Good example of why I prefer more truck than a half ton

[MoPowered]

So the guy who never tows more than a single jetski should get a 3/4 ton, and then be stuck with a rather harsh ride and 12 mpg for his daily long distance commute to work?

I realize I picked an extreme example, but I think it's best to have the vehicle that's right for whatever you do most of the time, rather than the right truck for something you do once during the lifetime of the truck.

I’ve always followed one simple rule, your tow vehicle, your car, your motorcycle, your boat or even your roller skates have nothing to do with safety and accident’s as much as the person operating said items.

 

[GsRAM]

As I posted 6 pages ago, we don't have enough info to draw any conclusions. We can say based on the perspective of the photo, the trailer appears to be approximately twice the length of the expedition, so very likely 30 plus feet long. Based on the known capacity of an early 2000s expedition, with a family of 4 and a dog in it, the expedition was very likely overloaded. How much, without knowing all the numbers, we cannot say.

That's a heck of a sail in the wind regardless of the rest of the numbers. This horrible covid crisis has forced a lot of typical beach goers (or other vacation types) to camping. Covid has been a windfall profit for the RV industry. I'd suspect when many of them realize how much work camping really is, and this crisis ends, there will be a ton of 1-2 yr old rigs on the market.

As such, there are a ton of newbie campers out there right now who are camping for the first time without any prior camping or towing experience, listening to shady rv salesman tell them "yeah your truck can pull that ".

Then without any further training, papers get signed, the dealer hooks up the rig for the customer and turns them loose.....a disaster waiting to happen in more ways than I can count.

I started camping nearly 40 years ago with in tents, then we went to a pop up, then to a 1978 Terry Taurus TT. That was a good progression and we learned a lot along the way. Too many folks with no experience and deep pockets (or like being in debt) go out and buy brand new 30 plus feet rigs, not a recipe for success in my opinion.

Granted, again in this case we don't know if some or any of the above played a role. I towed heavy with a half ton for years and did so safely with a proper set up, loading and scaled my set up. But if your going to tow maxed out like that, even with a good set up, you better know what your doing, especially when the unexpected happens.

Again, just my .02.

 

[Hd74ica]

This guy also thought his 1/2 was capable of the job.

View attachment 220923

Now that's funny, or sad for the guy that owns that rig.

 

[wgreggking]

Tow a 2800lb 17ft TT, with WD hitch, 6.4 2500, tows like its on rails, passing,crosswinds all great. But when towing my 20ft runabout, 4.3 liter I/O not quite as steady. Recently, I was getting sway on the back, sometimes it would come and go, it was a bit nerve racking. Wasn't sure if the boat was centered, or loaded on the trailer, so adjusted bow roller, changed to a different drop hitch still terrible over 60mph. Had the wife stand on the rear platform in the launch parking lot, we shook the boat as hard as we could, Holy crap!, the center frame rail, where the two outside rails meet, were moving, ALOT. The rails are 2x6 steel, the angle brackets that bolts inside the 2x6's were 4-5 turns loose, ny-lock nuts had backed off. With the end caps on, you could not see them. PIA to get them tight with the tools I carry on the boat, but was able to mostly tighten them for the trip home. Fixed even tighter, when home. All bolts on the trailer, were checked a few were also loose. Tows great now. Gentlemen please check those nuts!

 

[Fergusontd]

People need to respect what their towing. Keep it at a reasonable speed. I've seen people pulling trailers @ 80+

 

[Randy Grant]

I bet they did too!
Why try towing something that big with a 1/2 ton?

Actually that is closer to a 1/4 ton. It may have the power, but not the length, weight, or suspension.

 

[Randy Grant]

Own an RV park, and most come in knowing what they are doing. But the newbies are clueless. See tow-behinds all the time with an SUV pulling and the headlights spotting planes.A little cross wind or evasive maneuver and things go bad really really fast.

 

[2003F350]

Tow a 2800lb 17ft TT, with WD hitch, 6.4 2500, tows like its on rails, passing,crosswinds all great. But when towing my 20ft runabout, 4.3 liter I/O not quite as steady. Recently, I was getting sway on the back, sometimes it would come and go, it was a bit nerve racking. Wasn't sure if the boat was centered, or loaded on the trailer, so adjusted bow roller, changed to a different drop hitch still terrible over 60mph. Had the wife stand on the rear platform in the launch parking lot, we shook the boat as hard as we could, Holy crap!, the center frame rail, where the two outside rails meet, were moving, ALOT. The rails are 2x6 steel, the angle brackets that bolts inside the 2x6's were 4-5 turns loose, ny-lock nuts had backed off. With the end caps on, you could not see them. PIA to get them tight with the tools I carry on the boat, but was able to mostly tighten them for the trip home. Fixed even tighter, when home. All bolts on the trailer, were checked a few were also loose. Tows great now. Gentlemen please check those nuts!

This is so ridiculously important. You absolutely MUST look over both your tow vehicle and whatever you're towing. You don't have to go to the lengths that pro truckers do, but kicking the tires, looking for anything loose, making sure your load is secure...it's all important. Because if something breaks, you might be okay, but there is always a chance that someone ELSE could get hurt because you didn't take time to look everything over and make sure you're towing safely.

 

[2003F350]

Actually that is closer to a 1/4 ton. It may have the power, but not the length, weight, or suspension.

Having owned an Expedition, they are actually built on an F150 frame. Same wheelbase, suspension capabilities, etc. And with the extra body they have more weight than an F150.

Still, that's more trailer than I'd want to pull with an F150 or any half ton. Sure, it could do it, but you'd better take extra precautions and drive slow.

It's part of why we have the camper we do (the other part is the lower payload rating of the PW). In a pinch, my wife's truck COULD get our camper home. It wouldn't like it, I wouldn't like it, she wouldn't like it, but we could get home.

 

[2003F350]

Own an RV park, and most come in knowing what they are doing. But the newbies are clueless. See tow-behinds all the time with an SUV pulling and the headlights spotting planes.A little cross wind or evasive maneuver and things go bad really really fast.

I've been camping in RV parks for my entire life...and the things I have seen just from staying a few weekends a year have been incredible. I'm sure you've got plenty of stories you could share as well!

 

[Ricko]

So I have a 2020 Rebel with V8. How big of a trailer home do you all think I can tow?

 

[BigM4x4sc]

So I have some questions for everybody on the subject of towing with a 1/2 ton. I have '11 1500 laramie 5.7 CCSB 4WD, and I have used it to tow my in-laws TT twice. The TT is 30ft 5600lbs dry with GVW of 7100lbs, and both times the truck towed it pretty comfortably with 2 adults, 1 child and 2 60lb dogs. Although both times were just to RV parks at the beach. So starting in smaller rolling hills going into flat ground. My in-laws have bought a new camper, and we are considering purchasing the old one. (the one i towed already) Knowing that we are wanting to go more places than just 150 miles to the beach, I have started investigating my trucks rating more in depth, but am having a hard time finding the exact numbers for my truck.

The door sticker just shows the load capacity, GVWR & GAWR. I can get an approximate curb from that, but I having a hard time find exact numbers for my max towing, tongue weight & GCWR. I have check all the stickers I can find, and several VIN decoders on the interwebs. The owners manual is useless. The closest I have gotten is using the VIN decoder over on DodgeForum.com, but it just shows all the possible rating for a '11 RAM. So how do I know which mine is? Has anybody else run into this issue? What did you use to find yours?

Just as a note, the biggest issue i ran into when towing this TT, was having to use a couple more links on the WD bars, than I'm really use to. Originally i chalked up it up to the coil springs vs. the leafs my Titan had. But if I'm going to buy the camper, i want to make sure. We only camp 4-6 times a year, and live in the southeast so large mountain climbs are few and far between. But if I'm going to need a bigger truck then I want to know that before making a decision.

 

[Loudram]

So I have some questions for everybody on the subject of towing with a 1/2 ton. I have '11 1500 laramie 5.7 CCSB 4WD, and I have used it to tow my in-laws TT twice. The TT is 30ft 5600lbs dry with GVW of 7100lbs, and both times the truck towed it pretty comfortably with 2 adults, 1 child and 2 60lb dogs. Although both times were just to RV parks at the beach. So starting in smaller rolling hills going into flat ground. My in-laws have bought a new camper, and we are considering purchasing the old one. (the one i towed already) Knowing that we are wanting to go more places than just 150 miles to the beach, I have started investigating my trucks rating more in depth, but am having a hard time finding the exact numbers for my truck.

The door sticker just shows the load capacity, GVWR & GAWR. I can get an approximate curb from that, but I having a hard time find exact numbers for my max towing, tongue weight & GCWR. I have check all the stickers I can find, and several VIN decoders on the interwebs. The owners manual is useless. The closest I have gotten is using the VIN decoder over on DodgeForum.com, but it just shows all the possible rating for a '11 RAM. So how do I know which mine is? Has anybody else run into this issue? What did you use to find yours?

Just as a note, the biggest issue i ran into when towing this TT, was having to use a couple more links on the WD bars, than I'm really use to. Originally i chalked up it up to the coil springs vs. the leafs my Titan had. But if I'm going to buy the camper, i want to make sure. We only camp 4-6 times a year, and live in the southeast so large mountain climbs are few and far between. But if I'm going to need a bigger truck then I want to know that before making a decision.

Go to https://www.mopar.com/ramtrucks/en-us/my-vehicle/dashboard.html

Sign up and enter your vin and it'll give you your specific payload and tow rating. However your payload should be on that sticker on your door. That's the number you have to pay attention to. As for the trailer, have it weighed when it's loaded for camping. If you look at the dry tongue weight and add 100lbs for your battery and propane tanks, that'll be a starting point for your tongue weight. My 33' trailer has a dry tongue weight of 650lbs but it actually weights 1100lbs when loaded. And we don't have much in the front. It adds up quickly.

 

[BigM4x4sc]

Go to https://www.mopar.com/ramtrucks/en-us/my-vehicle/dashboard.html

Sign up and enter your vin and it'll give you your specific payload and tow rating. However your payload should be on that sticker on your door. That's the number you have to pay attention to. As for the trailer, have it weighed when it's loaded for camping. If you look at the dry tongue weight and add 100lbs for your battery and propane tanks, that'll be a starting point for your tongue weight. My 33' trailer has a dry tongue weight of 650lbs but it actually weights 1100lbs when loaded. And we don't have much in the front. It adds up quickly.

Yep, been there signed up and input the VIN. Was one of the fist places i went to. Problem is when i navigate to the area label "Towing and Payload" it say "Sorry, your towing and payload information is not available. Please check your owner's manual for towing and payload details." Check the owners manual tells you to reference the same website. (Nice idiot finder they have set up there!) I'm not sure if its because its a 2011, being the first year RAM broke off and some things didn't get moved, but it was no help?

 

[MADDOG]

Yep, been there signed up and input the VIN. Was one of the fist places i went to. Problem is when i navigate to the area label "Towing and Payload" it say "Sorry, your towing and payload information is not available. Please check your owner's manual for towing and payload details." Check the owners manual tells you to reference the same website. (Nice idiot finder they have set up there!) I'm not sure if its because its a 2011, being the first year RAM broke off and some things didn't get moved, but it was no help?

@BigM4x4sc

Go here for towing ratings for your year truck. Scroll through the charts to find your model & equipment level:

https://www.ramtruck.ca/en_dir/pdf/ld/LD_TowingDetails.pdf

 

[Lucy Girl]

Buy for the load your truck will be hauling not what you think it will carry. Make sense??

 

[mtwofeathers]

Even so called experienced towers on this forum seem to say all the time how they push their capacity to the max especially on 1/2 tons. But I have air bags, sway bars and 10 Ply tires so all is good!

I'm in arizona, and winter is snowbird time in quartzsite where the population explodes by 3 million. Every year we see 1/2 ton trucks dead in the desert after pulling more than they were designed for. Its a good place to find a 3/4 ton diesel, and a very cheap 1/2ton. Lol my rig is 38ft long. I have a 1ton dodge deisel. I don't even bother to see if the trailer is still there. I know it is.

 

[BigM4x4sc]

@BigM4x4sc

Go here for towing ratings for your year truck. Scroll through the charts to find your model & equipment level:

https://www.ramtruck.ca/en_dir/pdf/ld/LD_TowingDetails.pdf

Thanks, MADDOG!

I thought i was at 9800lbs, mainly because of the package, and I thought that was as high as the rating went. 10,050 seems like a bite much for my size truck. Not that i would even want to tow 9800, but i guess that gives me some wiggle room.

 

[MADDOG]

Thanks, MADDOG!

I thought i was at 9800lbs, mainly because of the package, and I thought that was as high as the rating went. 10,050 seems like a bite much for my size truck. Not that i would even want to tow 9800, but i guess that gives me some wiggle room.

Remember to look at the GCVWR number for your truck, figure what your truck weighs loaded with fuel-passengers-gear-hitch-hitch weight of the trailer...etc... and the weight of your trailer for a combined vehicle weight. You have to make sure your actual gross combined vehicle weight does not exceed your Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating. The amount you can tow is predicated on how much your loaded truck weighs.

 

[BigM4x4sc]

Remember to look at the GCVWR number for your truck, figure what your truck weighs loaded with fuel-passengers-gear-hitch-hitch weight of the trailer...etc... and the weight of your trailer for a combined vehicle weight. You have to make sure your actual gross combined vehicle weight does not exceed your Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating. The amount you can tow is predicated on how much your loaded truck weighs.

Yes the GCVWR is what i was really looking for, so when i eventually hit the scales i know what I'm shooting for. 30' and about 7000lbs(wet) is about as big as I want to go with my truck, just for my piece of mind. I tried to talk my wife into looking around for something smaller, but after using a pop-up for the past few years, she's hesitant when i say smaller! That was the main reason for the 2 test runs. I usually try to pack as much stuff evenly into the camper as possibly, while still doing everything i can to pack lite! With 2 adults, a 50lb 5 year old, 2 60lb dogs & 32 gallons of gas I'm already at ~800lbs of payload, I do my best to keep the load in the bed as small as possible.