Would This Camper Be Pushing The Limit?

[glwhitetail]

WE are towing a 2021 FR Salem 29VBUD

SPECIFICATIONS
Hitch Weight:
910 lb.
UVW
7728 lb.
CCC
1982 lb.
Exterior Length:
36' 4"
Exterior Height:
11' 2"
Exterior Width:
96"
Fresh Water:
40.00 gal.
Gray Water:
60.00 gal.
Black Water:
30.00 gal.
Awning Size:
18'


And towing that with a 2016 1500. Only changes I have made to the truck are the AirLift HD bags (mainly for hauling firewood and other loads, but does help with the camper) and Husky WDH and it hauls great.. I was really surprised. For camping around Michigan I feel fine with the 1500 but when we start going outside of the state I will look for a 2500 for an upgrade.

 

[Murdock188]

I have a pretty similar setup, my camper is 4500 dry It weighs about 5800-6000 loaded up and is 24ft my payload is 1350 according to my door sticker and my truck is rated at 8200lbs max tow I use an equalizer wdh with sway control. Towed it home 2hr drive couple weeks ago in 40mph winds with no issiues at all I was impressed. I could feel slight sway on the highway at 65 when being passed by a tractor trailer but I never felt like it wasn't safe and I'm still a novice at towing.

 

[FiverPuller]

Don't let the payload police on the forums scare you into thinking a 1500 should only tow a wave runner.
As for that trailer you'll yes you'll be at the top end of the SAE J2807 tow ratings but your not at maxed out. There is still a safety factor on top of the J2807 ratings.
The only difference between your truck and one geared 3.92 is the axle gearing, all the engine and transmission cooling is the same. Having 3.92 would be nicer to have if your headed to the mountains.
As mentioned before, use CAT semi truck scales to set up the WDH properly your truck will tow that trailer.
The SAE J2807 ratings for your truck:

View attachment 221631

"Don't let the payload police on the forums scare you".... You are exactly right! It's the real police, judge & lawyers you will have to worry about if or when you have an accident... and they find you have exceeded the weight ratios of your equipment. Oh and maybe your insurance company will refuse to pay-out for damages, even if no other parties are involved.

 

[tron67j]

When someone has an accident and kills others, it is too late. I noticed that the dead people didn't make it to your list of people to worry about. As it is well recorded here, many people exceed the safe limits of their vehicles. And by posting that they do it and encourage others, it is available for the suing attorneys to use in their civil lawsuits. The Internet is forever. But that is the forum, a place for people to ask questions, get opinions (remember, everyone can have one and we respect that), and then decide what is best for them.

 

[MRFREEZE57]

I read in a forum a while back that your payload capacity stated on the door sticker has factored in a full fuel load and average weight of driver, does anyone know if this is true?

 

[Tim7139]

I read in a forum a while back that your payload capacity stated on the door sticker has factored in a full fuel load and average weight of driver, does anyone know if this is true?

That's true of tow rating, not payload.

From your owners manual
"The payload of a vehicle is defined as the allowable load weight a truck can carry, including the weight of the driver, all passengers, options and cargo."

"In a nutshell, SAE J2807 requires the vehicle manufacturer to use a vehicle equipped with the popular options found on at least 33 percent of the vehicles sold for that model; they also must run the test procedures with the equivalent of a 150-pound driver and passenger. The truck is hitched in a specific manner to a trailer that meets SAE specs and puts the tow vehicle (the pickup truck) at its maximum gross combined weight rating, meaning the combined weight of the pickup, its maximum payload, full fuel tank and the weight of the trailer."
https://www.natda.org/news/know-your-pickups-weight-carrying-limits/

 

[GsRAM]

I have a 17 with 3.21 gears and pull a 33 footer. Pulls ok but the fuel mileage SUCKS...

Any gas powered truck is going to when towing. Nature of the beast.

I average anywhere between 9 in the mountains to 11 or 12mpg on the highway. You gotta pay to play. Even the almighty diesel's drink it when you work them hard.

 

[GsRAM]

"Don't let the payload police on the forums scare you".... You are exactly right! It's the real police, judge & lawyers you will have to worry about if or when you have an accident... and they find you have exceeded the weight ratios of your equipment. Oh and maybe your insurance company will refuse to pay-out for damages, even if no other parties are involved.

Agree 100% I'm the last person to criticize anyone for towing heavy with a half ton and I've done it many times in the past. However, I've never pushed the limits as far as some of what i read here. It's usually always half ton owners who are totally maxed out and know it, or overloaded and know it that make those kinds of statements.

It's a free country, but I just shake my head. I just don't want to be anywhere near them on the road. The prior post in this thread is a perfect example. A 36 plus foot rig, nearly 8k dry with a half ton? I never would. But to each their own. You take your chances and deal with the outcomes in life. Just my opinion and nothing more.

 

[392DevilDog]

I read in a forum a while back that your payload capacity stated on the door sticker has factored in a full fuel load and average weight of driver, does anyone know if this is true?

Ok. To everyone. This is pretty simple.

Payload is cargo, passengers, accessories.

Payload is the capacity of the truck from its base weight to Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

GVWR minus Base weight equals payload.

Base weight is an empty truck as built with full fluids.

Gas or diesel is nit taken from your payload as a full tank is in the truck to make base or curb weight.

So, technically...as you use fuel your available payload goes up.

So a new RAM 1500 HAS 7100 GVWR.

Let us say you have a new truck with a payload sticker that says 1475 lbs.

So 7100 minus 1475 is a curb or base weight of 5625.

So when you go to the scale...you need to have a full tank of gas and nothing in the truck...NOTHING.

the 150lbs for passenger...that is with the determination of max towing. It is actually 300lbs for driver and cargo.

This is why no one can max tow with their truck...most everyone has more than 300lbs in the truck...i weigh 295lbs myself.

So. Payload is what can be added to the truck. Cargo, passengers, accessories.

GVWR MINUS CURB WEIGHT EQUALS PAYLOAD.

GVWR MINUS PAYLOAD EQUALS CURB WEIGHT

 

[MRFREEZE57]

a lot of good information in these towing threads, have learned a lot by reading them. most of my towing will likely be nothing more than a U HAUL to haul the motorcycle south in the winter for extended riding season so my truck is kind of overkill for what it will be used for, but is good to know the capabilities of my truck in case I ever want to tow an RV.
funny though, those my age are old enough to remember back in the days it was very common to see a big RV trailer being towed by a passenger car.

 

[GsRAM]

a lot of good information in these towing threads, have learned a lot by reading them. most of my towing will likely be nothing more than a U HAUL to haul the motorcycle south in the winter for extended riding season so my truck is kind of overkill for what it will be used for, but is good to know the capabilities of my truck in case I ever want to tow an RV.
funny though, those my age are old enough to remember back in the days it was very common to see a big RV trailer being towed by a passenger car.

Yes sir, no doubt. Many towed with full size sedans, station wagons, etc. The thing to remember is those 70s and 80s sedans were built as heavy as half ton trucks are today. They had full frames, similar rear axles and similar front suspension setups.
Today's half ton trucks are very capable and make a lot more power than those 70s and 80s sedans and station wagons. But, they have their limits, just as 3/4 and one ton trucks do.

 

[MRFREEZE57]

Yes sir, no doubt. Many towed with full size sedans, station wagons, etc. The thing to remember is those 70s and 80s sedans were built as heavy as half ton trucks are today. They had full frames, similar rear axles and similar front suspension setups.
Today's half ton trucks are very capable and make a lot more power than those 70s and 80s sedans and station wagons. But, they have their limits, just as 3/4 and one ton trucks do.

very true. still that towing capacity figure the mfg states is very deceiving as my truck states 9800lb towing capacity but as have learned reading about towing that there is no way my truck could do that without exceeding the gvw. wonder how many people have been told by their friendly rv dealer that their truck can easily tow a big rv based on the stated towing capacity and not figuring in the gvw in order to make a sale?
based on what I have learned by reading these threads I would only want to tow something no more than maybe 2/3 max of the stated towing capacity.

 

[392DevilDog]

Max towing is figured by taking GCWR minus base weight with an allowance.

Originally the allowance was 150lb driver.

Then they changes it to 300lbs...driver and passenger 150 each.

That is why you can not hit the max towing.

Also...the max towing number is based off a 10% tongue weight. Most travel trailers have more like 12 to 14%.

This is why the max tow number DOES NOT APPLY TO CAMPERS.

 

[Bramic71]

No problem. As I said, I think it's doable if you spend the time dialing it in, so long as you stay under grawr, but I wouldn't go any bigger. The engine will work harder with the 3.21 gears, but I've heard the 8 speed transmission helps negate that somewhat. I'm not sure how your losing 6' between the trailer tongue and bumper, that doesn't sound right. 3-4" yes. Do you have any trailer/camping experience?

Good luck

View attachment 221991

 

[Bramic71]

No problem. As I said, I think it's doable if you spend the time dialing it in, so long as you stay under grawr, but I wouldn't go any bigger. The engine will work harder with the 3.21 gears, but I've heard the 8 speed transmission helps negate that somewhat. I'm not sure how your losing 6' between the trailer tongue and bumper, that doesn't sound right. 3-4" yes. Do you have any trailer/camping experience?

Good luck

Yes, I have quite a bit of towing and camping experience. I dont have my 3/4 ton cummins anymore, and have been confused about this truck as the previous truck hadno problem with what I hooked behind it. At the time of buying this truck, I didnt realize how much I was going to limit myself with the 3.21's. Looks like I made a mistake purchasing this one.

 

[GsRAM]

Yes, I have quite a bit of towing and camping experience. I dont have my 3/4 ton cummins anymore, and have been confused about this truck as the previous truck hadno problem with what I hooked behind it. At the time of buying this truck, I didnt realize how much I was going to limit myself with the 3.21's. Looks like I made a mistake purchasing this one.

If you have experience camping and towing trailers I think you'll be ok. From what I understand from 3.21 owners power is not an issue with that 8 speed trans, even when towing heavy.

When you get into the upper limits of any tow vehicle the margins shrink and the capacity to absorb errors (take your pick) decreases.

I've said many times before. Regardless of what your towing or towing with, towing is serious business and should be treated as such.

 

[Bramic71]

If you have experience camping and towing trailers I think you'll be ok. From what I understand from 3.21 owners power is not an issue with that 8 speed trans, even when towing heavy.

When you get into the upper limits of any tow vehicle the margins shrink and the capacity to absorb errors (take your pick) decreases.

I've said many times before. Regardless of what your towing or towing with, towing is serious business and should be treated as such.

As a CDL driver, your thoughts would be correct.

 

[arthur dwyer]

use 80% of max for tow capacity with a 1500 gas-5 to 6 mpg sucks!

 

[RWG1]

If you can avoid it, don't do it. Trust me, you may be able to pull it with no problem until you want to stop it. Everyone here seems to quote tongue weight and GVWR's but leave out the part of the brake abilities. Unless you plan to creep down the road without using your brakes too much, you will drive white-knuckled hoping for a safe ride. Just my opinion, good luck!

 

[JS4024]

Get a smaller trailer or by a 2500 and don’t worry about “maxing out”. What a lot of the forum followers say and do is not the safest. If you were to get into an accident and they checked what your capacities are and you were over the limits your insurance company could walk away from your claim.... keep that in mind before being 200lbs from max weight......