Camper towing

[jknappen]

have a 2018 quad cab 1500 hemi with 3.21 gears. Looking to buy a travel trailer. Need some insight on how long of a trailer is ok to tow with, what kind of hitch setup is best and what rear suspension upgrades i will need springs bags both etc. Is 6000 lbs the max i wanna look at into trailers?

 

[stateofdade]

I tow a 37 ft with zero issues. Get bags or timbrens and a good weight distribution hitch. Drive safely and you have no issues.

Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk

 

[AFMoulton]

have a 2018 quad cab 1500 hemi with 3.21 gears. Looking to buy a travel trailer. Need some insight on how long of a trailer is ok to tow with, what kind of hitch setup is best and what rear suspension upgrades i will need springs bags both etc. Is 6000 lbs the max i wanna look at into trailers?

My 2016 QC 4x4 with 3.21s pulled my 26’ Hideout that weighed 7800 lbs loaded, just fine, I never wanted more. When we stepped up to our 38’ Open Range, it was not enough truck, so I upgraded to a 2500HD 6.4.







2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[Dinky]

Air bags are a must for towing I think. Hook your trailer up throw wood in the bed plus other gear. Saggy ass is never good you lose performance when towing.

 

[jknappen]

Air bags are a must for towing I think. Hook your trailer up throw wood in the bed plus other gear. Saggy ass is never good you lose performance when towing.

Can I just get away with new springs or should I just do springs and airbags?

 

[AFMoulton]

Can I just get away with new springs or should I just do springs and airbags?

I did Springs and airbags for my 1500. Tuftruck 1223 and Airlift 1000. Worked great.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[jknappen]

My 2016 QC 4x4 with 3.21s pulled my 26’ Hideout that weighed 7800 lbs loaded, just fine, I never wanted more. When we stepped up to our 38’ Open Range, it was not enough truck, so I upgraded to a 2500HD 6.4.







2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

What rear suspension set up did you have on the 1500?

 

[Dinky]

Can I just get away with new springs or should I just do springs and airbags?

by time you get the price on new springs you will have air bags. also when not towing drop to 3psi and you are back to a great ride when not towing..

 

[Dinky]

I did Springs and airbags for my 1500. Tuftruck 1223 and Airlift 1000. Worked great.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

yea i have the same set up i was towing a work trailer that was really heavy did the trick no problem. did the spring just so i would have to air up the bags when i just have a big load in the bed.

 

[jknappen]

My 2016 QC 4x4 with 3.21s pulled my 26’ Hideout that weighed 7800 lbs loaded, just fine, I never wanted more. When we stepped up to our 38’ Open Range, it was not enough truck, so I upgraded to a 2500HD 6.4.
Did you use the factory receiver? Also what weight distribution hitch did you use?






2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[AFMoulton]

I used the factory hitch and I use/used a Husky Centerline TowSystem HD. Mine has the 1400lb bars, and is rated for 14,000lb trailer.



Can’t seem to find a link where to buy it though.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[jknappen]

I used the factory hitch and I use/used a Husky Centerline TowSystem HD. Mine has the 1400lb bars, and is rated for 14,000lb trailer.




Can’t seem to find a link where to buy it though.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

This provides anti sway as well as weight distribution?

 

[AFMoulton]

This provides anti sway as well as weight distribution?

It does, and I can attest to how well it works. Towing this 38’ sail behind my truck across west Texass with a 35mph crosswind, and it held strong.

Anderson makes good WD hitches and so does Equalizer. I would say buy more hitch than what you need. My 26’ Hideout was an 800lb/8000lb trailer, but I bought the 1400lb/14000lb hitch to give me some margin. I bought so much hitch it works great with the bigger trailer.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[AFMoulton]

My friend bought this one for his 1500 and his 7500lb camper. And he said it works great. He towed it from New Mexico to South Carolina through the hurricane and said he was never worried.

Husky 32218 Center Line TS with Spring Bars - 800 lb. to 1,200 lb. Tongue Weight Capacity (2-5/16" Ball) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W919FL8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_wUTFCbVA7H7VP


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[jknappen]

My friend bought this one for his 1500 and his 7500lb camper. And he said it works great. He towed it from New Mexico to South Carolina through the hurricane and said he was never worried.

Husky 32218 Center Line TS with Spring Bars - 800 lb. to 1,200 lb. Tongue Weight Capacity (2-5/16" Ball) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W919FL8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_wUTFCbVA7H7VP


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

Thanks for the info. I have heard that reese and curt are good as well. I have also heard that you can not back up with these hitches is that true?

 

[AFMoulton]

Thanks for the info. I have heard that reese and curt are good as well. I have also heard that you can not back up with these hitches is that true?

You can, and in a pinch I’ve had to, because someone decided to park illegally in front of me. However, just for my sanity I choose to pull the bars off when parking it, allows me to maneuver it better/faster, and gives me peace of mind.

I have seen lots of other back up with these hitches no problems.

Check out etrailer.com, they have tons of information and videos to help guide you.

I personally wouldn’t buy a hitch with chains because I’ve seen the links break on some friends and it almost caused them to roll their trailer and truck at the same time. But he was only doing 60 and was able to control it to a stop.

2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[stateofdade]

Equalizer is great

Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk

 

[jknappen]

Will the tuftruck 1223 variable rate springs give the truck more lift in the back or sit at stock height

 

[AFMoulton]

Will the tuftruck 1223 variable rate springs give the truck more lift in the back or sit at stock height

Not sure about those I bought the regular 1223. I also put Bilsteins on my truck at the same time and set them to 2.8”. I thought that was the way it should have come from the factory. And to me it was well worth it in the towing aspect. Much more stable.

https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17042

Stock


Bilsteins Only


Bilsteins and 1223 installed



Stock Spring Vs Tuftruck 1223


Let me know if you have more questions, my 1500 was a great truck, and had plenty of motor to pull the bigger trailer, just not heavy enough to deal with the extra weight and length, but handled my 8000lb 26’ just fine, especially after I changed all the stuff out.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[OC455]

I tow a Keystone Hideout 260 LHS. I use a Curt TruTrak rated for 10k. Works great with Timber Grove ASAM's (air springs). I can back up with the distribution bar locked in. I found out that you kind of have to steer and then let off the turn then back into the turn.