So you want to tow a camper! Discussion thread.

[Trooper4]

Nah he's just saying that his Rebel towing 8K isn't comfortable or enjoyable.
He mainly compares the two trucks from the tow vehicle standpoint, then states very clearly that as a daily driver the Rebel is much better.

The point is the Rebel is maxed out towing that sized trailer and (probably) should not be the vehicle of choice. It's the same ol' thing - owners want a truck that does it all and they don't exist. You either sacrifice ride quality and street manners to tow or you sacrifice towing ability for ride and handling.

Now maybe a gas 2500 might be "in the middle"? Kinda' like Goldilocks and the three pickups...

Actually, he may not be maxed out and have significant numbers on the table yet.

 

[Willwork4truck]

When you get it home, scale it for real numbers so you know where you really are at.

Doubtful any travel trailer when normally loaded (wet) will have 9%, or if it does it won't handle/tow well. Too light = squirrely. Most peeps say 12-14% is best.

 

[Trooper4]

Doubtful any travel trailer when normally loaded (wet) will have 9%, or if it does it won't handle/tow well. Too light = squirrely. Most peeps say 12-14% is best.

Right, but still should scale it MT to see where his starting point is, and the best way to load for optimal weight distrabution.

 

[bman77]

Nah he's just saying that his Rebel towing 8K isn't comfortable or enjoyable.
He mainly compares the two trucks from the tow vehicle standpoint, then states very clearly that as a daily driver the Rebel is much better.

The point is the Rebel is maxed out towing that sized trailer and (probably) should not be the vehicle of choice. It's the same ol' thing - owners want a truck that does it all and they don't exist. You either sacrifice ride quality and street manners to tow or you sacrifice towing ability for ride and handling.

Now maybe a gas 2500 might be "in the middle"? Kinda' like Goldilocks and the three pickups...

Correct, I am only comparing them as tow vehicles and people who are looking to tow north of 9,000lbs or even 8,000lbs should really look at the 2500 and 3500 or a lighter, smaller trailer.

I knew going in that I was definitely going to sacrifice my towing ease by going with a 1500 and eliminating two wheels, but not to the extent that I experienced. The Power Wagon was my first choice but then when looking at the payload and tow numbers from what they had on the lot and a test drive, the Rebel won me over.
All in all, we only camp a handful of times a year, so I'll gladly accept a little discomfort while towing for the smiles I get when not towing and putting the hammer down.

 

[bman77]

Actually, he may not be maxed out and have significant numbers on the table yet.

No where near maxed out, door jamb shows 1527 payload for the truck and I think the trailer capacity is 11,426lbs. Well within limits on both.

 

[Godscountryrider]

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 have a keystone premiere. Very comfortable. Nice features. Fairly troublesome. Blew power jack. Blows awning fuses. Tail light lens fell off. Leaked over rain gutter..... FYI heads up

 

[IvoryHemi]

The Rebel has a few things working against it for towing a camper.
1) soft off-road biased suspension
2) tires with big sidewall

 

[Willwork4truck]

No where near maxed out, door jamb shows 1527 payload for the truck and I think the trailer capacity is 11,426lbs. Well within limits on both.

Ha, just to “stir the pot”, there’s been a lot of discussion on this forum about the wisdom of regularly towing over 8K with a 1500 regardless of stated payload and inflated towing numbers. For occasional flat land use or keeping “sane“ speeds on the highway, maybe. Otherwise, just get a 2500 gas 6.4 and be done with it.

 

[Willwork4truck]

Well whatever you tow, be sure to use the safety chains...
“Authorities say a set of camp trailer safety chains and quick, careful work by emergency crews saved two people after their pickup truck plunged off a bridge on March 15, 2021. (Idaho State Police via AP)”

 

[Trooper4]

Ha, just to “stir the pot”, there’s been a lot of discussion on this forum about the wisdom of regularly towing over 8K with a 1500 regardless of stated payload and inflated towing numbers. For occasional flat land use or keeping “sane“ speeds on the highway, maybe. Otherwise, just get a 2500 gas 6.4 and be done with it.

Everything isn't roses just because you have a big truck. But in all circumstances , make sure your safety chains are hooked up properly.

Rescuers save 2 from pickup dangling over deep Idaho gorge

Authorities say a set of camp trailer safety chains and quick, careful work by emergency crews saved two people after their pickup truck plunged off a bridge, leaving them dangling above a deep gorge in southern Idaho. Idaho State Police responded to the accident at about 2:45 p.m. Monday, said...

www.yahoo.com

 

[Willwork4truck]

Everything isn't roses just because you have a big truck. But in all circumstances , make sure your safety chains are hooked up properly.

Rescuers save 2 from pickup dangling over deep Idaho gorge

Authorities say a set of camp trailer safety chains and quick, careful work by emergency crews saved two people after their pickup truck plunged off a bridge, leaving them dangling above a deep gorge in southern Idaho. Idaho State Police responded to the accident at about 2:45 p.m. Monday, said...

www.yahoo.com

Great minds think alike, ha ha.

 

[IvoryHemi]

Got my camper out of storage today and pulled it for the first time with the new truck.

31’2” long (7K GVWR) currently sitting at ~6,000 lbs with ~800 lbs tongue weight

I’m amazed how good it tows. Solid, sure-footed and stable at highway speed even with passing semi’s. It’s a very comfortable towing experience.

My setup:
1) 4-corner air suspension
2) 285/45/22 XL load rated tires (filled to 48 psi)
3) Equal-i-zer 10k WDH 4-point sway w/ 1k bars
4) Load Range D trailer tires

 

[Willwork4truck]

Got my camper out of storage today and pulled it for the first time with the new truck.

31’2” long (7K GVWR) currently sitting at ~6,000 lbs with ~800 lbs tongue weight

I’m amazed how good it tows. Solid, sure-footed and stable at highway speed even with passing semi’s. It’s a very comfortable towing experience.

My setup:
1) 4-corner air suspension
2) 285/45/22 XL load rated tires (filled to 48 psi)
3) Equal-i-zer 10k WDH 4-point sway w/ 1k bars
4) Load Range D trailer tires

View attachment 85924

Nice looking and balanced setup you have with a good choice of gearing, the 33 gallon tank, tires, hitch and of course, the color! (Ivory adds uhh, 1K to the tow rating...)

 

[Trooper4]

Ha, just to “stir the pot”, there’s been a lot of discussion on this forum about the wisdom of regularly towing over 8K with a 1500 regardless of stated payload and inflated towing numbers. For occasional flat land use or keeping “sane“ speeds on the highway, maybe. Otherwise, just get a 2500 gas 6.4 and be done with it.

Whatever makes YOU feel safe and is comfortable for you go for it.
Pot stirred.

 

[Willwork4truck]

It's weird, 30 years ago, well even 20, I'd never even considered "payload" or GVWCR. Barely knew what "payload" meant. I just used the amount of load range D tire squat and how flat the leaf springs looked as my guide.
Worked fine.
Now everyone gets all anal on both sides of the equation over weights and limits (course I had a SRW 1 ton as my non-cushy daily driver.)
Man that was living. 210 factory hp out of a chev 400 small block, 3 speed auto and 4.10 gears....

 

[Trooper4]

It's weird, 30 years ago, well even 20, I'd never even considered "payload" or GVWCR. Barely knew what "payload" meant. I just used the amount of load range D tire squat and how flat the leaf springs looked as my guide.
Worked fine.
Now everyone gets all anal on both sides of the equation over weights and limits (course I had a SRW 1 ton as my non-cushy daily driver.)
View attachment 85928 Man that was living. 210 factory hp out of a chev 400 small block, 3 speed auto and 4.10 gears....

Or by whether or not you were on the bump stops. Wife needed sand back when I hat a toyota , 70something I think, and when I got home, the bed was almost level on a long bed. I asked her if it steered king of easy. Just glad seh didn't blow a tire.

 

[834k3r]

Potentially OT, only because it doesn't involve a Ram:

When my wife and I were looking for a TT, we specifically looked for one within the towing capacity of our Ridgeline (~5,000 pounds, no cargo). We went to one dealer and were looking at a couple single-axle trailers that were nice. The sales rep suggested we look at double-axle trailers. I declined, saying that the Ridgeline's towing capacity wasn't that large. He looked at me straight-faced and said the towing capacity is set by the OEMs to keep themselves out of trouble and that I could tow a 10K pound TT with the Ridgeline.

I looked at my wife and told her we were leaving. I've told all my friends to stay far away from that dealer.

 

[Jcarroll8907]

So (with a 19 5.7 rebel regular suspension) I am pulling a catalina trailblazer 26TH toy hauler, which is 5487 dry with a hitch weight of 957 + 75ish for the blue ox sway pro wdh. That's at about 18% on the tongue before loading. Regarding loading in the rear and swaying like a dogs tail, I think i would actually be OK here putting my 800lb Indian chieftain motorcycle/coolers toward the rear to take some of the weight off of the tongue without being in danger of sway. Any thoughts on this? I know there are a large amount of posts that mention keeping the tongue weight as close to unloaded as you can, but I am imagining the TH is proportioned to have weight in the back with the garage there. Payload per door sticker is 1682. Usually only 400lbs in truck with humans/dogs, gear goes in the trailer. I have a tongue weight scale on the -weigh-

Also, I have a more-than-I-am-comfortable-with amount of sag in the rear because of a 2in level in the front. The WDH helps a good bit, no issues with sway on the highway thus far but I'm planning on adding bags to account for the difference the level makes. I've seen a lot of posts about not using bags with WDH because its counterintuitive but with the level I thought it might be more justifiable.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

TV-Rebel 5.7 non etorque/regular suspension/2" front level/3.92 gears/Payload sticker 1682

Toy hauler in question

 

[IvoryHemi]

So (with a 19 5.7 rebel regular suspension) I am pulling a catalina trailblazer 26TH toy hauler, which is 5487 dry with a hitch weight of 957 + 75ish for the blue ox sway pro wdh. That's at about 18% on the tongue before loading. Regarding loading in the rear and swaying like a dogs tail, I think i would actually be OK here putting my 800lb Indian chieftain motorcycle/coolers toward the rear to take some of the weight off of the tongue without being in danger of sway. Any thoughts on this? I know there are a large amount of posts that mention keeping the tongue weight as close to unloaded as you can, but I am imagining the TH is proportioned to have weight in the back with the garage there. Payload per door sticker is 1682. Usually only 400lbs in truck with humans/dogs, gear goes in the trailer. I have a tongue weight scale on the -weigh-

Also, I have a more-than-I-am-comfortable-with amount of sag in the rear because of a 2in level in the front. The WDH helps a good bit, no issues with sway on the highway thus far but I'm planning on adding bags to account for the difference the level makes. I've seen a lot of posts about not using bags with WDH because its counterintuitive but with the level I thought it might be more justifiable.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

TV-Rebel 5.7 non etorque/regular suspension/2" front level/3.92 gears/Payload sticker 1682

Toy hauler in question

The WDH doesn’t count as tongue weight.

You just need to make sure you inflate/set the airbags first then adjust the WDH.

 

[traveller09]

Ok, I know nothing about towing. We currently dont own a truck yet, I am deciding between a Rebel or Laramie, Ecodiesel, 4x4. As I understand it the Rebel tows at 7220? and the Laramie at 6340?

I am considering a trailer that states the curb weight is 4,960 and the gross vehicle weight is 6600. I am not sure I have the correct numbers or that considering them properly. Will this set up work? Appreciate the feedback.

The trailer we are considering is the Opus15.

OP15 | OPUS Camper USA

www.opuscamper.us