1/2 Ton Towable

[Rich T]

Hi Guys

I'm looking to get a Work & Play
I need to fit 2 Harleys and for it to be 1/2 ton towable
Is it possible and if so which model would be best

Thanks

[Keystone]

There are several that do provided your 1/2 ton is properly equipped.

In the under 10k GVWR class your choices are: 16UL, 18EC, 21VFB, 24UC and 25CB.

I choose the 25CB because I can get two Trikes in it as well as a Sportster.

[capt4903]

you can fit 2 Harley baggers in an 18EC, but it's tight....one up front against the bench, the other at an angle in the rear....only problem for rear bike is tie downs are not properly located....I added one in rear to help with securing rear bike.....hauled 2 to Sturgis last August....

I also added Firestone air bags to level truck with the extra tongue weight from one of the bikes being so far forward.....

tow my 18EC with 2012 1/2 ton Z71 Silverado.....

if budget allows, I suggest you purchase longer trailer......

[asquared]

What are the specs on your 1/2 ton? What truck do you have?

[Flybob]

You need to get the Max cargo capacity from the yellow tire sticker on the drivers door jamb. Then subtract the loaded tongue weight, +100 lbs for hitch and the weight of the passengers and gear( in truck) . Your limiting factor will probably be cargo capacity not towing capacity.

[Rich T]

Originally Posted by asquared

What are the specs on your 1/2 ton? What truck do you have?

I have a 2013 Ram 1500 Laramie

I like the 21vfb but would consider going to the 25cb if necessary

[davel1971]

do you know your payload and towing rating? Most Ram 1/2 tons have less payload rating than a minivan. Pretty disappointing when you bought it for hauling.

[Rich T]

Originally Posted by davel1971

do you know your payload and towing rating? Most Ram 1/2 tons have less payload rating than a minivan. Pretty disappointing when you bought it for hauling.

Payload is 1240
Max trailer weight is 9900

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by Rich T

Payload is 1240
Max trailer weight is 9900

doesn't give you much left for hitch weight once you got a few people in truck, weight of hitch, and anything in bed

[Rich T]

Originally Posted by davel1971

doesn't give you much left for hitch weight once you got a few people in truck, weight of hitch, and anything in bed

Well that sucks
Any recommendations ?

Can I up the payload capacity somehow or am I looking at a new truck if I want to tow a trailer ?

Any tips on how to talk the wife into agreeing to a 1 ton deisel ?

Thanks

[davel1971]

no way to add payload. New, heavier truck is the only way to add it.

As far as your wife. Here is how I managed a big truck. Luckily for me, my wife has been in car dealers for 30 years. She wanted a 5th wheel bad, but I told her we wouldn't have one till I had the right truck. Wasn't going to over work our 3/4 ton gas truck. In 2013, she bought me a 1 ton Chevy diesel. I kept my word and got the 5th wheel. Last month, it got replaced by a 2016 Ford F350 dually. Can't wait to tow with it.

[mike.t]

Originally Posted by Rich T

Well that sucks
Any recommendations ?

Can I up the payload capacity somehow or am I looking at a new truck if I want to tow a trailer ?

Any tips on how to talk the wife into agreeing to a 1 ton deisel ?

Thanks

Take her for a ride in one.

[Rich T]

Thanks Guys

I appreciate all the help

[Bond]

From a woman's prospective....don't take her for a ride...let her test drive it. I love to drive hubby's 2015 F250 King Ranch. Hard to go from driving it back to the Camry though.

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by Rich T

Payload is 1240
Max trailer weight is 9900

Is that published payload or Cat scale actual payload. My 1500 has 1,490 payload when weighed with me and a full tank of fuel.

[Rich T]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

Is that published payload or Cat scale actual payload. My 1500 has 1,490 payload when weighed with me and a full tank of fuel.

I got the payload and max towing capacity from a web site that listed all the different iterations of RAM trucks with all of the capacities

They varied from truck set-up to truck set-up
Mine is a 13 crew cab short bed with 6 speed trans and 3.92 gears

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by Rich T

I got the payload and max towing capacity from a web site that listed all the different iterations of RAM trucks with all of the capacities

They varied from truck set-up to truck set-up
Mine is a 13 crew cab short bed with 6 speed trans and 3.92 gears

Don't use those numbers. Use the weights on the tire and loading sticker on your drivers side door frame.

Bruce

[BrianSF-GA]

Originally Posted by Flybob

You need to get the Max cargo capacity from the yellow tire sticker on the drivers door jamb. Then subtract the loaded tongue weight, +100 lbs for hitch and the weight of the passengers and gear( in truck) . Your limiting factor will probably be cargo capacity not towing capacity.

Originally Posted by nomad297

Don't use those numbers. Use the weights on the tire and loading sticker on your drivers side door frame.

Bruce

... listen to these replies. They are correct ... !

Before you purchase a toy hauler or a tow vehicle, do your home work. Many call us "tow police" saying "don't worry, it will handle it", but if you are ever in an accident, there is a good chance you will not be covered if you are towing overweight or be charged with an accident that was not your fault if you are towing overweight. Know your terms and their meaning ... TW, GVWR of the tow vehicle, GVWR of the trailer, GCVWR, cargo weight, trailer weight, etc.

[emm-dee]

The only way to get a true payload or useful load or whatever you want to call it is to put the truck on a scale with a full tank of fuel. Subtract that number from the published maximum vehicle weight and you'll have the real world number for what you can carry.

I'm sure it will be a lot different than the "max cargo" number on the door sticker. i.e., Ram publishes a payload figure of 1,780 pounds for my truck, a number to be ignored. It publishes a max vehicle weight of 6,900 pounds which is a real number. I took the truck to the scales, full fuel, me and the stuff I always carry (DeeZee toolbox with stuff in the bed) and the WD hitch shank and ball. The ACTUAL weight is 5,500 pounds, so I have a true load capacity of 1,400 pounds. Well within limits for what I tow and haul around.

[Rich T]

Thanks Guys
I'll follow your advice