Towing

[Flyguy66]

Need some help. Can I safely tow a Rockwood or Flagstaff ultra Series
30 ft 6100 lbs
CCC 1352lbs
Hitch weight 650 lbs
With a Dodge Ram Bighorn 1500 Hemi extended cab with 10,600 gross tow weight
And 1640lbs payload?
Would appreciate your feedback.

Thanks

[B and B]

You will have about 1,000 lbs to 1100 lbs tongue weight. Depending on cargo in the truck and people you will be at the limit. I would ass LT tires, I did that with a F 150 to stiffen it up on road. Good for towing but dry was crappy ride.

[rockfordroo]

Suggest you read this thread and compare what it says to your situation.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...te-142848.html

[elchilero53]

In a nutshell, yes. If you use a weight-distributing hitch, it will help distribute the tongue weight more evenly. Put the maximum cold air pressure in your rear tires before towing and you should be good to go. Drive safe!

[Flyguy66]

Originally Posted by elchilero53

In a nutshell, yes. If you use a weight-distributing hitch, it will help distribute the tongue weight more evenly. Put the maximum cold air pressure in your rear tires before towing and you should be good to go. Drive safe!

Thank you Sir

[Flyguy66]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Suggest you read this thread and compare what it says to your situation.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...te-142848.html

Thanks RockfordRoo
Isn't payload the combination of trailer tongue weight and the people and cargo in The tow vehicle?
Cargo in trailer isn't included unless over weight which then increases published tongue weight of trailer manufacturer.
Am I correct on this?

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Flyguy66

Need some help. Can I safely tow a Rockwood or Flagstaff ultra Series
30 ft 6100 lbs
CCC 1352lbs
Hitch weight 650 lbs
With a Dodge Ram Bighorn 1500 Hemi extended cab with 10,600 gross tow weight
And 1640lbs payload?
Would appreciate your feedback.

Thanks

You give a Lot of Info but,if your Ram has "Rear Coil Springs" lots of people Install "Air Bags" to Improve the Towing Experience on the 1500! Youroo!!

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Flyguy66

Thanks RockfordRoo
Isn't payload the combination of trailer tongue weight and the people and cargo in The tow vehicle?
Cargo in trailer isn't included unless over weight which then increases published tongue weight of trailer manufacturer.
Am I correct on this?

Yes, payload is tongue weight, weight distribution hitch, wife, kids, dogs, and any "stuff;" basically anything you put in the tow vehicle.

Cargo in the trailer gets included because anything you put in the trailer between the trailers axles and the tongue will increase the tongue weight. The only way to know ACTUAL tongue weight is to load it up and weigh it. Since this isn't practical if you haven't bought it yet, you have to estimate. Tongue weight is normally 10-15% of the GVWR that's on the side of the trailer. The question then becomes, how conservative do you want to be in your estimate? 10%, 12%, 15%? Whichever you pick, you might be wrong. Of course, it's better to plan on 15% and have actual be 10% than the other way around. Most people exceed their tow vehicles payload before they ever get close to exceeding the towing capacity.

Also, the tongue weights published by the the manufacturer is usually DRY tongue weight. Dry weights are the trailer with NOTHING in it, meaning it does NOT include battery, AC, LP tanks, water, stove, microwave, etc. etc. The trailer will NEVER weigh anything close to the dry weight. That's why we are recommending you use the GVWR, which will keep you out of trouble. Also beware of any RV salesman who says, "Oh, your XYZ can pull this trailer." Unless he's actually spec'd out your tow vehicle, he's blowing smoke to make a sale.