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Old 01-22-2016, 08:30 PM   #1
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Tow vehicle

My wife and I currently have a 2015 Rockwood Windjammer 3006wk. I am currently pulling it with a 2014 Chevy 1500 High Country with the 6.2. I've wanted a 3/4 ton truck for a long time but my wife doesn't think we need one. Please help.... Would my towing experience be a lot less stressful with a 3/4 ton truck? I don't like how our truck gets pushed around by the wind or when we have a rough road. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Old 01-22-2016, 08:31 PM   #2
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Do you have any idea what your actual weights are on the truck and camper?
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Old 01-22-2016, 08:36 PM   #3
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Of course your tow would be less stressful with a heavier truck. Convincing your wife to trade in the luxurious smooth riding high country is where your gonna need the help!
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Old 01-22-2016, 09:34 PM   #4
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Do you have any idea what your actual weights are on the truck and camper?
The truck is rated for 9500lbs. The trailer weighs in at 7300lbs.
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Old 01-22-2016, 09:38 PM   #5
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The truck is rated for 9500lbs. The trailer weighs in at 7300lbs.
Cool, so you've weighed it.


Do you know your tongue weight?
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Old 01-22-2016, 10:06 PM   #6
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My wife and I also have a 2015 windjammer 3006wk. We tow with a 2015 Ram 2500 diesel and love it. The engine braking and tow mode make it a good experience. As far as convincing the wife, mine drives the truck to work every day and handles it like a boss! She likes the truck! I would also recommend hitting the scales and getting that wdh setup correct. A lot of folks on here like the 12k or 14k equal-i-zer hitch. It can make a big difference with the tow experience!
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Old 01-22-2016, 10:08 PM   #7
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I think the rough road is going to be a rough road, no matter the vehicle.
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Old 01-22-2016, 10:17 PM   #8
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We also have a WJ 3006wk and it is towed with a 2010 Dodge 2500 Diesel 4x4 and 1000lb Equalizer WDH. I have had no issues with sway on the three towing experiences so far. I was worried before I first picked it up but I had big rigs going by me and didn't feel anything at all. I have no comparisons to give since it has only been towed by that truck.
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Old 01-22-2016, 11:10 PM   #9
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I just bought an evo 22' box weighs 7300 and I too am planning to tow with my 2014 high country 1500. Sounds like the same setup as Gage. Not sure about Gage but I got a 10,000 lb sway hitch, but have the 5.3 engine. Planning the first short trip next weekend. I really like my truck, so I hope it works. Prob won't help convince your wife, I'll let you know after next weekend.
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Old 01-23-2016, 12:07 AM   #10
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There is no question towing with a heavier truck will be more stable and the newer 2011 and up Chevy HDs are a great platform. If you are willing to step down in the trim level you could probably trade your 6.2 1500 high country for a 6.0 2500 LT with not much price difference. In my opinion, tow ratings only mean what a truck can tow without breaking and does not automatically translate into a positive towing experience. Weight and wheelbase are your two best friends.
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Old 01-26-2016, 01:16 PM   #11
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I also have the 3006wk. I currently tow with a 2014 ram 1500. I am looking at a GMC Sierra with the max tow package. 11,000 pounds towing and 2100 pounds payload. Our poor dodge is only rated for 1250 pounds payload
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Old 01-26-2016, 03:11 PM   #12
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I too thought that having a half ton with higher towing capacity would be better. Unfortunately, I didn't have a good experince. The half tons seem to get pushed by the wind and by the trailer too much. I'm really looking into trading for a 2500 or 3500.
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Old 01-26-2016, 03:33 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gage30Holt15 View Post
I too thought that having a half ton with higher towing capacity would be better. Unfortunately, I didn't have a good experince. The half tons seem to get pushed by the wind and by the trailer too much. I'm really looking into trading for a 2500 or 3500.
If you go to HD truck, get a Duramax if you can swing it. It will put the biggest smile on your face. I don't think you will be nearly as happy with the 6.0 after driving the 6.2 in your truck regardless of what it's in. Wife has the 6.2 in her Yukon. There are things you can do to greatly reduce sway and enhance the driveability of your truck.
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Old 01-26-2016, 08:48 PM   #14
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My trailer is a rockwood 8325ss 35 ft long that weighs 7800 lbs.Think tongue weight is around 700 lbs.
I had towed it with a Chevy 2500 HD with the 6.2 gas engine with no problems what so ever with sway or power. The big rigs can fly by and I didn't feel a thing.
I traded it a couple weeks ago for a Gmc 2500 HD with the duramax 6.6 long wheel base .
Hadn't towed with it yet but the older 2500 duramax I had back in 2011 had gotten 13.8 mpg towing a 10,000 lb fifth wheeler Sabra.
The truck I just bought is a monster that gets 26-28 mpg on the highway not towing.
Can't wait to see how it does in a couple weeks and will let you all know.
It's. 2013 GMC SLE package which had only 16,700 miles when I bought it for 36,800 with the factory warranty still on it.
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Old 01-26-2016, 09:03 PM   #15
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I don't believe you will regret going to a 3/4 T. I love to hear the guys in this forum talking about pulling 35-40 ft trailers with a half ton and claiming they handle just fine. Most of them must not not travel more than 50 miles and never had a cross wind to deal with. Just because your vehicle may technically by rated for the weight doesn't mean it will be an enjoyable ride

On a side note if you travel long distances and/or use your trailer a lot I would look into a diesel also.


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Old 01-27-2016, 06:58 AM   #16
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Thank you everyone for your posts. It's nice to hear that I'm not crazy for saying the new half tons don't tow well. I am very excited to upgrading and having a stress free tow down the road. I hope I cross paths with you some day on the road.
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Old 01-27-2016, 05:06 PM   #17
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I tow our trailer that weighs around 8800 lbs loaded with a tad over 1000 lb tongue weight. Not knowing any better I bought my crew cab with the short wheel base. Ecoboost is a great motor, plenty of power, just the short wheel base sucks, dreaded pulling on the interstate because of the push and pull from passing semis, etc. Had a Blue Ox Sway Pro, good hitch, just did not work for me. After searching around and reading results from other members on this site I found a used ProPride hitch and bought it. Night and day diff pulling our trailer. Still feel a little push, not near as bad as before, but the truck/trailer move as one unit. You might consider looking at a diff hitch setup. My next truck will be a 1 ton, but that is when we move up to a fifth wheel.
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Old 02-05-2016, 02:04 PM   #18
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Well we headed off on a 4 hour maiden voyage truck sits about 1/4" lower in front
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Old 02-05-2016, 02:30 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KAISOR View Post
My trailer is a rockwood 8325ss 35 ft long that weighs 7800 lbs.Think tongue weight is around 700 lbs.
I had towed it with a Chevy 2500 HD with the 6.2 gas engine with no problems what so ever with sway or power. The big rigs can fly by and I didn't feel a thing.
I traded it a couple weeks ago for a Gmc 2500 HD with the duramax 6.6 long wheel base .
Hadn't towed with it yet but the older 2500 duramax I had back in 2011 had gotten 13.8 mpg towing a 10,000 lb fifth wheeler Sabra.
The truck I just bought is a monster that gets 26-28 mpg on the highway not towing.
Can't wait to see how it does in a couple weeks and will let you all know.
It's. 2013 GMC SLE package which had only 16,700 miles when I bought it for 36,800 with the factory warranty still on it.
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2x4 my guess? I get about 18 to 19 depending on terrain at highway. Overall hand calculated ave is 17 to 18. Truck display says 19 so not so far off.
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Old 02-06-2016, 04:42 AM   #20
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Yup, like everybody said, you need at least a 3/4 ton. If you're going to bite the bullet and get one, try try try to get the diesel. You'll never look back! Personally, I prefer the Cummins, but that's just me. Any of the big 3 are good trucks. Four wheel drive if you can swing it.
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