Pulled the Travel Trailer last weekend

[Farmer Fran]

Was at a loaded weight of about 8078 lbs not including the truck weight. ~900 at the tongue. With the load leveling it did not squat. Pulled without issue. Had the gain at 2.5% in good weather.

Those load leveling bars are freaking awesome.

I'll get some pictures up later.

 

[audio1der]

Must've been 2.5 @ Heavy Electric? Wow- good trailer brakes! I have to keep mine at 4.5
Looking forward to pics.

 

[Farmer Fran]

Nope, light

 

[audio1der]

Is the '13 like 10x as strong a setting as the 12?
2.5 on light electric with an 8,000lb trailer???

 

[Farmer Fran]

Doubtful, more than likely it is the trailer.

3.5 was too much, I could feel the trailer pulling me. 3 was good but 2.5 gave the best "push/pull" ratio.

And the trailer itself was not ~8000 that was cargo and all. The trailer was ~7223

 

[xracer]

This is just the info I've been looking for.

So in your experience, hauling that much weight was ok on your truck? And that's with a 1500? I'm used to dinosaur dually 1 tons, so am gathering information for when we decide on what to buy. Apparently I'm still in the dark ages of what a newer 1/2 pickup can handle. Everyone tells me to go diesel 2500/3500, but you're pulling 8000 lbs? Is the truck rated for that?

 

[toofart]

I pulled 7500 lbs with 500 lbs of cargo with a 20' enclosed behind an '09 1500 w/ 3.55's, 2000 miles. Wasn't the best suited truck for that, but it did the job. Taking it easy was key, no 70mph while going up a grade. Averaged 9-10 mpg.

I've since upgraded to a 2013 w/ 8 speed and 3.92s. I suspect it will perform much better. With a weight distributing hitch, it all just works. If you're not towing frequently, a 1500 will do just fine.

 

[h2oman]

Wow. My factory BC isn't that great. Glad you like yours.

 

[Farmer Fran]

Would a 2500/3500 be better? Yes I am sure. Did the 1500 pull it with without issue? Yes it did.

The reason I went 1500 was, it is my DD. I put a lot of miles on mine each year ~20000 so with only ~2000 of that towing. Not enough mile to justify the added cost of the diesel fuel, cost of the truck, maintenance etc...

My truck is rated to 8800 lbs, 3.92 gear change they say 10,300 lbs.

SO I kept the trailer weight light this time. If I decide on a bigger trailer or more towing miles per year I will consider a HD truck.

 

[audio1der]

Right on, Fran. Our decision making was much the same as yours, but I insisted on 3.92s as my first requirement; I wanted as much towing headroom as possible. Yeah, more truck would be nice when towing but we also have all that other driving to consider.
Which BC do you have? I wonder if the '13 is that much different than the '12 with a similar (or heavier) trailer?

 

[Farmer Fran]

Right on, Fran. Our decision making was much the same as yours, but I insisted on 3.92s as my first requirement; I wanted as much towing headroom as possible. Yeah, more truck would be nice when towing but we also have all that other driving to consider.
Which BC do you have? I wonder if the '13 is that much different than the '12 with a similar (or heavier) trailer?

I have the factory BC. Came with the truck.

2013 Crew Cab Express 2x4
Limited Slip
3.55s