Sucker born every day

[troyt]

Okay there is a sucker born every day and I’m at the front of the line. This past summer I sold my 2002 20’ popup. It was great to have but we were in need of something bigger for our family and the DW wanted a toilet and shower.

So we went to several dealers in the area. We ended back to the dealer we purchased our popup because I felt they treated us right and was fare with their prices. Long story short I let them talk me into something that is pushing the max of my 07 Dodge 1500 Crew Cab 4x4 5.7L. I was ignorant to the tow capacity and the dealer saw me coming a mile away. I asked several time would my truck handle it and he said he wouldn’t sell me something that would cause me a problem.

I don’t travel more than more than an hour or two away from home. However if I wanted to go further than that I wouldn’t feel comfortable that I would make it without having problems. I’m not in a position right now to purchase a ¾ ton yet. I wish I would have known about this forum before I put the cart be for the horse

[troyt]

I now have a 2010 Forest River Flagstaff 831QBSS 33'(Bunkhouse) According to Forest River and my dealer it's rated for a 1/2 ton because it's super lite. GVWR 8273, Dry 5872. I don't travel with water and I'm very weight conscious as to what get loaded in TT & TV.

My TV

With 3.92 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 8450 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 6700 lbs
Payload [i] = 1288 lbs
Curb Weight [i] = 5412 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 3152 lbs/3152 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear [i] = 3900 lbs/3900 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 14000 lbs

[chadster1]

I have an '08 Dodge Ram 2wd truck with the 5.7L and same gear ratio. I changed the tires to an LT and added Helwig helper springs. My truck pulls my toyhauler just fine. I have made several 500 mile round trips with no issues and am planning a 2500 mile round trip for July of next year.

Our trucks are pretty similar. I keep up with the preventative maintenance and run Amsoil full synthetic motor oil and transmission fluid. Other than upgrading the tires and springs, I feel it is very capable of pulling an 8500lb trailer.

[Emptypockets]

Originally Posted by troyt

I now have a 2010 Forest River Flagstaff 831QBSS 33'(Bunkhouse) According to Forest River and my dealer it's rated for a 1/2 ton because it's super lite. GVWR 8273, Dry 5872. I don't travel with water and I'm very weight conscious as to what get loaded in TT & TV.

My TV

With 3.92 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 8450 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 6700 lbs
Payload [i] = 1288 lbs
Curb Weight [i] = 5412 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 3152 lbs/3152 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear [i] = 3900 lbs/3900 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 14000 lbs

Relax & enjoy your setup!

[david-o]

Troyt,

What model trailer did you buy? (From my iPhone the model in your signature is different than the model in your profile.)

Is your Dodge 1500 struggling with the tongue weight and/or trailer weight? Or does it tow fine but you're just concerned about potential problems down the road because you're exceeding the 1500's GVWR?

What size WDH bars are you using? Do you know the exact tongue and trailer weights?

[david-o]

Troyt,
I see you answered my first question in your second post. I look forward to reading your answers to my other questions.

[troyt]

david-o,

What model trailer did you buy? (From my iPhone the model in your signature is different than the model in your profile.)

--2010 Forest River Flagstaff 831QBSS 33'(Bunkhouse)

Is your Dodge 1500 struggling with the tongue weight and/or trailer weight? Or does it tow fine but you're just concerned about potential problems down the road because you're exceeding the 1500's GVWR?

--It pulls fine, I can keep hwy speeds and handles well, just concerned about the tranny. It does dog on the hills though. Thinking about getting a temp gauge.

What size WDH bars are you using? Do you know the exact tongue and trailer weights?

--Equal-i-zer Hitch 1,000/10,000 -Planning to get weighed.

[david-o]

Thanks for the info Troyt. Please post your tongue and trailer weights when you get them.

The reason I'm interested is because I'm a few short weeks away from taking delivery on a brand new 34' V-Lite that will likely weigh approx 8200 lbs loaded with 1100 lb tongue. After WD hitch I'll probably still be towing approx 500 lbs over my TV's 6800 lb GVWR, but I'll be ok on the other specs (GAWRs, GCWR, etc).

I suspect that your weights will be close to mine. I'm glad that your towing experience is good, as it appears to be the case with many others on this forum pulling similar size/weight trailers with 1/2 ton pick ups. I only wish I could shake off the "fear of the unknown", but i guess I'll have to wrestle with it for a few more weeks.

[troyt]

I'm getting the impression that I'll be okay as long as I watch my weight. I'm just concerned about the tranny. Dodge is known to have problems. I've got a few places in south western Missouri I would like to go next season and there a couple of good sized grades. I don't want to smoke my tranny.

[Fourn3833]

You guys with the Dodge is known for tranny problems. That was long ago, they've come a long way. I had Fords and GMCs that I couldn't keep trannys in. GMC bought one truck back because I had so many problems. Take care of it and it will take care of you. Fluids, cooler and filters, keep them fresh, especially if you travel in high heat areas and or do a bunch of moutain climbing. When you install a tranny cooler get the one with the temp gauge so you can watch it.