Greenhorn Jitters

[smurfs_of_war]

Making big decisions is far easier with a couple beer... that's my take. I will check baxk in a couple days to see what you ended up with.

 

[Ramtop]

Obviously, safety is the main issue here. I have yet to drive down the highway without spotting a rig and thinking "Sweet fancy Moses, that dude's nuts.". On the other hand I've watched my truck (model) pull trailers larger than my prospective TT And never thought twice because it was tuned/weighted properly. I understand that I'm hovering (potentially) at exceeding my GVWR by around 500#. 'Ol Scott on page 1 shattered his by my calculations, Swanny raises one hell of a logical argument, and Smurf 'o War comes poetically close to calling out the blessed GVWR as a completely arbitrary (to a point) Federally set guideline. Best I can tell the truck can take it. Should it? I fear this is steadily becoming a semantic debate. I've got the head trailer setup guy from the dealership calling in a few minutes and I'm gonna get the straight skinny. Updates as they happen.

Unfortunately, head trailer guy or not, these guys are out to sell you a trailer, not a truck. Many times, the guys selling trailers, don't know much about sizing the trailer properly to your truck. Once the trailer leaves their lot, it is your liability, not theirs.

 

[dmullen]

Love this thread! I have a 2014 1500 Express HEMI / Quad Cab / 8-spd / 3.92 / and the TT I am about to get is the Cougar XLite and it looks like I am close to what you are working with. I too plan to get the Blue OX WD/Sway setup from reading tons of great reviews.

Question...would just replacing the rear two tires make a difference or is it all 4 or nothing!

Just me and the wife.

 

[smurfs_of_war]

All 4- the fronts will be prone to roll as well, so you'd benefit on all 4 corners. And if you have a 4x4 you have to do all 4 anyways

 

[PippinAin'tEasy]

Right on Ramtop. Poor kid that's my supposed "technician" just assumed WD hitch split the tongue weight 50/50 between the TT and the TV and got all shaky voiced when when I started asking the hard questions. And this is a serious dealership, not some Mom and Pop operation. Although now that I think about it I've gained more wisdom from those than the big guys. Damn shame.

 

[dmullen]

Right on Ramtop. Poor kid that's my supposed "technician" just assumed WD hitch split the tongue weight 50/50 between the TT and the TV and got all shaky voiced when when I started asking the hard questions. And this is a serious dealership, not some Mom and Pop operation. Although now that I think about it I've gained more wisdom from those than the big guys. Damn shame.

So you are not going to go for it?

 

[PippinAin'tEasy]

Still drinkin' on it D-Mull, still drinkin' on it.

 

[PippinAin'tEasy]

OK, I was never exactly sh*tt*ng k*ttens over the size of the rig I'm damn near to getting but concerns are ever present. Now ya'll go take a gander at the 10k+ enclosed trailers and the 7800# dry weight TT's over in yonder "What's the biggest thing you've pulled" thread. Some with NO F*@k*NG AIRBAGS! Sweet Mother of Pearl. Yep, beer still works.

 

[Andy578]

personally if i was pulling 10k on a regular basis i'd wanna have the 2500

 

[smurfs_of_war]

OK, I was never exactly sh*tt*ng k*ttens over the size of the rig I'm damn near to getting but concerns are ever present. Now ya'll go take a gander at the 10k+ enclosed trailers and the 7800# dry weight TT's over in yonder "What's the biggest thing you've pulled" thread. Some with NO F*@k*NG AIRBAGS! Sweet Mother of Pearl. Yep, beer still works.

Wife and I were getting groceries this evening when I saw this bad oscar sitting in the parking lot at the store. I immediately thought of this thread and snapped a pic. that'd be a Laramie all trimmed up. Fat old girl like mine. I think you're going to be just fine with that trailer

 

[cableguy_hd]

I want to try that with my golf cart and tt..... I know it's not a good idea but I think it's better than what I've done before....

 

[smurfs_of_war]

I think I like your way better :/

 

[swanny297]

Forest River Rockwood Ultralite 2702ss - biggest was a 2703ws - the WD hitch doesn't transfer 50% of the weight - you actually need to be careful setting up your WD hitch as you can easily transfer to much up front and exceed your axle capacity.

 

[loveracing1988]

Wife and I were getting groceries this evening when I saw this bad oscar sitting in the parking lot at the store. I immediately thought of this thread and snapped a pic. that'd be a Laramie all trimmed up. Fat old girl like mine. I think you're going to be just fine with that trailer

Is that legal up by you? In michigan that first trailer has to be a 5th wheel in order to tow something behind it.

 

[smurfs_of_war]

Yeah. Here the first trailer can be either bumper pull or 5th, as long as it's tandem axle with brakes and the entire combo does not exceed 75'6". Not something I'd try with a 1500 though. Not enough dog for that tail.

 

[loveracing1988]

Yeah. Here the first trailer can be either bumper pull or 5th, as long as it's tandem axle with brakes and the entire combo does not exceed 75'6". Not something I'd try with a 1500 though. Not enough dog for that tail.

It's really not that bad... Behind a 5th wheel that is. Ours was a 14' boat behind a 24' 5th wheel. A half ton towed it just fine. You don't even know the 2nd trailer is back there. Then again I would never try it on a travel trailer. Our limit is 65' though.

 

[smurfs_of_war]

It's really not that bad... Behind a 5th wheel that is. Ours was a 14' boat behind a 24' 5th wheel. A half ton towed it just fine. You don't even know the 2nd trailer is back there. Then again I would never try it on a travel trailer. Our limit is 65' though.

I suppose a 5th would be a lot better, yeah. I used to pull tandem from time to time when I drive commercially a lot of years ago- and those could be a handful sometimes even on those big tractors. I hated when I had to haul those. So maybe I am just still shell shocked

Although I suppose it's really no comparison. I just get spooked by some of these guys pulling like that and watching the back trailer bounce all over. Not my cup of tea. I prefer a *relaxing* drive. Must be getting old...

 

[Andy578]

Although I suppose it's really no comparison. I just get spooked by some of these guys pulling like that and watching the back trailer bounce all over. Not my cup of tea. I prefer a *relaxing* drive. Must be getting old...

yeah i like not having to worry about my trailers and being able to just enjoy the ride

 

[PippinAin'tEasy]

Forest River Rockwood Ultralite 2702ss - biggest was a 2703ws - the WD hitch doesn't transfer 50% of the weight - you actually need to be careful setting up your WD hitch as you can easily transfer to much up front and exceed your axle capacity.

No kidding. There are some pics floating around where somebody got a little over zealous and stuck the ass end of the TV straight up in the air simultaneously swamping the front and totally trashing the vehicle and the load. WD's seem fairly magical until you break down the physics of it all. A fine art I look forward to implementing.

 

[StevoTee]

I can give you some of my first hand experience with towing over your GVWR.

We have a 31' Shamrock 21SSL. Hydrid with a 8' exposed deck on the front for toys.
GVWR of 7335lb, Dry of 5143lb, dry tongue of 335lb.

Tongue weight is quite low due to the front deck not being loaded with cargo.

Tow vehicle as per my sig (Air bags, E-Rated tires, 3.92)

I've taken this trailer out on two trips, both to the rockies of Alberta (Canada). Each time I have not loaded the front deck with anything.

One trip through Crowsnest Past with 3 occupants, here's the numbers:
F- 3703lb
R-3460lb
Tr - 5664 lb

Another trip to Waiprus (foothills), here's the numbers:
F- 3593lb
R-3086lb
Tr-5356lb

As you can see I don't quite have the distribution hitch set up quite correctly. It's set properly in order to maintain trailer levelness. I've just been playing around with the number of chain links when hooking up the WDH bars.

As far as truck performance. I've had zero concerns with acceleration or braking. Going up 7% grades is not an issue (other than fuel gauge move to "E"). Going down 7-9% grades is no problem using a combination of tow/haul and engine braking. I try not to use my brakes as much as possible.

The only issue I've really been concerned about is tire traction. I'm still trying to dial in my WDH settings, and it seems like each trip has a little bit different variables. On the last trip I did stop on the side of the road to make an adjustment and it made quite a big difference. I was experiencing "porpoising", I had too much weight transferring from the rear to front (chains too tight). Loosened up 1 link, improvement. I probably could've gone another link.

As for my towing experience, I wouldn't consider myself a newb, but have never really paid attention before (Dad would just tell me to take it). I was nervous for our first trip out into the mountains; had never towed with this truck or with this trailer. The first 20 min were pretty quiet and focused, but after that it was business as usual.

Just remember to check, re-check and then check again. Also, if friends help you get hooked up, make sure to check everything that they do. I sometimes would almost prefer to have no help, that way I only have myself to blame.