Towing from HOU to DEN

[Chris82]

My wife and I are moving back to CO.

I currently have a Ram 1500 5.7L and the 28DBUD travel trailer.

Was wondering what your thoughts are on towing this thing up there. I would avoid Raton pass and come in through the east side of Denver.

Is it doable?

Will I even be able to tow while in CO with only a 1500 or will I need to get something heavier duty if I want to camp around CO.

I hate to tow it up there if I'm not going to use it. I'd just rather sale it down in Texas.

Thoughts?

Sincerely,

Rookie

[HangDiver]

Doable? Maybe. Check your Payload Capacity, Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and Gross Combined Weight Rating for your particular truck on the sticker in the drivers side door jamb. The tongue weight on your camper is about 800lbs. Add to that the cargo you're going to load up in your truck and check to see if you're over limits.

As an aside, a RAM 2500 is better suited for the task and you can probably find one for less $$ in Texas than here in CO.

[mj0528]

Go up the panhandle and avoid rotan pass. I drove a 28 foot or whatever the largest was from Denver to West Texas that way and no hills really at all. Definitely no passes. Once you get east of Denver, it's super flat. Probably not a bad pull at all. Denver is flat for the most part.

Oh wait, you know that already

[mj0528]

Use a WDH and 1/3 of the tongue weight is back on the trailer.

[Chris82]

Thanks for the responses.

I'm within limits and do not plan on carrying any additional weight.

I do have a use a WDH as well as helper Springs.

It tows fine in flat land Texas, my concern is the temp and altitude in CO in the summer.

Not trying to take it up any passes. But I agree, I'll need something bigger to pull it with later down the road.

Just wanna make sure I'm not being an idiot and trying to do something the 1/2 ton won't do.

Thanks again y'all.

[elchilero53]

Y'all have plenty of truck for Colorado. Your O2 sensors will automatically adjust the fuel-air mixtures. We towed our trailer with our Tahoe to Rapid City & back last September through Limon CO with no trouble at all. We even took a side trip to Eagle Nest NM for a few days. No issues at all. We went up 287 thru Amarillo to Boise City OK and Lamar CO then to Limon. I would avoid the DFW metroplex, though. I suggest you go west on US 290/SH 6 to Hemstead then to Waco on SH 6. Then take I-35 to Hillsboro and 171 to Weatherford. From Weatherford take FM920 to SH 199/US 281 to Wichita Falls, the US 287 the rest of the way. Good flat roads, no Metroplex, plenty of scenery, gas stations etc. No mountain passes either!

Safe travels.

[W5CI]

Take I-45 from Houston to Dallas then pickup US hwy 287 thru Amarillo to Limon,Co then I-70 to Denver. No mountains or hard pulls going this way. Good roads. Good Luck with your trip

[Chris82]

Thanks!

[CedarCreekWoody]

You're leaving us? Us Texans don't want you to leave!

But, if you must, then your truck should be fine. The metroplex is never fun to drive, but I wouldn't waste a lot of time trying to bypass. Just pick up hwy 287 at Corsicana and follow it in through Fort Worth. Yes, you will hit traffic and construction, but you will have multiple lanes.

[Chuckinca]

IMHO stay away from the Fort Worth construction. I would go thru Dallas and up to Denton and take 380 to 287.

Stay on 287 up to I-70 at Limon. Parts of 287 in Colorado become 2 lane and on the rough side (at least it was last time I went thru there about 4 years ago).

[elchilero53]

Originally Posted by Chuckinca

IMHO stay away from the Fort Worth construction. I would go thru Dallas and up to Denton and take 380 to 287.

Stay on 287 up to I-70 at Limon. Parts of 287 in Colorado become 2 lane and on the rough side (at least it was last time I went thru there about 4 years ago).

If you think Houston traffic is bad, drive thru Dallas!

Go around and take the scenic route. No point in leaving us TOO quickly! Maybe you will find a really nice place in North Texas and stay!

[m2kamp]

It's doable.

I had a 2015 5.7 1500 before I bought our trailer (26TBSS) with very similar specs as yours. It only had 3.21 gears though, but with the 8spd transmission there was no lack for power. If you have the 8spd you have plenty of power, especially if you have 3.92 gears too.

IMO the Wildwood 26TBSS and 28DBUD are the only models I would tow with a 1/2 ton. The rest are 3/4 ton+ territory.

I never had any "white knuckle" experiences (even through Houston to Galveston), but I could not get over the occasional tail wagging the dog feeling that comes with towing something that weighs more that the tow vehicle (and 11' 7" tall). Plus we were a few pounds under max payload capacity fully loaded. Now towing with a Ram 2500 and loving it.

Use manual override and gear down for the mountains to save your brakes and max speed 65 mph outside the mountains, enjoy the drive.

[DKRITTER]

There are pretty much 3 routes from DFW to Denver;

1. Amarillo to Raton - Pretty big climb and pass getting into Colorado. Raton Pass is beautiful. 776 miles

2. Amarillo to Limon - Pretty flat but the road is horrible thru the Ok. panhandle and 287 is only a little better in eastern Co. 769 miles

3. Up 35 to Kansas then west in Salina on 70. Longest and smoothest way to get there. I know 8 people who summer in N Colorado/S Wyoming and all go this route now. 870 miles

3.