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Message
re: RV towing with a 1/2 ton (minor update)
Posted on 7/29/25 at 6:10 pm to rodnreel
Posted on 7/29/25 at 6:10 pm to rodnreel
quote:
GCWR
Not seeing this anywhere on the vehicle or in the vin lookup.
I've pretty much posted everything I think factors into the equation.
2020 ram sport 2wd crew cab
5.7 hemi
3.92 gears
Trailer brakes
Payload 1505 off door jam
The biggest I have looked at so far RV wise is a forest river wildwood x-lite 273QBXLX.
33 ft
Dry weight 5,975
Tongue weight should be 775-950 on the higher side. Using 13% of overall weight.
Basically looking in the 28-34ft range under 6k lbs. No way I will go over 34 or 6k. Have a buddy who bought a 37 foot that was over 7k dry weight and he pulled it once with his 1500 and sold it.
No aspirations to go out west, will be used along the southeast with a potential for something in Chattanooga or Gatlinburg kind of mountains.
2
Posted on 7/29/25 at 6:15 pm to BoogaBear
One thing you may want to consider is after market air bags in your rear to level your truck. They made a huge difference when I was pulling a camper with my 1/2 ton ford.
Posted on 7/29/25 at 6:36 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
A paltry 200 pounds more than OP's half ton truck. One extra fat dude is the difference between them.
Posted on 7/29/25 at 7:16 pm to BoogaBear
quote:
33 ft
Dry weight 5,975
Tongue weight should be 775-950 on the higher side. Using 13% of overall weight.
Basically looking in the 28-34ft range under 6k lbs
You'll be fine. Get a weight distributing hitch and don't go stupid stuffing stuff in the camper. Put good tires on it. Hit the tow haul button and go with it.
Posted on 7/29/25 at 7:19 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
I had a 1/2 ton and it sucked pulling my ultralight 30’ camper. Have a weight distribution hitch too. Knew that sucker was behind me the whole time. Braking was fine with electric brakes. The crosswinds were a bitch.
Upgraded to a 3/4 ton ford gasser. Makes pulling the camper a breeze.
Upgraded to a 3/4 ton ford gasser. Makes pulling the camper a breeze.
Posted on 7/29/25 at 7:25 pm to Success
At this point I think the best plan is going to be:
Keep the 1500 ram
Weight distribution hitch
Air bags (forgot about that, I've heard they make a ton of difference)
Stay under 6k and 33ft
Plan to take 2 vehicles (limit payload)
Let er eat.
If we really enjoy camping and outgrow the space as my kids get bigger. New truck, new camper.
Keep the 1500 ram
Weight distribution hitch
Air bags (forgot about that, I've heard they make a ton of difference)
Stay under 6k and 33ft
Plan to take 2 vehicles (limit payload)
Let er eat.
If we really enjoy camping and outgrow the space as my kids get bigger. New truck, new camper.
Posted on 7/29/25 at 7:30 pm to BoogaBear
Mannnnnnn I wouldn't bother with two vehicles for any kind of distance. In the grand scheme of things that extra couple hundred pounds in the middle of the truck won't matter. Close to the front axle itll just make it better.
Posted on 7/29/25 at 7:45 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
Mannnnnnn I wouldn't bother with two vehicles for any kind of distance. In the grand scheme of things that extra couple hundred pounds in the middle of the truck won't matter. Close to the front axle itll just make it better.
I know it sounds weird to people but we have gotten used to taking 2 vehicles. My oldest daughter is in travel ball, we head out and she comes up when the other 2 wake up. It works for us and I've gotten used to it. When it's me and my boy we hit the road, don't stop, and get where we are going drama free. I leave the women folk to stop at buccees, then sonic, then to pee, then at wherever the hell else they stop to turn a 3 hour drive into 5
We rented a camper to try this out, me and my son got there, unloaded, took a nap, and had lunch before they got there!
ETA: she would also be pulling a golf cart.
This post was edited on 7/29/25 at 7:51 pm
Posted on 7/29/25 at 7:50 pm to BoogaBear
Well I totally retract my statement. You're a genius and I envy you and applaud you for pulling off that arrangement.
Posted on 7/29/25 at 8:17 pm to BoogaBear
I'd make sure I had a trans cooler - if you have a tow package, you probably do.
Towing can make a trans work hard.
And as others have mentioned, a trailer that long and esp if tall, will be felt in strong winds or when passing/being passed by semis.
Not direclty related - A trailer that big and that light probably isn't going to be the best built ..... pay attention to trailer forums/FB pages.
Towing can make a trans work hard.
And as others have mentioned, a trailer that long and esp if tall, will be felt in strong winds or when passing/being passed by semis.
Not direclty related - A trailer that big and that light probably isn't going to be the best built ..... pay attention to trailer forums/FB pages.
Posted on 7/30/25 at 9:33 am to BoogaBear
quote:We loved having two. We did it even when not totally necessary.
we have gotten used to taking 2 vehicles
Posted on 8/2/25 at 11:30 pm to BoogaBear
We went looking today at a couple we had our eye on from websites that fit our criteria. First of all, camping world was pretty awful, yes they have a selection but awful. Sales people were less that helpful, couldn't even find models from their website, didn't know anything about them, etc. I had done my research prior so I was pretty displeased they knew less than I did. Anyway, the biggest issue of the day was dry weight listed on the website for the camper did not match what the camper had as the weight on the door panel. Not even close.
We looked at an ultra lite bunkhouse that was 27 foot box, 33 foot overall. Website said 5,905 lbs, door jam said 6830. Camping world was the biggest offender every dry weight was understated by 1k lbs or so.
Went to another place, knowledgeable and not pushy. They of course did the your truck can tow 12k lbs so you can pull away with anything in our lot speech, when I brought up payload the guy backed off and started with the lower weights.
Found one we liked and it had a door jam dry weight of 6,900. 29 ft box and 34 ft overall. So question time.
The guy said don't do airbags, they can counteract and work against the weight distribution hitch? This true?
Said my truck would tow it fine? Would you feel comfortable in a 1500 with max tow package and 6,900 dry weight?
We have looked enough to know this RV is basically the minimum we are comfortable with as a family. The question is really how much will I hate my life towing it with my truck or do we need to see what we can do to trade my truck in for a 3/4 ton.
We looked at an ultra lite bunkhouse that was 27 foot box, 33 foot overall. Website said 5,905 lbs, door jam said 6830. Camping world was the biggest offender every dry weight was understated by 1k lbs or so.
Went to another place, knowledgeable and not pushy. They of course did the your truck can tow 12k lbs so you can pull away with anything in our lot speech, when I brought up payload the guy backed off and started with the lower weights.
Found one we liked and it had a door jam dry weight of 6,900. 29 ft box and 34 ft overall. So question time.
The guy said don't do airbags, they can counteract and work against the weight distribution hitch? This true?
Said my truck would tow it fine? Would you feel comfortable in a 1500 with max tow package and 6,900 dry weight?
We have looked enough to know this RV is basically the minimum we are comfortable with as a family. The question is really how much will I hate my life towing it with my truck or do we need to see what we can do to trade my truck in for a 3/4 ton.
Posted on 8/3/25 at 6:19 am to BoogaBear
Buy that camper and install a set of Timbren rubber springs on your half ton then go see this beautiful country.
Posted on 8/3/25 at 7:30 am to BoogaBear
quote:
We have looked enough to know this RV is basically the minimum we are comfortable with as a family. The question is really how much will I hate my life towing it with my truck or do we need to see what we can do to trade my truck in for a 3/4 ton.
Have you looked into renting one? I don’t know the options to rent these days. But if you haven’t taken a trip with something similar I would never suggest full on buying right away. There’s just so many options that could change when you go to actually use it that you may not consider.
Posted on 8/4/25 at 1:36 am to BoogaBear
28 to 32 foot on a bumper? No way in hell would I even think about it, not even with the best weight distributing hitch in America.
Tail can wag the dog even with a hitch brake and a 32 foot get to wagging on
a half ton truck and chances are you aim to get in the ditch or cross a lane and wind up killing a whole family.
If me, and I was set on buying a travel trailer with any size and was gonna use a half ton because I had to. I WOULD PUT A FIFTH WHEEL HITCH IN IT. There are hitches available that slide in and out on the rails leaving only the rails in the truck. The rails don't clutter the bed that bad.
No comparison in the world between pulling a bumper or gooseneck/fifth wheel. NONE.
Posted on 8/4/25 at 1:59 am to BoogaBear
Do what koolcat said get a set of Timbrens or sumo springs. Timbrens are stiffer than sumo springs so choose whichever you prefer. Don’t even think about air bags waste of money and a pain in the arse.
Posted on 8/4/25 at 2:13 am to Dickaroos
Oh and installing timbrens is very easy and will probably take 30 minutes. Depending on what air bags you buy you’ll probably have to pay someone to install. And did i mention air bags suck donkey dick
Posted on 8/4/25 at 4:52 pm to BoogaBear
30-35 foot might be pushing it for a 1/2 ton with a family. Take a look at the Rockwood Minlite 2520BH. 25' 10" exterior length, a separate bedroom and bunks. Dry wt. 5594 lb, CCC: 1986 lb
Posted on 8/4/25 at 8:04 pm to BoogaBear
I tow a 28'with f150 5.0 distribution hitch and electric brakes are a necessity,
Fuel economy goes to ??
Fuel economy goes to ??
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