RV's- How close are you to maximum capacity with your truck

[DOGFISH]

It's almost camping season, Lets see what you guys a pulling, My Truck 9100 lbs towing capacity, Trailer 4000 lbs dry weight, 5000 +lbs loaded. I travel full of water and no issues. When searching for a trailer I wanted to be close to half the maximum weight of the trailer as I could get with a fiberglass exterior. 2014 Silverado, Regular cab, Regular box. 2015 RV Cruiser 210uds, 21 feet.

[Mountain Guy]

Towing capacity is only half the formula and usually not an issue. Payload is where many folks end up overloaded.

[gmcmax05]

^^^ what he said. That's why 1/2 tons should be used for bumper pull trailers only, unless it's a super small 5iver

[DOGFISH]

I realize that, mine is 400 lbs tongue weight, have seen 30 foot trailers with a side by side in the back of a F150. That is what had me thinking about guys set ups.

[recce43]

that's why I have a duelly rather have to much truck

[Mountain Guy]

Originally Posted by DOGFISH

I realize that, mine is 400 lbs tongue weight, have seen 30 foot trailers with a side by side in the back of a F150. That is what had me thinking about guys set ups.

With 2 full propane tanks and a trailer full of stuff you may be over 400 tongue.... Load up the truck with a family of 4 and a full gas tank.....a box with all the camping stuff and your probably close to overweight.
That's why I run a 1 ton diesel to pull my ''1/2 ton towable'' 30' trailer.

[DOGFISH]

Originally Posted by Mountain Guy

With 2 full propane tanks and a trailer full of stuff you may be over 400 tongue.... Load up the truck with a family of 4 and a full gas tank.....a box with all the camping stuff and your probably close to overweight.
That's why I run a 1 ton diesel to pull my ''1/2 ton towable'' 30' trailer.

2 people in the regular cab, relocated battery and 20 lb bottles I don't think so.

[DisplacedCaper]

2014 Ram 1500, and a 26ft toy hauler dry weight 5100lbs.

I've hauled with a quad in the trailer plus water and all gear with no issues or lack of power. Also hauled it to Kelowna with two big motorcycles in it, was great. Average when hauling is usually around 24 litres/100km (truck averages 11-13 when not hauling)

After the pic was taken, I had Standens install the heavy duty rear coils as it did sink my back end quite a bit.


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[Xbolt7mm]

Originally Posted by DisplacedCaper

2014 Ram 1500, and a 26ft toy hauler dry weight 5100lbs.

I've hauled with a quad in the trailer plus water and all gear with no issues or lack of power. Also hauled it to Kelowna with two big motorcycles in it, was great. Average when hauling is usually around 24 litres/100km (truck averages 11-13 when not hauling)

After the pic was taken, I had Standens install the heavy duty rear coils as it did sink my back end quite a bit.


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I have the same truck, i put air bags in mine,

[DisplacedCaper]

Originally Posted by Xbolt7mm

I have the same truck, i put air bags in mine,

Nice! I remember when I did it, an airbag set up was about the same cost. I can't remember why I was swayed to the HD coils. But no regrets.


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[Cheyenne 1]

I built this truck 5 years ago or so.
Thre are not to many vehicles out there that are not over weight towing.
Yes it may be a little over kill as they say. But nver have to white knuckle it ever. Has lots of power, and is the most econimcal solution to buying a truck.
I usually put 20,000 km on it every year. And its so much nicer do drive than a pick up.

[gmcmax05]

Originally Posted by Cheyenne 1

I built this truck 5 years ago or so.
Thre are not to many vehicles out there that are not over weight towing.
Yes it may be a little over kill as they say. But nver have to white knuckle it ever. Has lots of power, and is the most econimcal solution to buying a truck.
I usually put 20,000 km on it every year. And its so much nicer do drive than a pick up.

That's sweet, your right way nicer that a pick-up if towing a big trailer.

[silverdoctor]

My camping rig. If it doesn't fit in the back seat and trunk, i'll do without

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Cheyenne 1

I built this truck 5 years ago or so.
Thre are not to many vehicles out there that are not over weight towing.
Yes it may be a little over kill as they say. But nver have to white knuckle it ever. Has lots of power, and is the most econimcal solution to buying a truck.
I usually put 20,000 km on it every year. And its so much nicer do drive than a pick up.

JEEBUS and I thought I was good to go with my beefed up F350!!
You win!!
Cat

[purgatory.sv]

Originally Posted by Cheyenne 1

I built this truck 5 years ago or so.
Thre are not to many vehicles out there that are not over weight towing.
Yes it may be a little over kill as they say. But nver have to white knuckle it ever. Has lots of power, and is the most econimcal solution to buying a truck.
I usually put 20,000 km on it every year. And its so much nicer do drive than a pick up.

excellent.

[Mountain Guy]

Originally Posted by Cheyenne 1

I built this truck 5 years ago or so.
Thre are not to many vehicles out there that are not over weight towing.
Yes it may be a little over kill as they say. But nver have to white knuckle it ever. Has lots of power, and is the most econimcal solution to buying a truck.
I usually put 20,000 km on it every year. And its so much nicer do drive than a pick up.

Heck....you don't need to pull a trailer with that thing you already have a sleeping set up. Put a custom built box on the back to carry the BBQ and you good to go

[Mountain Guy]

Originally Posted by DisplacedCaper

2014 Ram 1500, and a 26ft toy hauler dry weight 5100lbs.

I've hauled with a quad in the trailer plus water and all gear with no issues or lack of power. Also hauled it to Kelowna with two big motorcycles in it, was great. Average when hauling is usually around 24 litres/100km (truck averages 11-13 when not hauling)

After the pic was taken, I had Standens install the heavy duty rear coils as it did sink my back end quite a bit.


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You've hauled it with no issues...... get pulled into the scales as you enter BC and you might find you could have an issue.
I haven't seen it myself but I've heard that BC is starting to clamp down on overweight RV'ers
Heavy duty springs definitely would help to keep it level and improve ride when loaded but it does not increase payload

[IL Bar]

Originally Posted by DisplacedCaper

2014 Ram 1500, and a 26ft toy hauler dry weight 5100lbs.

I've hauled with a quad in the trailer plus water and all gear with no issues or lack of power. Also hauled it to Kelowna with two big motorcycles in it, was great. Average when hauling is usually around 24 litres/100km (truck averages 11-13 when not hauling)

After the pic was taken, I had Standens install the heavy duty rear coils as it did sink my back end quite a bit.


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Ya you pulled it fine. Biggest thing is when you have to stop your overloaded outfit. I honestly think there should be a drivers licence people need to earn before you are allowed to pull an rv. The rest of us have to earn a different licence to drive tractor trailer outfits. A lot of the same rules apply.

[Buckhead]

Originally Posted by IL Bar

Ya you pulled it fine. Biggest thing is when you have to stop your overloaded outfit. I honestly think there should be a drivers licence people need to earn before you are allowed to pull an rv. The rest of us have to earn a different licence to drive tractor trailer outfits. A lot of the same rules apply.

And of course you are using nothing but the tractor brakes to do the stopping??

A properly setup brake system is a no brainer in any towing situation.

[JustBen]

I still have lots of payload and towing capacity with my GMC 1500 (using about 75% of rated), but I can sure feel the trailer. A bigger truck is definitely the way to go. Put air bags in, and they help, but it's not a replacement for a 3/4 ton.

[traderal]

I drive a 42 ft Diesel Motorhome that weighs 35000 lbs loaded and full air brake system. In the BC mountains I see huge triple axle 5th wheels pulled by these tiny 3/4 ton trucks passing me both up and down the grades in a rush to be there first. There comes a time when these units will need to use their tiny little brakes to avoid a situation. Good luck to them I say.

[DisplacedCaper]

Originally Posted by IL Bar

Ya you pulled it fine. Biggest thing is when you have to stop your overloaded outfit. I honestly think there should be a drivers licence people need to earn before you are allowed to pull an rv. The rest of us have to earn a different licence to drive tractor trailer outfits. A lot of the same rules apply.

Lol


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[Xbolt7mm]

Originally Posted by IL Bar

Ya you pulled it fine. Biggest thing is when you have to stop your overloaded outfit. I honestly think there should be a drivers licence people need to earn before you are allowed to pull an rv. The rest of us have to earn a different licence to drive tractor trailer outfits. A lot of the same rules apply.

Thats what trailer brakes are for,, that rig is not over what the truck is rated for. There is no way he has 3000 lbs loaded into the trailer]. And thats assuming the trailer is 7000 lbs and it certainly should not be that. There should also be a test to post sometimes, there's a ton of you truckers out there that aren't qualified to drive a stick up a dead dogs butt, so hop off your high horse, he has done nothing wrong and is well under his vehicles rating and the springs are just to improve weight dispersion.

[IL Bar]

Originally Posted by Xbolt7mm

Thats what trailer brakes are for,, that rig is not over what the truck is rated for. There is no way he has 3000 lbs loaded into the trailer]. And thats assuming the trailer is 7000 lbs and it certainly should not be that. There should also be a test to post sometimes, there's a ton of you truckers out there that aren't qualified to drive a stick up a dead dogs butt, so hop off your high horse, he has done nothing wrong and is well under his vehicles rating and the springs are just to improve weight dispersion.

Weigh the axles and you will see what I mean by being overloaded. Just because a vehicle is rated to tow 9100lbs does not mean it can legally pull any trailer as long as it weighs under 9100lbs. Axles have weight limits.

Not a super trucker as you eluded too. I'm just a dumb farmer who has to truck his own grain to town. Owned a few holiday trailers and pickups along the way. Stop on a scale sometime with your half ton rv combo and weigh the trucks rear axle. You will be in for a surprise.

[Cheyenne 1]

One of the big things in towing is alway weight distribution. As well as proper brake set up.
One thing no one ever takes into account is the weather!!! Be as set up as you want and get into some wind and a lot of rigs are 2 handers.
Thats why I built mine. My trailer is 38 feet and pretty heavy. I used to pull it with an F-350, which pulled it fine. Wind and stopping are way different.
Personally I would never pull a trailer with my truck if I had to figure out if it was capable of it.

[sewerrat]

Originally Posted by DOGFISH

It's almost camping season, Lets see what you guys a pulling, My Truck 9100 lbs towing capacity, Trailer 4000 lbs dry weight, 5000 +lbs loaded. I travel full of water and no issues. When searching for a trailer I wanted to be close to half the maximum weight of the trailer as I could get with a fiberglass exterior. 2014 Silverado, Regular cab, Regular box. 2015 RV Cruiser 210uds, 21 feet.

We have pretty much the same trailer, but ours is a shadow cruiser by cruiser rv

I tow it with a jeep grand Cherokee diesel. its a perfect combination.

[Screamrider]

Just shy of 12000 towing capacity, 26 foot travel trailer is 6000lbs dry, around 7000 loaded.

Tows fine, but wouldn't want to go much heavier.

Truck is a 2015 F150


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[Immigrant]

My setup was above the towing capacity of the truck. Although the air bags and weight distribution hitch made it sit nice and level, I did not feel comfortable to have my family in the truck with me when towing (knowing I was over the limit) The truck pulled it just fine, and it had enough braking power, but legally I was over the limit. I would have been liable in case of an accident
I upgraded to a 2500hd and sleep a lot better at night




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[leo]

Not a 1/2 ton, but I thought I'd show my outfit. 2012 3500 Ram, JD 825 Gator and a 26' North trail.

[lund17]

There has been threads like this in the past which I have avoided as most times I just shake my head as read people's response's. There is a lot of bad information out there, so here are my two cents.

Take a look at this. www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType41/Production/recvehtowguide.pdf Most people will have questions after reading it so call Alberta Transportation in Red Deer or contact a local weigh scale to get the answers you need. 2 years ago (maybe 3) new legislation was passed in Alberta and now RV's fall under their jurisdiction. Before this it was the RCMP responsible and they were not trained to deal with RV’s. Last summer was the first year that I started to see commercial vehicle enforcement officers pulling RV’s over and going through them just like a highway tractor/trailer. They will be looking at the weight on each axle (truck and trailer axles) and your total weight. If any of those numbers exceed the sticker on your truck door or trailer be prepared for a ticket.

My experience is as follows. I have a 2013 FORD F150 CREW CAB w/ 6.5’ box and I purchased a used half ton towable trailer with a dry sticker weight 4700lbs. With my experience driving big trucks I thought I would actually take the time and find out what I could haul legally. I loaded it up with what I thought was normal items/water/full propane, threw my 3000 watt generator in the back of the truck and filled my gas tank. I headed to the weigh scales just outside of Ardrossan, AB to weigh everything. I spent 3 hours and countless trips across the scales to figure it out. Officers even came out to talk with me about what I was doing and I explained it to them. They were happy to help me out. So this is what I could haul LEGALLY: Truck with me & generator and trailer with 30 gallons of water and 2 – 30 lb full propane bottles. The trailer had nothing else in it; I had to remove all the camping gear/bedding/etc. to get it under the weight. Now I had a lot of towing capacity left but either my front axle or rear axle was overloaded depending on how I set my weight distribution hitch.