I tow a fifth wheel with my Tacoma! I know it sounds bad but it's 21ft, 6,700lb gvw, 4,500lb empty. I also installed the Reese Goose Box and love it. It tows really well and smooth. It doesn't toss me around at all. I have some videos about it on my channel.
Another thing I think you need to discuss is speed. I know most people will disagree with me but I believe that 65 is about top when towing. I have 36 years experience driving a 18 wheeler and still don't know everything. But you have more control at 65 than 75 mph. And the time difference is just minutes.
Most ST (trailer) tires are speed limited to 65 mph. It amazes me when I have someone pulling a medium size travel trailer blow past me on the highway going 75 plus. Having had to change tires twice due to blowouts I have learned to take my time (and replace those Goodyear Marathons).
The slower you go, the better stability/control you may have as well as better fuel economy for some. For me, my truck doesn't like running at 65 because it won't hold 65 and will drop down to 60 where it'll drop a gear and then climb back to 65, drop into 6th and the cycle will repeat. And while in short distances it may not make much of a difference, it adds up the longer your drive. 65mph over 1200 miles is almost 18 1/2 hours. But at 80, it's only 15.
The problem I find with people and towing is that many people don't always realize just how much truck they need until they really need it. Your truck gets off the line just fine, maintains speed just fine, but what happens on the first long grade up or down hill, or in a crosswind situation? What happens when you just need to make an emergency stop or maneuver? Will your truck be up to the task? Remember, when your truck is at its limit under relaxed conditions, you really can't expect more from it when things start getting hairy.
Exactly. If you are at the limit you shouldn't do more. Same as it goes w/ anything in life but some people push it anyway but it's really down to them now knowing what it looks like when overlimit has been reached. If they aren't suicidal and they knew they wouldn't have went w/ it. The main issue is the fact they already have the truck or they don't want to spend more money. Like it's said, if you can't do more to be safe then you shouldn't do it at all. In my mind I'm remembering all the videos I've watched of trailers losing control and I'm wondering how they don't know how to drive but then realize it's a physical problem instead of a mental one.
You touch on so many points with great information. I’ve seen many accidents because people don’t heed this kind of information. I’ve hauled loads up to 149,000 lbs with the right equipment and I’ve hauled 80,000 pounds and felt like the wind was going to blow me off the road. Equipment and combinations change everything.
As a newbie, I appreciate your videos. Because of your research, I’ve upgraded from an F250 to a F350 dually. My stress and towing experience has been one thousand times better. I feel more comfortable towing my fifth wheeler (16,000 pounds) but even more comfortable stopping it. Just about any pick up truck can tow beyond its recommended capacity, but it’s the ability to stop safely that counts the most. Keep those videos coming!!!!
I used to pull a 13k pintle behind a chevy 2500. You had to watch to much tongue wieght vs not enough and that was inches when loading the tractor. Now i have a f350 dually flatbed and there aint too much tongue wieght ive seen yet and thats the tractor loader touching the front beam. Way more relaxing drive
Thank you for this video. It is very important to teach people how to safely tow trailers. Mr Truck and you have been a wonderful addition to the truck community by sharing this knowledge and helping people make better purchasing decisions for trucks and trailers. Honestly, my choice for a truck when I first started looking back in 2016 was much different than the 2018 truck that I purchased. These videos are a great help to everyone who want to learn and is willing to take the time to listen to gain the knowledge to have the right equipment for the job. I can speak from experience that salesman on dealer lots (truck or camper) are not going to tell you what you need because it is not in their best interest. Keep up the great work and help keep the internet informed of all this wonder truck and towing knowledge. Cheers!
I just returned from my first trip out west towing my 22 foot 5500 pound travel trailer with a 2018 F150 and all I can say is never again. While I had tons of power and could accelerate easily going up hill, the cross winds out west made for a miserable towing experience. I have a Blue Ox sway pro weight distribution hitch and didn't have much sway, but man did the whole rig get pushed around when a gust would hit it. I ended up having a death grip on the steering wheel and was exhausted at the end of the day. Travel trailer is going up for sale, hello Class C motorhome.
class C can get dicy in heavy winds also. Class A Diesel Pushers are about generally the only thing heavy enough to help. Fifth Wheels also do well if you have the right truck combo
Half tons mainly the new F-150 are getting way to light to handle travel trailers that are over 26ft. Great for payload and fuel economy but bad for towing stability
@@cutandcleanwi6947 exactly! They keep lightening trucks yet slapping 12k tow capacities on them. Yes, mechanically they can handle it but wind definitely can become an issue as the truck tp trailer weight ratio gets farther and farther apart.
Dirt Road... I'm not sure exactly what setup or specs your F150 has but it is more than capable of towing and controlling a 22ft TT that is 5500lbs. Something must be wrong with your hitch set up. It cannot be right if you feel that way. But if the wind was that strong you will feel that no matter what set up you have. Cut and clean... your reply of F150s getting to light reminds me of a comment I made on the previous 1/2 ton towing video that BTBRV did. Here is a cut and paste of it just for some thought. PAYLOAD availability is the limiting factor of any tow vehicle no matter what it is half 3/4 or 1 ton. My 1/2 ton F150 is rated to tow 13200lbs and has 1701lbs of available payload. My truck loaded with gas passengers and gear ready to be hooked up to the trailer weighs in at 5949lbs leaving me with 1101lbs for tongue weight until I get to my trucks GVWR of 7050lbs. I could easily tow a 8000lbs trailer and still be under all of my trucks ratings. That being said my TT is 30ft with a GVWR of 7200lbs and it tows beautifully together for over 45000 miles now. I have towed 5th wheels with dually 1 tons down to pop ups with a SUV. This half ton feels as solid towing this 30ft TT that weighs in at 7k as a 1 ton did with a 15k 5th wheel. Simple math would tell you this 5350lb truck with a 8000lb TT the truck is 67% of that TT's weight and a 7000lb gas 3/4 ton truck with a 12000lb TT is only 58% of what the TT weighs. So in this aspect they are both within all specs but that half ton weight ratio to TT is higher and more planted than that 3/4 ton is.
Eric Zoric. My F150 is a crew cab XLT with 3.5 Ecoboost, max tow package and 1800 lbs of payload. The hitch is set up just as Blue Ox instructions state and the ride is level with about a 1" drop in the back and a 1/2" lift in the front. The only thing that might help would be better tires on both the truck and trailer and probably better shocks, but I'm not spending anymore money on it.
I will be soon RVing for the first time and full time...I know about trucks but a newbe in towing my home behind me...I find you videos very well thought out and looking at the safety factor behind your suggestions. I will heed your advice and buy accordingly to my calibrates needs....F350 is next step from a 1/2 tonne. thank you and please keeping trying to help folks like me
I love your videos, you do an excellent job of removing biases and focus on the topic being discussed (vehicles, vehicle reviews, etc). I ran into this very thing this summer. I've had a number of trailers throughout the years, but our latest one, 2018 Coachmen Apex 300BHS is the biggest, and heaviest yet. Our truck, 2017 Ram 1500 QC 4x4 w/5.7 is the most capable truck I've ever owned, and I thought it could handle the trailer. I was wrong, we purchased to much trailer for our TV. My first mistake was going off of guides and dry weight specs. Once I went to a scale I knew we were in trouble. I removed all my accessories, dropped as much weight as possible on my TV, but still, hitched up we are over weight by 100 - 200LBS depending on if we bring our bikes or not in the bed. On our second trip we encountered some mild/decent cross winds, the truck was like an amusement park ride. The trailer was forcing it into the wind, which was on coming traffic. In an effort to try and get within my TV's GVWR I removed tongue weight, which made my towing rigs less stable. The issue I have is I don't have capacity left to increase my TW. Solution: I need a larger truck.
Well said. Towed RVs for over 30 years. There is a big difference between being in control while driving your rig, verses just aiming it down the road and hoping for the best while knuckles are turning white from constant steering corrections. Good video
I am so glad you are saying this (again), it's so important! It's really too bad people are so caught up in their half ton trucks that they can't see the value of this reasonable perspective. I've said nearly the same thing, especially about the experience of the trip, and some of the angry feedback I get is just mind-blowing. Please keep up videos like this.
While I understand your point, there is an aspect of the RV hobby/lifestyle that I think you may be overlooking when it comes to truck/trailer matching....Cost! RV'ing can have a huge barrier of entry from cost so many people will stair step their way up the truck trailer combination ladder. I bought a Silverado 1500 with a max tow package including trans cooler and tow mirrors that is rated at roughly 12,000 lbs. At the time we did not have an RV but had plans to buy one not long after. Our ultimate goal was a 3500 and a nicely equipped 5th wheel but that was simply cost prohibitive. With our 1500, we bought and tow a Cougar half ton series that is essentially a flat deck 5th wheel. We do not have the storage, but since we are still working and only use it for a week or so at a time that is not an issue. In a couple years I will trade in my truck and upgrade to a 3500 but the RV will still serve us well until a few years after that when we will upgrade. I understand your concern about truck/trailer mismatch, but the far greater concern to me is that fact that in most areas, anyone with the bank roll can go buy a 75+ foot combination truck trailer or commercial bus chassis RV and are required absolutely zero training on how to safely drive it on the roads next to you and I.
Thanks for trying to educate RV owners on this topic. So many people think they know what they are doing when it comes to the limitations of their tow vehicle when they really don’t have a clue. My 2017 RAM 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi is rated at 15,630 lbs towing capacity and 3,300 payload capacity on their website. Take a look at the actual ratings for my Laramie Sport edition with off road package and you still have the 15,630 lbs towing capacity but my payload (from the door sticker) is now only 2848 lbs. that decrease my payload 482 lbs from what most people think it is due to looking at the advertising literature for their truck. Add in the weight of you accessories (bed liners, bed covers, tool boxes, jumper cables, etc.), passengers, etc. and you may be down another 500-1000lbs!! I am towing a Keystone Bullet Premier 30RIPR with a dry weight rating listed as 6835 lbs for the empty trailer and a tongue weight of 865 lbs. In our case with four people in the truck, the bed loaded with camping gear etc. and you get an actual scale weight of the truck we have 1900 lbs available. Subtract 865 lbs dry tongue weight and you have an available 1135 lbs available. Considering all the storage and water tank are in front of the axles most of that weight will end up as tongue weight. So add 100 lbs if grocery’s, 100 lbs of clothes etc, 100 lbs of propane, 60 lbs for an extra battery and approx 360 lbs of fresh water and you are down to 415 pounds of payload. Now add 3 bikes and 2 kayaks to roof racks on the truck and you are probably down to about 150 lbs off payload!! This on a trailer we were told can be towed by a 1/2 ton or a large SUV. Most people believe the sales people and only look at the trucks towing capacity and not the payload figures. I could almost tow 1.5 more trailers just like mine by tow rating when I can actually barely tow this rig now.
We appreciate all of the information you put out. I am on my third trailer and realized that it doesn't matter how many years of experience we have there are always new items coming out to market and staying current on new trends is better than acting like a "know it all" just because of previous experience. I am always learning from your videos and others like you who take the time to put the information out there (sponsored or not). Thank You and keep up the good work.
I drive for a LTL carrier and you would be amazed at what people will pull trailers with. It’s all sunshine and lollipops till they need to avoid a road hazard. I see it all the time, big trailer with a half or three quarter ton flipped over trying to avoid an object in the road. There needs to be a point where all manufactures say 32,000+ pounds is to much for ANY pick up to haul. Just for reference, commercially 42,500 is the limit without a permit. I really appreciate your commitment to keeping everyone safe.
So very true. Even owning a 2018 Ram dually I'm at my comfort zone towing my 16k pound 5th wheel. By the time you factor in gear ratio and the weight of a crew cab 4 x4 not to mention all the gear......it all adds up quickly.
I feel like no matter how many times you explain this people are going to comment how their truck is the exception because they have big turbos, upgraded shocks or chrome hitches or whatever. Great work you'll win people over yet!
Brilliant! Your personal and expert opinion about this matter is extremely valuable to me. I have zero knowledge about towing but in preparation of my RVing lifestyle very soon (after Covid 19) I fell blessed to have come across your vlogs. I've researched a tone of into and your information makes lots of sense in all aspect in my opinion. Keep doing what you doing for people like us.
Just bought a 24 foot camper trailer that I will be towing with my 2003 f150! It weighs about 6000 lbs and I have a weight distributing hitch to go with it. Should be the perfect match for my truck! Not too big and not too small. Excited to start using it!
My truck specs say I can tow 9100 , I tow a 23 ft Jayco 6100 lbs loaded with Curt hitch. I have weighed each axle at the scale. Peace of mind is priceless, feels safe. Thanks for the wisdom big truck big rv
When your trailer is effected by outside forces, it takes away the enjoyment of leaving the driveway! I have pulled both nicely balanced rigs and I have towed Rigs that took ten years off my lifetime because how scary it was not to feel in control 100% of the time. The rig that I had that towed like a nightmare on wheels ruined an entire season for us, I traded that thing down the road as fast as I could and lost my butt in the process but it wasn't worth my families safety the funny part is the rig was only a small 24' (I can't remember the weight) but it felt like a I was pulling 40ft billboard with a VW! I took two trips the first one was outta the box stock the second was with a grand invested in anti sway hitch, new tires on the rig and paying careful attention to weight distribution and although better than the 1st trip it still was scary as heck. Even two dealers test drove it with my truck and their truck and agreed it was scary, no one knew why it pulled that bad. Our big summer vacation was ruin and almost ruined me on camping but with the new rig I can tow 70mph all day and not break a sweat.
I have been towing travel trailers for about the past 12 years. I’ve had three so far and have been on a good number of long trips across the country. When your pulling near your truck’s max towing number it makes for a much more stressful trip. Your advice is solid. One thing I know for sure is to do your own homework and don’t take the word of the dealer or the manufacturer for that matter. Many of the travel trailers being made now a days are being advertised as “half ton towable units”. I would not feel comfortable towing many of them with a half ton truck. Your advice is pretty much spot on with my experiences towing for many years now.
I enjoy your videos and certainly learn a lot with each one. A lot of people don't think about the truck's payload capacity. My truck rated at pulling 11,200 lbs has the rear axle overloaded by 400 lbs pulling a 7600 GVWR travel trailer! WD hitch is adjusted to max out trailer's axles and damn near max out the truck's front axle keeping all the squats where they should be. I'm looking at 3/4 ton now just to be able to handle the payload, best thing I did was hit the scales.
I need the person I saw this weekend to find your channel... I saw a late 90’s Jeep Grand Cherokee hooked up to around a 30’+ Zinger this weekend. Good thing it was just sitting in a lot parked and not actually driving because I would have been scared to be anywhere on the same road, bad thing is you know they are actually towing it places! I wish I had stopped for a pic to show how ludicrous this set up was. The trailer had to be 6-7k empty and the 3 times the length of the small wheel base Grand Cherokee, not to mention the tow rating of the vehicle couldn’t have been more than 5-6k. Stay safe out there people!
I've mentioned before you completely convinced me that a 3/4 ton truck is minimum for my high profile 9000 lbs travel trailer. I use an equaliser hitch. I've rented an F 250 gas and diesel and both did fine. Did love the diesel.
Being a professional driver here in South Mississippi after Katrina I saw many people thinking their 1/2 ton was big enough to transport large travel trailers and the smaller FEMA travel trailers end up on their sides or roofs from swaying trailers that were just to big for them to pull safely. Even a few who put gooseneck balls on 1/2 and 3/4 tons that wasn't built for it by manufacturer.
Totally true, great video for people new to towing. My 5th wheel trailer is supposed to be 1/2 ton towable but I would never tow it with a 1/2 ton. I have a diesel f250 and a keystone cougar that weighs almost 10000 loaded. On flat ground with no wind a 1/2 ton might be okay but in high wind or going over a high elevation pass here in California I wouldn’t even attempt it.
Right on brother. We made the mistake, never again. 2017 F150, 3.5, short bed and a 33 ft trailer. It pushed the truck all over. New truck and much more enjoyable. Thanks for all the great videos.
Nothing makes me shudder more than some clown in a 3500 with a big float out back with 25,000+lbs on it. What happens if you lose your brakes? What happens if you have to do an emergency maneuver? They make proper medium duty trucks for a reason, all these big numbers being put out by the manufacturer's makes me worry.
That's why I'm listening to your channel you seem to give me the knowledge that I need to to get into this and I appreciate your channel and keep up the good work thank you
You make great point's, the problem is that 95% of the people haven't seen you're video's that are going to buy a RV. The RV sale's industry will do anything and say anything to sell a unit, I had a local dealer say my F-250 could pull a triple axle toy hauler, when I fact I would never do that. The number's I have on my truck and 5th wheel are 2001 F-250 CCSRW 4X4 (wieght is 8,000lbs) Heartland Prowler P289 (Weight is 9,400lbs) so I can in at a combo weight of 17,400lbs my GVCWR is 20,000lbs but the problem I run into is I'm over on pin weight because my truck as a GVWR of 8,800lbs. The truck is still under the axle rating and tow's fine, but for safety and we do want a larger 5th wheel in the future I also have a 2003 F-350 CCDRW that we use for camping now.
I love these BTBRV videos because they emphasize safety and driver comfort. I had a 1/2 ton truck pulling my 6500 lb travel trailer. It was uncomfortable because I nearly maxed out the truck’s capability just to tow safely on highways and when I got in traffic. I upgraded the truck to 3/4 ton and it’s night and day. It’s never “easy” towing because you have to be aware of other drivers and your own vehicle but I’d hate to go backwards. You don’t get too worried about hitch weights when your payload is 5* the hitch weight. I understand people who want to max things out but when severe weather hits, it’s a scary proposition.
Never noticed the weight distribution within the RV due to configuration until last year. The points you make are very important!!!!! My Jayco eagle HT 29.5 is “only” 10,000 maxed. But it’s 10,000 with two slides on the driver side, off center weight distribution to the left. Pulled it for 3 years with a GM 2500 Duramax and I would NEVER go below that rated truck even if it’s a “half ton towable” RV. I now have a 3500 Mega Cab SRW with the AISIN. Without a doubt I have a lot of confidence in this truck and it has nearly doubled my Payload. I’m a believer in excessive truck for the RV you pull behind. Been in some heinous wind last year that was brown out conditions on the road and never though I have hundreds of thousands of miles towing I would have felt better with a larger truck (wheel base and stoutness) Plan for the unknown not the expected.
I never thought about trailers being I'm balanced to the left or right. I'm sure it can make a difference in handling. Did the manufacturer disclose the imbalance or did you just figure that out from the slide out distribution?
VERY well said! good synopsis. Newbie's need to pay heed to your comment about the ratings vs type of load. 10,000#'s on a flatbed can react a lot different vs 5000# on a high profile. Wind, center of gravity, and weight distribution on axles & hitch. Also compare the size of a rear brake shoe of a 1/2t vs a 3/4t truck. lots more surface area. its one thing to get it moving; a whole nother thing to stop it!
I tow an 8300# 5th wheel with a F150 3.5 Ecoboost and it does just fine. But your cautions are worthwhile. I chose the lightest weight and hitch weight I could find with the bunkhouse floorplan. But I had reps try to sell me 9900#ers with 1800# hitch weight just because the were called Half ton towable.
Good video and follow-up explanation. I would have to suggest though that if the trailer feels a bit weighty compared to the truck that is pulling it, the driver won't get a false sense of security -- feeling the trailer [to a small degree, not out of control, lol] keeps the driver awake and alert. Being too comfortable with a 32 ft+ trailer over time will probably result in mistakes like rubbing or hopping a curb with the trailer. Intention of travel makes a difference too. If planning on traveling thru mountains frequently, definitely don't be pulling right at the the truck's limit, largely due to braking stability. Also, VERY IMPORTANT: the manufacturer's ratings are for that truck BRAND NEW. As the truck ages and endures wear & tear, capabilities natural reduce. At a minimum, you better have some grippy tires with decent tread life remaining when towing near the limit. The initial rain that mixes with oil on the road is very slick!
As someone who will be getting a 5th wheel in the next year, I can only agree with you due to my driving a large truck when I was younger. It's that surprise crosswind that I hated, my truck would sway and I'd have to drive very slowly. Your advice is well taken, and like I said last time, you cam out with you last video the day after I say a trailer that I though, oh hey, I can tow that one with a 1/2 ton and it was exactly the one you were showing in your video. Maybe you could do a short video on driving the streets with your 5th wheel, that would be great, thanks again for all your advice.
Well said. I towed a 34 ft trailer weighing about 9600 lbs with a GMC 2500 with a reese dual cam sway control and dreaded cross winds. I was just below the tow ratings, but the high profile and length convinced us into a smaller trailer and eventually to a Motorhome with a car trailer. The loaded trailer weighs less than half my MH tow rating.
So just upgraded from a 1500 Ram to a 2500 gas...my rig is 32' Puma 32RKTS , 7940 dry and 9200 fully loaded. My 1500 would tow up to 10250, but it was very uncomfortable. My truck now I'll tow 15349.....I barely know it's back there....took your advise and now dont stress ....thanks
If anything, this should at least strike a chord with the folks that routinely overload their trucks. I worked at a truck dealer for a short time and there are a great many folks who didn't have the slightest inkling of how capacity correlated to trailer size. Most of my time was spent educating on the practicalities, and many would still insist on the vehicle they laser focused on, because they already built the next five years of their life off of their choice. Most were the folks who equated diesel 3/4 ton with being able to tow whatever they want. They would be dumfounded when I asked what they were towing and how much the gvwr was, as if I just asked what underwear they had on. Most people just don't know. If you see someone who's lost, you go help them. Keep raising awareness, even just for the uneducated.
You make a great point. I like that you're only towing roughly 60% of capacity of your F-450. It's a safe comfort zone to be in and better to err on the side of caution than deal with that "oh fudge" moment when you're hit with a 75 mph cross wind in Nebraska.
One factor that’s never talked about is that tow ratings are suggested based on ideal conditions. Perfect load distribution, No wind, no rain, no water on road, sunny but not hot, etc. The issue is that it’s very rare that those ideal conditions exist during the majority of trips people take with travel trailers or fifth wheels. With flatbed or lowboy car haulers it’s significantly different as most of the nature of related issues have less of an effect since those kind of loads on lower center of gravity trailers pull and steer far more favorably.
After working in the Marine/RV business for over thirty years the most common excuse I hear is 'the dealer said it will be fine". Then I explain the weight sticker and what it means.
No, just those that show up at the dealership with an under rated vehicle, our employees are instructed not to get involved with an unsafe hitch up. They are trained on how to explain why and explain the weight rating sticker. How would you like to send a young family down the road in an unsafe rig?
No, just the people that show up at the dealership with an under rated vehicle. Our employees are not permitted to do unsafe hookups and are trained on how to explain why and explain the weight sticker. How would you like to send a young family down the road in n unsafe rig?
Very good info. I’ve towed quite a bit for my age (for work and for recreation) and so I’ve always been cautiously confident and I’m not afraid to push the limits of a truck under the right circumstances, but a new “tower” should be very cautious at even 75-80% of a trucks capabilities as things are quite a bit different once you get close to the limits. Never hurts to have more truck than you need
If people want to really experience the difference between what a vehicle should tow, and what you need to do to be safe, go pull a trailer with two, 1/2 full 500gallon tanks on a flatbed, single axle trailer. Most every vehicle is rated to be able to tow 4500 pounds, BUT, you run that anywhere but a straight road with no stops, you will definitely understand that weight is not the only factor.
My TV is a 2017 Ram 1500 Hemi 6 speed. I had the option of a Grand Design 2400Bh 5600Lbs and a 2800bh 6400Lbs. I went with the 2400bh after watching videos and reading forums. I am happy I went smaller. The 2400BH is about all the trailer I would want for that TV.
Even though we have a 5,700# ultralight, we traded our half ton for a Ram 3500. The payload difference between the 2500 and 3500 was big enough, and we'll be able to haul mulch, topsoil, etc. in addition to a comfy 5th wheel at some point.
One thing I need to add is elevation change. I live in a valley where the climb out is anywhere from 1700’ to 4000’ and to make it better for the drivetrain, following your advice is all the more important.
I agree. It’s super important to have a tow vehicle that can easily handle your trailer in adverse conditions. If you hate to drive the trailer during normal drives you won’t use it as much and it’ll basically turn into a waste of money
Great video you explained that as clear as you could. I hope the people that are getting into this watch this and make a good choice when buying the truck and trailer.
I agree 100%. I use to be a half ton guy and think I just for use to getting ready to combat with d gust or semis passing. I now tow with a srw f350 and it opened my eyes to what is it like to be in control of your trailer. No you dont need a diesel it's more a out the size and weight of the tow vehicle. I would say I am at about half my tow capacity and another plus is my maintenance on my truck is actually less because my truck doesn't work a sweat. I honestly think if I went back to a half ton I would stick 22ft and below in a camp trailer. On a side note the when ever you feel like a change of scenery try the trip up to Washington state alot of nice camping spots.
I don't think some people realize how much travel trailer they DON'T need. Depending on the amount of time you spend in it and how many people there will be staying in it, sometimes you can just get a smaller trailer and not have the stress. They're easier to shove backwards into a hole, less weight so better gas mileage, and easier to pull through a parking lot. I say get the smallest trailer that will do what you need and then, if you're lucky, your truck will be too much for it and your stress will go way down. plus they don't cost as much.
This is true for the week end warriors . But for people like me that stay in there RVs 9+ months out of the year for work , I'd rather spend money on a comfortable home away from home , and build my tow rig to meet and handle the needs.
I have a 2019 Chevy trail boss and I pull a 34 foot styker toy hauler and it has a GVWR of 9500. I hate it though I have to go 55 mph on the high way and that’s not safe. I wish I saw this video earlier because I would have went to a 2500 at least. Thank you for thing amazing video and keep up the great work.
I have 1/2 Toyota tundra and was pulling a 10,000 toyhauler and did not have the stopping power i needed i down graded to a smaller toyhauler that weighs 4500lbs and now I have all the controll I need
Please come down to Australia & do some workshops. We have Toyota Landcruisers running around the the country that are loaded to the gills with people, luggage and often a small boat (with engine) loaded on the roof racks, at the same time, hauling a travel trailer that weighs exactly 3500 kg (7700 lbs) which is the max tow rating. people have no idea of max GCVW. Yuo are the only person in the world who explains this topic properly.
Towed a 7116LB travel trailer with my 2008 Chevrolet Silverado (6.0L VortecMax) using an anti-sway hitch (square bar style) from Iowa to Arizona (1,600 miles) and I would say that the only thing I would’ve liked is more engine. I only had sway concerns going through the top of Texas, and it only happened a few times. I’d say if I HAD to choose I’d rather tow with a 3/4 ton than a half ton but my half ton made it like a champ. She even pulled up mountains and held up just fine going down them!
I tow a 8klb 20 foot utility trailer frequently with my 2015 Sierra Denali 1500 with the 6.2. Its a much older steel trailer and ive had the brakes give out before and i can say my next truck will be a 2500. I've been pushed halfway through an intersection with it. Really like the 6.4 gas ram 2500
I tow an 8200-lb fifth wheel with a 2015 F-150. Many argue this is inadvisable because a “half ton can’t tow a fifth wheel.” (Never mind that there have been half-ton towable fifth wheels for 40 years). I’ve been towing smaller fifth wheels with half tons for 18 years and would recommend it to anyone.
I have never towed an RV but have towed a tractor with an f150 and never had a problem with cross winds but when it came to stopping it was stressful tractor and trailer where just under 9000 lb what the truck could tow but it was practically touching the floor and could not go down our driver way about 8 degrees with out the tires slipping on the rocks never did that again. Got a 2500 and when it came to stopping and going down the hill it felt alot better could have more peace. For sure in the future if I get an RV i will go big on the truck. Good videos I've recommended you with many friends thinking about traveling and have a half ton
Great video. Man had so much to learn when I started towing. For instance I always thought 2" balls were all the same but found out they have different ratings. I am one of those people that want to have overkill when towing.
You are correct on all points. The reality is that any thing heavier than your tow vehicle has the capability of pushing the tow vehicle all over in adverse situations regardless of the towing capacity of the truck. Therefore pushing the tow weight to the trucks maximum is or can be foolish.
A few years back I was on the freeway and passed a large flatbed tow truck. On the flatbed was a Geo Metro with the back end badly smashed up like it had been rear ended. Also on the flatbed - a very large pop-up tent trailer with a smashed up front end. I'm sure the salesman told him it would be fine!
I can defiantly attest to what your saying. I have a 2011 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 hemi, 3.92 gearing. I pulled a 10,000 lb 33ft travel trailer, that when you combine the truck, trailer, and all the equipment we packed with us, we were over 17,000lbs. Trucks rated to tow 10k lbs. The truck had plenty of power, no issues on the trucks part of it. However, even with a weight distributing hitch, and anti sway bars, the butt pucker factor was there big time. The wind from large passing vehicles pushed me around everywhere and was defiantly scary at times. Mind you, I had never pulled anything that heavy before. Good information tho and I agree completely
Excellent video, Brother! With the market changing so dramatically as mid-size trucks and half-tons become increasingly popular, you may positively influence a lot of your viewers (or new viewers) by making an introduction to light duty towing. Some key topics that I believe anyone new to towing, especially in mid-size and half-tons, should know are wheelbase, tires (ratings for truck and trailer), hitches, differential gearing, GCWR vs GVWR, and tongue weight/trailer distribution. Certainly there are many other topics but I believe these are of the highest importance for new towing enthusiasts to educate themselves.
I've got to be honest, JD. For a long, long time I've felt that your recommendations were way too conservative. However, we have a 34' 8,000lbs trailer that I was towing with my Tundra CrewMax with an equalizer hitch, and I didn't have a problem - most of the time. But, if it was windy, or crowded on the roads and a big semi blew past me, towing that beast became uncomfortable. I could feel the sway significantly as the trailer pushed my short wheelbase truck all over the road. Every time I towed I felt like I was rolling the dice as to whether or not it'd be a smooth, easy trip or a white knuckle nightmare. We knew we were eventually going to get a 5th wheel, so I decided to upgrade the truck to a new RAM 3500 srw diesel. The payload is 4100lbs and the towing capacity is just under 21,000lbs. We take our first trip with it in 2 days and I'm eager to see how she tows.
If you get a few value side wind you find out quickly that the 1/2ton cans do more than 75% on a travel trailer. I have been there with my family in the cab and it was awful. Now I use a ram 3500 for my 10200 gvwr trailer.
I have a love/hate with your videos. I love the information as I am a new camper. We just bought our first 5th wheel 2019 42ft with 6 slides. I tow with my Ford F350. The hate part is watching you drive around town seemingly going nowhere lol. I just listen now and lay my phone face down....lol. Thanks for the information!
We have grown our trailers from 18' to 25' and lastly to a 30' box length and have pulled all with the same half ton silverado. With each change from the shortest to the longest I have felt the amount of sway produced increase from virtually none to learning how to ride out the sway wave during high winds with the longest. All the trailers were within the trucks factory specifications and none produced a white knucle drive for me. But if I ever needed or wanted my wife to drive I knew I would need to take some of the rodeo out so we sold our half ton and are purchasing 2500HD Silverado. I know that sounds like a stressfull tow but as with all stress one learns how to manage the stress and control the variables. The biggest controllables in my opinion are #1 speed, 2nd is hitch system setup and for me the 3rd is having the correct mirrors.
I have a half ton truck with the big tow package (Silverado with 13000 lb capacity) and I tow a 7000 pound Winnebago and it’s very comfortable! Anything larger and really I would go to the 2500!
We had a 26’ probably 6k loaded camper we pulled with our half ton. We never had much sway thanks to the hitch setup and the fact that the 4.2l v6 could only do 55 going up hills lol
I agree with him 100%. Your families safety and the safety of others on the road should be more important that your ego. If there is anyone out there looking for a larger travel trailer that tows with ease (in terms of sway and comfort) I recently traded in for a Bullet 308BHS (2 slides and 3 full bunks with a pull out bed in rear). Max Gross is 7400. I tow it with a 2016 F150 Lariat, 500A, 3.5 eco, 157"wb, and heavy duty payload package. I use a Husky Center line weight distribution hitch with the 800lb max bars. The length of the rig tip to tow is 36ft. In my experience, the height of the trailer has a lot to do with sway and overall comfort of towing. Prior to owing the Bullet, I hauled an Outback 25RS with a gross of 6200lb but it sat roughly 1.5ft taller (arched roof and bigger wheels)than the Bullet. That rig was all over the road. The slightest wind or transport passing and I was white knuckled. I live a Canada and have towed the Bullet through mountains, ocean side roads and down to the Florida Keys. Fantastic unit to tow if you are looking for the size of a larger bunkhouse unit that will accommodate a comfortable 1/2 ton towing experience.
I'm gonna be buying a crew cab GMC Sierra 2500HD soon even though I'm not going to be towing often, I'm defiently going to be careful what I tow behind it. 10k max at the hitch because I'm getting the 6.0 gas over the 6.6 duramax.
It is funny how the many 1/2 ton owners say that they can pull a 10,000+ RV. I want to go and run and hide. See, I am a 1/2 tow vehicle owners. But I know that my 2002 Chevy Tahoe doe have a max tow rating of 8,100 pounds. My travel trailer, a 1999 Terry Light, Northwest Edition has a GVWR of 5,600+/- pounds and my typical loaded weight is 5,000 pounds. I would never tow a travel trailer over 6,000 pounds. With that, I have towed a concrete pump on a flat bed with all the hoses, water, and accessories for my buddy who had his work truck break down. I know this weighs 7,500+ pounds because this set up has been scaled for the commercial application. That flatbed handled so much different, and yes the additional weight was noticeable, but I did not have the additional drag at highway speed due that the box like travel trailer does. It is scary seeing F150, Ram 1500, Chev/GMC 1500, and Tundras towing travel trailers, that may be okay weight wise, that are physically too big. The wind can push them around and the air coming off from the passing traffic can cause the trailer to sway or act in a manor that is not predicable. I am a firm believer in never coming close to the maximum capabilities of the tow rig. I look at the worse case scenario. Driving in winds of 40 to 50MPH gusts, in the rain, with large semi trucks passing me. I want to ensure that I can be in full control in that type of situation. My setup, I am very comfortable with that, a larger travel trailer, no way.
Thanks for posting I see people pulling the wrong size trailer and the truck and trailer is upsidedown. I hate to see this. We have a 1 ton truck and we only pull 13000 lbs. We love it too.
I have a 2019 keystone passport 27ft bunkhouse, when dry it is ynder 5k lbs. I pull it with a 2002 station wagon! Have for 2 years. Gettin ready to upgrade to 2500HD.
I agree with everything you just said. I just bought a Keystone Fuzion 429. I had an F350, and after talking with the service tech at the RV dealership, I came to the conclusion that having too much truck is a much better situation, than not enough. Before I took delivery on the Fuzion, I went down and upgraded the truck to a 450. Now, essentially, I can pull anything (to a degree) without worrying about it.
Early last year I had picked up a tractor to bring to my friend. My 97 sierra had a towing capacity of roughly 7000lbs and this tractor was a very old trailer it was on a 20ft flat deck conventional hitch trailer. When the old owner went to load it the back end of my truck completely lifted off the ground about 4ft from tire hieght then when he went all the way to the front with the bucket inside my box my truck was 100% squatting and I had a 4 main leafs with one overload spring on each side. Now towing this tractor back to my friends house was the sketchy thing I have ever done. As soon as I left the town I hit a snow storm where I could go more then 25 or 30 mph and when i went up 50 and 55 i had so much sway i had to slow down completely. I made it back with white knuckles and I said to my friend, that he needed to buy a 3/4 ton for this. We found out later that the tractor actually weighed 9000lbs.
This is great info that I'm looking for. I'm getting into RVing for the first time. I have always wanted a safety margin and not to get too close to the limits of the truck. Here is what I'm thinking: 1) The total GVWs of the truck and RV should be no more than 80% of the truck's GCVWR. 2) The sum of the expected payload of the truck (people and cargo) and hitch weight (10% of the GVWR of the RV) should be no more than 90% of the truck's payload. What do you think? Too conservative? Just about right? Need more margin? Thanks for your help.
I pull a 6,000lb dry 34' travel trailer with my Titan. Plenty of power up hills, stopping etc.... but I would have to agree. If I needed to tow closer to 8,000lbs or more I'd want a 3/4 ton or more for better control.
Its interesting that RVs have gotten so big it takes a one ton to pull them. I've even seen day cab semis used to pull RVs. For good, Bad or indifferent RVs sure have come along ways from their beginings....
Always better safe than sorry. I have an '03 Dodge 3500 SRW with air bags on the rear suspension. I still use a weight distribution hitch even on lighter loaded trailer due to the Chucking or bucking effect of the tongue weight on the rear of the truck on a bumpy road. Length and weight of the truck don't allow much sway with a properly balanced load, but the bouncing is ridiculous. I don't see how some people handle the ride not using a weight distribution system or hauling with an undersized tow rig. I should take pictures the next time I am on my way to the beach here in SC. You will see some of the most frightening tow setups ever conceived around here.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m am tired of hearing people who tow with 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks who are grossly overloaded (“It’s fine, I’m only 2k over the sticker. It tows fine”) who justify it and tell newbies that they can do it too. Our first RV was a 35’ 9,500lb TT. I bought a 1 ton SRW Duramax to tow it. It was well under all the limits and I used a WD hitch with sway control. I still felt sway on the freeways when the wind picked up or big rigs passed us. Went to a 5th wheel now and It tows like a dream and it’s under all the weights even loaded. One of our trips last year we were towing down from the Sierras into California’s Central Valley and somehow the trailer plug didn’t seat right and it wiggled loose after a large bump leaving the RV campground. So, I lost trailer brakes coming down a steep grade with 13k trailer behind me. I’m really glad I had more truck than I needed cause I was able to keep it under control and get it stopped and resolved without crashing. If I had been near or over my max towing weights who knows what could have happened. That right there is why I tell people it’s not what your truck can pull, it’s what can your truck control in the worst situations you can imagine.
I totally agree I had a situation this summer where my umbilical cord lost connection with the truck. Did a fuel stop and the roads were rough from construction. When I was on the highway something didnt feel right behind the wheel so I turned on the headlights to get my running lights to turn on and they didn't. Hit the "make behave" switch on my brake controller and nothing there. Hit the hazards and got the trailer slowed down. Funny thing is I upgraded my truck from a midsized to a 1/2 ton last fall and I am glad that I did. The longer length and heavier weight and tow rating make it easier to haul the trailer
Finally a video about towing capacity that I can agree with. I agree a person new to towing should have cushion room with the tow rating. I also feel a experienced driver can safely tow over the rating in certain situations. For example my 2500hd regularly tows 23k worth of gooseneck or 17k worth of 5th wheel and it handles great with no problems whatsoever, but I would never recommend that to a person new to towing.
I used to tow my 16 foot 3100lb(GVW) Travel trailer with my Grand Caravan that the dealer said would handle... The Caravan was NOT up to the task, I did have a Weight Distribution hitch. The wind did not seem to be an issue though (I figure the van was heavy enough to keep it in line) . The issue was jerking motions when trying to accelerate, or bumps in the road, going up hills was a struggle even when the grade was slight. down was ok unless it was a larger one. Long story short white knuckle driving. I upgraded to a 2017 Chev Traverse with the factory trailer package max capacity of 5200lbs and the difference is night and day, I go on 1000km trips on all sorts of terrain and I forget I am even pulling the trailer.
I'm pulling a 27' Cougar behind my '18 Ram 1500. With a wd hitch, it does quite well. As much as I wanted the next larger trailer, I wasn't comfortable with the weight and length-- my 27 is 6600# dry, while the truck is rated at over 11k. 3.92 rear gears, in tow/haul mode, and I have ample power to go wherever I want--but crosswind is always a factor. As a truck driver I am more aware of the dynamics of pulling a trailer than the average guy, but still refuse to push the limits of my truck just for the sake of having the biggest rig my truck can move. Just because the truck can pull it, doesn't mean it can pull it safely.
I agree pulling over 10,000 pounds with a half ton can be done but it’s not very safe with a half ton truck. I think all the manufactures rate their trucks high so that the occasional pulling a bobcat does not destroy their truck. But traveling with a massive trailer fully loaded with all your gear. It will be easily overloaded/ unstable in controlling the load. Yeah my GMC 6.2 could pull a 12,000 pound trailer but I would not want to go far.
I purchased a baby Duramax diesel GMC Canyon to tow a Minnie Winnie 2106DS. It’s 3750 empty while the truck is rated to 7700. It’s the only trailer I’ve ever towed, but it seems fine on the highway. I’ve climbed a bunch of mountains with it after taking it out for a couple of weeks. Of course, I have a weight distribution hitch along with a anti sway bars. I also never go above 65 mph. I’d like to go with a bigger model which is 500 lbs heavier but longer (25.5 ft vs 22 ft) but I’m afraid it may be more trailer than the truck can handle.
Completely agree with previous vids on this topic. I know that I tow at what I consider the top of the tow range for my Titan XD with the Cummins. I tow a 9k lbs 38’ bummer pull RV. But I only go short distances. The longest trip was only two hours. My typical trip is 100 yards from storage to the camp site because we camp in a private resort that requires a membership. Would love to have gotten a 3/4 or 1 ton but the price was right on the Titan and I know I’m not towing long distances.
I agree this is good advice for people just starting out. But you can see many of the comments are about trucks and trailers people see on the road. Everyone’s a towing expert and thinks that they know what other people should or shouldn’t be doing, just by looking.
J'aime beaucoup votre façon de penser et d'expliquer le remorquage avec un demi tonne. Au Québec on a énormément de cas où le set up est dangereux. Je remorque 12000 livres avec un 1 tonne et c'est très correct....et sécuritaire....thanks a lot 😊......JR Toupin
All I can say is my dad told me you can't have a big enough truck. Yes, your half ton truck can pull 10000 pounds, but for how long and in what conditions. The max tow rating is for the times when you need your truck to pull something really heavy a few times and for a short distance, not pull it everyday all day. Your truck will also wear out really quick if you put it through that much hell.
I tow a fifth wheel with my Tacoma! I know it sounds bad but it's 21ft, 6,700lb gvw, 4,500lb empty. I also installed the Reese Goose Box and love it. It tows really well and smooth. It doesn't toss me around at all. I have some videos about it on my channel.
Another thing I think you need to discuss is speed. I know most people will disagree with me but I believe that 65 is about top when towing. I have 36 years experience driving a 18 wheeler and still don't know everything. But you have more control at 65 than 75 mph. And the time difference is just minutes.
I don't like exceeding 65 mph when towing either, so all this talk about instability while at 75mph is a big "duh" moment for me.
Most ST (trailer) tires are speed limited to 65 mph. It amazes me when I have someone pulling a medium size travel trailer blow past me on the highway going 75 plus. Having had to change tires twice due to blowouts I have learned to take my time (and replace those Goodyear Marathons).
The slower you go, the better stability/control you may have as well as better fuel economy for some. For me, my truck doesn't like running at 65 because it won't hold 65 and will drop down to 60 where it'll drop a gear and then climb back to 65, drop into 6th and the cycle will repeat. And while in short distances it may not make much of a difference, it adds up the longer your drive. 65mph over 1200 miles is almost 18 1/2 hours. But at 80, it's only 15.
@@BornRaisedInCSA so lock out 6th gear and go.
But then the RPMs are higher and I'm back to not getting as good of fuel economy. 6 of one, half dozen of another.
The problem I find with people and towing is that many people don't always realize just how much truck they need until they really need it. Your truck gets off the line just fine, maintains speed just fine, but what happens on the first long grade up or down hill, or in a crosswind situation? What happens when you just need to make an emergency stop or maneuver? Will your truck be up to the task? Remember, when your truck is at its limit under relaxed conditions, you really can't expect more from it when things start getting hairy.
Exactly. If you are at the limit you shouldn't do more. Same as it goes w/ anything in life but some people push it anyway but it's really down to them now knowing what it looks like when overlimit has been reached. If they aren't suicidal and they knew they wouldn't have went w/ it. The main issue is the fact they already have the truck or they don't want to spend more money. Like it's said, if you can't do more to be safe then you shouldn't do it at all. In my mind I'm remembering all the videos I've watched of trailers losing control and I'm wondering how they don't know how to drive but then realize it's a physical problem instead of a mental one.
Yes, it is like going to a Gunfight, with a knife! You don't realize that you need a Glock 40 Cal. till you really need it!
You touch on so many points with great information. I’ve seen many accidents because people don’t heed this kind of information. I’ve hauled loads up to 149,000 lbs with the right equipment and I’ve hauled 80,000 pounds and felt like the wind was going to blow me off the road. Equipment and combinations change everything.
akbychoice Are you driving a Train?!
charles huddleston not a train like Australia, doubles hauling fuels or flat decks.
the crusher that i hauled only weighed 110000lbs but i was lifting the front tires off the ground.
As a newbie, I appreciate your videos. Because of your research, I’ve upgraded from an F250 to a F350 dually. My stress and towing experience has been one thousand times better. I feel more comfortable towing my fifth wheeler (16,000 pounds) but even more comfortable stopping it. Just about any pick up truck can tow beyond its recommended capacity, but it’s the ability to stop safely that counts the most. Keep those videos coming!!!!
Thank you!
My point exactly. If I could put air brakes on a 3/4 or 1 ton I would.
I used to pull a 13k pintle behind a chevy 2500. You had to watch to much tongue wieght vs not enough and that was inches when loading the tractor. Now i have a f350 dually flatbed and there aint too much tongue wieght ive seen yet and thats the tractor loader touching the front beam. Way more relaxing drive
good move. we did the same.
I’m in the same boat.
I was pulling 8,023 lbs trailer and it didn’t feel safe at all. We ended up upgrading the truck so we felt safe pulling.
Thank you for this video. It is very important to teach people how to safely tow trailers. Mr Truck and you have been a wonderful addition to the truck community by sharing this knowledge and helping people make better purchasing decisions for trucks and trailers. Honestly, my choice for a truck when I first started looking back in 2016 was much different than the 2018 truck that I purchased. These videos are a great help to everyone who want to learn and is willing to take the time to listen to gain the knowledge to have the right equipment for the job. I can speak from experience that salesman on dealer lots (truck or camper) are not going to tell you what you need because it is not in their best interest. Keep up the great work and help keep the internet informed of all this wonder truck and towing knowledge. Cheers!
I just returned from my first trip out west towing my 22 foot 5500 pound travel trailer with a 2018 F150 and all I can say is never again. While I had tons of power and could accelerate easily going up hill, the cross winds out west made for a miserable towing experience. I have a Blue Ox sway pro weight distribution hitch and didn't have much sway, but man did the whole rig get pushed around when a gust would hit it. I ended up having a death grip on the steering wheel and was exhausted at the end of the day. Travel trailer is going up for sale, hello Class C motorhome.
class C can get dicy in heavy winds also. Class A Diesel Pushers are about generally the only thing heavy enough to help. Fifth Wheels also do well if you have the right truck combo
Half tons mainly the new F-150 are getting way to light to handle travel trailers that are over 26ft. Great for payload and fuel economy but bad for towing stability
@@cutandcleanwi6947 exactly! They keep lightening trucks yet slapping 12k tow capacities on them. Yes, mechanically they can handle it but wind definitely can become an issue as the truck tp trailer weight ratio gets farther and farther apart.
Dirt Road... I'm not sure exactly what setup or specs your F150 has but it is more than capable of towing and controlling a 22ft TT that is 5500lbs. Something must be wrong with your hitch set up. It cannot be right if you feel that way. But if the wind was that strong you will feel that no matter what set up you have.
Cut and clean... your reply of F150s getting to light reminds me of a comment I made on the previous 1/2 ton towing video that BTBRV did. Here is a cut and paste of it just for some thought.
PAYLOAD availability is the limiting factor of any tow vehicle no matter what it is half 3/4 or 1 ton. My 1/2 ton F150 is rated to tow 13200lbs and has 1701lbs of available payload. My truck loaded with gas passengers and gear ready to be hooked up to the trailer weighs in at 5949lbs leaving me with 1101lbs for tongue weight until I get to my trucks GVWR of 7050lbs. I could easily tow a 8000lbs trailer and still be under all of my trucks ratings. That being said my TT is 30ft with a GVWR of 7200lbs and it tows beautifully together for over 45000 miles now. I have towed 5th wheels with dually 1 tons down to pop ups with a SUV. This half ton feels as solid towing this 30ft TT that weighs in at 7k as a 1 ton did with a 15k 5th wheel. Simple math would tell you this 5350lb truck with a 8000lb TT the truck is 67% of that TT's weight and a 7000lb gas 3/4 ton truck with a 12000lb TT is only 58% of what the TT weighs. So in this aspect they are both within all specs but that half ton weight ratio to TT is higher and more planted than that 3/4 ton is.
Eric Zoric. My F150 is a crew cab XLT with 3.5 Ecoboost, max tow package and 1800 lbs of payload. The hitch is set up just as Blue Ox instructions state and the ride is level with about a 1" drop in the back and a 1/2" lift in the front. The only thing that might help would be better tires on both the truck and trailer and probably better shocks, but I'm not spending anymore money on it.
I will be soon RVing for the first time and full time...I know about trucks but a newbe in towing my home behind me...I find you videos very well thought out and looking at the safety factor behind your suggestions. I will heed your advice and buy accordingly to my calibrates needs....F350 is next step from a 1/2 tonne. thank you and please keeping trying to help folks like me
I love your videos, you do an excellent job of removing biases and focus on the topic being discussed (vehicles, vehicle reviews, etc).
I ran into this very thing this summer. I've had a number of trailers throughout the years, but our latest one, 2018 Coachmen Apex 300BHS is the biggest, and heaviest yet. Our truck, 2017 Ram 1500 QC 4x4 w/5.7 is the most capable truck I've ever owned, and I thought it could handle the trailer. I was wrong, we purchased to much trailer for our TV. My first mistake was going off of guides and dry weight specs. Once I went to a scale I knew we were in trouble. I removed all my accessories, dropped as much weight as possible on my TV, but still, hitched up we are over weight by 100 - 200LBS depending on if we bring our bikes or not in the bed.
On our second trip we encountered some mild/decent cross winds, the truck was like an amusement park ride. The trailer was forcing it into the wind, which was on coming traffic.
In an effort to try and get within my TV's GVWR I removed tongue weight, which made my towing rigs less stable. The issue I have is I don't have capacity left to increase my TW.
Solution: I need a larger truck.
Well said. Towed RVs for over 30 years. There is a big difference between being in control while driving your rig, verses just aiming it down the road and hoping for the best while knuckles are turning white from constant steering corrections. Good video
I am so glad you are saying this (again), it's so important! It's really too bad people are so caught up in their half ton trucks that they can't see the value of this reasonable perspective. I've said nearly the same thing, especially about the experience of the trip, and some of the angry feedback I get is just mind-blowing. Please keep up videos like this.
While I understand your point, there is an aspect of the RV hobby/lifestyle that I think you may be overlooking when it comes to truck/trailer matching....Cost! RV'ing can have a huge barrier of entry from cost so many people will stair step their way up the truck trailer combination ladder. I bought a Silverado 1500 with a max tow package including trans cooler and tow mirrors that is rated at roughly 12,000 lbs. At the time we did not have an RV but had plans to buy one not long after. Our ultimate goal was a 3500 and a nicely equipped 5th wheel but that was simply cost prohibitive. With our 1500, we bought and tow a Cougar half ton series that is essentially a flat deck 5th wheel. We do not have the storage, but since we are still working and only use it for a week or so at a time that is not an issue. In a couple years I will trade in my truck and upgrade to a 3500 but the RV will still serve us well until a few years after that when we will upgrade.
I understand your concern about truck/trailer mismatch, but the far greater concern to me is that fact that in most areas, anyone with the bank roll can go buy a 75+ foot combination truck trailer or commercial bus chassis RV and are required absolutely zero training on how to safely drive it on the roads next to you and I.
Thanks for trying to educate RV owners on this topic. So many people think they know what they are doing when it comes to the limitations of their tow vehicle when they really don’t have a clue. My 2017 RAM 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi is rated at 15,630 lbs towing capacity and 3,300 payload capacity on their website. Take a look at the actual ratings for my Laramie Sport edition with off road package and you still have the 15,630 lbs towing capacity but my payload (from the door sticker) is now only 2848 lbs. that decrease my payload 482 lbs from what most people think it is due to looking at the advertising literature for their truck. Add in the weight of you accessories (bed liners, bed covers, tool boxes, jumper cables, etc.), passengers, etc. and you may be down another 500-1000lbs!! I am towing a Keystone Bullet Premier 30RIPR with a dry weight rating listed as 6835 lbs for the empty trailer and a tongue weight of 865 lbs. In our case with four people in the truck, the bed loaded with camping gear etc. and you get an actual scale weight of the truck we have 1900 lbs available. Subtract 865 lbs dry tongue weight and you have an available 1135 lbs available. Considering all the storage and water tank are in front of the axles most of that weight will end up as tongue weight. So add 100 lbs if grocery’s, 100 lbs of clothes etc, 100 lbs of propane, 60 lbs for an extra battery and approx 360 lbs of fresh water and you are down to 415 pounds of payload. Now add 3 bikes and 2 kayaks to roof racks on the truck and you are probably down to about 150 lbs off payload!! This on a trailer we were told can be towed by a 1/2 ton or a large SUV. Most people believe the sales people and only look at the trucks towing capacity and not the payload figures. I could almost tow 1.5 more trailers just like mine by tow rating when I can actually barely tow this rig now.
We appreciate all of the information you put out. I am on my third trailer and realized that it doesn't matter how many years of experience we have there are always new items coming out to market and staying current on new trends is better than acting like a "know it all" just because of previous experience. I am always learning from your videos and others like you who take the time to put the information out there (sponsored or not). Thank You and keep up the good work.
I drive for a LTL carrier and you would be amazed at what people will pull trailers with. It’s all sunshine and lollipops till they need to avoid a road hazard. I see it all the time, big trailer with a half or three quarter ton flipped over trying to avoid an object in the road. There needs to be a point where all manufactures say 32,000+ pounds is to much for ANY pick up to haul. Just for reference, commercially 42,500 is the limit without a permit. I really appreciate your commitment to keeping everyone safe.
Thanks for taking the time to put this series together
So very true. Even owning a 2018 Ram dually I'm at my comfort zone towing my 16k pound 5th wheel. By the time you factor in gear ratio and the weight of a crew cab 4 x4 not to mention all the gear......it all adds up quickly.
I feel like no matter how many times you explain this people are going to comment how their truck is the exception because they have big turbos, upgraded shocks or chrome hitches or whatever. Great work you'll win people over yet!
Brilliant! Your personal and expert opinion about this matter is extremely valuable to me. I have zero knowledge about towing but in preparation of my RVing lifestyle very soon (after Covid 19) I fell blessed to have come across your vlogs. I've researched a tone of into and your information makes lots of sense in all aspect in my opinion. Keep doing what you doing for people like us.
Just bought a 24 foot camper trailer that I will be towing with my 2003 f150! It weighs about 6000 lbs and I have a weight distributing hitch to go with it. Should be the perfect match for my truck! Not too big and not too small. Excited to start using it!
My truck specs say I can tow 9100 , I tow a 23 ft Jayco 6100 lbs loaded with Curt hitch. I have weighed each axle at the scale. Peace of mind is priceless, feels safe. Thanks for the wisdom big truck big rv
When your trailer is effected by outside forces, it takes away the enjoyment of leaving the driveway! I have pulled both nicely balanced rigs and I have towed Rigs that took ten years off my lifetime because how scary it was not to feel in control 100% of the time. The rig that I had that towed like a nightmare on wheels ruined an entire season for us, I traded that thing down the road as fast as I could and lost my butt in the process but it wasn't worth my families safety the funny part is the rig was only a small 24' (I can't remember the weight) but it felt like a I was pulling 40ft billboard with a VW! I took two trips the first one was outta the box stock the second was with a grand invested in anti sway hitch, new tires on the rig and paying careful attention to weight distribution and although better than the 1st trip it still was scary as heck. Even two dealers test drove it with my truck and their truck and agreed it was scary, no one knew why it pulled that bad. Our big summer vacation was ruin and almost ruined me on camping but with the new rig I can tow 70mph all day and not break a sweat.
I have been towing travel trailers for about the past 12 years. I’ve had three so far and have been on a good number of long trips across the country. When your pulling near your truck’s max towing number it makes for a much more stressful trip. Your advice is solid. One thing I know for sure is to do your own homework and don’t take the word of the dealer or the manufacturer for that matter. Many of the travel trailers being made now a days are being advertised as “half ton towable units”. I would not feel comfortable towing many of them with a half ton truck. Your advice is pretty much spot on with my experiences towing for many years now.
I enjoy your videos and certainly learn a lot with each one. A lot of people don't think about the truck's payload capacity. My truck rated at pulling 11,200 lbs has the rear axle overloaded by 400 lbs pulling a 7600 GVWR travel trailer! WD hitch is adjusted to max out trailer's axles and damn near max out the truck's front axle keeping all the squats where they should be. I'm looking at 3/4 ton now just to be able to handle the payload, best thing I did was hit the scales.
I need the person I saw this weekend to find your channel... I saw a late 90’s Jeep Grand Cherokee hooked up to around a 30’+ Zinger this weekend. Good thing it was just sitting in a lot parked and not actually driving because I would have been scared to be anywhere on the same road, bad thing is you know they are actually towing it places! I wish I had stopped for a pic to show how ludicrous this set up was. The trailer had to be 6-7k empty and the 3 times the length of the small wheel base Grand Cherokee, not to mention the tow rating of the vehicle couldn’t have been more than 5-6k.
Stay safe out there people!
I've mentioned before you completely convinced me that a 3/4 ton truck is minimum for my high profile 9000 lbs travel trailer. I use an equaliser hitch. I've rented an F 250 gas and diesel and both did fine. Did love the diesel.
Being a professional driver here in South Mississippi after Katrina I saw many people thinking their 1/2 ton was big enough to transport large travel trailers and the smaller FEMA travel trailers end up on their sides or roofs from swaying trailers that were just to big for them to pull safely. Even a few who put gooseneck balls on 1/2 and 3/4 tons that wasn't built for it by manufacturer.
Totally true, great video for people new to towing. My 5th wheel trailer is supposed to be 1/2 ton towable but I would never tow it with a 1/2 ton. I have a diesel f250 and a keystone cougar that weighs almost 10000 loaded. On flat ground with no wind a 1/2 ton might be okay but in high wind or going over a high elevation pass here in California I wouldn’t even attempt it.
Right on brother. We made the mistake, never again. 2017 F150, 3.5, short bed and a 33 ft trailer. It pushed the truck all over. New truck and much more enjoyable. Thanks for all the great videos.
I like overkill on the truck side. I’d tow my trailer with a peter built if I could.
Absolutely!!
Nothing makes me shudder more than some clown in a 3500 with a big float out back with 25,000+lbs on it. What happens if you lose your brakes? What happens if you have to do an emergency maneuver? They make proper medium duty trucks for a reason, all these big numbers being put out by the manufacturer's makes me worry.
I’d go for Volvo 870 with a TAB teardrop if I can afford it. :)
That's why I'm listening to your channel you seem to give me the knowledge that I need to to get into this and I appreciate your channel and keep up the good work thank you
You make great point's, the problem is that 95% of the people haven't seen you're video's that are going to buy a RV. The RV sale's industry will do anything and say anything to sell a unit, I had a local dealer say my F-250 could pull a triple axle toy hauler, when I fact I would never do that. The number's I have on my truck and 5th wheel are 2001 F-250 CCSRW 4X4 (wieght is 8,000lbs) Heartland Prowler P289 (Weight is 9,400lbs) so I can in at a combo weight of 17,400lbs my GVCWR is 20,000lbs but the problem I run into is I'm over on pin weight because my truck as a GVWR of 8,800lbs. The truck is still under the axle rating and tow's fine, but for safety and we do want a larger 5th wheel in the future I also have a 2003 F-350 CCDRW that we use for camping now.
I love these BTBRV videos because they emphasize safety and driver comfort.
I had a 1/2 ton truck pulling my 6500 lb travel trailer. It was uncomfortable because I nearly maxed out the truck’s capability just to tow safely on highways and when I got in traffic.
I upgraded the truck to 3/4 ton and it’s night and day. It’s never “easy” towing because you have to be aware of other drivers and your own vehicle but I’d hate to go backwards. You don’t get too worried about hitch weights when your payload is 5* the hitch weight. I understand people who want to max things out but when severe weather hits, it’s a scary proposition.
Never noticed the weight distribution within the RV due to configuration until last year. The points you make are very important!!!!!
My Jayco eagle HT 29.5 is “only” 10,000 maxed.
But it’s 10,000 with two slides on the driver side, off center weight distribution to the left.
Pulled it for 3 years with a GM 2500 Duramax and I would NEVER go below that rated truck even if it’s a “half ton towable” RV. I now have a 3500 Mega Cab SRW with the AISIN. Without a doubt I have a lot of confidence in this truck and it has nearly doubled my Payload. I’m a believer in excessive truck for the RV you pull behind.
Been in some heinous wind last year that was brown out conditions on the road and never though I have hundreds of thousands of miles towing I would have felt better with a larger truck (wheel base and stoutness)
Plan for the unknown not the expected.
I never thought about trailers being I'm balanced to the left or right. I'm sure it can make a difference in handling. Did the manufacturer disclose the imbalance or did you just figure that out from the slide out distribution?
That's my dream trailer!
VERY well said! good synopsis. Newbie's need to pay heed to your comment about the ratings vs type of load. 10,000#'s on a flatbed can react a lot different vs 5000# on a high profile. Wind, center of gravity, and weight distribution on axles & hitch. Also compare the size of a rear brake shoe of a 1/2t vs a 3/4t truck. lots more surface area. its one thing to get it moving; a whole nother thing to stop it!
I tow an 8300# 5th wheel with a F150 3.5 Ecoboost and it does just fine. But your cautions are worthwhile. I chose the lightest weight and hitch weight I could find with the bunkhouse floorplan. But I had reps try to sell me 9900#ers with 1800# hitch weight just because the were called Half ton towable.
Good video and follow-up explanation. I would have to suggest though that if the trailer feels a bit weighty compared to the truck that is pulling it, the driver won't get a false sense of security -- feeling the trailer [to a small degree, not out of control, lol] keeps the driver awake and alert. Being too comfortable with a 32 ft+ trailer over time will probably result in mistakes like rubbing or hopping a curb with the trailer. Intention of travel makes a difference too. If planning on traveling thru mountains frequently, definitely don't be pulling right at the the truck's limit, largely due to braking stability. Also, VERY IMPORTANT: the manufacturer's ratings are for that truck BRAND NEW. As the truck ages and endures wear & tear, capabilities natural reduce. At a minimum, you better have some grippy tires with decent tread life remaining when towing near the limit. The initial rain that mixes with oil on the road is very slick!
As someone who will be getting a 5th wheel in the next year, I can only agree with you due to my driving a large truck when I was younger. It's that surprise crosswind that I hated, my truck would sway and I'd have to drive very slowly. Your advice is well taken, and like I said last time, you cam out with you last video the day after I say a trailer that I though, oh hey, I can tow that one with a 1/2 ton and it was exactly the one you were showing in your video.
Maybe you could do a short video on driving the streets with your 5th wheel, that would be great, thanks again for all your advice.
jabojr we’re going to pull a Jayco ht fifth wheel weighing 7, 800 dry weight with our 2016 eco boost ford 150 3.5 with max tow package.
You make a lot of videos about justifying your opinion and you don’t have to. Your subscribers value your opinion.
Well said. I towed a 34 ft trailer weighing about 9600 lbs with a GMC 2500 with a reese dual cam sway control and dreaded cross winds. I was just below the tow ratings, but the high profile and length convinced us into a smaller trailer and eventually to a Motorhome with a car trailer. The loaded trailer weighs less than half my MH tow rating.
So just upgraded from a 1500 Ram to a 2500 gas...my rig is 32' Puma 32RKTS , 7940 dry and 9200 fully loaded. My 1500 would tow up to 10250, but it was very uncomfortable. My truck now I'll tow 15349.....I barely know it's back there....took your advise and now dont stress ....thanks
If anything, this should at least strike a chord with the folks that routinely overload their trucks. I worked at a truck dealer for a short time and there are a great many folks who didn't have the slightest inkling of how capacity correlated to trailer size. Most of my time was spent educating on the practicalities, and many would still insist on the vehicle they laser focused on, because they already built the next five years of their life off of their choice. Most were the folks who equated diesel 3/4 ton with being able to tow whatever they want. They would be dumfounded when I asked what they were towing and how much the gvwr was, as if I just asked what underwear they had on. Most people just don't know. If you see someone who's lost, you go help them. Keep raising awareness, even just for the uneducated.
You make a great point. I like that you're only towing roughly 60% of capacity of your F-450. It's a safe comfort zone to be in and better to err on the side of caution than deal with that "oh fudge" moment when you're hit with a 75 mph cross wind in Nebraska.
One factor that’s never talked about is that tow ratings are suggested based on ideal conditions. Perfect load distribution, No wind, no rain, no water on road, sunny but not hot, etc. The issue is that it’s very rare that those ideal conditions exist during the majority of trips people take with travel trailers or fifth wheels.
With flatbed or lowboy car haulers it’s significantly different as most of the nature of related issues have less of an effect since those kind of loads on lower center of gravity trailers pull and steer far more favorably.
After working in the Marine/RV business for over thirty years the most common excuse I hear is 'the dealer said it will be fine". Then I explain the weight sticker and what it means.
So you, like just walk up to people to scold them about towing?
No, just those that show up at the dealership with an under rated vehicle, our employees are instructed not to get involved with an unsafe hitch up. They are trained on how to explain why and explain the weight rating sticker. How would you like to send a young family down the road in an unsafe rig?
No, just the people that show up at the dealership with an under rated vehicle. Our employees are not permitted to do unsafe hookups and are trained on how to explain why and explain the weight sticker. How would you like to send a young family down the road in n unsafe rig?
Very good info. I’ve towed quite a bit for my age (for work and for recreation) and so I’ve always been cautiously confident and I’m not afraid to push the limits of a truck under the right circumstances, but a new “tower” should be very cautious at even 75-80% of a trucks capabilities as things are quite a bit different once you get close to the limits. Never hurts to have more truck than you need
If people want to really experience the difference between what a vehicle should tow, and what you need to do to be safe, go pull a trailer with two, 1/2 full 500gallon tanks on a flatbed, single axle trailer. Most every vehicle is rated to be able to tow 4500 pounds, BUT, you run that anywhere but a straight road with no stops, you will definitely understand that weight is not the only factor.
My TV is a 2017 Ram 1500 Hemi 6 speed. I had the option of a Grand Design 2400Bh 5600Lbs and a 2800bh 6400Lbs. I went with the 2400bh after watching videos and reading forums. I am happy I went smaller. The 2400BH is about all the trailer I would want for that TV.
Best channel i've found on all these topics... much appreciated.
Even though we have a 5,700# ultralight, we traded our half ton for a Ram 3500. The payload difference between the 2500 and 3500 was big enough, and we'll be able to haul mulch, topsoil, etc. in addition to a comfy 5th wheel at some point.
One thing I need to add is elevation change. I live in a valley where the climb out is anywhere from 1700’ to 4000’ and to make it better for the drivetrain, following your advice is all the more important.
I agree. It’s super important to have a tow vehicle that can easily handle your trailer in adverse conditions. If you hate to drive the trailer during normal drives you won’t use it as much and it’ll basically turn into a waste of money
Great video you explained that as clear as you could. I hope the people that are getting into this watch this and make a good choice when buying the truck and trailer.
I agree 100%. I use to be a half ton guy and think I just for use to getting ready to combat with d gust or semis passing. I now tow with a srw f350 and it opened my eyes to what is it like to be in control of your trailer. No you dont need a diesel it's more a out the size and weight of the tow vehicle. I would say I am at about half my tow capacity and another plus is my maintenance on my truck is actually less because my truck doesn't work a sweat. I honestly think if I went back to a half ton I would stick 22ft and below in a camp trailer. On a side note the when ever you feel like a change of scenery try the trip up to Washington state alot of nice camping spots.
I don't think some people realize how much travel trailer they DON'T need. Depending on the amount of time you spend in it and how many people there will be staying in it, sometimes you can just get a smaller trailer and not have the stress. They're easier to shove backwards into a hole, less weight so better gas mileage, and easier to pull through a parking lot. I say get the smallest trailer that will do what you need and then, if you're lucky, your truck will be too much for it and your stress will go way down. plus they don't cost as much.
This is true for the week end warriors . But for people like me that stay in there RVs 9+ months out of the year for work , I'd rather spend money on a comfortable home away from home , and build my tow rig to meet and handle the needs.
I have a 2019 Chevy trail boss and I pull a 34 foot styker toy hauler and it has a GVWR of 9500. I hate it though I have to go 55 mph on the high way and that’s not safe. I wish I saw this video earlier because I would have went to a 2500 at least. Thank you for thing amazing video and keep up the great work.
I have 1/2 Toyota tundra and was pulling a 10,000 toyhauler and did not have the stopping power i needed i down graded to a smaller toyhauler that weighs 4500lbs and now I have all the controll I need
Please come down to Australia & do some workshops. We have Toyota Landcruisers running around the the country that are loaded to the gills with people, luggage and often a small boat (with engine) loaded on the roof racks, at the same time, hauling a travel trailer that weighs exactly 3500 kg (7700 lbs) which is the max tow rating. people have no idea of max GCVW. Yuo are the only person in the world who explains this topic properly.
Towed a 7116LB travel trailer with my 2008 Chevrolet Silverado (6.0L VortecMax) using an anti-sway hitch (square bar style) from Iowa to Arizona (1,600 miles) and I would say that the only thing I would’ve liked is more engine. I only had sway concerns going through the top of Texas, and it only happened a few times. I’d say if I HAD to choose I’d rather tow with a 3/4 ton than a half ton but my half ton made it like a champ. She even pulled up mountains and held up just fine going down them!
I tow a 8klb 20 foot utility trailer frequently with my 2015 Sierra Denali 1500 with the 6.2. Its a much older steel trailer and ive had the brakes give out before and i can say my next truck will be a 2500. I've been pushed halfway through an intersection with it. Really like the 6.4 gas ram 2500
I tow an 8200-lb fifth wheel with a 2015 F-150. Many argue this is inadvisable because a “half ton can’t tow a fifth wheel.” (Never mind that there have been half-ton towable fifth wheels for 40 years). I’ve been towing smaller fifth wheels with half tons for 18 years and would recommend it to anyone.
I have never towed an RV but have towed a tractor with an f150 and never had a problem with cross winds but when it came to stopping it was stressful tractor and trailer where just under 9000 lb what the truck could tow but it was practically touching the floor and could not go down our driver way about 8 degrees with out the tires slipping on the rocks never did that again. Got a 2500 and when it came to stopping and going down the hill it felt alot better could have more peace. For sure in the future if I get an RV i will go big on the truck. Good videos I've recommended you with many friends thinking about traveling and have a half ton
Great video. Man had so much to learn when I started towing. For instance I always thought 2" balls were all the same but found out they have different ratings. I am one of those people that want to have overkill when towing.
You are correct on all points. The reality is that any thing heavier than your tow vehicle has the capability of pushing the tow vehicle all over in adverse situations regardless of the towing capacity of the truck. Therefore pushing the tow weight to the trucks maximum is or can be foolish.
I agree 100%. I tow my 24 foot travel trailer that the gvwr is 7900 pounds with a 2006 ram 2500 5.9
A few years back I was on the freeway and passed a large flatbed tow truck. On the flatbed was a Geo Metro with the back end badly smashed up like it had been rear ended. Also on the flatbed - a very large pop-up tent trailer with a smashed up front end. I'm sure the salesman told him it would be fine!
I can defiantly attest to what your saying. I have a 2011 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 hemi, 3.92 gearing. I pulled a 10,000 lb 33ft travel trailer, that when you combine the truck, trailer, and all the equipment we packed with us, we were over 17,000lbs. Trucks rated to tow 10k lbs. The truck had plenty of power, no issues on the trucks part of it. However, even with a weight distributing hitch, and anti sway bars, the butt pucker factor was there big time. The wind from large passing vehicles pushed me around everywhere and was defiantly scary at times. Mind you, I had never pulled anything that heavy before. Good information tho and I agree completely
Excellent video, Brother!
With the market changing so dramatically as mid-size trucks and half-tons become increasingly popular, you may positively influence a lot of your viewers (or new viewers) by making an introduction to light duty towing.
Some key topics that I believe anyone new to towing, especially in mid-size and half-tons, should know are wheelbase, tires (ratings for truck and trailer), hitches, differential gearing, GCWR vs GVWR, and tongue weight/trailer distribution. Certainly there are many other topics but I believe these are of the highest importance for new towing enthusiasts to educate themselves.
You are spot on with this video.
I've got to be honest, JD. For a long, long time I've felt that your recommendations were way too conservative. However, we have a 34' 8,000lbs trailer that I was towing with my Tundra CrewMax with an equalizer hitch, and I didn't have a problem - most of the time. But, if it was windy, or crowded on the roads and a big semi blew past me, towing that beast became uncomfortable. I could feel the sway significantly as the trailer pushed my short wheelbase truck all over the road. Every time I towed I felt like I was rolling the dice as to whether or not it'd be a smooth, easy trip or a white knuckle nightmare. We knew we were eventually going to get a 5th wheel, so I decided to upgrade the truck to a new RAM 3500 srw diesel. The payload is 4100lbs and the towing capacity is just under 21,000lbs. We take our first trip with it in 2 days and I'm eager to see how she tows.
If you get a few value side wind you find out quickly that the 1/2ton cans do more than 75% on a travel trailer. I have been there with my family in the cab and it was awful. Now I use a ram 3500 for my 10200 gvwr trailer.
I have a love/hate with your videos. I love the information as I am a new camper. We just bought our first 5th wheel 2019 42ft with 6 slides. I tow with my Ford F350. The hate part is watching you drive around town seemingly going nowhere lol. I just listen now and lay my phone face down....lol. Thanks for the information!
We have grown our trailers from 18' to 25' and lastly to a 30' box length and have pulled all with the same half ton silverado. With each change from the shortest to the longest I have felt the amount of sway produced increase from virtually none to learning how to ride out the sway wave during high winds with the longest. All the trailers were within the trucks factory specifications and none produced a white knucle drive for me. But if I ever needed or wanted my wife to drive I knew I would need to take some of the rodeo out so we sold our half ton and are purchasing 2500HD Silverado. I know that sounds like a stressfull tow but as with all stress one learns how to manage the stress and control the variables. The biggest controllables in my opinion are #1 speed, 2nd is hitch system setup and for me the 3rd is having the correct mirrors.
I have a half ton truck with the big tow package (Silverado with 13000 lb capacity) and I tow a 7000 pound Winnebago and it’s very comfortable! Anything larger and really I would go to the 2500!
We had a 26’ probably 6k loaded camper we pulled with our half ton. We never had much sway thanks to the hitch setup and the fact that the 4.2l v6 could only do 55 going up hills lol
I agree with him 100%. Your families safety and the safety of others on the road should be more important that your ego. If there is anyone out there looking for a larger travel trailer that tows with ease (in terms of sway and comfort) I recently traded in for a Bullet 308BHS (2 slides and 3 full bunks with a pull out bed in rear). Max Gross is 7400. I tow it with a 2016 F150 Lariat, 500A, 3.5 eco, 157"wb, and heavy duty payload package. I use a Husky Center line weight distribution hitch with the 800lb max bars. The length of the rig tip to tow is 36ft. In my experience, the height of the trailer has a lot to do with sway and overall comfort of towing. Prior to owing the Bullet, I hauled an Outback 25RS with a gross of 6200lb but it sat roughly 1.5ft taller (arched roof and bigger wheels)than the Bullet. That rig was all over the road. The slightest wind or transport passing and I was white knuckled. I live a Canada and have towed the Bullet through mountains, ocean side roads and down to the Florida Keys. Fantastic unit to tow if you are looking for the size of a larger bunkhouse unit that will accommodate a comfortable 1/2 ton towing experience.
I'm gonna be buying a crew cab GMC Sierra 2500HD soon even though I'm not going to be towing often, I'm defiently going to be careful what I tow behind it. 10k max at the hitch because I'm getting the 6.0 gas over the 6.6 duramax.
It is funny how the many 1/2 ton owners say that they can pull a 10,000+ RV. I want to go and run and hide. See, I am a 1/2 tow vehicle owners. But I know that my 2002 Chevy Tahoe doe have a max tow rating of 8,100 pounds. My travel trailer, a 1999 Terry Light, Northwest Edition has a GVWR of 5,600+/- pounds and my typical loaded weight is 5,000 pounds. I would never tow a travel trailer over 6,000 pounds. With that, I have towed a concrete pump on a flat bed with all the hoses, water, and accessories for my buddy who had his work truck break down. I know this weighs 7,500+ pounds because this set up has been scaled for the commercial application. That flatbed handled so much different, and yes the additional weight was noticeable, but I did not have the additional drag at highway speed due that the box like travel trailer does. It is scary seeing F150, Ram 1500, Chev/GMC 1500, and Tundras towing travel trailers, that may be okay weight wise, that are physically too big. The wind can push them around and the air coming off from the passing traffic can cause the trailer to sway or act in a manor that is not predicable. I am a firm believer in never coming close to the maximum capabilities of the tow rig. I look at the worse case scenario. Driving in winds of 40 to 50MPH gusts, in the rain, with large semi trucks passing me. I want to ensure that I can be in full control in that type of situation. My setup, I am very comfortable with that, a larger travel trailer, no way.
8,100lbs. is not a realistic max weight. Hitch weight and passengers/cargo in SUV reduce this greatly.
Thanks for posting I see people pulling the wrong size trailer and the truck and trailer is upsidedown. I hate to see this. We have a 1 ton truck and we only pull 13000 lbs. We love it too.
Ill never forget the day i saw an f150 pulling a triple axle stacker trailer back in 09😬
I have a 2019 keystone passport 27ft bunkhouse, when dry it is ynder 5k lbs. I pull it with a 2002 station wagon! Have for 2 years. Gettin ready to upgrade to 2500HD.
I agree with everything you just said. I just bought a Keystone Fuzion 429. I had an F350, and after talking with the service tech at the RV dealership, I came to the conclusion that having too much truck is a much better situation, than not enough. Before I took delivery on the Fuzion, I went down and upgraded the truck to a 450. Now, essentially, I can pull anything (to a degree) without worrying about it.
Early last year I had picked up a tractor to bring to my friend. My 97 sierra had a towing capacity of roughly 7000lbs and this tractor was a very old trailer it was on a 20ft flat deck conventional hitch trailer. When the old owner went to load it the back end of my truck completely lifted off the ground about 4ft from tire hieght then when he went all the way to the front with the bucket inside my box my truck was 100% squatting and I had a 4 main leafs with one overload spring on each side. Now towing this tractor back to my friends house was the sketchy thing I have ever done. As soon as I left the town I hit a snow storm where I could go more then 25 or 30 mph and when i went up 50 and 55 i had so much sway i had to slow down completely. I made it back with white knuckles and I said to my friend, that he needed to buy a 3/4 ton for this. We found out later that the tractor actually weighed 9000lbs.
This is great info that I'm looking for. I'm getting into RVing for the first time. I have always wanted a safety margin and not to get too close to the limits of the truck. Here is what I'm thinking:
1) The total GVWs of the truck and RV should be no more than 80% of the truck's GCVWR.
2) The sum of the expected payload of the truck (people and cargo) and hitch weight (10% of the GVWR of the RV) should be no more than 90% of the truck's payload.
What do you think? Too conservative? Just about right? Need more margin?
Thanks for your help.
I pull a 6,000lb dry 34' travel trailer with my Titan. Plenty of power up hills, stopping etc.... but I would have to agree. If I needed to tow closer to 8,000lbs or more I'd want a 3/4 ton or more for better control.
Its interesting that RVs have gotten so big it takes a one ton to pull them. I've even seen day cab semis used to pull RVs. For good, Bad or indifferent RVs sure have come along ways from their beginings....
Always better safe than sorry. I have an '03 Dodge 3500 SRW with air bags on the rear suspension. I still use a weight distribution hitch even on lighter loaded trailer due to the Chucking or bucking effect of the tongue weight on the rear of the truck on a bumpy road. Length and weight of the truck don't allow much sway with a properly balanced load, but the bouncing is ridiculous. I don't see how some people handle the ride not using a weight distribution system or hauling with an undersized tow rig. I should take pictures the next time I am on my way to the beach here in SC. You will see some of the most frightening tow setups ever conceived around here.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m am tired of hearing people who tow with 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks who are grossly overloaded (“It’s fine, I’m only 2k over the sticker. It tows fine”) who justify it and tell newbies that they can do it too. Our first RV was a 35’ 9,500lb TT. I bought a 1 ton SRW Duramax to tow it. It was well under all the limits and I used a WD hitch with sway control. I still felt sway on the freeways when the wind picked up or big rigs passed us. Went to a 5th wheel now and It tows like a dream and it’s under all the weights even loaded. One of our trips last year we were towing down from the Sierras into California’s Central Valley and somehow the trailer plug didn’t seat right and it wiggled loose after a large bump leaving the RV campground. So, I lost trailer brakes coming down a steep grade with 13k trailer behind me. I’m really glad I had more truck than I needed cause I was able to keep it under control and get it stopped and resolved without crashing. If I had been near or over my max towing weights who knows what could have happened. That right there is why I tell people it’s not what your truck can pull, it’s what can your truck control in the worst situations you can imagine.
I totally agree
I had a situation this summer where my umbilical cord lost connection with the truck.
Did a fuel stop and the roads were rough from construction. When I was on the highway something didnt feel right behind the wheel so I turned on the headlights to get my running lights to turn on and they didn't.
Hit the "make behave" switch on my brake controller and nothing there. Hit the hazards and got the trailer slowed down.
Funny thing is I upgraded my truck from a midsized to a 1/2 ton last fall and I am glad that I did.
The longer length and heavier weight and tow rating make it easier to haul the trailer
Finally a video about towing capacity that I can agree with. I agree a person new to towing should have cushion room with the tow rating. I also feel a experienced driver can safely tow over the rating in certain situations. For example my 2500hd regularly tows 23k worth of gooseneck or 17k worth of 5th wheel and it handles great with no problems whatsoever, but I would never recommend that to a person new to towing.
So if my 2020 Trailboss can tow up to 9400 lbs would it be safe to tow a trailer thats 8600 lbs after it's fully loaded?
Your comfort level towing is huge. The more stress, the less enjoyable. I think your numbers were fine.
I used to tow my 16 foot 3100lb(GVW) Travel trailer with my Grand Caravan that the dealer said would handle... The Caravan was NOT up to the task, I did have a Weight Distribution hitch. The wind did not seem to be an issue though (I figure the van was heavy enough to keep it in line) . The issue was jerking motions when trying to accelerate, or bumps in the road, going up hills was a struggle even when the grade was slight. down was ok unless it was a larger one. Long story short white knuckle driving.
I upgraded to a 2017 Chev Traverse with the factory trailer package max capacity of 5200lbs and the difference is night and day, I go on 1000km trips on all sorts of terrain and I forget I am even pulling the trailer.
I'm pulling a 27' Cougar behind my '18 Ram 1500. With a wd hitch, it does quite well. As much as I wanted the next larger trailer, I wasn't comfortable with the weight and length-- my 27 is 6600# dry, while the truck is rated at over 11k. 3.92 rear gears, in tow/haul mode, and I have ample power to go wherever I want--but crosswind is always a factor. As a truck driver I am more aware of the dynamics of pulling a trailer than the average guy, but still refuse to push the limits of my truck just for the sake of having the biggest rig my truck can move. Just because the truck can pull it, doesn't mean it can pull it safely.
I agree pulling over 10,000 pounds with a half ton can be done but it’s not very safe with a half ton truck.
I think all the manufactures rate their trucks high so that the occasional pulling a bobcat does not destroy their truck.
But traveling with a massive trailer fully loaded with all your gear. It will be easily overloaded/ unstable in controlling the load.
Yeah my GMC 6.2 could pull a 12,000 pound trailer but I would not want to go far.
I purchased a baby Duramax diesel GMC Canyon to tow a Minnie Winnie 2106DS. It’s 3750 empty while the truck is rated to 7700. It’s the only trailer I’ve ever towed, but it seems fine on the highway. I’ve climbed a bunch of mountains with it after taking it out for a couple of weeks. Of course, I have a weight distribution hitch along with a anti sway bars. I also never go above 65 mph. I’d like to go with a bigger model which is 500 lbs heavier but longer (25.5 ft vs 22 ft) but I’m afraid it may be more trailer than the truck can handle.
Completely agree with previous vids on this topic. I know that I tow at what I consider the top of the tow range for my Titan XD with the Cummins. I tow a 9k lbs 38’ bummer pull RV. But I only go short distances. The longest trip was only two hours. My typical trip is 100 yards from storage to the camp site because we camp in a private resort that requires a membership. Would love to have gotten a 3/4 or 1 ton but the price was right on the Titan and I know I’m not towing long distances.
I agree this is good advice for people just starting out. But you can see many of the comments are about trucks and trailers people see on the road. Everyone’s a towing expert and thinks that they know what other people should or shouldn’t be doing, just by looking.
J'aime beaucoup votre façon de penser et d'expliquer le remorquage avec un demi tonne. Au Québec on a énormément de cas où le set up est dangereux. Je remorque 12000 livres avec un 1 tonne et c'est très correct....et sécuritaire....thanks a lot 😊......JR Toupin
All I can say is my dad told me you can't have a big enough truck. Yes, your half ton truck can pull 10000 pounds, but for how long and in what conditions. The max tow rating is for the times when you need your truck to pull something really heavy a few times and for a short distance, not pull it everyday all day. Your truck will also wear out really quick if you put it through that much hell.