Joecameron69
Member
I took a trip from Vegas to Missouri to visit the family. Truck is 2020 Ram 1500 bighorn, 3.92, etorque, 4x4, 3311 miles with trip started. I-40 most of the way and truck did great, speed between 75 and 80 most of the way hand calculated my MPG at 19, just wish I had checked the size of the gas tank when I bought the truck as I don't think a truck needs a 23 gallon tank but that's my opinion. Had a great time with the family and thought I would go with Parents to pick up their trailer from the shop after having some repairs done. While there I wondered around the lot and checked out the inventory and price compared to Vegas, found one I liked and was talking to a salesman and he told me the price which was only 19000 for a 2 year old camper, but then he said he could get me into a brand new one for just $20,000. Its a 2021 forest river wildwood 24 foot, had everything I had been looking for and the price was right. (was quoted 30,000 in vegas), Called credit union and money was sent over night. So now here I am in Joplin, MO and am the owner of a new camper, My WDH was sitting in vegas, so had to buy a new on and but they did knock off $200 for the E2 equalizer hitch. Picked up the trailer 3 days ago and started the long haul back up I-40, spend the night in Elk city, OK and when I checked the weather, saw that we were in for a long windy day, pulled out on I-40, 35 to 45 sustained head winds with gust of 60. I have never seen a gas gage move so fast, I averaged 6.4 MPG. Truck was doing great, I cruised along between 60 and 65. The wind lasted from 9 am to 6 pm. Would have been smart to just park and camp waiting for it to die down. but wanted to get home (these mattresses suck in these trailers) So I paid the price. 77 gallons of gass, 430 miles $199. Spent the night in Gallup, NM, and drove home today. No wind and traveled between 65 and 70 mph, and averaged 9.4 MPG. So can my truck tow a travel trailer? yes and it did great just need deep pockets for the gas stops. Camper was empty except for a few towels and luggage, did have 2 full propane tanks 20 pounds each. wheel chocks, water hose, and sewer line. Dry weight of the trailer is 5063 so maybe a 200 extra pounds. Truck had no problem when needed to pass on one of those long *** hills, If I asked it would do it. I have never been one for letting someone else set up the WDH but they insisted so I insisted I help and they did pretty much what I would have done. No sway at all, but when pass under a bridge and the side wind hits you know it, never pushed me out of my lane. I did have it in tow haul mode and did have the cruise set, going down the 6 degree hills, the engine would wind up and downshift and never went over my set cruise speed, and never had to hit the breaks. I know others say no to the using of a 1500 for towing, and it has been years for me last time I towed was with my 1998 Ram Crew cab, knew nothing about payload or gross weight, just knew if it would hook up and move I was good to go, To be young and dumb again, I should be dead now. But just wanted to put it out there that my truck did great. One day if I find I want a bigger trailer I will move up to a 2500, but for now the 1500 works for me.
