Sorry.. Another quick "will this work" question..

[DatacomGuy]

Here is the longer one im looking at, if i can find a good enough deal.

Weight is good, hitch weight is good..its just..long.. Could i pull this off?

http://www.keystonerv.com/bullet/models/310bhs/model-mobile

 

[smurfs_of_war]

Here's a thought, and don't take this the wrong way...

Get the trailer you want. Hook up with your 1500 and go for a short trip. Then, rent a 2500 for another short trip. I'd bet the little missus would come around on the truck compromise after feeling the difference. What fun is pulling your camper if you're sweating bullets the whole damn trip? You already know that though... that trailer is too much for a 1500. It will only take one time in the wrong circumstances for that thing to bull whip that little truck around. That will leave you peeling your seat covers out of your ass at best and you'll never get that smell out of the interior. I'm not trying scare tactics. It's simple physics. You *will* end up trading to a larger truck with that trailer. Sir Isaac Newton will see to that.

The weights listed are dry. You will pack that thing up within a couple seasons. Bet on it being close to GVWR. Also- bet on your tongue weight going way up. I have a 4x4 3.92 8 spd. I wouldn't try that on a regular basis. Keep in mind- my "little" 26' 5600lbs (loaded) trailer puts me 5-600lbs over payload after the family of 5 is loaded. That thing is huge. And, with that huge trailer you will be playing weight cop on every trip.

Personally, I wouldn't be scared of a well maintained cummins with 75000 on it.

Good luck in your decision man. To me- it's black and white. Smaller trailer, larger truck, or rent/borrow a larger tow vehicle for that.

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

 

[smurfs_of_war]

It is a really nice floor plan though. Nice decision

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

 

[WulfGang]

The smurf is absolutely right.
You can learn from my mistake

It's NOT the weight that is the problem with your choice.
After much thought on the matter I fear that my problem is the one you will have.
Length of camper. A co-worker of mine pointed out something to me today that I didn't think of - and I should being we are truck drivers! - but a big broad camper such as these weighing very little is actually a bad thing.

It's like driving a dry van trailer hooked up to a semi.
When it's empty it's more prone to wind gusts compared to when it's loaded.
Personally, I think it's a combination of all of these.


I bought my RAM 1500 with 92K on the HEMI. It's got 99.5 now in two years.

75K on a diesel (that wasn't abused) is NOTHING.

I concur though;
Buy that trailer and you can have an ulcer too.

*EDIT*
For comparison, here is ours
http://www.dutchmenrvexpress.com/quickquote.php?type=3&make=7&model=57

 

[DatacomGuy]

Here's a thought, and don't take this the wrong way...

Get the trailer you want. Hook up with your 1500 and go for a short trip. Then, rent a 2500 for another short trip. I'd bet the little missus would come around on the truck compromise after feeling the difference. What fun is pulling your camper if you're sweating bullets the whole damn trip? You already know that though... that trailer is too much for a 1500. It will only take one time in the wrong circumstances for that thing to bull whip that little truck around. That will leave you peeling your seat covers out of your ass at best and you'll never get that smell out of the interior. I'm not trying scare tactics. It's simple physics. You *will* end up trading to a larger truck with that trailer. Sir Isaac Newton will see to that.

The weights listed are dry. You will pack that thing up within a couple seasons. Bet on it being close to GVWR. Also- bet on your tongue weight going way up. I have a 4x4 3.92 8 spd. I wouldn't try that on a regular basis. Keep in mind- my "little" 26' 5600lbs (loaded) trailer puts me 5-600lbs over payload after the family of 5 is loaded. That thing is huge. And, with that huge trailer you will be playing weight cop on every trip.

Personally, I wouldn't be scared of a well maintained cummins with 75000 on it.

Good luck in your decision man. To me- it's black and white. Smaller trailer, larger truck, or rent/borrow a larger tow vehicle for that.

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

I want the cummins.. But, dont see that happening.

Im really struggling to determine what my targeted "max" should be. 5800#, i thought, would have been okay. If its the length, then i can see that one.. Payload is 1660, we'll say 500lbs in people.. Should i be looking in the 5500, 29-31ft size?

Appreciate all the input guys.

 

[smurfs_of_war]

I want the cummins.. But, dont see that happening.

Im really struggling to determine what my targeted "max" should be. 5800#, i thought, would have been okay. If its the length, then i can see that one.. Payload is 1660, we'll say 500lbs in people.. Should i be looking in the 5500, 29-31ft size?

Appreciate all the input guys.

31 would be the ceiling to me. In fact that's in the attic to me- that's just my humble opinion. But, with the right equipment, and being a cautious driver- I think you'll be ok. I am not certain if you have any towing experience- but if not, this will be trial by fire. You'll either power through it or hate the experience so much that you give up on it. That's why many use the graduation system when first getting into it. Just be prepared- you may have a couple wide eyed moments

Just for figures, I calculated the remaining payload you have after passengers (rounded to 1000lbs) for a 15% TW and you should be looking for something in the 66-6700lbs GVWR max. 15% is the high end, but that leaves you some cushion. You have a class IV receiver- you won't want more than 1000lbs tongue weight on that continuously.

For me- I'd look at 26-29' travel length, 6400lbs gvwr to give you some cushion- or less. Slides weigh a lot. Look at axle placement and profile. Low profile frames (lower to the ground) and axles set further back make a more stable tow.

What are the criteria you have? Sleeping capacity? Luxuries?

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

 

[DatacomGuy]

Doesnt seem many dealers give a GVWR.. Is it just dry + cargo capacity?

 

[smurfs_of_war]

Doesnt seem many dealers give a GVWR.. Is it just dry + cargo capacity?

Yup. Shipping weight plus cargo capacity. My Jayfeather is 4520 shipping weight and 1380 CCC, GVWR 5900LBS.

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

 

[granite14]

I have a 31 ft tailer. We jumped from a 19 foot to a 31 foot living space, and if I were to do it again, I'd get something in the 26-29ft range. Mine is 34 foot to the tongue, and a bumper pull of this length is hard to maneuver in some of the campgrounds.

At 7700-8000 lbs, I white knuckled it 2 years ago through the Columbia Gorge highway 84, and even with a 157in wheelbase Duramax, it was rough. I had to go to the chiro the next day for neck stress relief. Now I have a 149in wheelbase 2500, and it helps a little with the maneuverability, however I still worry just as much about sway, and how the trailer can pull on the truck, both wind and going over bumps.

 

[DatacomGuy]

31 would be the ceiling to me. In fact that's in the attic to me- that's just my humble opinion. But, with the right equipment, and being a cautious driver- I think you'll be ok. I am not certain if you have any towing experience- but if not, this will be trial by fire. You'll either power through it or hate the experience so much that you give up on it. That's why many use the graduation system when first getting into it. Just be prepared- you may have a couple wide eyed moments

Just for figures, I calculated the remaining payload you have after passengers (rounded to 1000lbs) for a 15% TW and you should be looking for something in the 66-6700lbs GVWR max. 15% is the high end, but that leaves you some cushion. You have a class IV receiver- you won't want more than 1000lbs tongue weight on that continuously.

For me- I'd look at 26-29' travel length, 6400lbs gvwr to give you some cushion- or less. Slides weigh a lot. Look at axle placement and profile. Low profile frames (lower to the ground) and axles set further back make a more stable tow.

What are the criteria you have? Sleeping capacity? Luxuries?

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

Okay, now how would these numbers change if i went to a 4WD, 3.92 truck?

 

[smurfs_of_war]

Okay, now how would these numbers change if i went to a 4WD, 3.92 truck?

I'm not sure they would all that much. Your wheelbase won't change, nor will your receiver rating. If anything, I'd bet your payload drops with one of the 13 or 14 1500's. Length considerations are the same no matter the gearing.

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

 

[mowin]

Okay, now how would these numbers change if i went to a 4WD, 3.92 truck?

It still comes down to payload of the truck. A half ton runs out of payload really quick when you have 800 to 1000lbs of toung wt.

Now is this truck your daily driver? Realistically how many times a yr do you plan on towing the tt? If your only planning to use the tt a few times a yr, get a smaller tt your current tv can handle. You can always upgrade in a few yrs. Your tt needs may also change by then.

 

[DatacomGuy]

Daily driver, yes. Plan on using the TT frequently. Monthly, most likely.

 

[audio1der]

I would still opine that you are looking at too long of a trailer. By making 27' the max length for a 1500 you will stay within limits, and save yourself stress and danger. Can you put a price on your family's safety?
It's near impossible to go DOWN in trailer size; some features are only available on 29-31+ models. I would trade up my truck (no $$$$ though) before I traded down the trailer to solve our issue.

 

[mowin]

Daily driver, yes. Plan on using the TT frequently. Monthly, most likely.

Unless you upgrade to a 2500, I would look for a tt that you can tow safely with your 1500.
DO NOT belive the tt salesman when he says "no problem, that truck will pull it". Do your homework. BTW, some tt manufacturers do not include the full propane tanks or the battery in there listed tongue wts. That will reduce what payload you have available for occupants and gear on the truck.

 

[WulfGang]

@ OP

Let me put it this way...

I'm so concerned with how my package tows that I'm going to have to start a thread here in 4th GEN because I'm really feeling the need to upgrade.


JUST to tow my trailer. Love the truck any other time.

Hook up to the trailer and get going down the road with the family in it just aint sittin in my stomach the way it should be.

And if you're stuck with the truck for awhile and you buy a TT too big for it well...
You'll have that same feeling in your stomach as well.

lol

wait... I got it ...

 

[Swerve]

I just want to say thanks for the input on this thread. You've saved me from buying too much trailer. My wife was looking at 30-34 footers, and after reading this thread I decided 30 would be the max. Then, last weekend we were ready to buy and by chance I saw a 25 ft with the layout we were looking for, so I convinced my wife to go take a look. We ended up loving it and bought it. Now we are both very happy we went with a shorter trailer. Being our first, I would not want to stress with anything bigger. The seller threw in a WDH and my Hemi tows it great. We are literally very happy campers now.

 

[audio1der]

^ Niiiiice!
So glad some of our bad experiences were able to help others. I wish I was closer to some of your guys. I'd letchs hook up to our "empty balloon" to see what a treat it is to tow, and you might end up with a 25' too.

 

[cableguy_hd]

I've just skimmed over this but there are lighter trailers out there than the keystone. The keystone is a very nice unit. I'm looking at RV Cruiser line. I currently have a 266 Springdale rated @ 6300 dry. Pulls it fine. Good luck on your decision

 

[audio1der]

I've just skimmed over this but there are lighter trailers out there than the keystone. The keystone is a very nice unit. I'm looking at RV Cruiser line. I currently have a 266 Springdale rated @ 6300 dry. Pulls it fine. Good luck on your decision

Foot for foot the Keystone Ultra lights can be hard to beat. My 32' is 200# more than yours.