Towing a Travel Trailer Question

[Jonathan Rogers]

About 1 year ago I made the hard decision between a 2500 and a 1500. It was hard because I was trying to balance towing capability vs daily driving.

I purchased a 2019 1500 5.7 eTourque with a 3.92 rear end. I ordered the tow mirrors, air suspension, etc. We have since upgraded from a 27’ camper to a 37.5’ camper - a Keystone Cougar that weighs around 8K lbs.

Here is my question. Should I have purchased the 2500? When I tow the camper on normal roads I am fine. The 5.7L has plenty of horsepower and torque. Highway driving is downright scary anytime I get over 60 mph. Or any semi passes me. I have a weight distribution hitch that has anti sway. Should I have purchased the 2500? Would that help?

 

[OC455]

I would say the purchase of a 2500 for the newer longer trailer would be a yes. The 27ft. trailer would have been fine with the 1500, you have a giant sail behind you now that the 1500 just doesn't have enough truck there to handle.

 

[Firebird]

The simple answer is, definitely YES

 

[Zoe Saldana]

Highway driving is downright scary anytime I get over 60 mph. Or any semi passes me. I have a weight distribution hitch that has anti sway. Should I have purchased the 2500? Would that help?

Can you describe the issue in more detail?

How about under 60 mph.

How many days a year do you tow?

Did you check with the mfg of your weight distribution hitch if you have the right hitch for your new trailer?

 

[Travelin Ram]

Don’t make the same mistake again and buy a 2500. Buy a 3500 SRW for hardly any price difference and more headroom for the next upgrade.

You absolutely have too much trailer for your 1500.

 

[AFMoulton]

37.5’ for a 1/2 ton is way too much. That truck doesn’t weight bearing enough to control that trailer.




2018 Ram 2500 6.4L 4x4
Amsoil SS 0W-40

 

[crash68]

I purchased a 2019 1500 5.7 eTourque with a 3.92 rear end. I ordered the tow mirrors, air suspension, etc. We have since upgraded from a 27’ camper to a 37.5’ camper - a Keystone Cougar that weighs around 8K lbs.

Here is my question. Should I have purchased the 2500? When I tow the camper on normal roads I am fine. The 5.7L has plenty of horsepower and torque. Highway driving is downright scary anytime I get over 60 mph. Or any semi passes me. I have a weight distribution hitch that has anti sway. Should I have purchased the 2500? Would that help?

I'm guessing it's a Cougar 34TSB?
That has a 8500 dry weight(1150 TW) with a 10.5K GVWR that can be a handful behind any pickup truck let alone when you make it 37.5' long. Can you tow this with a 1/2 ton(which this trailer line is marketed to), that depends on how well you pay attention to how the weight is load and distributed. A semi truck CAT scale will be your friend to check and adjust where the weigh is and how the WDH is adjusted. Where having a 2500/3500 truck is it will give more wiggle room on the set up, but incorrectly loaded that trailer it will still shove you around.

 

[Jonathan Rogers]

Can you describe the issue in more detail?

How about under 60 mph.

How many days a year do you tow?

Did you check with the mfg of your weight distribution hitch if you have the right hitch for your new trailer?

Under 60 on the highway is nominal. I still feel vehicles pass me. A wall of air comes by and pushes me.

I am using the same hitch I used when I bought the first camper. It is a Husky Centerline hitch 32215-32218. I am not sure on exact number but I can check when I get home. I have checked that before though and I remember 12,000lbs.

We camp with the trailer 4 times a year. Our longest trips are 10 hours away.

 

[Jonathan Rogers]

I'm guessing it's a Cougar 34TSB?
That has a 8500 dry weight(1150 TW) with a 10.5K GVWR that can be a handful behind any pickup truck let alone when you make it 37.5' long. Can you tow this with a 1/2 ton(which this trailer line is marketed to), that depends on how well you pay attention to how the weight is load and distributed. A semi truck CAT scale will be your friend to check and adjust where the weigh is and how the WDH is adjusted. Where having a 2500/3500 truck is it will give more wiggle room on the set up, but incorrectly loaded that trailer it will still shove you around.

We always travel with empty tanks. No water even in the fresh water tank. We only have some food items and clothes in the camper. Some pots and pans like that. Nothing huge. I understand what you are saying though.

 

[Gamedog]

Well Jonny Boy, I'm no expert on towing (so you can stop reading now if you like lol) but by the looks and sounds of it, I'd say you definitely need to make a move to at least a 2500.

 

[392DevilDog]

I can not imagine towing that setup. I am sure there is someone else who does.

That is so out of proportion for a safe comfortable tow.

But I go by what my Dad told me. For a comfortable tow...have a truck the size of 80% of your trailer.

I have a 22 foot long truck towing a 26 foot trailer.

I have a very comfortable tow.

And my truck and gear weigh more than the trailer. Again making a pleasant experience.



I can comfortably tow for hours.

I can not imagine being comfortable towing the OPs setup for a few miles.

 

[Different Drummer]

Have you considered keep the 1500 for your daily driver and pick up a decent used single axle Freiightliner or something similar.. You will be all set on both fronts.

 

[Farmer Fran]

GVWR/CVWR/GAWR and all that business aside,

I towed a 34' 8000lb loaded trailer with my 4th GEN 1500s (3 different models) 2013 express, 2015 Sport and 2017 Laramie - all had the 3.92, antispin, hemi ETC... I put 1000s of miles on it. The longest trip was about 600 miles one way in one day, about 12 hours with reasonable stops along the way.

The trucks towed the trailer just fine. And I am in the camp that the 1500s tow more than most people would say they can tow.

BUT to me that is a 3500 (SRW) trailer, a 2500 could handle it but 37' is freaking long! Too long for a 1500.

 

[Farmer Fran]

AND

That is a nice trailer. And from the looks of the pictures, you look to have the WDH setup right.

 

[Cactusmonkey]

Cougars are nice trailers and nicely built. Just from appearance I would say that it is to long for the truck but you did build a good truck. You put all of the rights things on it. Four times a year leaves a lot of daily driving without a trailer. We pull a shorter trailer but close to the same weight with a 1500 built much like yours and have no issues.

 

[Zoe Saldana]

Under 60 on the highway is nominal. I still feel vehicles pass me. A wall of air comes by and pushes me.

I am using the same hitch I used when I bought the first camper. It is a Husky Centerline hitch 32215-32218. I am not sure on exact number but I can check when I get home. I have checked that before though and I remember 12,000lbs.

We camp with the trailer 4 times a year. Our longest trips are 10 hours away.

I'd check the hitch to make sure it is the right one for your trailer and set up correctly.

Also, check the tire pressure - should be at cold max.

For 4 times, if you are that concerned about driving, I'd go to a trailer that the 1500 can handle.

No way around it. That trailer is huge. If you ever went to a place with hills, I doubt you could handle it, going up or down. Down would be more scary.

 

[Motoman501]

I'm definitely a member of the better safe than sorry crowd and I went with a 2019 2500 with the Hemi. My trailer is a little shorter at around 31 feet but the stability is fantastic despite frequent Nevada crosswinds and whatever else. And, with 3200lbs of payload I can throw whatever I want in the back without worries. I too initially wanted a 1500 but after two summers of towing I made the right choice.

View media item 30354

 

[Jonathan Rogers]

Well Jonny Boy, I'm no expert on towing (so you can stop reading now if you like lol) but by the looks and sounds of it, I'd say you definitely need to make a move to at least a 2500.

Thanks! I have broke the news to my wife and she has already said..... "Not doing it"

 

[14hemiexpress]

I would not pull that with a 1500, that's 2500 territory for sure. I pull a 35 ft weighing 8200 loaded with my 2500. Would not want to pull mine with a 1500. 8000lbs isn't the problem it's the hitch weight and the sail your dragging.

 

[Jonathan Rogers]

AND

That is a nice trailer. And from the looks of the pictures, you look to have the WDH setup right.

Thanks. I appreciate your information on your experience. My wife though is saying it is her turn to get a new ride. I may have to find a used 2500 or 3500.