So you want to tow a camper! Discussion thread.

[silver billet]

This was one of my OEM CastleRock tires after it was only 7 months old...

View attachment 93634

Mine were castle rocks too. They cracked all around the sides, didn't even think to check the tread.

 

[Willwork4truck]

A lot of the time its not the tread, it’s the sidewalls or the heat buildup inside the tire.

Ever notice the alligators on the highway? No I don’t mean the critters down in Florida, I mean the shredded recaps from tractor trailers that litter the roads and shoulders. Usually there’s plenty of tread left but they blew out/peeled off. Not always but often.

A post on “IRV2” from 2017 on tires: (www.IRV2.com)
So Called "China Bomb " Tires

---

Hello All

Been doing a lot of research on new Trailer Tires ( with help from the Forum ), since one of my 3 year old,factory tires suffer belt separation. I keep seeing so much criticism on China or foreign made tires.

The only American made trailer tire is the Goodyear Endurance, all others, even other Goodyears and Carlisle are made overseas. So if you have a TT with any other tire besides Goodyear Endurance, you have some kind of "China/Overseas Bomb " I'm sure there are some very bad China made tires out there, but, to me, the major blame should be on our TT manufactures. They put the bare minimum tire, that is running at, near, or over max capacity all the time. With time and any abuse failure is eminent . Off the soap box now !

My new tires will be D vs. the stock C, no E's in 14 inch. no matter the brand. (End of copied post)

 

[M2k]

Yes, bare minimum. I bought my 5th used and the PO had a blow out on the passenger side. Major repairs needed. I replaced all tires with one load range higher radials. C to D.

My new 2015 wildwood came with bias ply tires lol radials one load up right away. Unfortunately still overseas brands but no blow outs yet! (Knocks on wood)

 

[M2k]

Thought I’d share a pic of my setup. Just left camp today in Michigan

 

[devildodge]

 

[M2k]

Nice, that new Tesla truck should be able to tow a 5th wheel 40ft triple axle toy hauler no sweat. Lol

 

[Willwork4truck]

No issues there at all with wheelbase vs trailer length. Can't quite see but doesn't look like there's a WDH either. All that jazz is overkill anyway.
Tip: To prevent excess drag on your car's drivetrain, back the trailer brakes off a few turns on the star adjuster so there's no possibility of early engagement. Rolls better that way.

 

[WhattheTruck!]

Hell, the model X has a payload of 1,230 to 1,254 lbs which might be on par with some of the higher-trimmed 1500s!

 

[blakei]

Hell, the model X has a payload of 1,230 to 1,254 lbs which might be on par with some of the higher-trimmed 1500s!

Our Honda Pilot has about 1200 lbs of payload... but there's no way I'd ever hook up a TT to it v. a half-ton truck. Something seems to be lost in the payload debate... fundamentally a truck with body-on-frame and overall heavier duty components just seems more REASONABLE to tow with even if the payloads are the same compared to SUVs...

 

[brian42]

Our Honda Pilot has about 1200 lbs of payload... but there's no way I'd ever hook up a TT to it v. a half-ton truck. Something seems to be lost in the payload debate... fundamentally a truck with body-on-frame and overall heavier duty components just seems more REASONABLE to tow with even if the payloads are the same compared to SUVs...

That goes for trucks too. Even though a 3/4+ ton truck does not offer a large amount of payload/towing increase, the truck itself is a much better tow rig by design. I've mentioned before but my old 2003 Ford F-250 is a much better tow pig than my 2019 RAM 1500. If I was going to be doing any real towing I would have gone with function over form and gotten a used 2500 in my budget instead of my new 1500.

My F-250 would haul all day long with no issues and control the load with no problems. I wouldn't get there first or look as sexy doing it (halogen lights, faded paint, slow acceleration, no cameras, and 320K miles) but I'd get there safely and comfortably.

 

[silver billet]

Our Honda Pilot has about 1200 lbs of payload... but there's no way I'd ever hook up a TT to it v. a half-ton truck. Something seems to be lost in the payload debate... fundamentally a truck with body-on-frame and overall heavier duty components just seems more REASONABLE to tow with even if the payloads are the same compared to SUVs...

Exactly. Part of it is also that you have to look at the relative weight, not just the absolute weight. So if you're 100 pounds over in a civic, well that's not exactly a good spot to be in. If you're 100 pounds over in a 3500 dually that has 6000+ pounds of payload to start with, the truck won't notice the extra 100 pounds (though you still have to draw a limit somewhere of course)

 

[onit43]

https://www.keystonerv.com/product/passport-gt/comfort-travel-trailers/floorplans/2400RB

wife and I are leaning towards this trailer. Shopping for campers is fun

We also have the below on the short list

Rockwood Mini Lite 2511S - Forest River RV

Details, floorplan, specifications, and more about the Rockwood 2511S Mini Lite Travel Trailers.

forestriverinc.com

Heritage Glen Hyper-Lyte 22RBHL | Forest River RV - Manufacturer of Travel Trailers - Fifth Wheels - Tent Campers - Motorhomes

WILDWOOD HERITAGE GLEN HYPER-LYTE TRAVEL TRAILERS With everything from the look of the professionally designed fabrics to the attention to detail in the well crafted crown molding slide out fascia, Wildwood Heritage Glen has left nothing out when it comes to quality.

forestriverinc.com

North Trail Ultra Lite by Heartland RVs | Lightweight Travel Trailers

Looking for a lightweight and affordable travel trailer? Check out the North Trail Ultra Lite by Heartland RVs. Our range of ultra-lightweight models provide all the comfort and features you need for an enjoyable trip. Browse our selection today and start planning your next adventure!

heartlandrvs.com

I am also interested in a Keystone. Found one at 7,600 GVWR 600 lb tongue weight. I hope I can get that one. It is fun

 

[onit43]

https://www.keystonerv.com/product/passport-gt/comfort-travel-trailers/floorplans/2400RB

wife and I are leaning towards this trailer. Shopping for campers is fun

We also have the below on the short list

Rockwood Mini Lite 2511S - Forest River RV

Details, floorplan, specifications, and more about the Rockwood 2511S Mini Lite Travel Trailers.

forestriverinc.com

Heritage Glen Hyper-Lyte 22RBHL | Forest River RV - Manufacturer of Travel Trailers - Fifth Wheels - Tent Campers - Motorhomes

WILDWOOD HERITAGE GLEN HYPER-LYTE TRAVEL TRAILERS With everything from the look of the professionally designed fabrics to the attention to detail in the well crafted crown molding slide out fascia, Wildwood Heritage Glen has left nothing out when it comes to quality.

forestriverinc.com

North Trail Ultra Lite by Heartland RVs | Lightweight Travel Trailers

Looking for a lightweight and affordable travel trailer? Check out the North Trail Ultra Lite by Heartland RVs. Our range of ultra-lightweight models provide all the comfort and features you need for an enjoyable trip. Browse our selection today and start planning your next adventure!

heartlandrvs.com

What truck are you driving? These should be okay with my 1500 limited. I hope. Gonna crunch the numbers. Love that Keystone.

 

[MarkkraM]

Hi. My BH has a payload of 1689 (per the door). We typically rent trailers and this year renting a 24 foot 5100 dry with hitch weight of 500, fully loaded around 7000. Is it worth getting air bags? It comes with wdh, although I also have one. FWIW, I'll be looking to purchase a trailer late this year or early next.

Thanks

 

[nc_beagle]

View attachment 96023

That's the Classic. 886# hitch weight in stock form. 10,000# max trailer weight and just over 31' long and almost 8.5' wide. I imagine the car has some serious blind spots unless they have cameras mounted to the sides of the trailer.

 

[M2k]

Hi. My BH has a payload of 1689 (per the door). We typically rent trailers and this year renting a 24 foot 5100 dry with hitch weight of 500, fully loaded around 7000. Is it worth getting air bags? It comes with wdh, although I also have one. FWIW, I'll be looking to purchase a trailer late this year or early next.

Thanks

The 5th gen is better than the 4th gen in handling sag with its progressive rate rear springs. That said I still run airlift 1000 HD airbags to further cushion and stiffen the rear end when towing.

 

[jdefoe0424]

@devildodge Don't know if you've seen this or not...

Then there's a follow up which I find to be even more entertaining...

Sure, the payload might be within spec...but by how much? Can't be much left with them both in the car. I also find that he's skirting around the whole legality comment by saying they have no issues with control.....

 

[devildodge]

This is how I picture the reasoning of all the people who buy their truck first and then look at campers.

 

[bryankloos]

Hello all,

Just picked up my 2021 1500 and will tow the camper for the first time next weekend. The camper is about 3710 with 375 on the hitch per sticker specs. I need to confirm if the tongue weight includes batteries, propane, etc, and I have yet to weigh it loaded but may do so this weekend if the transfer station will let me. I also hope to get the trailer TPMS installed this weekend. Seems like a cool option! I'm guessing I'm closer to 4200/420 in the real world. I'm just shy of 1200 payload per the sticker (lots of options on this new girl).

My previous TV was a 2018 Jeep GC which was maxed out at payload. It towed it fine but could get squirrely over 70mph and was a dog on the hills with the 3.6 V6.

Any suggestions or concerns before I head out?

Thanks!

Bryan

 

[Trooper4]

Hello all,

Just picked up my 2021 1500 and will tow the camper for the first time next weekend. The camper is about 3710 with 375 on the hitch per sticker specs. I need to confirm if the tongue weight includes batteries, propane, etc, and I have yet to weigh it loaded but may do so this weekend if the transfer station will let me. I also hope to get the trailer TPMS installed this weekend. Seems like a cool option! I'm guessing I'm closer to 4200/420 in the real world. I'm just shy of 1200 payload per the sticker (lots of options on this new girl).

My previous TV was a 2018 Jeep GC which was maxed out at payload. It towed it fine but could get squirrely over 70mph and was a dog on the hills with the 3.6 V6.

Any suggestions or concerns before I head out?

Thanks!

Bryan

First of all, make sure the WDH is properly set up. Look at a Hellwig, and heavier rated tires, and keep the speeds more reasonable. Towing at 80, ore even 70 for a 1500 is crazy. If it is "squirrely" you are an accident looking for a place to happen. Leave the macho cr@p at home and be safe.