Newbie towing question

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by davel1971

your assuming your bar choice is going to make up for your lack of truck. You need to take what everyone is suggesting more seriously, for the safety of your family. You are probably at your limits if you left camper empty and family at home.

Kind of how the weight police assume that extra truck makes up for lack of towing experience? Not trying to start a war here, but just last week I looked up Youtube videos of RV wrecks, and everything I could find involved trucks that were easily capable of handling the loads. Maybe too much truck causes poor or inexperienced drivers to have a false sense of security????

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

Kind of how the weight police assume that extra truck makes up for lack of towing experience? Not trying to start a war here, but just last week I looked up Youtube videos of RV wrecks, and everything I could find involved trucks that were easily capable of handling the loads. Maybe too much truck causes poor or inexperienced drivers to have a false sense of security????

there are probably as many overloaded 3/4 ton trucks are there are 1/2s. The pin weight puts them over their GVWR or payload. I have a 1 ton for that reason. The trailer I had when I bought the 1 ton is the same size/weight that you are trying to justify is perfectly fine for a 1/2 ton.

[hestedr]

We just purchased a Crossroads Slingshot 27gtrb, pulling with a 2003 GMC Envoy xl inline 6. Transmission stated leaking home from dealer. I am learning real fast that a salesman will tell you you vechicle will pull any thing he has on lot for sale. (:

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by hestedr

We just purchased a Crossroads Slingshot 27gtrb, pulling with a 2003 GMC Envoy xl inline 6.

!!!! MY GOD! that's a 28' TT! pulled by a very short wheelbase vehicle, even if it's an XL.

[Platokidd]

Originally Posted by bikendan

!!!! MY GOD! that's a 28' TT! pulled by a very short wheelbase vehicle, even if it's an XL.

Gotta be one heck of a ride!!!
The best part...you get a new truck

[davel1971]

I had a Yukon XL when we had our first trailer, which was 28ft. NO WAY would I have attempted to tow that with anything less. The Yukon was barely sufficient in the hills.

[rockfordroo]

Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan
!!!! MY GOD! that's a 28' TT! pulled by a very short wheelbase vehicle, even if it's an XL.

Gotta be one heck of a ride!!!
The best part...you get a new truck

The things some folks will do to get a new truck!

[bbritt18]

I have a 30kqbss and I am pulling it with a 3500 DRW after the first couple of trips and seeing how much the rear end squats when the camper is hitched I have decided to install a WDH just for safety for my family. I could not imagine pulling that with a 1/2 ton with a WDH.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Jamesandtara

We just purchased a 2014 salem 30qbss and i am towing with a 2004 f 150.

I am wondering if either towing gear setup is better then the other. The dealer sells the round bar style, but people are telling me that the "reese" style square bars are better. Any opinions???? I will also be running dual cam sway. Any info is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Reese sells both type of D/Cam bars,(round & Trunion square). Both are available for 1200 and more lbs. Reese is the (Only) D/Cam setup. When you said people say the (Reese type) are better you already have Reese (IF) its Dual Cam? Youroo!!

[Brother Les]

Originally Posted by Jamesandtara

We just purchased a 2014 salem 30qbss and i am towing with a 2004 f 150.

I am wondering if either towing gear setup is better then the other. The dealer sells the round bar style, but people are telling me that the "reese" style square bars are better. Any opinions???? I will also be running dual cam sway. Any info is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I have used the square style for 30 years and it worked fine. My three brother-in - laws all have the round bar style and like them very well. I just bought a new Husky 800-1200 round bar style and I like the looks of it and will use it on SpringBreak. Either will work as long as they are rated for the tongue weight of what you are pulling. I see that most have by passed your question and went in about your tow vehicle. The answers given should be considered just as much as your hitch preference. Your truck can pull what you have, but it will work a lot harder at it.

[ChooChooMan74]

I bet we scared the dude away. Just hope he takes the advice.

[Helmsey]

FWIW when I was towing a TT I used the Reese Dual Cam setup and loved it.

[tanddc]

Originally Posted by bikendan

!!!! MY GOD! that's a 28' TT! pulled by a very short wheelbase vehicle, even if it's an XL.

Seriously? We get 3 Eeks for that? If I read the specs right his vehicle has a 129 inch wheelbase. That is 17 inches longer than my explorer and I have NO problem pulling a 25 foot TT. I doubt the other 2 feet are worth 3 Eeeks.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by bikendan

won't make any difference in the towing/payload numbers. all they will do is make the truck sag less.

This continues to be stated here on the forums, but Ford Motor Company says otherwise. The article can be found here:

My Ford Owner Magazine | CHOPPER SUPPORT

In a video on the new J2807 towing standards, a Toyota rep even makes a statement that amounted to "an experienced person would be fine" when talking about towing heavy loads potentially beyond the J2807 standards. A diligent search will unearth it.

[Doug_C]

Check out the Blue Ox Sway Pro set-up (BXW1000)... I also recently purchased a 2014 30QBSS and towed in home from Ohio to southeastern PA. I am towing it with a 2006 F150 4x4 / 5.4L / factory tow package.... also installed TIMBREN rear suspension support.... It handled well, now keeping in mind, it was empty at the time I brought her home. I will be looking for a bigger truck within the next year or so... go slow and go far are my thoughts.

[Jamesandtara]

I am still here..Not scared away ...I bought the reese dual cam sway and also air bags with in cab compressor. I have a lot of experience towing as my everyday work vehicle is a 550 with a 10,000lb excavator being towed behind it. I pick up my new trailer next Sat so i will post pics and update on how it towed home. Thanks for all the info and to everyone who answered who answered my questions.

[thebrakeman]

Keep in mind, guys:
6500 lbs dry, and 4500 lbs cargo capacity...that does NOT mean that he must protect for 11,000 lbs. Nobody uses 4500 lbs of cargo capacity unless it's a toy hauler, or you like to collect stones while traveling.

It is not unusual to assume 800-1000 lbs over dry weight as an estimate for loaded weight of a hybrid or ultralite. When I had a popup, the estimate was 600-800 lbs. Maybe you guys with the big rigs like to use 1500 to be conservative (?). Even then, that's 8,000 lbs loaded to go. That gives 1500 lbs of capacity for passengers and cargo in the F150, which should not be a problem.

But like has been said, the big concern is tongue weight. 8,000 lbs means he needs 800-1200 lbs on the ball. I'm not positive, but with 9500 lbs MAX tow rating, I'll be his tongue weight is limited around 950 lbs. So he'll shoot for 12% TW and live under 1000 lbs. With his Dual-Cam setup, should be OK.

Am I full of beans here?

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by thebrakeman

Keep in mind, guys:
6500 lbs dry, and 4500 lbs cargo capacity...that does NOT mean that he must protect for 11,000 lbs. Nobody uses 4500 lbs of cargo capacity unless it's a toy hauler, or you like to collect stones while traveling.

It is not unusual to assume 800-1000 lbs over dry weight as an estimate for loaded weight of a hybrid or ultralite. When I had a popup, the estimate was 600-800 lbs. Maybe you guys with the big rigs like to use 1500 to be conservative (?). Even then, that's 8,000 lbs loaded to go. That gives 1500 lbs of capacity for passengers and cargo in the F150, which should not be a problem.

But like has been said, the big concern is tongue weight. 8,000 lbs means he needs 800-1200 lbs on the ball. I'm not positive, but with 9500 lbs MAX tow rating, I'll be his tongue weight is limited around 950 lbs. So he'll shoot for 12% TW and live under 1000 lbs. With his Dual-Cam setup, should be OK.

Am I full of beans here?

Sounds about right to me. Also consider that the WDH shifts some weight back to the camper axles so the truck will not carry the full tongue weight. Also, keep in mind that if GVWR of the truck is 7200, it doesn't explode into a pile of parts at 7201.

[Jamesandtara]

Just an update. Picked up my camper yesterday and i must say we love it...The rig sits level and towed great on the way home. We will see how it tows once we get our stuff in there and head out for the first time. First campout is booked for second weekend in April.

FYI---Just to let everyone know i bought the reese dual cam setup with the square style 1200lb bars. Here is a pic!!

[Broadway Joe]

Best of luck with your new toy, looks good. Don't be in a hurry and wish you many7 happy days.