Ruger3739
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Re: The Dreaded 1/2 Ton Towing Question
Lol, I'm back! Haven't made the purchase yet, but I'm going with the open range. In reality it will weigh pretty close to what I was pulling. Considering that with an upgraded hitch(equalizer vs old school ez lift) I should be good to go. Thank you all for your input.436Views0likes0CommentsRe: The Dreaded 1/2 Ton Towing Question
Walaby wrote: I too think you can make it work (as I tried to explain unemotionally). I agee, as I tried to point out, that it appears you would be under the values, by how much you will not know until you weigh it. Give it a shot, and if it tows well, and you're comfortable, stick with it. If not, then you will know what you have to do. The problem with asking people's opinions, is you will almost certainly hear what you want to hear, and hear dissenting opinions. At the end of the day, the only opinion and/or decision that matters, is yours. Mike I agree Mike. I hope I didn't sound emotional. Thanks, Robert382Views0likes0CommentsRe: The Dreaded 1/2 Ton Towing Question
gmw photos wrote: So what does a guy do ? I subscribe to the idea you can make your truck work with this trailer in a safe manner and within the important limits. I'd buy it, hitch it correctly with a quality WD hitch, and go enjoy camping. And enjoy the fact you have a capable truck that is paid off and you didn't fall for the nonsense of, "oh you need a bigger truck" espoused on an internet forum. Thanks!386Views0likes0CommentsRe: The Dreaded 1/2 Ton Towing Question
Walaby wrote: Ruger3739 wrote: My TV ready to camp with the WD hitch installed was 5960. Rear axle without trailer attached was 2520lbs With my old trailer hooked up and WD engaged my rear axel was at 3180lbs So, old TT you were running at ~6600 (maybe 6900 as you say in your original post), and a tongue weight of ~660 lbs.. So, you're only running somewhere around 10 percent tongue weight. Glad it was towing okay for you. Assuming you can get away with the same 10% tongue weight with the new TT (may or may not be a good assumption) you'll be at 730 lbs. I don't think you'll get away with 10 percent, but if you do, looks like, theoretically, you will be still within weight factors. You asked for opinions, so my opinion you will likely be closer to 13 percent tongue weight, which would be 950 lbs (an additional 290 lbs of tongue weight), bringing rear axle to 3470. Still theoretically within values. Now, factor in real world experience, and everyone's comfort level is different. I had a pleasant experience towing with a vehicle virtually identical to you, with a TT that was ~6500 lbs, so very close to your old config. I do not believe I would have the same experience with a config that was 700 lbs heavier (your old TT 6600, new one 7300). But, overall, you're really guessing at your weights.. (I guess Im at 6900, I guess I'll add 1000lbs to the dry weight of the new TT) and making assumptions that may or may not be valid (tongue weight will remain same percentage). Actual weights will tell. Mike That TW was with my weight distribution engaged. When I let the bars down it was closer to 1000lbs was on my hitch. The old TT was very tongue heavy. The dry weight I listed for my old TT was off the sticker inside. I'm assuming they didn't weigh those things off the assembly line like they do now. When I first got the TT I weighed it with just pots, pans and paper plates and it was close to 6500 lbs. I know towing with a half ton isn't ideal. But my old trailer did tow very well. No sway, I could do the speed limit no problem (except on really steep grades and the only one I go up is a four lane so I out my flashers on, get in the slow lane and enjoy the 40mph ride) and breaking was fine. There is another trailer I'm looking at that is lighter than my last one by 200 lbs. I just like the Open Range so much better. I'm not trying to be a danger on the road or cause arguments over weight. I just don't want to buy a trailer I'm unhappy with or that's way too heavy for my TV. With a stickered dry weight of 6300lbs (brochure weight 5700lbs simular to the old tt), add propane, batteries, and the minimum inside I think I would be under or right at 7000 lbs with a TW of 980@14% . Yes this is a guess. I don't own the trailer and can't weight it. Based on my math and my previous TT I would be under all the ratings. I would be close on a few. So what does a guy do? I love camping, love my current paid off truck, and love the thought of buying this trailer. I do appreciate All the feedback and hope I make the right decision.385Views0likes0CommentsRe: The Dreaded 1/2 Ton Towing Question
Thank you all for the responses. To answer a few of the questions that were asked throughout this thread. I am a very cautious driver and the speed limit her in Cali is 55 when towing. I never exceed 60 mph.I also drive for a living and practice good driving habits as I often encounter less than competent drivers on the road. While my truck is a 2012 it only has 50,000 miles on it as I only drive it on the weekend. I do have the HD cooling system and factory transmission cooler (I added a second cooler in line to keep my Temps a little lower). As far as trailer maintenance, I repack my bearings and inspect my breaks once a year. I ended up running new heavier gauge wires on my last trailer as I was losing voltage at the breaks after sitting for the winter.378Views0likes0CommentsRe: The Dreaded 1/2 Ton Towing Question
Walaby wrote: Think, from what I see, it's not a good idea. Not sure I totally understand everything you're trying to rationalize, but here's my take. Available payload remaining after full fuel and passengers is 1040 lbs. Tongue weight for new TT you are considering, loaded as you indicate would be ~1022 lbs at 14% of your anticipated weight of 7300 lbs. Add about 60-75 lbs for the hitch (possibly up to 100 lbs) and you are over your payload, albeit not horribly over. What Im not sure I understand (and it is kinda late in the evening), your second post says when you weight your setup, you had 6640 on your TV axles. What you need to tell us is how much on your rear axles. If your rear axle GAWR is 3950, you cannot exceed that.. you can't add both axle ratings and then just stay within the sum. Each GAWR needs to be met stand alone. So, get your truck weighed, loaded, ready to camp, and get the actual axle weight for each axle. Subtract that from the rear GAWR and that will tell you how much weight you have available for tongue weight and hitch. Figure 100lbs for the hitch (to be a tad conservative), and 14% of trailer weight for tongue weight. I think you will find you will exceed the GAWR, and probably, also exceed the overall payload. I had a 2011 GMC Sierra CC 1500, and I towed a trailer that, loaded up was probably 6500 lbs (if I recall correctly). I would not have wanted to go to 7000. My TT towed well but I still believe I was pretty much maxed out, and didn't want to go further. Mike My TV ready to camp with the WD hitch installed was 5960. Rear axle without trailer attached was 2520lbs With my old trailer hooked up and WD engaged my rear axel was at 3180lbs158Views0likes0CommentsThe Dreaded 1/2 Ton Towing Question
Ok, not really but kind of. I currently have a 2012 GMC Sierra Crew Cab 1500. The truck is paid off and a 3/4 ton is not in the cards for me at least for the time being. I currently pull a 1999 25ft Bunk House TT (just sold it) and it pulls and handles it fine. I will attach specs below. Since we just sold our old TT we are looking at new ones and I'm trying to stay around the same weight but fell in love with one that's about 500lbs heavier dry. Long story short I wanted to get the experts opinions on the TV and TT's below. I should also state that we stay pretty local and usually only travel about 100-150 miles one way. I do go to the mountains and accept that I will not win any races going up there. That being said I added a larger trany cooler and everything stays well within range. I know it comes down to payload and all the other weight ratings. Current TV 2012 GMC Sierra CC - 5.3 and 3.42 gears Tow Rating 9600 lbs (I know this will never happen in the real world) Payload - 1590 GVWR 7000, GAWR for each axel is 3950 Loaded full of fuel and the family is - 5960 I have load range E tires, p3 break controller and will be upgrading to a Blue Ox Sway Pro OLD TT That Towed Well 1999 Komfort Bunkhouse 25 ft (28 Tongue to bumper) UVW - 5731 GVWR - 7620 Loaded - 6640lbs with mostly everything except food, beer and clothes ( I only cat scaled it this way and never had a chance once we were fully loaded up) Guessing I was closer to 6900. Possible New Rig - Open Range UT2802BH UVW - 5765-actual dry weight from the sticker on the door was 6300. GVWR - 7450 28 foot box, 31 from pin to bumper We absolutely love this trailer and it is our #1 choice. If I add 1000 lbs to the stickered dry weight it would put me at 7300lbs or approximately 600-700 lbs heavier than what I was previously towing. Good combo? Horrible combo? OK combo? P.S. I know a 3/4 and 1 ton will always tow better, but apparently they make those things out of gold now and I can't afford one and as I said the truck is paid off. Thanks in advance for your feedback9.1KViews0likes67CommentsJayco Jay Feather 25bh or Jay Flight SLX 267BHSW
Hello all, I've been camping with a 1999 Komfort Bunkhouse for the last five years and it's time to upgrade. I am towing with a 1/2 ton truck so weight is a concern. I really like the 2018 Jay Feather 25bh but I'm concerned with the "foam" /non plywood floors. I take really good care of my stuff and plan on keeping the new rig for a long time. Is soft floors in this model a legitimate concern? If it is a real concern I would consider the Jay Flight SLX 267bh. I know this is a "cheaper" model but it does have the plywood floors. The white hawk and standard Jay Flight don't have a floor plan and weight I am comfortable with. Any words of wisdom? I'm I over thinking this and should just go with the Jay feather I like?6.2KViews0likes11Comments
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