New Trailer To Tow

[dmullen]

I have a 2014 1500 Express Quad Cab w HEMI 2WD and 3.92 gears. I plan to install the Air Lift 1000 bags (unless I find something that is considered better) and use the Equalizer or comparable WDH.

Can someone please explain to me in simple terms how much can I safely tow with this truck as far as a travel trailer? It is just my wife and I and currently we have a pop up camper but are looking into getting a much larger travel trailer to actually live in. What specs do I need to look for and not go over when selecting a new TT?

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[southernspeed]

I have a buddy with an 09 and he has airlift bags and delivers traveltrailers all over the country with his 1500

 

[audio1der]

There is a calculator on the RAM site that should spit out a figure on how much you can tow, but that is how much you can PULL.
Go open your door and check the white stick that states your maximum payload. RAM figures a driver weight of 150lbs into that; add more if you're over 150. Add your wife and all the crap you would put in the truck (suitcases, water, books... whatever) and then you will know what you have left for payload.

Many trailer manufacturers give a falsely light tongue weight for their trailers. It is the weight of the tongue as the unit is shipped. You will add a battery or two and will fill those propane bottles right on the tongue. Then you will add wheel blocks, tools, chairs, etc to the cargo compartment. You need to at least take that in consideration because every RV salesperson will sell you any unit on the lot as "half ton towable".

FWIW we pull a 32' (35.5 from bumper to ball) ultra lightweight which is 6,500lbs dry, a hair over 7Klbs loaded with a 710lb tongue with little trouble other than it's too long for a half ton and can push around the truck in winds.

Have fun shopping!

 

[NHguy]

Your on the right track with the WDH and airbags.
An equalizer or Reese Dual cam WDH are good.

As someone who just came from towing with a 1/2 ton,
I would use your payload limits to determine what MAX weight your new trailer should be around.
Include any people, WDH hitch weight, tongue weight, and any other stuff.

An RV salesman will sell you a 10,000lb unit and you'll probably max out your payload just hooking it up and hate every mile
towing it.

Everyone seems to have different comfort levels towing so take what you
read on the interwebs with a grain of salt.

Good luck!

 

[dmullen]

Your on the right track with the WDH and airbags.
An equalizer or Reese Dual cam WDH are good.

As someone who just came from towing with a 1/2 ton,
I would use your payload limits to determine what MAX weight your new trailer should be around.
Include any people, WDH hitch weight, tongue weight, and any other stuff.

An RV salesman will sell you a 10,000lb unit and you'll probably max out your payload just hooking it up and hate every mile
towing it.

Everyone seems to have different comfort levels towing so take what you
read on the interwebs with a grain of salt.

Good luck!

Thank you for the reply. How do I use the payload limit to determine the max weight of the trailer?

 

[dmullen]

When I use the towing and payload capacity calculator on the Dodge Ram site I get the following results...Curb Weight 5,050 lbs / Passengers 450 lbs (I went ahead and entered 3 passengers here instead of 2 just to over do the numbers for a little headroom.) / Payload 1,332 lbs / Towing 9,068 lbs.

What exactly is this telling me as far as what to look for in a new travel trailer? Is the Payload figure of 1,332 lbs what I subtract the hitch weight from and how do I get the hitch weight? I'm thinking I add the weight of the full propane tanks, two batteries, and WDH to the TT's posted hitch weight?

 

[NHguy]

Lets say your payload is 1500lbs.

2 people= 300lbs? (1200lbs left)
WDH hitch= 75lbs (1125lbs left)
stuff (bikes, truck accessories, junk on the floor, etc.)= 200lbs? (925 lbs left)

Ignore the published tongue weights, those reflect an empty trailer which isn't reality.
lets say the trailer dryweight is 5000lbs (yellow sticker on trailer)and you add 800lbs. of gear.
10%-15% of that weight will be tongue weight.
So 15% * 5800lbs. = 870lbs ( worst case )

So in this example you would have about 45lbs. to spare in payload, which
could vary each time out.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[BoldAdventure]

If you get stopped by DOT they only ever care about two things. Are you over your tires and axle capacity. If so, you'll get a ticket. If not, on your way you go.

 

[NHguy]

dmullen,
I had expensive experience that many have faced.
I bought a hybrid and towed it with a mid sized suv, and
that was no fun.

Bought a 1/2 ton truck and everything was great towing.

Then we bought a larger TT and not so great.
Added Timbrens, better shocks, Better WDH, and things got alot better.

When the time came to buy a new truck I went 3/4 ton not because a
1/2 ton couldn't do it. I just wanted a higher comfort level towing when
conditions weren't ideal. ( high winds, passing big rigs, etc )

And my truck only has to be a daily driver in the winter so gas was less of a concern.

My examples/views are more conservative on this so again take it with a grain of salt.
My trailer is around 7000lbs loaded and that's probably the most i would want to tow
with a 1/2 ton, even though it was rated to tow at 8800lbs.
These trailers are large sails and tow different than say an open bed car trailer with 7000lbs.

 

[dmullen]

dmullen,
I had expensive experience that many have faced.
I bought a hybrid and towed it with a mid sized suv, and
that was no fun.

Bought a 1/2 ton truck and everything was great towing.

Then we bought a larger TT and not so great.
Added Timbrens, better shocks, Better WDH, and things got alot better.

When the time came to buy a new truck I went 3/4 ton not because a
1/2 ton couldn't do it. I just wanted a higher comfort level towing when
conditions weren't ideal. ( high winds, passing big rigs, etc )

And my truck only has to be a daily driver in the winter so gas was less of a concern.

My examples/views are more conservative on this so again take it with a grain of salt.
My trailer is around 7000lbs loaded and that's probably the most i would want to tow
with a 1/2 ton, even though it was rated to tow at 8800lbs.
These trailers are large sails and tow different than say an open bed car trailer with 7000lbs.

That's what I am trying to figure out, a good weight TT that will give me a good comfort level towing. Any advantage of the Timbrens over the Air Lift 1000?

 

[NHguy]

Timbrens are cheaper and no maintenance.
BUT you have no ability to adjust rear ride height.

Jayco whitehawk tow well and have good floorplans.
Here's one with good weights
2015 White Hawk 24RDB | Jayco, Inc.

 

[dmullen]

Timbrens are cheaper and no maintenance.
BUT you have no ability to adjust rear ride height.

Jayco whitehawk tow well and have good floorplans.
Here's one with good weights
2015 White Hawk 24RDB | Jayco, Inc.

I have to have a 4-season travel trailer which limits my choices and generally they are heavier than normal light-weights.

 

[RamRodRic]

aren't timbrens for trucks with leaf springs?

 

[RamRodRic]

I have to have a 4-season travel trailer which limits my choices and generally they are heavier than normal light-weights.

if you live "out west", or are willing to travel a bit, look into Outdoors RV products. my only association with this company is being a happy owner of one of their products.
Outdoors RV Mfg

 

[cc rider]

That's what I am trying to figure out, a good weight TT that will give me a good comfort level towing. Any advantage of the Timbrens over the Air Lift 1000?

Just removed the airlifts. Installing the timbrens tomorrow and going on a trip. Be back on Tuesday. I'll post my opinion. Lot of guys like the airlifts and I thought they were awesome but they leaked on me. Many don't have that problem.I don't want to deal with that. That's why i switched. Hopefully the timbrens are at least as good. If they are not I'll reinstall the 1000s and use better hose and fittings.

 

[cc rider]

Timbrens are twice as much

Timbrens are cheaper and no maintenance.
BUT you have no ability to adjust rear ride height.

Jayco whitehawk tow well and have good floorplans.
Here's one with good weights
2015 White Hawk 24RDB | Jayco, Inc.

 

[cc rider]

aren't timbrens for trucks with leaf springs?

No I have coils

 

[audio1der]

I had timbrens, and when towing it was like riding on the frame. Absolutely awful. Sold after first trip. Leaking Airlift>Timbren IMHO.

 

[swanny297]

Forest River Rockwood Ultra Lites - 2702ss and 2703ws are about the weights you want to be in for a full size TT

 

[NHguy]

Timbrens are twice as much

??
Timbrens are in the $180-$200 range.

I do think an airbag setup is better but
It wasn't cheaper than Timbrens or I would have
gone that route.