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Old 12-06-2014, 07:59 AM   #1
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Towing question

Here's another towing question that needs answered before the big purchase!!!

We have a 2010 Ford 150 super crew 4x2 with towing pkg
5.4L3-V8
Axle ratio 3.55
GCWR 15,300
Max loaded trailer weight 9800

We are wanting to purchase 2015 Cherokee 274 RK
Length 33'7"
Hitch weight 810
Dry weight 6892
Gross weight 9985
Cargo weight 3093

All numbers above for the trailer are stated on dealers web page and just a little confused what the difference Between all these numbers are.

It will be just my husband and myself with our 2 dogs traveling in our truck and will not be hauling a lot of excessive stuff. We also will not be traveling far distances with it. The most would be within a 50 mile radius and on occasion maybe once or twice a year traveling a couple hundred miles away. What's your thoughts?
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Old 12-06-2014, 08:17 AM   #2
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Get a bigger tuck.
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Old 12-06-2014, 08:30 AM   #3
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hitch weight is amount of weight on trailer ball with a completely empty trailer, with no propane tanks or battery on front of trailer either. Your actual weight will be much higher, but this is what weight distribution bars help with


dry weight of the trailer is completely empty weight of the trailer


gross weight is what max allowable weight for the loaded trailer


cargo weight is how much you are able to add to the dry weight to reach the gross weight


dry + cargo = gross


unless you pack light, you will be pushing the limit of the numbers with that truck
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Old 12-06-2014, 08:35 AM   #4
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I think you'll be okay. I'd be comfortable with that setup because I towed our 320 BHDS with an 07 f150 when we first got our camper. You may or may not feel the same about your set up. Since then, We usually use our excursion to pull it. I do recommend a good WDH regardless of your TV.




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Old 12-06-2014, 08:39 AM   #5
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To each his/her own. Good hitch and minimize load in the truck bed itself you should be OK. I towed a 9000 lb rockwood trailer with the same truck (except 4x4) and did fine. Might i suggest getting LT Truck tire for long distances, offers more stability and lessons sway.
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Old 12-06-2014, 08:59 AM   #6
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it depends on the type of terrain you will be traveling too. You will be fine on flat grounds. You and your truck will hate the mountains. Not that it's not able to do it.
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Old 12-06-2014, 08:59 AM   #7
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More than likely we will upgrade the tires like suggested and we will not be hauling too much in the bed of the truck either. just a little scared to pull the trigger with such a big purchase. Also my husband uses the truck to drive back and fourth to work and is 120 miles round trip per day so to purchase a larger truck is just not economical. I would rather not purchase the trailer than get a larger truck.

Thanks for your input!!!!
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Old 12-06-2014, 09:01 AM   #8
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We live in illinois so no mountains here!!!! And if we do go far it more than likely will be to surrounding states.
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Old 12-06-2014, 09:02 AM   #9
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it's good you are doing all the figuring now. Too many people listen to the RV salesmen then shortly after end up talking to a truck salesman
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Old 12-06-2014, 09:12 AM   #10
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What is the gross weight rating for the truck? Add that to the trailer gross weight and I believe you will find you are well over your combined gross weight rating.
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Old 12-06-2014, 09:24 AM   #11
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9800 doesn't sound right....my 5.4 max tow was about 8000..I now have an ecoboost ...tows my 7400 lb flagstaff with ease...I think you would be puhing it...I'd get an ecoboost
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Old 12-06-2014, 09:39 AM   #12
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The numbers will be close.

My 2007 F150 super cab weighs in around 6000 lbs. with me in the seat, a bedliner, track rack rails, some personal items, and a small tool box in the bed.

If your truck is close to that, having a 1000 lb. trailer (probable weight) on the back bumper is going to put the weight of the truck near 7000 lbs. Depending on the GVWR, you will probably only have about 200 lbs. left for addtional passengers and gear.

You take that 7200 lbs, subtract from the 15,200 lbs. and you can only tow a 8000 lb. trailer. 1000 lbs. is already accounted for in the tongue weight on the truck, so if you keep the trailer and the load in the truck lite, the weight numbers just might work.

The 3.55 axle ratio indicates that it is the shortbed version of the crew cab pickup, since the 6 1/2' bed configurations came with 3.73s. That means a 145" wheelbase. IMHO that is bit short for pulling a 33+' bumper pull trailer with a 1/2 ton truck.

My 5.4L pulling about 13000 total weight does admirably in the Appalachian hills. It will pull the steep hills around here in 2nd gear, but I reduce my speed to around 55 mph to prevent the engine from screaming. i just tuck in behind a semi, and enjoy the ride.
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Old 12-06-2014, 08:59 PM   #13
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I have thought about this for a couple days now and finally after reading some of these posts have decided to not purchase this trailer. I do not feel 100 percent comfortable with this set up and do not want to have anything on my shoulders if something were to happen to my family or someone else on the road. It's simply not worth it to me period!!!!! Now back to the original question what would be a safe dry weight of a trailer and length that I could feel completely comfortable with being on the road and if we choose to travel through mountainous terrain also. Also it's hard to find a trailer that has living space without bunks that has more living space in. Any suggestions please let me know

Thanx again for all your responses!!!!!!!!
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Old 12-06-2014, 09:36 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by mileyjean View Post
I have thought about this for a couple days now and finally after reading some of these posts have decided to not purchase this trailer. I do not feel 100 percent comfortable with this set up and do not want to have anything on my shoulders if something were to happen to my family or someone else on the road. It's simply not worth it to me period!!!!! Now back to the original question what would be a safe dry weight of a trailer and length that I could feel completely comfortable with being on the road and if we choose to travel through mountainous terrain also. Also it's hard to find a trailer that has living space without bunks that has more living space in. Any suggestions please let me know

Thanx again for all your responses!!!!!!!!
I think you did the right decision !
If for you not comfortable now...you won't be later !
A good floorplan for 2...check the Rockwood Ultralite 2604WS
Under 30' and around 7000 pounds fully loaded (gross trailer weight )
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Old 12-06-2014, 10:02 PM   #15
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You also need to post your truck's payload capacity.
it's on a sticker along the driver's side door.
that is the number where many 1/2 ton trucks come up short.
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Old 12-06-2014, 10:24 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MtnGuy View Post
The numbers will be close.

My 2007 F150 super cab weighs in around 6000 lbs. with me in the seat, a bedliner, track rack rails, some personal items, and a small tool box in the bed.

If your truck is close to that, having a 1000 lb. trailer (probable weight) on the back bumper is going to put the weight of the truck near 7000 lbs. Depending on the GVWR, you will probably only have about 200 lbs. left for addtional passengers and gear.

You take that 7200 lbs, subtract from the 15,200 lbs. and you can only tow a 8000 lb. trailer. 1000 lbs. is already accounted for in the tongue weight on the truck, so if you keep the trailer and the load in the truck lite, the weight numbers just might work.

The 3.55 axle ratio indicates that it is the shortbed version of the crew cab pickup, since the 6 1/2' bed configurations came with 3.73s. That means a 145" wheelbase. IMHO that is bit short for pulling a 33+' bumper pull trailer with a 1/2 ton truck.

My 5.4L pulling about 13000 total weight does admirably in the Appalachian hills. It will pull the steep hills around here in 2nd gear, but I reduce my speed to around 55 mph to prevent the engine from screaming. i just tuck in behind a semi, and enjoy the ride.
Mnt. Guy nailed it-I have an 04 F150/5.4/3:55 short bed with a GVW of 12,200# (includes the beer fridge).I weighed it on a Cat Scale-best money ever spent.My trailer has an empty wt. of 5400#-Palomino Ultra lite-30 ft.The truck has a 6020# weight (with my fat butt in the seat).Do the math-be safe and always err on the side of safety.
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Old 12-06-2014, 10:24 PM   #17
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We pulled an 08Flagstaff831RLSS with our 05 Silverado1500 over 30,000 miles with no problems. You should be ok if you have good wdh and sway control and LT LRE tires on the truck.
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Old 12-06-2014, 10:28 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by mileyjean View Post
I have thought about this for a couple days now and finally after reading some of these posts have decided to not purchase this trailer. I do not feel 100 percent comfortable with this set up and do not want to have anything on my shoulders if something were to happen to my family or someone else on the road. It's simply not worth it to me period!!!!! Now back to the original question what would be a safe dry weight of a trailer and length that I could feel completely comfortable with being on the road and if we choose to travel through mountainous terrain also. Also it's hard to find a trailer that has living space without bunks that has more living space in. Any suggestions please let me know

Thanx again for all your responses!!!!!!!!
6000# max.
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Old 12-06-2014, 10:45 PM   #19
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Old 12-06-2014, 11:14 PM   #20
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Have you looked at the Rockwood 2604WS? No bunks and a unloaded weight less then 6000#.
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