320BHDS Towing

[Slow_Lane]

Bought a new 320BHDS in April. Had it out several times towing with my 2011 Ram 1500. It did OKish. Memorial day weekend headed out 20-25 MPH winds and was never more white knuckle in my life. Could not muster more than 30-35 MPH on our 55 mile one way trip. I read reviews before I bought and would like to thank Jeeplj8. He recommended not towing this with a 1/2 ton. I believed my RV dealer and bought it anyways. After Memorial Day weekend I parked the camper and decided I would never tow with that truck again. Pulled the trigger a week ago on a 2500 Ram 2500 CTD and could not be happier. I sit hear at the camp ground tonight with the kids after the easiest tow of my life. We had similar if not stronger winds and never even knew it was back there. If you own one or are thinking of owning one make sure you have at the very least a 3/4 ton. My wife even commented after I got set up how much better a mood I was in. I will add we looked at a few 5'ers OK with stepping up to a bigger TV and loved this floor plan. We still love it and would not have bought another TT but it was to much for our 1500. Sorry to ramble on but felt like if our experience could help someone else out it should be shared.

[bradnailer]

Congrats on the new TV and the improved towing experience.

[ependydad]

Good stuff. Congrats on the new truck!

[Scratch]

Been there and done that! Since we upgraded the TV, we're much more refreshed when we arrive and actually enjoy towing vs. the white knuckle 1/2 ton towing experience...

Congratulations on a wise, safe decision for you and the family... Now enjoy!!!

[wyo700]

Good choice for something that big. My personal opinion I would never tow anything much longer than 26 feet with a half ton. Even if it is a light weight longer TT. The wind turns a half ton into a whip.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by Slow_Lane

Bought a new 320BHDS in April. Had it out several times towing with my 2011 Ram 1500. It did OKish. Memorial day weekend headed out 20-25 MPH winds and was never more white knuckle in my life. Could not muster more than 30-35 MPH on our 55 mile one way trip. I read reviews before I bought and would like to thank Jeeplj8. He recommended not towing this with a 1/2 ton. I believed my RV dealer and bought it anyways. After Memorial Day weekend I parked the camper and decided I would never tow with that truck again. Pulled the trigger a week ago on a 2500 Ram 2500 CTD and could not be happier. I sit hear at the camp ground tonight with the kids after the easiest tow of my life. We had similar if not stronger winds and never even knew it was back there. If you own one or are thinking of owning one make sure you have at the very least a 3/4 ton. My wife even commented after I got set up how much better a mood I was in. I will add we looked at a few 5'ers OK with stepping up to a bigger TV and loved this floor plan. We still love it and would not have bought another TT but it was to much for our 1500. Sorry to ramble on but felt like if our experience could help someone else out it should be shared.

Great move...I don't know why anyone wants to pair up the longest TT you can buy & tow it with a half ton! (Shame on the RV Salesman for swaying you that way during purchase)
I never owned a TT shorter than 32' & always used a 3/4 ton truck to haul it, I knew better by observation of others trying it

[Dennis and Julie]

Well I guess I'm in the minority since we have a flagstaff v-lite 30 wfkss (34' 4") and I prefer to tow it with my 2006 Chevy Silvlerado 1500 shortbox rather than my husbands 2002 2500hd. It just seems to handle better for me. We do have left and right sway control and yes I have towed in 20 to 25 mph winds on 2 lane roads with no shoulder and plenty of semi truck traffic since we live in oil country in western North Dakota.

[cheatham09]

I also tow our windjammer 3008w all but 35 foot with our Toyota tundra 1/2 ton. I have no issues with towing that size camper with the truck.

[jeeplj8]

Originally Posted by Slow_Lane

Bought a new 320BHDS in April. Had it out several times towing with my 2011 Ram 1500. It did OKish. Memorial day weekend headed out 20-25 MPH winds and was never more white knuckle in my life. Could not muster more than 30-35 MPH on our 55 mile one way trip. I read reviews before I bought and would like to thank Jeeplj8. He recommended not towing this with a 1/2 ton. I believed my RV dealer and bought it anyways. After Memorial Day weekend I parked the camper and decided I would never tow with that truck again. Pulled the trigger a week ago on a 2500 Ram 2500 CTD and could not be happier. I sit hear at the camp ground tonight with the kids after the easiest tow of my life. We had similar if not stronger winds and never even knew it was back there. If you own one or are thinking of owning one make sure you have at the very least a 3/4 ton. My wife even commented after I got set up how much better a mood I was in. I will add we looked at a few 5'ers OK with stepping up to a bigger TV and loved this floor plan. We still love it and would not have bought another TT but it was to much for our 1500. Sorry to ramble on but felt like if our experience could help someone else out it should be shared.

Glad you stepped up, and great choice on the truck!!

I made the decision years ago to go from a 1/2 ton based SUV to a 3/4 ton and my wife was vehemently against it at the time. But after a few 8 hour trips in the new truck she was completely sold.

Pulled ours this weekend for our first family float trip. Had some pretty intense storms coming home. When I look in the back seat at my son asleep (that diesel engine just puts him out) running down the road in 30-35 mph wind gusts, I would not trade my truck for anything.

[avolnek]

That's awesome, congrats on the new truck! Glad to see another one fall to the 3/4 - 1 ton side! I am willing to bet like the majority of us on this side of the fence wouldn't ever pull a single trailer without the 3/4 ton every again! Just makes sense... Stiffer suspension, tires, stronger tranny, higher capacity axles and coolers... only makes sense! Congrats again... What year is the new one? diesel or gas?

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by wyo700

My personal opinion I would never tow anything much longer than 26 feet with a half ton. Even if it is a light weight longer TT. The wind turns a half ton into a whip.

Huh ??

Took a trip last year with our 1/2 ton and 28.5 footer when there were all sorts of high wind warning advisories. Other than terrible fuel mileage (in the 9s), there was no problems with the wind.

But I do feel like I am at the max of what I can comfortable tow with a 145" wheelbase 1/2 ton.

[Slow_Lane]

avolnek I got a 2012 CC Shorty with the Cummins. Just rolled 900 miles and can't keep the smile from my face. Such a huge difference pulling. Making a 6 hour round trip to Kansas City this weekend. It has been planned since we ordered the camper in February and I almost cancelled it a couple weeks ago. After seeing how this truck pulls I have no safety concerns and really looking forward to the trip.

[jeeplj8]

Slow Lane, Where are you staying in KC?

[Slow_Lane]

Were are coming down for 2 nights at Worlds of Fun and 2 nights at the Great wolf lodge. I tried to convince the family to do that new schwizzle sticks water park but they wanted the lodge in case of inclement weather they could still swim, so we will hotel it for those nights. Big Braves fans so we will do that Tuesday and Wednesday. I have not checked we have 20 people going down does Kaufman allow trailers for tailgating and Barbeque? Go Braves.

[jeeplj8]

Originally Posted by Slow_Lane

Were are coming down for 2 nights at Worlds of Fun and 2 nights at the Great wolf lodge. I tried to convince the family to do that new schwizzle sticks water park but they wanted the lodge in case of inclement weather they could still swim, so we will hotel it for those nights. Big Braves fans so we will do that Tuesday and Wednesday. I have not checked we have 20 people going down does Kaufman allow trailers for tailgating and Barbeque? Go Braves.

Are you staying in the Worlds of Fun campground? It is kind of a parking lot, but convenient.

Got ya on the Great Wolf Lodge, kids love that place!

Kaufman and Arrowhead killed trailers a couple years ago. It was quite the raging debate. They have a pretty firm restriction on RV's now as well. So you will not be able to get your trailer in. But you can show up early and tailgate without any problem. They even provide special dumpsters to put your hot coals from BBQ in.

There are several pretty nice campgrounds in Jackson Co if you want to check those out.

And when it comes to BBQ, everyone has their favorites but if you have never had Gates or Arthur Bryant, need to check those out.

[Slow_Lane]

Had Arthur Bryant will have to look into Gates. In the past we have rented there little cabins. Alot cheeper to rent there parking lot. We will spend most of our time in the parks and it will be nice to have the camper to eat and sleep in we have a 2 year old that still requires naps and a place to cool down. We have a friend with a home on Big Lake which is close to half way so we will stay there a couple nights in their driveway going down and coming back. I will look into Jackson county for sure. Thanks

[avolnek]

That's awesome, the 2012 is the perfect year to buy! The newest truck you can get without the diesel exhaust fluid! You will have no trouble towing with it!

For what it is worth my father purchased the same to pull a 14K 5er. we went 600 miles one way into the rockies a month ago. we traveled at 65mph or a touch under. I also had him kick out of over drive and into 5th as this put him at the 1900-2000 RPM mark which is perfect for towing.

We also installed a bully dog triple dog tuner on it for gauges and a little extra oomph... We also installed a pyrometer to watch the exhaust gas temperature. I would highly recommend this! Anyone towing with a diesel should be watching the exhaust gas...

Congrats though... you'll love the truck! I am incredibly jealous of my folks that's for sure!

[jeeplj8]

of the the three, Longview and Jacomo are the best campgrounds. We go to either just to get our camping fix, even though they are no more than 15 minutes from home.
Jackson County - Lake Jacomo
Jackson County - Longview Lake

And if you want to explore some different BBQ options:
The Filling Station BBQ of Lee's Summit
Q's Home
Summit Hickory Pit BBQ

[Slow_Lane]

Thanks for the links Jeep.

My concern with the tuner is voiding warranty? I have been looking at some pillar gauges but not sure what all I need to keep an eye. Been reading up over on the Cummins Forum but this is my first diesel does not seem to overly complicated just way different from a gasser from a maintenance stand point.

[avolnek]

I would talk to your dealer about that! We spoke to ours before doing it as well. They said the warranty wouldn't be voided because of it unless it caused the issue. He said if he drove it reasonably then there wouldn't be any issues. We run ours on the lowest setting which I believe is tow mode and +40 ft lbs... Many dealers wont void warranty because they want the free money! Ours suggested when we take it in to un install it and remove it like it wasn't there. Then they don't HAVE to report it. If it is installed when you take it in then they have to. It is a legit concern and I would suggest contacting your dealer...

Also, there is a law that to void warranty work they have to prove the truck was abused and that the programmer is the sole reason of the failure... so most of the time it is easier for them to just repair it under warranty than to try and fight it... Not telling you to do it, as I highly recommend talking to your dealer first.. But both my father and I love the programmer...