Can (should) I tow this (specs in post)

[RaginRZR]

I just bought a 29hfs as well. And in fact I also own a rzr 900s. I weighed it last weekend with empty tanks but the rzr was in the garage and the hitch weighed 940#. Total trailer weight was around 9300# before water. I also do not have the generator package which I hear is quite heavy. With the position of the water tank I'm looking at about half of the 550# of water on the hitch. Luckily I pull it with an F350. I just wanted to share the weights I had cause I have the same trailer and side by side. I'll be weighing it with water before our May long weekend next weekend so I can update this post.

[zhoenixx]

Originally Posted by RaginRZR

I just bought a 29hfs as well. And in fact I also own a rzr 900s. I weighed it last weekend with empty tanks but the rzr was in the garage and the hitch weighed 940#. Total trailer weight was around 9300# before water. I also do not have the generator package which I hear is quite heavy. With the position of the water tank I'm looking at about half of the 550# of water on the hitch. Luckily I pull it with an F350. I just wanted to share the weights I had cause I have the same trailer and side by side. I'll be weighing it with water before our May long weekend next weekend so I can update this post.

Great, thanks for sharing! I'd be very interested in your weight with the tanks full.

[Zak1]

Originally Posted by zhoenixx

Great, thanks for sharing! I'd be very interested in your weight with the tanks full.

If you are going to keep the rig, check out the (any thread on this or Airstream etc forum, , google) on the Propride/Hensley hitch.......

[Dodge Guy]

It doesn't matter what the dry tongue weight number is. what matters is the final loaded ready for travel weight. you want 12% of the trailers loaded for travel weight. if that means moving things around then that's part of owning a trailer.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by ronheater70

1,200 lbs of payload available that's pretty dismal. I wonder how in the heck they say you can tow 10K pounds with only 1,200 lbs of payload.. the tongue weight alone on a 10K trailer would have you over your payload..

Remember "pulling" is ONLY a function of engine power, transmission strength, and, rear axle ratio.

Payload is what the truck's frame and suspension can safely carry without damage.

Just about every truck I looked at can "pull" way more than it can carry in tongue weight (or pin) plus passengers and cargo.

Remember between 10 (travel trailer) and 20 percent (5th wheel) of your toys and gear weight will have to be carried by your truck's payload number (as well as the camper's empty weight share).

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

Remember "pulling" is ONLY a function of engine power, transmission strength, and, rear axle ratio.

Payload is what the truck's frame and suspension can safely carry without damage.

Just about every truck I looked at can "pull" way more than it can carry in tongue weight (or pin) plus passengers and cargo.

Remember between 10 (travel trailer) and 20 percent (5th wheel) of your toys and gear weight will have to be carried by your truck's payload number (as well as the camper's empty weight share).

I understand completely, I just think they should make the truck have payload numbers closer to what it is able to tow.. The first thing people look at in general is "what can it tow".. You see 10K pounds and think you have wiggle room, but then find out you have 1250 payload and your like what the hell..

Then again I dont reckon we need a one ton diesel with 10K payload just because it has the motor to pull 25K..L.. Or do we? Hmmmmm..

[oldblueroadking]

I had a similar situation. 2013 F-150 Super Crew, Eco-Boost motor, 27' Vengeance Toy Hauler, EQ Hitch. I could pull the trailer as fast as I wanted and up any hill with no problems but I could not keep in between the stripes. I ran the EQ chains tighter (more lift) loosed (less lift) ran the stabilizer bar tighter, looser, never found the spot where the trailer and pickup felt safe running anywhere near the speed limit. Traded the 1/2 ton for a 3/4 and things got better. Also installed the Timbren SES Suspension Upgrade. I eventually went to a 5th wheel Toy Hauler but the 3/4 ton pickup sure handled the TT much better/easier than the 1/2 ton. I'm saying the 1/2 ton will come up short even before you load the toy.
I also ran the TT & 1/2 ton across the scales at a truck stop and even without my motorcycle loaded I was 400# over my GVRW for the pickup. Just FYI, most truck stops have axle scales. For less than $15 you can find out exactly how much weight is on your steering axle, drive axe and trailer axle group. Weigh your tow vehicle empty to see the axle weights then again with the trailer hooked up and loaded the way it will be towed as well as family, clothes, gear, etc. You can figure tongue weight.
All the advice you're getting here is good accurate info.

[ben31]

ronheater70, I would say the vast majority of 1/2-ton truck owners aren't really looking for a truck to do truck stuff. Most are looking for a truck to go fast, look good, ride nicely, and once in a while be able to haul some stuff from the local DIY store. The auto makers know this and build accordingly.

[rocnrol]

That tongue weight will exceed the hitch on a 1500, this trailer is 2500 truck territory

Sent from my STH100-1 using Forest River Forums mobile app

[CaptnJohn]

Can you, yes, should you no, would I HELL No!

[zhoenixx]

Just an update from OP here. It towed beautifully on the four hour drive home. I stayed around 60-62 mph and it didn't budge, even with several semis blowing past me.

There wasn't much wind, and my 1,200 lb RZR wasn't in the trailer yet, so we will see how tows does in those scenarios soon.

Thanks again for all the input, fellas!

[howie70]

Originally Posted by oldblueroadking

I had a similar situation. 2013 F-150 Super Crew, Eco-Boost motor, 27' Vengeance Toy Hauler, EQ Hitch. I could pull the trailer as fast as I wanted and up any hill with no problems but I could not keep in between the stripes. I ran the EQ chains tighter (more lift) loosed (less lift) ran the stabilizer bar tighter, looser, never found the spot where the trailer and pickup felt safe running anywhere near the speed limit. Traded the 1/2 ton for a 3/4 and things got better. Also installed the Timbren SES Suspension Upgrade. I eventually went to a 5th wheel Toy Hauler but the 3/4 ton pickup sure handled the TT much better/easier than the 1/2 ton. I'm saying the 1/2 ton will come up short even before you load the toy.
I also ran the TT & 1/2 ton across the scales at a truck stop and even without my motorcycle loaded I was 400# over my GVRW for the pickup. Just FYI, most truck stops have axle scales. For less than $15 you can find out exactly how much weight is on your steering axle, drive axe and trailer axle group. Weigh your tow vehicle empty to see the axle weights then again with the trailer hooked up and loaded the way it will be towed as well as family, clothes, gear, etc. You can figure tongue weight.
All the advice you're getting here is good accurate info.

But but but....I thought the Eco-Boost could tow anything and everything?

[m35a2]

If you don't want to upgrade trucks, perhaps consider a dolly.
Such as a

tow-all.

These aren't anything new. The military has been using tow dollys for years for moving tractor trailers using non-tractor trucks with pintle hitches.

Kinda pricey though.

[rmac04401]

That defeats the benefits of a 5er. Plus now you have two pivot points to back up.

Like the munitions trailers I pulled in AirForce.

[howie70]

Originally Posted by mj0528

That's crap that the manufacturer give you tons of "pulling " power but nothing to work with for payload

It does stink. I have a 2005 Dodge Ram with the HEMI and tow package with only 55,000 miles. Bought it when we had a small 16' camper. We now have a 23LB which is still a relatively small camper. My door sticker says payload of 1250. I haven't hit scales, but estimating a tongue weight of 450 for the camper, 4 people in the cab plus a 60 pound dog = 600. That leaves me with 200 pounds to load bikes, firewood, water, chairs, coolers. I also have a fiberglass topper that I take on and off at times. It is usually on for camping.
My point....I'm pulling a much smaller camper than the OP and I'm over my CCC for the truck. Despite many saying how great their 1/2 tons pull their bigger campers, I'm sure most are way over their specified CCC. My next truck will be a 3/4 ton.

[timfromma]

I have no immediate plans to trade in my TT but just for giggles, I was curious just how big of a 5th wheel I could safely tow with my 3/4 ton diesel and here's what I came up with.

Max payload: 2500lbs
minus passengers and gear in truck: 600lbs
minus 5th wheel hitch: 100lbs

Total available payload for 5th wheel pin weight: 1800lbs
Assuming 20% trailer weight on pin, Heaviest trailer I can tow: 9000lbs

To sum up with a 3/4ton diesel, the absolute heaviest 5th wheel I can tow only weighs 9000lbs. You'd think I could easily town more but not when you seriously look at the numbers.

[m35a2]

Originally Posted by rmac04401

That defeats the benefits of a 5er. Plus now you have two pivot points to back up.

Like the munitions trailers I pulled in AirForce.

But it does offer practically no tongue weight and adds nothing to your payload, allowing use of otherwise unusable max towing capacity.

And considerably cheaper than a new truck.

I wouldn't want to try to back one though.

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by mj0528

That's crap that the manufacturer give you tons of "pulling " power but nothing to work with for payload

It may be crap but you control your own destiny when buying a truck. I have never had a vehicle manufacturer twist my arm and force me into buying a vehicle. I have however had a sales person or two attempt it over the years LOL.

You can get a whole range of different payloads based on options/packages, cab and bed sizes, etc from every manufacturer. That's all on the buyer to choose what works for their own situation IMO. If it does not have enough capacity just don't purchase it. Its not hidden info. Its not a manufacturers fault someone did not do the research, and made a bad decision.

[timfromma]

Who I do blame are the rv sales people. Alot of people simply do not understand their vehicles actual tow capacity. All they see is the sticker that says "15,000lb towing capacity". The rv sales people should be well versed in how to calculate actual towing capacity and sell a camper that actually fits your truck.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by timfromma

I have no immediate plans to trade in my TT but just for giggles, I was curious just how big of a 5th wheel I could safely tow with my 3/4 ton diesel and here's what I came up with.

Max payload: 2500lbs
minus passengers and gear in truck: 600lbs
minus 5th wheel hitch: 100lbs

Total available payload for 5th wheel pin weight: 1800lbs
Assuming 20% trailer weight on pin, Heaviest trailer I can tow: 9000lbs

To sum up with a 3/4ton diesel, the absolute heaviest 5th wheel I can tow only weighs 9000lbs. You'd think I could easily town more but not when you seriously look at the numbers.

Yes, that is the number I got with my 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD with Duramax and Allison Transmission. I could "tow" a 15,500 pound camper, PROVIDED it had no more than a 1600 pound pin (in reality my 9300 GVWR Flagstaff is pushing it).