Question New to RVing. Upgrade truck?

[CharlesMc]

My wife and I bought a used 2020 29ft Venture Stratus Travel Trailer to start our new RV adventures and are very new to this.
We are pulling the 7,000 pound trailer with a 2010 Ram 1500, 5.7 liter v8. It is an older model truck but his a good engine that does not seemed to be stressed. It it rated to pull 10,000 pounds and we are using a Curt Echo Smart control brake assist adapter.
While highway driving, we are getting significant sway and fishtail if we go over 60 mph.
Is there any improvement that we can do to our current truck to improve the drive and decrease the sway? New shocks? New struts? Installed brake assist? What do I need to consider?
Or do I need to buy a new truck?

 

[Rosy]

Are you using a 4 point weight distributing hitch with sway control (Equal-i-zer, Fastway E2, Curt Tru-Track or similar)?

 

[CharlesMc]

Are you using a 4 point weight distributing hitch with sway control (Equal-i-zer, Fastway E2, Curt Tru-Track or similar)?

Thanks for the tip. I would need to research. I have seen some good and bad about these types of hitch. Do they work for you?

 

[Rosy]

Thanks for the tip. I would need to research. I have seen some good and bad about these types of hitch. Do they work for you?

I love my Equal-i-zer. My trailer is 28 ft total (25 ft box) and probably about 6500 lb loaded and my Tundra tows it no problem, though I don't often go much above 65 mph anyway.

Is your trailer 29 ft total (i.e. hitch to bumper) or is that the inside length? 7000 lb loaded (confirmed on a scale) or is that the manufacturer's stated dry weight?

 

[CharlesMc]

I love my Equal-i-zer. My trailer is 28 ft total (25 ft box) and probably about 6500 lb loaded and my Tundra tows it no problem, though I don't often go much above 65 mph anyway.

Is your trailer 29 ft total (i.e. hitch to bumper) or is that the inside length? 7000 lb loaded (confirmed on a scale) or is that the manufacturer's stated dry weight?

Stratus 281VBH. am estimating 7000 loaded, but not confirmed on scale. UVW is 6330. Probably less than 7000 loaded. Exterior length is actually 31'10"

 

[Rosy]

Stratus 281VBH. am estimating 7000 loaded, but not confirmed on scale. UVW is 6330. Probably less than 7000 loaded. Exterior length is actually 31'10"

In my opinion, you're starting to get towards heavy duty truck territory there. How far over your payload capacity are you with the loaded trailer hitched up?

 

[FL-JOE]

Another question I would have is can your stock mirrors allow you to see down the side of your TT?

As we were coming into San Antonio yesterday there was a SUV towing a 24' to 26' TT and he was not only having a hard time staying in his lane but his mirrors did not allow him to see the lanes around him. As I started around him he blindly began a lane change. Thankfully he heard my F350 horn in time to jerk back into his lane. Very dangerous situation.

 

[CharlesMc]

In my opinion, you're starting to get towards heavy duty truck territory there. How far over your payload capacity are you with the loaded trailer hitched up?

Our truck is rated to 10,000, so fully loaded, we are still below our towing capacity by 3000+. Our biggest issue is swaying and bobbing at the hitch. I think we need new shocks. Is there a travel trailer designed truck shock set that we should look into?

 

[CharlesMc]

Another question I would have is can your stock mirrors allow you to see down the side of your TT?

As we were coming into San Antonio yesterday there was a SUV towing a 24' to 26' TT and he was not only having a hard time staying in his lane but his mirrors did not allow him to see the lanes around him. As I started around him he blindly began a lane change. Thankfully he heard my F350 horn in time to jerk back into his lane. Very dangerous situation.

Thanks Joe. I agree on the advice. I have been able to see, but think I could use a little extra. Have fun out there.

 

[Rosy]

Our truck is rated to 10,000, so fully loaded, we are still below our towing capacity by 3000+. Our biggest issue is swaying and bobbing at the hitch. I think we need new shocks. Is there a travel trailer designed truck shock set that we should look into?

Towing capacity is not the only number that matters. You also need to look at your GVWR/payload. I think the Rams are weak like the Tundras so you're probably over when loaded up.

 

[FL-JOE]

Just so you don't run out of things to consider Charles. One other thing I will toss out there is getting a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) for those TT tires. I think it is about the biggest piece of RV safety equipment anyone can invest in. Most systems are simple buttons that screw onto your valve stems. The systems monitor will show you the exact psi and temperature of each tire on your RV. If one blows or starts going down a loud alarm will sound.

I mention this because over the past month as we have traveled through much of the southwest there probably hasn't been a single day where we haven't passed a TT, fiver, or other RV off on the shoulder with a flat tire. In most of those instances the RV had some type of damage from the tire failure which could have been prevented if they had been using a TPMS.

 

[CharlesMc]

Just so you don't run out of things to consider Charles. One other thing I will toss out there is getting a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) for those TT tires. I think it is about the biggest piece of RV safety equipment anyone can invest in. Most systems are simple buttons that screw onto your valve stems. The systems monitor will show you the exact psi and temperature of each tire on your RV. If one blows or starts going down a loud alarm will sound.

I mention this because over the past month as we have traveled through much of the southwest there probably hasn't been a single day where we haven't passed a TT, fiver, or other RV off on the shoulder with a flat tire. In most of those instances the RV had some type of damage from the tire failure which could have been prevented if they had been using a TPMS.

Thanks for the tip. You are appreciated

 

[CharlesMc]

Towing capacity is not the only number that matters. You also need to look at your GVWR/payload. I think the Rams are weak like the Tundras so you're probably over when loaded up.

Thank you for helping. I think I am at the point of deciding to invest in my current truck or upgrade, so I am looking for advice to do one or the other. Your help is important to me.

 

[Gizmo]

There are several things to check that cause sway.
1. With 7000 pounds you want 12.5% or more (875 pounds) or more tongue weight. A light tongue is one of the big factors of sways.
2. Check your Yellow door sticker in your passenger's door and insure with the people and cargo plus tongue weight you are not overweighted.
3. "I" believe that 29 feet are pushing the limits of what a half-ton can handle. Now, this is my opinion but through my experience, this is what I feel.
4. Improperly adjusted sway bars. Follow the manufacturer's instructs on how to set it up.
5. I am sure your tires have been replaced so you need to check for weight ratings and insure they are truck tires. I lot of half tons have tires that improve ride but are not made to handle the weight of towing. You may have to go to stiffer sidewall tires.
6. Bring it to a scale with the RV hooked up and insure you hot over your truck's GVWR, GAWR, GCWR, and tire weight ratings. You can easily exceed all the major ratings and be under the 10,000-pound towing rating. Keep your family safe!
7. Guess how much stuff you put in the RV most of the time doesn't work. I have over 2500 pounds in my RV and I guessed around 1500 from past experience. My payload on my RV is 7224 points so I'm still well under.
8. If you truck has been abused you might want to check you suspension and shocks.

Good luck...

 

[CharlesMc]

There are several things to check that cause sway.
1. With 7000 pounds you want 12.5% or more (875 pounds) or more tongue weight. A light tongue is one of the big factors of sways.
2. Check your Yellow door sticker in your passenger's door and insure with the people and cargo plus tongue weight you are not overweighted.
3. "I" believe that 29 feet are pushing the limits of what a half-ton can handle. Now, this is my opinion but through my experience, this is what I feel.
4. Improperly adjusted sway bars. Follow the manufacturer's instructs on how to set it up.
5. I am sure your tires have been replaced so you need to check for weight ratings and insure they are truck tires. I lot of half tons have tires that improve ride but are not made to handle the weight of towing. You may have to go to stiffer sidewall tires.
6. Bring it to a scale with the RV hooked up and insure you hot over your truck's GVWR, GAWR, GCWR, and tire weight ratings. You can easily exceed all the major ratings and be under the 10,000-pound towing rating. Keep your family safe!
7. Guess how much stuff you put in the RV most of the time doesn't work. I have over 2500 pounds in my RV and I guessed around 1500 from past experience. My payload on my RV is 7224 points so I'm still well under.
8. If you truck has been abused you might want to check you suspension and shocks.

Good luck...

Thank you Gizmo. Good tips. I have some work to so.