New truck, new travel trailer first tow review.

[Coopers_Dad]

Never intended to get a new trailer but when we opened it up this spring a window had broken and the trailer was full of damp and mold. Insurance was quick to pay us out so we went back to our local dealer and picked up a great deal on a 1-year-old used trailer. Now I'd only got my 1500 a few weeks before, had I opened the trailer up earlier I'd have taken the settlement and never picked up the ram, but since I was stuck with a new truck and the trailer was within the weight range I figured I'd give it a go.

Trailer Specs:
2018 Sunset Trail Volante 33BH
Dry weight 8800 ish.
Tounge weight 1100 ish

Our previous trailer was a single slide 29' bunk and came in at a super-light 7000 ish lbs loaded. It towed like a dream behind all of my trucks using an Anderson Equalizer.

I added bags to the truck and a 15k Blue Ox Sway Pro.

The deal I made with the RV dealer was that I would test pull it about 100km and if I didn't like the way it felt they would take it back no questions asked. I have been pulling trailers for over 20 years I have my CDL, I've felt runaway trailers with no brakes, I've been pushed off the road by gusts of wind, I've had loads shift and wagged the dog. I am no fool, knowing my family will be in this with me I will not take risks just to go camping.

The test pull ended about 1 mile from the dealer when I did my first brake test and the trailer brakes didn't respond as expected. We went back, tested the output from the truck which was 1V less than displayed on the dash all the time. They cleaned the drums and adjusted the shoes and I was much happier. The second attempt was fine, it pulled great, the truck had more than enough power to get going and come to a halt quickly. We messed around with the bag pressure and the chain links on the sway pro and I signed the papers.

Trip 1.
Niagara Falls, - Ocean City MD
Distance 1800km
Time: 23h ish
MPG: 8.9

Trailer loaded up we headed out for Castaways RV resort in Ocean City our favorite July destination. The truck pulled like a dream, 65 was easy it just did its job hour after hour. It did get pushed around a bit by trucks passing me at 80 but that's to be expected. In the mountains of PA it climbed and descended without any issues, I was very happy to see that the tuning of the trans worked so well towing, it never revved past 5000 rpm unless you really wanted to pass something quickly. Really revving a V8 grinds on me over time, I dumped my last ram and went to an EcoBoost to get rid of that so I was happy that it almost never need to drop more than 2 gears. We made it to the site, backed in the first try, the trailer pushes really nice, goes exactly where you expect it to go.

The return trip was the same except for the 90 from Syracuse to Buffalo, the wind was gusting 50+ and it was starting to blow us around. I hid behind a semi truck and that smoothed things out that my wife fell back to sleep. When we crossed over the border the last 20 minutes of our trip the wind was gusting harder and twice in 5 miles the ram thought we were losing control and intervened. We exited the HWY and finished the trip on the side roads. Looking back on it, the angle of the wind changed from head on to front and side on so I'm guessing that's why it got upset about it, I never felt even near a loss of control.

So that's my review, I'm very happy with the truck and how it performed, knowing that I can have the daily comforts of this truck and not to have to suffer through HD ownership just to camp a few times a year is like winning the lottery.

Disclaimer: I don't suggest you all go out and try this, I'm not an expert but I do feel that I've earned with experience of years to make the decision about pulling at this end of the trucks weight range.

We're heading out again in two weeks and with my day off before the trip, I plan on taking it to the scales near the dealership.

Enjoy, Simon

 

[andyc16]

Have you had a chance to hit the scales at all fully loaded with the family? Curious on your weight numbers. That's a very nice looking set up by the way.

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[Neurobit]

Never intended to get a new trailer but when we opened it up this spring a window had broken and the trailer was full of damp and mold. Insurance was quick to pay us out so we went back to our local dealer and picked up a great deal on a 1-year-old used trailer. Now I'd only got my 1500 a few weeks before, had I opened the trailer up earlier I'd have taken the settlement and never picked up the ram, but since I was stuck with a new truck and the trailer was within the weight range I figured I'd give it a go.

Trailer Specs:
2018 Sunset Trail Volante 33BH
Dry weight 8800 ish.
Tounge weight 1100 ish

Our previous trailer was a single slide 29' bunk and came in at a super-light 7000 ish lbs loaded. It towed like a dream behind all of my trucks using an Anderson Equalizer.

I added bags to the truck and a 15k Blue Ox Sway Pro.

The deal I made with the RV dealer was that I would test pull it about 100km and if I didn't like the way it felt they would take it back no questions asked. I have been pulling trailers for over 20 years I have my CDL, I've felt runaway trailers with no brakes, I've been pushed off the road by gusts of wind, I've had loads shift and wagged the dog. I am no fool, knowing my family will be in this with me I will not take risks just to go camping.

The test pull ended about 1 mile from the dealer when I did my first brake test and the trailer brakes didn't respond as expected. We went back, tested the output from the truck which was 1V less than displayed on the dash all the time. They cleaned the drums and adjusted the shoes and I was much happier. The second attempt was fine, it pulled great, the truck had more than enough power to get going and come to a halt quickly. We messed around with the bag pressure and the chain links on the sway pro and I signed the papers.

Trip 1.
Niagara Falls, - Ocean City MD
Distance 1800km
Time: 23h ish
MPG: 8.9

Trailer loaded up we headed out for Castaways RV resort in Ocean City our favorite July destination. The truck pulled like a dream, 65 was easy it just did its job hour after hour. It did get pushed around a bit by trucks passing me at 80 but that's to be expected. In the mountains of PA it climbed and descended without any issues, I was very happy to see that the tuning of the trans worked so well towing, it never revved past 5000 rpm unless you really wanted to pass something quickly. Really revving a V8 grinds on me over time, I dumped my last ram and went to an EcoBoost to get rid of that so I was happy that it almost never need to drop more than 2 gears. We made it to the site, backed in the first try, the trailer pushes really nice, goes exactly where you expect it to go.

The return trip was the same except for the 90 from Syracuse to Buffalo, the wind was gusting 50+ and it was starting to blow us around. I hid behind a semi truck and that smoothed things out that my wife fell back to sleep. When we crossed over the border the last 20 minutes of our trip the wind was gusting harder and twice in 5 miles the ram thought we were losing control and intervened. We exited the HWY and finished the trip on the side roads. Looking back on it, the angle of the wind changed from head on to front and side on so I'm guessing that's why it got upset about it, I never felt even near a loss of control.

So that's my review, I'm very happy with the truck and how it performed, knowing that I can have the daily comforts of this truck and not to have to suffer through HD ownership just to camp a few times a year is like winning the lottery.

Disclaimer: I don't suggest you all go out and try this, I'm not an expert but I do feel that I've earned with experience of years to make the decision about pulling at this end of the trucks weight range.

We're heading out again in two weeks and with my day off before the trip, I plan on taking it to the scales near the dealership.

Enjoy, Simon

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Great review. Thanks for posting this.

 

[Coopers_Dad]

Have you had a chance to hit the scales at all fully loaded with the family? Curious on your weight numbers. That's a very nice looking set up by the way.

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I will in two weeks when we head out again. I'll post the ticket when I get it.

 

[andyc16]

I will in two weeks when we head out again. I'll post the ticket when I get it.

Cool thanks!

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[Helmetface]

Maybe I missed it, but what are your gears?

 

[NordicNevs]

That’s a lot of trailer for that truck but that said it’s a testament to ram and the capability with engineering.

That picture would have been unheard of even a few short years ago.

How is it with semi blow by or heavy cross winds?


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[Coopers_Dad]

Maybe I missed it, but what are your gears?

3.92 sorry I omitted that detail.

 

[Coopers_Dad]

That’s a lot of trailer for that truck but that said it’s a testament to ram and the capability with engineering.

That picture would have been unheard of even a few short years ago.

How is it with semi blow by or heavy cross winds?


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Absolutely I’d never have considered it. A trailer of this size is have put behind my 2013 f350. I’m so glad I don’t have to use that truck for trips or daily driving anymore.

There was a bit of negative pressure push as the truck first passed the rear of the trailer and it was more noticeable the faster they passed me. I’m going to work on that a bit but I don’t really expect it to get better without removing the softness from the truck which defeats the purpose.

 

[andyc16]

Absolutely I’d never have considered it. A trailer of this size is have put behind my 2013 f350. I’m so glad I don’t have to use that truck for trips or daily driving anymore.

There was a bit of negative pressure push as the truck first passed the rear of the trailer and it was more noticeable the faster they passed me. I’m going to work on that a bit but I don’t really expect it to get better without removing the softness from the truck which defeats the purpose.

I experience a bit of that as well. I am planning on doing air bags to stiffen the rear of the truck when towing to hopefully alleviate some of the wiggle I get. Would help if my camper was shorter I think too lol

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[NordicNevs]

Check your tires as well. If you’re running a P tires it might be worth it to move to and LT tire. Slight compromise in day to day but firmer with a higher load rating.




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[andyc16]

Check your tires as well. If you’re running a P tires it might be worth it to move to and LT tire. Slight compromise in day to day but firmer with a higher load rating.




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I agree, I've been wanting air bags anyway so I'm gonna go that route first and see what happens. It's a little bit cheaper route too.

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[NordicNevs]

So just remember your airbags are a leveling capability and won’t do a lot with your overall safety per say. The way I see it you have 4 points on the ground carrying you your trailer and your family. Upgrading those might allow for a stiffer sidewall reducing the sway effect.

However I feel both are good options when paired together.

I think you’re headed in a good direction.


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[andyc16]

They will stiffen overall rear spring rate which should help some. I am really not experiencing much sway at all that is why I am hesitant to upgrade tires right away. My hitch setup is working really well but I do feel the coil springs are just a little too soft when towing. Sure does ride good unloaded though.

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[Coopers_Dad]

I paid just under $400 for my bags and if all it did was fix the squat in the rear, I'm happy to have the truck looking level. I can't speak to the side to side play but I'd agree on the tires. I think my Sport 22's helped with the shorter and therefore stiffer sidewall. I did check with Chrysler Canada to make sure that my door sticker was based on my sports package wheel and tire combo, which they confirmed it absolutely was. Thas a beauty trailer, what toys go in it?

I experience a bit of that as well. I am planning on doing air bags to stiffen the rear of the truck when towing to hopefully alleviate some of the wiggle I get. Would help if my camper was shorter I think too lol

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[andyc16]

I paid just under $400 for my bags and if all it did was fix the squat in the rear, I'm happy to have the truck looking level. I can't speak to the side to side play but I'd agree on the tires. I think my Sport 22's helped with the shorter and therefore stiffer sidewall. I did check with Chrysler Canada to make sure that my door sticker was based on my sports package wheel and tire combo, which they confirmed it absolutely was. Thas a beauty trailer, what toys go in it?

Thanks for the info maybe I will have to swap tires after all. I race motocross so here lately it's just been my bike and my grill lol. What bags did you get? I am thinking I want the timber groves

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[Coopers_Dad]

I added the Airlift 1000 HD kit. I've used similar kits for years, it does the job and is so simple there are almost no failure points. 45-minute install, 5 seconds to fill and the truck is back to level.

Thanks for the info maybe I will have to swap tires after all. I race motocross so here lately it's just been my bike and my grill lol. What bags did you get? I am thinking I want the timber groves

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[Coopers_Dad]

They could if you really filled them up. I put them at 35psi and the ride was still mostly the same as unloaded. The bags are just there to keep the coils from compressing under the load. If you fill them up too much then the bag is going to influence the spring travel. Other than the additional rake it's hard to tell the bags were there with the trailer off until you hit something that abruptly loads the rear suspension.

They will stiffen overall rear spring rate which should help some. I am really not experiencing much sway at all that is why I am hesitant to upgrade tires right away. My hitch setup is working really well but I do feel the coil springs are just a little too soft when towing. Sure does ride good unloaded though.

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[runamuck]

I dont know how you do it. I couldnt even hook that trailer up without being over wt. my door sticker shows 1324# max cargo and with just me and some fuel I only have 1140# remaining of the 7100# the factory allows...my trailer is only around 6000# when towing and the truck works plenty hard towing it. I do like to stay up around 68-70 so as to not become a road rage statistic but I doubt if towing at 65 would be that much easier. any tips are welcome

 

[andyc16]

I dont know how you do it. I couldnt even hook that trailer up without being over wt. my door sticker shows 1324# max cargo and with just me and some fuel I only have 1140# remaining of the 7100# the factory allows...my trailer is only around 6000# when towing and the truck works plenty hard towing it. I do like to stay up around 68-70 so as to not become a road rage statistic but I doubt if towing at 65 would be that much easier. any tips are welcome

100% within the limits of my truck. I set the cruise at 70 and I'm very comfortable on the highway. Just don't look at the gas gauge lol. What axle ratio do you have?

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