Travel trailer too much.

[wrench78]

You're realistic tongue weight is going to be closer to 1000 lbs. 750 is the dry weight, meaning no batteries, propane, gear, water, waste, whatever. Now add another 60-80 lbs for a WDH, plus people and cargo in the truck.

My opinion, and I've been through this, 30' is too much trailer for a 1/2 ton Ram. Regardless of the weight. Rear suspension is soft, a very flimsy sway bar, coupled with how much force that 30' sail will be imparting on the truck when it's windy and it creates a white knuckle experience. I went through 2 different 1500's towing my 31' travel trailer with similar weights as the one you are looking at. It SUCKED towing with those trucks. My current 2500 pulls it like a dream though.

I singled out the Ram because Ford and GM 1/2 ton's use leaf springs, have much better stability.

That's my $0.02.

Unless you have the factory 4 corner air ride. Then it handles very nicely. But I could not imagine just springs and no bags.

 

[runamuck]

I towed our 28' 6000# travel trailer with my '19 1500 laramie 4x4 ccsb with no trouble. the empty wt. was marked as 4700# but we were typically at 6000# and almost 600# on the hitch when going anywhere. my 1500 towed it easily but we had the 8hp75 trans with the 5.0 first gear and the 3.92 rear end. I changed out the sway bar to a Helwig and I added airbags to take some of the shimmy out of the rear end. the truck had 20" falken AT ties and I ran more air in them when towing. and maybe 25# in the airbags. I had the factory trailer brakes set at 5.5 and always had plenty of braking. If I stayed just under 70, I would get 8.5 to 10.5 mpg. I wouldnt go much bigger for a 1500 as cross winds push the truck and trailer around. I think 30' is pushing your luck even if you have your truck well set up. we had little trouble towing from Texas up into Colorado or S. Dakota but downhill braking might get dicey with a 1500/30' trailer combo. If you dont plan to go far you could pull it off but will need to do a few things to your truck to help it do the job.

 

[Mike P]

I advertised tongue weight is 750 you will likely be closer to 900. They are notoriously light because they advertised it with basically a stripped down trailer. Son had a Grand Design Imagine 2670MK and advertised was 670 but actual was 900 and he had it at 12.5% TW which is pretty close to optimal. 2500 towed it with ease but my 1500 knew it was back there. Every time a tractor trailer would pass me I gripped the steering wheel a little tighter as it sucked the trailer around.

I, too have a Grand Design 2670MK. I towed with a 2019 1500 for a couple of years, but is was just too much for the half ton. I went on CAT scales and everything was fine, but I was at the limit. I had those white knuckles many times. I just bought a Ram 3/4 ton diesel and just pulled it for the first time this past week... what a difference. I recommend at least a 3/4 ton when pulling a 30' tt (just my opinion).

 

[Mike P]

Unless you have the factory 4 corner air ride. Then it handles very nicely. But I could not imagine just springs and no bags.

Air bags will help with leveling and no squat, but it does not change the tow capacity. And yes, with 4 corner air bags, it does handle nicely on a flat road with no wind or semi's. With a tt that long and heavy, it will push the 1500 around when encountering semi's, strong winds; you will have some white knuckles. Plus, depending on your comfort and experience level, you may only feel comfortable at 55 mph. A 2500 or 3500 just have additional weight and it won't push you around like a 1500.

 

[knightwe]

So were looking at Travel Trailers. I have a 21 Rebel 5.7 with 1580 payload. crew cab, stock other than going to upgrade to the cargomax springs.

Looking at the jayco flight 261bhs. 30'

Dry weight 6k

Tounge weight 750lbs

Total gvwr is 7600.

How bad is this going to be pushing it.

We wanted a step up 34' and total gvwr 7900 but I think that would be too much.

It depends on which rear end in your truck. My 2021 Bighorn has 392 gears and is rated to tow up to 11400 lbs. My old 2018 had a towing wt of 8000 lbs. My 31’ trailer has a max wt of 7700 lbs. I live in SW Oregon with lots of hills and mountains and have no issues pulling it.

 

[Taifun7]

Good news, your in the driver seat. A 2021 Rebel 1500 crew cab. I'll cut to the chase. Trade in the Rebel 1500 on a 2500 Ram of your choice. A 30 ft trailer? Do yourself a favor and get the bigger 2500 series truck designed for towing and lot more. Don't screw around. I know you already have the 1500 but the trade in value is through the roof. In the world of towing having a bigger heavier truck (tow vehicle) will pay dividends in the long run. I know it's not what you want to hear but do it the right way and save yourself the headaches later on.

 

[Schotzy]

Dry weight you are fine. Get fully loaded with all of your other gear and passengers and you will likely be a little over. Back when we used to go camping, it was once a year to a site that was only a couple hours away. The payload police won't like me saying it but for something like that you'd be ok. Not great, but ok.

For long trips, or even short trips but you do them often, you would definitely want to look at a 2500. As I said you will be pushing it/slightly over your payload, but those camper trailers are giant wind sails as well. Might do good on a calm day but you get 20-30mph gust cross winds and your 1500 won't like it.

What he said. 1500 can do it, but its not fun.

 

[Schotzy]

So were looking at Travel Trailers. I have a 21 Rebel 5.7 with 1580 payload. crew cab, stock other than going to upgrade to the cargomax springs.

Looking at the jayco flight 261bhs. 30'

Dry weight 6k

Tounge weight 750lbs

Total gvwr is 7600.

How bad is this going to be pushing it.

We wanted a step up 34' and total gvwr 7900 but I think that would be too much.

Hi There,

We did this with a 34' TT at about 8,000 lbs. total. Towed it with a 16 1500 Lar. It could do it and for the most part we stayed local. But with that said we decided to take it on a longer trip and it was not a fun experience at all! Even with the WDH, we were getting pushed all over the place. So we decided to keep the TT (we loved it to much to down size) and decided to trade up to a 2500. Now towing is a breeze! don't even feel it back there! Good luck in which ever way you decide to go and safe travels!!

 

[CaptOchs]

No issues with '13 Big Horn 5.7/3.92 6pd with 7000# 35 ft. In fact, it tows incredibly well. It's rated for 10,050 lbs. I typically keep it to 62-65mph. I check tire pressure for truck and trailer before the trip. I have Goodyear Endurance tires and they are balanced. I use a Reese dual-cam WD/sway with 1200 bars. I have 18-wheelers easily pass me. No white knuckles! No sway! Much of the trip I use cruise control. If I'm towing, I'm using premium gas. Most of my trips are to and from Rochester NY to 1000 islands which is around 200 miles. I did book a trip to Hershey PA in August so that will be closer to 300 miles. The only thing I don't like about the truck is the small gas tank. It doesn't quite make the 200 mile trip. I would say if you are driving white knuckle, take it back to the RV dealer and have them look at the WD. It is misaligned or not sized properly? On a different truck/camper I owned I had to take it back for them to fix.

 

[Rodney Belair]

So were looking at Travel Trailers. I have a 21 Rebel 5.7 with 1580 payload. crew cab, stock other than going to upgrade to the cargomax springs.

Looking at the jayco flight 261bhs. 30'

Dry weight 6k

Tounge weight 750lbs

Total gvwr is 7600.

How bad is this going to be pushing it.

We wanted a step up 34' and total gvwr 7900 but I think that would be too much.

 

[Rodney Belair]

Hi There,

We did this with a 34' TT at about 8,000 lbs. total. Towed it with a 16 1500 Lar. It could do it and for the most part we stayed local. But with that said we decided to take it on a longer trip and it was not a fun experience at all! Even with the WDH, we were getting pushed all over the place. So we decided to keep the TT (we loved it to much to down size) and decided to trade up to a 2500. Now towing is a breeze! don't even feel it back there! Good luck in which ever way you decide to go and safe travels!!

I have a 17 1500 Hemi with 3.23 gears. I pulled a 30-footer from TX to NY state and back, Fuel mileage SUCKED but it did the job. I just put airbags on the back.

 

[Bramic71]

So were looking at Travel Trailers. I have a 21 Rebel 5.7 with 1580 payload. crew cab, stock other than going to upgrade to the cargomax springs.

Looking

 

[wrench78]

Air bags will help with leveling and no squat, but it does not change the tow capacity. And yes, with 4 corner air bags, it does handle nicely on a flat road with no wind or semi's. With a tt that long and heavy, it will push the 1500 around when encountering semi's, strong winds; you will have some white knuckles. Plus, depending on your comfort and experience level, you may only feel comfortable at 55 mph. A 2500 or 3500 just have additional weight and it won't push you around like a 1500.

Guess it all comes down to experience and comfortability. I tow my 7k lbs, 11ft height, 26ft long camper with no issues Up and down the mountains of New York and PA. Trucks passing by me with now sway issues. Cross winds can get a little scary in open areas. I think it also comes down to your tow setup also. I'm running a very good WDH with adjustable sway control. So I get very little movement at all. If your are towing with just a ball hitch, you are going to sway like an amusement ride.

 

[chooch2112]

So were looking at Travel Trailers. I have a 21 Rebel 5.7 with 1580 payload. crew cab, stock other than going to upgrade to the cargomax springs.

Looking at the jayco flight 261bhs. 30'

Dry weight 6k

Tounge weight 750lbs

Total gvwr is 7600.

How bad is this going to be pushing it.

We wanted a step up 34' and total gvwr 7900 but I think that would be too much.

Even a 30 ft trailer is a bit much for a 1500, what's worse is if its windy while towing, get a 2500

 

[jh90731]

As others have said on here, you might be able to tow but will you be able to stop it, especially in an emergency situation.

This incident happened not far from here a few years ago - https://www.recordcourier.com/news/2022/jul/22/reports-driver-fatal-runaway-boat-collision-senten/

Ask yourself - is your family's safety, the safety of others, and are you willing to spend time in jail just so you can get away with an overloaded vehicle?

Get a 2500.

 

[wrench78]

As others have said on here, you might be able to tow but will you be able to stop it, especially in an emergency situation.

This incident happened not far from here a few years ago - https://www.recordcourier.com/news/2022/jul/22/reports-driver-fatal-runaway-boat-collision-senten/

Ask yourself - is your family's safety, the safety of others, and are you willing to spend time in jail just so you can get away with an overloaded vehicle?

Get a 2500.

 

[crash68]

As others have said on here, you might be able to tow but will you be able to stop it, especially in an emergency situation.

This incident happened not far from here a few years ago - https://www.recordcourier.com/news/2022/jul/22/reports-driver-fatal-runaway-boat-collision-senten/

Ask yourself - is your family's safety, the safety of others, and are you willing to spend time in jail just so you can get away with an overloaded vehicle?

Get a 2500.

That link you posted isn't even relevant to the thread at hand, that was a 3500 truck towing a 44' boat and the trailer had no working brakes. Not even the latest model year 450/4500 can tow that boat as they top out at 40K
That's a far cry from towing trailer that right at the limits of a 1500.

 

[RebelDad]

Thanks for all the reply guys.

Were stepping down from a 30 footer to a 23' TT. About 1500lbs lighter dry weight as well.

 

[jh90731]

That link you posted isn't even relevant to the thread at hand, that was a 3500 truck towing a 44' boat and the trailer had no working brakes. Not even the latest model year 450/4500 can tow that boat as they top out at 40K
That's a far cry from towing trailer that right at the limits of a 1500.

The thread is about towing and hauling and if a certain trailer is going to be too much for a certain type of truck. I doubt the authorities, attorneys, insurance companies and anyone else that could make a claim against someone that caused damage and harm to others because of an overloaded/overweight situation would care if it was overloaded by a 1/2 ton or 8 tons. Overweight is overweight and they’ll come after you.

 

[CaptOchs]

As others have said on here, you might be able to tow but will you be able to stop it, especially in an emergency situation.

This incident happened not far from here a few years ago - https://www.recordcourier.com/news/2022/jul/22/reports-driver-fatal-runaway-boat-collision-senten/

Ask yourself - is your family's safety, the safety of others, and are you willing to spend time in jail just so you can get away with an overloaded vehicle?

Get a 2500.

That's an extreme case and not relevant to this conversation. The article is a 44ft 37,000 lb yacht. Obviously, that's a commercial haul. The F350 max tow is 21,000 not towing gooseneck. He's almost double his tow capacity. Boat trailers don't have the best of brakes either.

For those of us under tow capacity, you'll be fine. I can stop quicker with my travel trailer brakes than my wife can in her Atlas towing our boat. You have to adjust your stopping distance. It's common sense.