New to towing, trailer weight check

[sasquatchsam]

Hey everyone,

My wife and I are discussing getting a travel trailer in the near future, and I've read a lot of different threads on the topic. We've found one we like, but I wanted to double check the numbers to make sure we aren't overdoing it.

Truck:
2021 Ram 1500 Big Horn crew cab
5.7 etorque
4x4
3.92 rear axle
1,656lbs payload (per door sticker)

Trailer:
Rockwood Mini Lite 2509S
709lbs hitch weight
6,869lbs GVWR

Truck payload:
~400lbs passengers (myself, wife, 2 year old, 6 month old)
~200lbs cargo between the bed plus car seats and misc items in the cab

My big concern is the hitch weight, since the Rockwood seems to be pretty heavy there, and I assume the 709lbs is unladen. If i estimate the hitch weight at 12% of GVWR, it's 825lbs. Adding that to the passenger and cargo weights gets us around 1,425lbs, with a little over ~200lbs left for flexibility (other truck cargo, kids growing, etc). Does that sound about right, or am I estimating laden hitch weight wrong? Any red flags with this truck + trailer combo? Thanks!

 

[IvoryHemi]

I think it looks like a good match. You’ll be slightly overweight but manageable

 

[nc_beagle]

When we were shopping for smaller TTs (<25',) it seemed like those with murphy beds on the front tended to have a higher tongue weight, all else being somewhat equal.

 

[Burnzie]

I believe you need to add in the weight of a WDH (approx 100lbs) to the payload . Unless you already did.

 

[IvoryHemi]

Trailer:
Rockwood Mini Lite 2509S
709lbs hitch weight
6,869lbs GVWR

My big concern is the hitch weight, since the Rockwood seems to be pretty heavy there, and I assume the 709lbs is unladen. If i estimate the hitch weight at 12% of GVWR, it's 825lbs.

That 709 lb hitch weight is listed for the 5,300 lbs dry weight not at the 6,869 lbs GVWR.

So that’s 13.3% TW without propane or battery. I think 12% may be too conservative on that TT. Keeping it at 13.3% would put you at 913 lbs @ GVWR

 

[Dragonmaster13]

You're good to go with that setup *IF* your wdh is set up properly and transferring the correct amount of weight to all axles. For comparison my rebel with ecodiesel has a 1444lb CCC and my trailer has a 9,680lb GVWR, 6,873lb dry weight and has been scaled fully loaded with water and gear for 2 week stints between 7,400 and 7,600lbs. TW is 850-1000lbs including my WDH. This puts me about 100lbs below my GVWR of 7,200lbs (diesel, gas is 7,100lbs) and has been scaled many times to confirm with the varying loads we bring. My bed is ALWAYS empty with exception of 4 bikes over the tonneau cover and I have two kids and wife plus all of their stuff they bring in the cab.

With your unit maxing out below my units dry weight by 6 lbs you should have ZERO issues, especially with your ~200lb larger CCC.

 

[Redfour5]

Hey everyone,

My wife and I are discussing getting a travel trailer in the near future, and I've read a lot of different threads on the topic. We've found one we like, but I wanted to double check the numbers to make sure we aren't overdoing it.

Truck:
2021 Ram 1500 Big Horn crew cab
5.7 etorque
4x4
3.92 rear axle
1,656lbs payload (per door sticker)

Trailer:
Rockwood Mini Lite 2509S
709lbs hitch weight
6,869lbs GVWR

Truck payload:
~400lbs passengers (myself, wife, 2 year old, 6 month old)
~200lbs cargo between the bed plus car seats and misc items in the cab

My big concern is the hitch weight, since the Rockwood seems to be pretty heavy there, and I assume the 709lbs is unladen. If i estimate the hitch weight at 12% of GVWR, it's 825lbs. Adding that to the passenger and cargo weights gets us around 1,425lbs, with a little over ~200lbs left for flexibility (other truck cargo, kids growing, etc). Does that sound about right, or am I estimating laden hitch weight wrong? Any red flags with this truck + trailer combo? Thanks!

Good to go.