Towing Camping Trailer

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ramffml

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Put your $$$ where your mouth is... Where does it state as a fact that a 30' trailer is for a 2500?? and can't be safely towed with a 1500?

Probably the same place that says a hemi is a more reliable engine than the ecodiesel. Sometimes you just need to know where to look and stop ignoring all the posters that have had some bad experience with this. Again keep in mind the experience of the original poster, if you guys want to throw a newbie into that kind of setup then you do you.

I am going to attempt to exit this thread (for the second time), there is nothing further to be said on this as I think we're all pretty set in our minds.
 

crash68

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Probably the same place that says a hemi is a more reliable engine than the ecodiesel. Sometimes you just need to know where to look and stop ignoring all the posters that have had some bad experience with this. Again keep in mind the experience of the original poster, if you guys want to throw a newbie into that kind of setup then you do you.

I am going to attempt to exit this thread (for the second time), there is nothing further to be said on this as I think we're all pretty set in our minds.
(golf clap) Typical dodge the question and bring up another topic when you know there no facts that states a 30' is too long for a 1500.
To explain to someone new to towing that the trailer they want to pull is going be a lot to ask is better advice then saying someone needs a different truck.
There's plenty of idiots out there that just hook a trailer up to an HD truck without any set up because "there's little to no squat".
 

Tulecreeper

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The 1500/2500 argument is like a motor for a boat. I've never heard anyone say after their purchase, "Gee, I wish I would have gone smaller." I have way more truck than I will ever regularly use, but it's going to be nice that it's there when I eventually do.
 

tron67j

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These towing threads always get disparate paths going, but in the end it is someone trying to be safe. We read all the time that some dealer said a truck could pull a space shuttle or a RV dealer stated a trailer wasn't too big for a truck. Is it a wonder there is so much confusion even here?

Ultimately, there is only the set up of the unique rig that will tell whether it will be good or not. The primary variable is weight: payload capacity of truck, fully loaded weight of trailer, weight distribution across each and the rig as a whole. Exceed any value, or distribute it wrong and all bets are off on how trailering, stopping, etc. will be as an experience. Case in point, OP could end up with a 25' trailer with all weights under max but put all cargo behind rear wheels of trailer and end up with finger indentations in the steering wheel.

Is it better to have less mass behind the truck? At some point, that ideal value will be crossed and traveling becomes no fun. Also, the longer the trailer, the more surface area for wind, etc. to act upon and again, the ideal length can be tough to find for each truck.

If someone is new to towing, shorter and lighter can be better to get used to the process. When in doubt, I would always recommend a person go rent trailers first and see how the units react behind their truck. That will be much more useful in making a final determination.
 

ramffml

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(golf clap) Typical dodge the question and bring up another topic when you know there no facts that states a 30' is too long for a 1500.
To explain to someone new to towing that the trailer they want to pull is going be a lot to ask is better advice then saying someone needs a different truck.
There's plenty of idiots out there that just hook a trailer up to an HD truck without any set up because "there's little to no squat".

Of course there are no "facts". Read between the lines. You will not find anything that says it's illegal to pull a 30' trailer with a half ton. I was being stretchy with the word "fact" and apparently that's how you want to win this argument on a technicality as if that changes the argument, so go for it.

I used the example of "hemi" vs "ecodiesel" to illustrate; there are no facts (like a datasheet from Ram showing failure percentages), but if you stick around here long enough the truth ("fact") becomes clear, as bad as hemi tick is, the ecodiesel is worse. You learn that "fact" from reading the forum, reading people's experiences, putting two and two together.

Same thing with towing heavy large sails with half tons. There are way too many reports on this forum and others and RV forums showing this can get ugly quickly. And no not all of these are from new guys either. It really seems to be trailer dependent (tongue weight is different on different trucks), now much weight is bouncing behind the trailer axles (even with tongue weight being the same on two trailers, a trailer with a saggy rear end will porpoise more than one without that weight there), wind and location (prairies can get very windy, mountains can get twisty and ugly), cargo in the truck (passengers weighing 1000 pounds with little in the bed will pull much better than 2 people in the front with lots of stuff in the bed but adding up to 1000 pounds) etc. In other words, variables. It's really, really unwise to recommend this setup to new people.

Experienced drivers can probably make some 30'+ trailers work with some half tons. That doesn't mean it's a good idea for most people, nor is it wise to recommend that to a newbie and recommend it so vehemently as if it's the final answer. That's how people get in to trouble.
 

Riccochet

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Like I said previously, there's no one answer to fit all situations. Every trailer tows differently. Some 29-35' trailers will tow just fine behind a 1/2 ton truck. Others will not. They're all built differently, with weigh distributed differently, on different suspension systems with different tires, behind different trucks with different WDH's.

I'm just a firm believer, now, in having more truck than I need. For peace of mind and considerably less stress. My 3/4 ton handles my same trailer considerably better. Less tail wagging the dog in high winds.
 

2020PW

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If you have to ask then you already know the answer. Is a 1500 an ideal tow vehicle, not for what you’re describing.

You will experience the seldomly spoken phenomenon of “ Wish I had a bigger truck and more power”. Few will ever discuss it as they have to tell themselves that it’s ok as part of denial.
 

Jane S

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The 1500/2500 argument is like a motor for a boat. I've never heard anyone say after their purchase, "Gee, I wish I would have gone smaller." I have way more truck than I will ever regularly use, but it's going to be nice that it's there when I eventually do.

No it's not. If you us a TT a few times a year; you are not going to want to have a 2500 as your daily driver, if a 1500 will tow safely the few times a year you tow a TT.
 

Farmer Fran

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I will leave the thread with this, as I always do... I see more 2500s towing more than they should than I do 1500s. Let alone the SUVs and such. But a properly set up system will keep you safe for 1000s of miles no matter the number designation.

Only problem I ever had was GAS over Deisel, but at most modern gas stations that is a non-issue even in the remote stretches of this USA.

1500 4x4 Laramie 3.91s - 1000s of miles in all kinds of weather and terrain. 34' long and 11' high

EDIT: My 2020 Limited towed it some and much easier with the air suspension - I will hunt down the pictures. As well as my 2015 Express, 2015 Sport, this 2017 Laramie

EDIT x2: You all are great, please be safe. Make discissions based on your experience, knowledge and fundamental understanding of how things work.

Larry_Denali_1.jpg

Denali_at_FuelUp.jpg
 
Last edited:

Jane S

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These towing threads always get disparate paths going, but in the end it is someone trying to be safe. We read all the time that some dealer said a truck could pull a space shuttle or a RV dealer stated a trailer wasn't too big for a truck. Is it a wonder there is so much confusion even here?

Ultimately, there is only the set up of the unique rig that will tell whether it will be good or not. The primary variable is weight: payload capacity of truck, fully loaded weight of trailer, weight distribution across each and the rig as a whole. Exceed any value, or distribute it wrong and all bets are off on how trailering, stopping, etc. will be as an experience. Case in point, OP could end up with a 25' trailer with all weights under max but put all cargo behind rear wheels of trailer and end up with finger indentations in the steering wheel.

Is it better to have less mass behind the truck? At some point, that ideal value will be crossed and traveling becomes no fun. Also, the longer the trailer, the more surface area for wind, etc. to act upon and again, the ideal length can be tough to find for each truck.

If someone is new to towing, shorter and lighter can be better to get used to the process. When in doubt, I would always recommend a person go rent trailers first and see how the units react behind their truck. That will be much more useful in making a final determination.

We read all the time that some dealer said a truck could pull a space shuttle or a RV dealer stated a trailer wasn't too big for a truck.
I will leave the thread with this, as I always do... I see more 2500s towing more than they should than I do 1500s. Let alone the SUVs and such. But a properly set up system will keep you safe for 1000s of miles no matter the number designation.

Only problem I ever had was GAS over Deisel, but at most modern gas stations that is a non-issue even in the remote stretches of this USA.

1500 4x4 Laramie 3.91s - 1000s of miles in all kinds of weather and terrain. 34' long and 11' high

EDIT: My 2020 Limited towed it some and much easier with the air suspension - I will hunt down the pictures. As well as my 2015 Express, 2015 Sport, this 2017 Laramie

EDIT x2: You all are great, please be safe. Make discissions based on your experience, knowledge and fundamental understanding of how things work.

View attachment 522025

View attachment 522026
IMPOSSIBLE!

Photoshop!
 

Riccochet

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I will leave the thread with this, as I always do... I see more 2500s towing more than they should than I do 1500s. Let alone the SUVs and such. But a properly set up system will keep you safe for 1000s of miles no matter the number designation.

Only problem I ever had was GAS over Deisel, but at most modern gas stations that is a non-issue even in the remote stretches of this USA.

1500 4x4 Laramie 3.91s - 1000s of miles in all kinds of weather and terrain. 34' long and 11' high

EDIT: My 2020 Limited towed it some and much easier with the air suspension - I will hunt down the pictures. As well as my 2015 Express, 2015 Sport, this 2017 Laramie

EDIT x2: You all are great, please be safe. Make discissions based on your experience, knowledge and fundamental understanding of how things work.

View attachment 522025

View attachment 522026
YOUR trailer towed fine. Good for you, man. As I said, they are all built different. Not everyone has the same experience as you with your trailer.

Sheeeit, not even all trailers are the same depending on the model year. For example, my 27VRL in 2015 came with torsion axles. In 2017 they changed to linked leaf spring suspension, and altered the interior design. To say both 27VRL's tow the same would be a lie. They don't. A lot of trailers go through minor to major alterations in their design over their lifespan. Frame, suspension, interior and exterior alterations.

There's no one size fits all when it comes to towing a travel trailer. The only truth is having more truck than you need never hurt anyone.
 
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"Do I need anything else?" Yes, a 3/4 ton truck, preferably a diesel.
Canyon
 

DC Tradesman

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I do agree with some comments. Toung weights are important, truck tires will help stabilize side sway, sumo springs to minimize jouncing. By controlling the above along with a quality equalizer weight distribution system & keeping your speeds down I believe you should be fine.
 

Scrufy

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I just took SOLAIRE 315rltsek, 35' total to the NW from AL. 19' ram 1500 bighorn, 3.23 rears. Top speed 60-65. Usually 9-10 mpg, high 12, low 8. Smooth ride. WDH kept us level and didn't hit the rear stops. Anti-sway worked but soft truck chassis could get loose at higher speeds from side winds. Lots of hitch wt and camper maxed 8500 or more. Hitch was a pain hooking up alot, and gas pump access ALWAYS took planning. Ok setup for occasional use. Always got 20-22 mpg highway empty 50k miles. NEW gas 3500 coming for 34' 5wh w wa/dry for the wife.
 

Scrufy

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Forgot to mention, Original tires failed, got 80lb HD tires
 

seadog1272

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Don't listen to those who say you should get a 2500.

You will be fine.

Get a Equlizer hitch/sway - don't go cheap here.

Drive slow

Remember you are pulling a sail. Headwinds will be your enemy.
I drive a 2019 Ram 1500 LTD 5.7 3.92 axle 4X4 and pull a Imagine 2150 Trailer 28 ft long and an Andersen WDH. I have travel all over the Western USA, including Bryce Canyon Utah which is up at 8000 feet. I have enjoyed every minute of (I don't remember any White Knuckles while driving). I do recommend the Andersen WDH, it is a third of the weight of spring bar WDH's, easier to hook up, makes no noise, and you don't get dirty from grease. My Trailer specs are about the same as the ones you have. I have attached some pictures for your perusal. I am only speaking of my own experience and truck and trailer setup.

Drive Slow, You are pulling a sail.
 

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