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Old 03-26-2017, 08:23 PM   #1
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Truck needs

I have a 2014 Surveyor Sport 220rbs. Love the trailer. We are looking for a truck. A gmc sierras 1500 with a 6.2 motor , a a max towing pkg, and a gear ratio of 3.4 pulls nearly 12000 lbs. we vacation in the mtns of Colo. I am being told that I need a 2500 hd because of suspension lack in a half ton. This trailer weighs about 4500 empty. They tell me that I will wind up going off the mtn if in a high wind. Who do I believe?
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Old 03-26-2017, 08:30 PM   #2
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Any one telling you you need a 3/4 ton truck to pull a camper that weighs 4,500 pounds is a member of the "weight police" and wouldnt tow a pop up without a diesel dually.

are you kidding me 4,500 pounds? numerous suv's could handle that all day, any 1/2 truck even one with a smaller motor could handle it. throw in the v8 and you could add at least 2-3 pounds and still be fine.

or you are talking to a truck sales person trying to sell you a truck.
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Old 03-26-2017, 08:43 PM   #3
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It isn't just the ability to pull that you need to consider it's the cargo capacity of the truck
Add up the tounge weight of the fully loaded trailer along with the passanger and any cargo in the bed of the truck and compare that to what the trucks cargo capacity is

Heck we pulled full hay wagons around the yard with garden tractors but they have no tounge weight now try and hitch that same camper to the lawn tractor and move it

Not saying yes or no but without all the info we can't say
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Old 03-26-2017, 08:44 PM   #4
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Any one telling you you need a 3/4 ton truck to pull a camper that weighs 4,500 pounds is a member of the "weight police" and wouldnt tow a pop up without a diesel dually.

are you kidding me 4,500 pounds? numerous suv's could handle that all day, any 1/2 truck even one with a smaller motor could handle it. throw in the v8 and you could add at least 2-3 pounds and still be fine.

or you are talking to a truck sales person trying to sell you a truck.
I take offense to that! I am weight police, card carrying member, and I think that's crazy! While empty weight is never the actual weight of the trailer that is a bit much. If you get blown off the mountain by a gust of wind in a 1500,the 2500 probably right behind you...
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Old 03-26-2017, 09:52 PM   #5
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Here we go with the truck merry go round again. I have seen Peterbuilt tractor trailer trucks tipped over by wind. Gust are gust no matter what sailboat your hauling.
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Old 03-27-2017, 10:14 AM   #6
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SUV

You will be fine with a 1/2 ton truck. We pull our 220RBS with a Saturn Outlook just fine.
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Old 03-27-2017, 10:26 AM   #7
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If your trailer weighs 4500lbs dry, it probably weighs closer to 5500lbs when loaded. The towing capacity number is almost meaningless since most trucks will exceed their cargo capacity when towing a much lighter trailer. With a 5500lb trailer you will probably carry around 15% of the total trailer weight (825lbs) on the hitch. Once you add in the weight of passengers and other gear, if you are below your truck's cargo capacity, you should be good to go.
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Old 03-30-2017, 06:27 PM   #8
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hidee ho

Hi, we have towed our 2013 FR Surveyor 220 for almost 5 years now with our 2012 Ram 1500 5.7l 4X4 hemi quad cab with no problems. I have more than a 20% safety, power and braking margin with the truck rated to tow 8500 lbs and our trailer weighing just at 5000lbs loaded. We tow at 60-65mph very comfortably. We use a good WDH and I just put load range D Carlise tires on the trailer and new BFGoodrich all terrain KO2's on the truck. With a good WDH set up properly on a 1/2 ton truck with an appropriate towing capacity you should be good to go. If it's windy to knock you off the road, you should be camped somewhere waiting for the weather to clear up! Happy Trails!
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Old 03-30-2017, 08:50 PM   #9
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If you are looking for a newer truck, try a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. You won't regret it.
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Old 03-30-2017, 09:18 PM   #10
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If you are looking for a newer truck, try a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. You won't regret it.
Well, I would go for the Ford F-250 gasser. Got my popcorn ready
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Old 03-30-2017, 09:29 PM   #11
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You will be fine with a 1/2 ton truck. We pull our 220RBS with a Saturn Outlook just fine.
In the Rockies in Colorado???!!! That's where the OP wants to go.

I pulled my Roo 19 (~4100 lbs) for one season with a Traverse (twin to your Outlook). NOT happy even here in the midwest (I'm just south of you). Got a pickup truck. I would NEVER have taken my Traverse/Roo to the Rockies. Ain't no way.

PS: Hope you don't get the dreaded transmission wave plate issue pulling that thing around. http://www.traverseforum.com/index.p...;topicseen#new
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Old 03-30-2017, 09:29 PM   #12
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I have an Escalade ESV with the same power train as you. I pull a 26RR that weighs about 7600 loaded with no issues. The biggest thing is making sure your hitch and brake controller are set up well. I have towed in storms before, and as long as you take it easy, you'll be fine. The 6.2 is a great engine for pulling (other than 7 MPG).

I think you'll be fine.
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Old 04-17-2017, 08:30 PM   #13
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I just upgraded to a Ram 2500 from an F150. I no longer have to worry about being over payload. I was close with the F150. I have not towed yet with the 2500 but I'm sure it will do great.
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Old 04-17-2017, 09:00 PM   #14
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I do not know why but this whole time you got a 1500.. Need to pay better attention.
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Old 04-17-2017, 09:06 PM   #15
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You will be fine with a 1/2 ton truck. We pull our 220RBS with a Saturn Outlook just fine.
It's not IF your transmission leaves you stranded, it's WHEN your transmission leaves you stranded! I'd trade it in while it still moves!
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Old 04-17-2017, 09:30 PM   #16
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Truck needs

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I do not know why but this whole time you got a 1500.. Need to pay better attention.


I would have kept my f150 if I was staying in that class. It was a dependable truck. I put the WdH on yesterday and adjusted it. Felt nice not to have truck sag 4" when setting trailer down and having to eliminate that sag with hitch and air bags.

I got it now to 1/2" drop in back and the front staying the same as when the camper is not hitched. [emoji106]
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Old 04-17-2017, 09:39 PM   #17
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Old 06-24-2017, 02:45 PM   #18
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The 220 has a whopping 3,000 pounds of cargo capacity, beyond the empty weight; still no problem at all for most half-ton trucks.
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Old 06-24-2017, 03:01 PM   #19
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The OP has had no activity on the site since 3/27/'17. Just sayin'.
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Old 06-24-2017, 07:33 PM   #20
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Yep, one and done.
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