RV towing with a 1/2 ton (minor update)

As long as your truck meets all the rating requirements (make sure you are checking the door jam label on your truck) then yes, should be fine.

8k @ 35 feet is a lot, but it should be safe and doable with a weight distributing hitch. You'll certainly know it's back there, and you'll want a good brake controller.

1,800 payload is a lot for a half ton truck. Is that off your door jam sticker?

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Is that doable?

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Yes. As long as your truck it rated for said camper, you have a proper weight distribution hitch, and trailer brakes. (you're truck being newer probably has an integrated trailer brake controller)

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What is the most you would pull RV wise with a half ton?

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For a bumper pull behind a half ton, the most I'd want is 26'. 30' would be pushing it for me, personally.
If I were going 36' and planned to camp often or far away, I'd want a 3/4 ton and fifth wheel. Just more comfortable and stable to tow.


But then again you see it all the time, people dragging 36'+ bumper pulls behind half tons without any weight distribution hitches and truck squatted to the ground.

You can pull it. pulling it comfortably may be a push. How many people are you sleeping? Can you get by with a shorter one that weighs less? If I'm going 30+ I am likely looking at a 5th wheel and a 3/4 or 1 ton, I pull a 26 foot with a dry weight of 5K with my 2017 Toyota Tundra with no issues.

Family of 5, wife and 3 kids.

Looking at bunkhouse models. Requirement being the big bed has to be a "bedroom" so there's a door to close for some level of privacy. Everything else is up for debate.

Checked my door, 1505 payload. Truck does have a brake controller.

3.92 gear ratio

yes. it's plenty doable. i did it for years pulling my 35' that weighed 8500

What is the suburban rated for? Does it have the max tow package? I used to tow all kinds of shite with my burbank.

Just wait till you’re getting passed by multiple 18wheelers or a 20 mph cross wind. Wind resistance and braking will be your Achilles heel with a half ton.

I have done it with two different 1/2 tons and two different fifth wheels. I had zero issues, but we were in state travelers only. Braking is overplayed in these discussions. Once you get your controller set right, you'll stop faster than you did without the trailer.

Here's the thing about tow ratings and 1500's.

You can do anything you want once.

Put differently, if you are going shorter distance, flatter land, less frequent trips, you should be in better shape than if you're weekly going over the smokies or something.

This setup wouldn't bother me for example going once a quarter from Baton Rouge to a camp couple hours away, maybe 4-6 hours, using mostly interestates (no stopping).

But from Knoxville to Asheville? Monthly? That might be a pass, lots of brakes usage and such.

I'm trying to illustrate that we're looking at a spectrum, not a yes/no decision. The more you do this, the more hills, the more brakes, the worse the wear gets on your truck. But it is a truck, so you don't have to treat it like a fine Italian sports car. You can tow, just use your head.

I used to manage a fleet of 20 trucks for a heavy equipment repair company. Those dudes would haul tandem trailers and beat the living daylights out of them. I hated that part of the job.

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IMO, 3/4 ton diesels shouldn't even exist. They are nearly useless if you care at all about being legal. I have one and I hate myself for buying it. Should have gotten a gas burner.

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I kind of agree here. If you are towing a lot but don’t want/need a dually why not just buy the 1 ton single rear wheel?