Help a new TT owner out...

[JRam813]

Well, potential new owner! We are looking at a 33' Forest Vibe, below are the specs.

SPECIFICATIONS
Hitch Weight:
930 lb.
UVW
7408 lb.
CCC
2322 lb.
Exterior Length:
38' 8"
Exterior Height:
11' 2"
Exterior Width:
96"
Fresh Water:
40 gal.
Gray Water:
60 gal.
Black Water:
60 gal.

Currently I am running with a 2016 Sport, leveled (Bils in the front and 0.75 poly in the rear) on 35's.

I have been all over the site and the web and found varying degrees of "yes or no" - will my truck safely tow this trailer. I don't mind putting money into my 1500 to pull this trailer, but I'm looking for suggestions with what I should be looking for to change/add on. I don't have the funds to really look into a new 2500 unless I physically can't tow with the 1500, then I would start searching for am older 2500 with the....6.4????

I'm sure this has been gone over multiple times, so I will thank you for you help and patience ahead of time!

 

[Mountaineer83]

That is a pretty large trailer for a 1500. Not just weight wise, but getting close to 40' causes a lot of sway. I towed a 34' Jayco with my Tundra and it weighed about the same. It towed it well power wise. But my 2500 handled it much better and was much more comfortable towing.

In any event, need to know more specifics on your truck too like gearing and payload off the door sticker. Also what your GVWR is on the door.

 

[TC III]

Well, potential new owner! We are looking at a 33' Forest Vibe, below are the specs.

SPECIFICATIONS
Hitch Weight:
930 lb.
UVW
7408 lb.
CCC
2322 lb.
Exterior Length:
38' 8"
Exterior Height:
11' 2"
Exterior Width:
96"
Fresh Water:
40 gal.
Gray Water:
60 gal.
Black Water:
60 gal.

Currently I am running with a 2016 Sport, leveled (Bils in the front and 0.75 poly in the rear) on 35's.

I have been all over the site and the web and found varying degrees of "yes or no" - will my truck safely tow this trailer. I don't mind putting money into my 1500 to pull this trailer, but I'm looking for suggestions with what I should be looking for to change/add on. I don't have the funds to really look into a new 2500 unless I physically can't tow with the 1500, then I would start searching for am older 2500 with the....6.4????

I'm sure this has been gone over multiple times, so I will thank you for you help and patience ahead of time!

I was in the same situation as you. I had a 1500 but my dry weight was about 500#'s less. I didn't realize it, but I was over the Max combined (GCVWR) for truck and trailer (which is not good). I was in the limits of towing capacity, but you need to look at all weights (payload, etc.). My 1500 was squatting and had to much sway on the highways for me to feel comfortable and safe. I upgraded to the 2500 this summer and I can't tell the camper is behind me now. I'm well within all the limits including GCVWR.

 

[TC III]

I have the attached towing weight spreadsheet in Excel format if you'd like me to send it to you.

 

[Firetruck41]

I don't think you will be able to tow that while keeping within payload capacity. You can almost guarantee your actual unloaded weight will be above the manufacturer specs, then add all the things you will packing in the trailer and I don't see how you will be under 1k lbs of tongue weight. I assume that won't leave you much room for driver, passengers and cargo in the truck.

 

[14hemiexpress]

My dad just went though this. He had a 2019 1500 hemi 3.92. His trailer was a 35ft toy hauler so little shorter and his was 1400 on the hitch. Little over 7k empty. Plenty of power to pull it but over 50mph was scary he ended up with a 2017 2500 6.4l and its night and day. A trailer that size you really should get a 2500 unless your pulling it down back roads 10 miles to the local camp grounds but you'll be hating life if you try to make long trips. Just my .02

Also he put air bags on it thinking it was going to fix the problem but it didnt It was just to much trailer for a 1500.

 

[Ohio5pt7]

Power yes. Legally no. I would bank there is no way you could stay within payload. Now on the other hand my tt and full shabang is close to 1900lbs payload and truck is rated at 1430. Did a 1500mi round trip thru the mountains few months back no issues but my tt is 30ft including tongue and a 5804lb dry weight. ~7500 loaded. I will say in my personal opinion there is no way I would want to tow anything any bigger length or weight wise with it.

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[JRam813]

That's where we're at. S it looks like it's a no go for this size TT.

 

[dhay13]

I agree. Unless you are towing this a few miles at low speeds I would either look for a smaller trailer or a bigger truck. No matter what you do to the truck it still will not likely be legal. Airbags, gears, etc, will not change the legal towing capacity. My step-father had a 2011 and 2014 1500 with 5.7 and 3.92s and towed a 9000lb 5th wheel. They sold the 5th wheel cause in 5 years they only used it a handful of times cause he was so scared towing it. Would it physically tow it? Yep. Was it comfortable? No way. Was he legal? Not even close.

 

[MADDOG]

I agree with the rest here...that is just too heavy for your 1500.

A 2500 with the 6.4L can handle that load. Mostly it's all about available payload and a 2500 has what you need for that trailer.

 

[JRam813]

I have the attached towing weight spreadsheet in Excel format if you'd like me to send it to you.

View attachment 181635

I would!

 

[RockyAEV]

Here’s what I could find I don’t know what the actual numbers would be as if you were hooked up and ready to go....so I put the max allowed. Hope this helps.


2018 Ram 2500 Tradesman
6.7L, G56

 

[JRam813]

Thank you!

 

[Mountaineer83]

As mentioned, I was about the same power wise between my Tundra and my 2500 6.4L, but the handling was night and day different.

Having the heavier truck to combat sway is also a plus. I felt like I went from the trailer controlling the truck to the truck being in control. I know how you feel though, I had to convince my wife just how unsafe it was with my Tundr . She didnt like buying a new truck.

 

[dhay13]

A 2500 6.4 will easily pull that. My son has a 2018 6.4 2500 with 4.10's and towed his 8000lb camper 1500 miles to North Dakota. He also had about 1000lbs of gear in the truck. No problem at all and he isn't that experienced towing anything.

 

[TC III]

I would!

Send me a PM with your email and I'll send it to you.

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[canadiankodiak700]

I'm so disappointed... TT= travel trailer

I came here hoping to see that someone has built a twin turbo ram.....

 

[GsRAM]

Excellent advice given already.

If I were you and upgrading trucks is not an option, look at trailers 7500 gvwr (not dry/unladen) and under and 30' overall and under and you'll be in the ballpark for your truck. Good luck

 

[pacofortacos]

That's where we're at. S it looks like it's a no go for this size TT.

Wrong sticker, your payload is listed on the yellow sticker on the door jamb.

But I agree, I don't see how you could do it legally or comfortably. Don't forget to add the weight of the WDH to the payload number.

The payload on my 2016 CC Outdoorsman is #1199.

 

[Ohio5pt7]

I'm so disappointed... TT= travel trailer

I came here hoping to see that someone has built a twin turbo ram.....

There are a couple on YouTube

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