Towing advice

[bossgator]

We are looking at getting a bigger RV, bumper pull. Right now I have a max tow Gladiator, 7650 Lbs. This new RV is 6300 Lbs, unloaded and 29 feet. The frontal area is 8X11, so 88 Square feet. I think I am going to have to move up to a 1/2 or 3/4 to be able to pull this thing safely and without wearing my butt out. Whats the opinion on a 1500? Dealer says they can pull 12K plus, with the 3.92 and max tow package. I think its more like 11,500ish from what I have been able to research. Am I going to be able to safely tow this with a 1500, or do we need to looking at a 2500? We plan on doing a lot of traveling.


Thanks

BG

 

[emings]

We are looking at getting a bigger RV, bumper pull. Right now I have a max tow Gladiator, 7650 Lbs. This new RV is 6300 Lbs, unloaded and 29 feet. The frontal area is 8X11, so 88 Square feet. I think I am going to have to move up to a 1/2 or 3/4 to be able to pull this thing safely and without wearing my butt out. Whats the opinion on a 1500? Dealer says they can pull 12K plus, with the 3.92 and max tow package. I think its more like 11,500ish from what I have been able to research. Am I going to be able to safely tow this with a 1500, or do we need to looking at a 2500? We plan on doing a lot of traveling.


Thanks

BG

What's the payload capacity of the truck you're looking at

 

[LaxDfns15]

So many threads on this. Payload is key, as well as LOADED weight on the camper. Don't even bother with dry weight numbers. Yes, a Ram can pull up to 12,000 pounds, but that 12k pound trailer is going to have far more payload requirements than your truck can handle.

Long story short, if you get a decently optioned Big Horn, you can be in the 1600+ pounds payload range and may be ok.

 

[jdefoe0424]

I would imagine that v6 would be screaming on any sort of incline, and I'm sure that they don't have the same level of insulation that the 1500's have. Sound level can be quite tiring when making long drives.
You could possibly be very limited on what, and who, you can have in the gladiator with you while towing that new camper.

What's the payload on your gladiator?

I have a Laramie which is rated for 11.5k towing and 1615 payload.

 

[hoodac78]

Agree totally with LaxDfns15 on the weight....don't bother with the dry weight. The loaded weight is the one you need to concern yourself with. Yes, a 1500 with a 3.92/Hemi can pull 11-12,000lbs, but that doesn't mean that you should. I suspect when you get fully loaded on your trailer, your Gladiator will be unsuited for the task. I think that a 1500 could more than likely pull your trailer comfortably provided you have a really good WDH w/ anti-sway. Depending how much you tow and how far you are traveling, it is possible that a 2500 might be a better choice for overall comfort as well. Just my two cents. Safe travels!

 

[crookedpinky96]

If your going a lot like you say, buy a 2500 and be happy.
With that said, a 1500 with the max tow you should fine with just about any camper. But you'll be more comfortable towing with the camper going down the road in a 3/4 ton if your towing it alot.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[silver billet]

Many will feel different, but I would never tow > 5000 pounds with a gladiator, and never more than 8000 with a 1500. Don't care what the max tow specs say. Personally I would go 2500. You plan to do a lot of travelling. Different story if you were towing 1-2 times a year and doing 2 or 3 hour trip.

 

[Drewster]

A 1500 will do it, but a 2500 will do it much better. If you're serious about "a lot" of traveling, I would definitely go with a 2500 that's made to haul every day

 

[Tommie]

Trust me......I've had both bumper pulls and 5th Wheels, from 25' to 41'. If you are going to be towing a camper a "lot" as you have indicated, get yourself a 2500 or 3500 diesel. You will have a much happier towing experience and you and your family will be safer while enjoying camping. There will be a big smile on your face when you can just set the cruise and sit back and enjoy the trip without that gas engine screaming up every hill that you encounter.

 

[OldMarine]

6300 # dry huh...ok, figure #7000 with gear and liquid, then add 1500 for truck payload, your at #8500..no way would I want to be doing that regularly with a 1500...ESPECIALLY with a 29 foot billboard behind me. I just did 4700 mile trip with my 19 Limited with 3.21 gears, pulled a #5000(loaded) Jayco Hybrid,(23' closed up, 28' opened). Towed real nice, but I could not see adding #2000 onto that amount...no thanks. Get a 2500 I say.

 

[Gitter]

We are looking at getting a bigger RV, bumper pull. Right now I have a max tow Gladiator, 7650 Lbs. This new RV is 6300 Lbs, unloaded and 29 feet. The frontal area is 8X11, so 88 Square feet. I think I am going to have to move up to a 1/2 or 3/4 to be able to pull this thing safely and without wearing my butt out. Whats the opinion on a 1500? Dealer says they can pull 12K plus, with the 3.92 and max tow package. I think its more like 11,500ish from what I have been able to research. Am I going to be able to safely tow this with a 1500, or do we need to looking at a 2500? We plan on doing a lot of traveling.


Thanks

BG

There is no way the Gladiator will handle that trailer well. When I had my Tacoma, anything over 4,000 lbs was difficult and I'd imagine the Gladiator isn't too much different based on what my Jeep friends have told me.

I'm now pulling a 28.5' trailer that is 5,822 lbs dry with my 1500 and I've had no issues towing. Hitch weight is 671 lbs and my payload is 1,455 lbs, so I have decent room for the family and cargo that I we bring.

The Hemi has plenty of power (granted I have not gone up a mountain yet in Colorado), but the 3.92 axle is definitely what you would need for a 1500...along with a WDH and anti sway bars of course.