Ready, set, GO!!!!

[Farmer Fran]

This should be good.

Here's $48,000. Buy something to tow this camper

What kind of truck or SUV would you get to tow a 6,400-pound camper trailer? Autoblog editors weigh in (somewhat usefully)

autos.yahoo.com

 

[chri5k]

A RAM 4500 or 5500. Never have to worry about the forum payload police.

 

[Jim BB]

1500 is boarders line so 2500 should be fine

 

[Riccochet]

At 32' long I'm finding a used 3/4 ton. That's a lot of sail to deal with.

 

[Units]

I have a camper of the same manufacturer and with identical specs, my 2500 6.4l is a perfect pairing, tows with great comfort (no white knuckle). I hooked it up to the 1500 5.7l I had as a loaner while mine was in the shop, enough motor but not enough suspension. So I say 3/4 ton.

 

[tron67j]

Love how it is always "... the vehicle is rated to tow x pounds, so I am good...". The next statement is "My tow vehicle is low in the back, what kind of bags should I get?"

 

[Travelin Ram]

Can I keep the extra money?

Freightliner

 

[Tulecreeper]

I'm thinking what I have is way more than needed. It would be like towing a toy.

 

[dhay13]

My son has a 2670MK that has a slightly higher GVWR than this one. Towed it twice (400 miles total) with my 2013 1500 and it did fine. 2500 definitely felt better but the 1500 was fine. We weighed it on the way to Texas and it was 8100lbs with 1000lb tongue weight. This was behind my sons 2018 2500 6.4.

 

[GTyankee]

When an officer of the law, has reason to pull you over when you are pulling that Grand Design Imagine.

The ticket will read

• Gross vehicle weight rating: 8,495 pounds

DMV does not give a hoot, if it is empty & only weighs 6386
Your vehicle must be rated to tow at least 8,495 Pounds.
The trailer & tow vehicle must also be traveling in a straight line, no weaving, etc.

 

[ramffml]

Can I keep the extra money?

Freightliner

My brother drives a small freightliner (box truck, not a semi) all day every day. The amount of money his company has dropped on that truck is staggering, last bill alone was $30k CAD for emissions and putting in a new turbo.

 

[brian42]

Love how the only stat they use is towing capacity. It's obvious that they didn't have to take it on a trip to validate their choice (for convenience, practicality, or safety). They should stick to cars and measuring performance numbers.

Even though he doesn't list any legal limits at least the Managing Editor picked a 3/4 ton truck for "extra margin".

People read articles like that and go out and actually buy those setups thinking someone else has done the research for them, which couldn't be further from the truth. That article is almost as bad as taking guidance from the salesperson at the dealership...almost.

 

[MMiller]

Is Yahoo trying to get people killed? I own a Grand Design Imagine 2800BH (the exact camper in the article). I've towed it all over the country with my 2500 6.4 Hemi. No issues whatsoever. But those small SUV's listed in the article? That's just an accident waiting to happen. Like others have said, the F350 would have no problem. Every other vehicle in the article seems like a death wish if you're trying to take that camper anywhere besides across a parking lot.

 

[Loudram]

With that length you need a truck. I've owned and towed a couple of 33' trailers with a 1500. My numbers were good. I'd tow that trailer with my truck in a heartbeat.

 

[ORSPG]

Love how it is always "... the vehicle is rated to tow x pounds, so I am good...". The next statement is "My tow vehicle is low in the back, what kind of bags should I get?"

I swapped out my factory springs for 2450LB springs, Zero lift, however, they do jack the back by 2 inches, if one hates the look that way. Weight wise, I can haul and tow anything a 2500 gas can, with hardly any sag, diesel another matter.

 

[Tulecreeper]

I swapped out my factory springs for 2450LB springs, Zero lift, however, they do jack the back by 2 inches, if one hates the look that way. Weight wise, I can haul and tow anything a 2500 gas can, with hardly any sag, diesel another matter.

No sir, you cannot.

 

[tron67j]

Yeah, if it was that easy everyone would do it. Didn't realize the brakes, frame, and other mechanicals were identical between 1500s and 2500s.

If he is carrying/towing like a 2500, that is a misguided missile looking for a place to happen.

 

[Riccochet]

I swapped out my factory springs for 2450LB springs, Zero lift, however, they do jack the back by 2 inches, if one hates the look that way. Weight wise, I can haul and tow anything a 2500 gas can, with hardly any sag, diesel another matter.

Your axles tell a different story.

 

[ramffml]

I swapped out my factory springs for 2450LB springs, Zero lift, however, they do jack the back by 2 inches, if one hates the look that way. Weight wise, I can haul and tow anything a 2500 gas can, with hardly any sag, diesel another matter.

The 2500 has stronger frames, bigger axles, bigger brakes, and bigger/stronger gears for a start. It's also heavier (more ability to control loads), and has a solid front axle.

All you did was change how your trucks looks while towing, you did nothing to strengthen your truck or improve its actual capacity to tow.

If you stock truck sags excessively while towing, you're either towing too much or not distributing your weight correctly.

 

[BadHemi2014]

Just don't look like this guy (granted he was parked, and I didn't see it driving, but you get the idea)