet warped logic!
(Iโ€™m not insinuating I feel it was unsafe,btw)
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5โ€ turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
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 arenโ€™t rated as high as big srw tires) makes it safer for 3x more weight and more side wall area to catch wind?
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5โ€ turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
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 Iโ€™m aware of. So whatโ€™s your point?
(Iโ€™m sure you picked up on my reference to 12Vs proudly stated combined weight, as heโ€™s the one who asked the question I responded to...)
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5โ€ turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

burningman
Explorer II
Explorer II
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 itโ€™s going, but not comfortably or confidently.

I donโ€™t understand why anyone who can afford a late model 1500 and a big new trailer doesnโ€™t just get a heavier truck. That 1500 has enough resale value to go buy a similar year 2500 or 3500. Youโ€™re gonna add cash if you want a diesel, but hey youโ€™re gas already.
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Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
"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!!!
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
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.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
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.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
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.
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Dog Bailey

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Me_Again
Explorer II
Explorer II
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.

2021 F150 2.7 Ecoboost - Summer Home 2017 Bighorn 3575el. Can Am Spyder RT-L Chrome, Kawasaki KRX1000. Retired and enjoying it! RIP DW 07-05-2021

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
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.
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

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Huntindog
Explorer
Explorer
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
Huntindog
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Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
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...
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5โ€ turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold