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Truck Question

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PBRdude

RVF Regular
Joined
Jan 19, 2021
Messages
11
Looking for advice. I have a 33’ TT, GVWR 9,400lbs. I’m searching for a truck capable of safely towing this TT. I’m considering a 2017 Ram 2500 Tradesman Crew Cab 4x4, 6.4L V8 Hemi, 6 speed Auto 66RFE Trans, 4.1 axle ratio. The Dodge charts give Max payload 3037lbs. Max Tow 15,837lbs. I know I need to look at door sticker for actual numbers. The truck has 14,500 miles. Dealer is asking $37,500. Any opinions?
 
My thoughts...You appear well within the specs of the tow vehicle you are considering. While the weight appears easily managed the length is considerable for a TT. My experience is that most trucks have very narrow rims as OE. I know that my older 2013 2500 had 7.5'' wide wheels and upgraded/wider tires stock. The TV was pushed around by the smallish 30 TT that I towed. My solution was to increase the rim width to 9''for the same tire. This made a dramatic increase in the truck's stability. Many will increase the tire width believing that they have improved their safety when the effect was actually de stabilizing due to the sidewall flex causing more "wander". Bilstein shocks were a considerable improvement as well. They have 2 versions for trucks 4700 and 5100 series. If your TV is not lifted, I recommend the 4700 series. BTW, I would never lift a TV. Anyway, the lower number Bilstein is specific to non-lifted trucks. Again, many will say that they have had good luck with the 5100 series on non-lifted trucks. My discussions with Bilstein Technical in that regard was not ambiguous. The product specialist remarked that Bilstein would not invest the R&D into 2 different dampers with no apparent advantage.
Good luck in your shopping!
 
Wow! A “37’ TT” is well into 5th wheel territory. Are we really talking about a 37’ straight-pull TT?

If so, I wouldn’t consider anything less than a 1-ton chassis for towing something that long; if I would consider towing it at all. I’d be afraid of the tail wagging the dog with anything less than a 1-ton with stiffer suspension, heavier brakes, etc.. YMMV.

TJ
 
The sticker below was on my 2017 F350 1 ton diesel pickup on the hitch itself. Your TT easily could easily exceed that 1,210 Mas Tongue Wt. I would look for a Class V hitch that comes with a max tow package on heavy-duty trucks.


hitch.jpg
 
My thoughts...You appear well within the specs of the tow vehicle you are considering. While the weight appears easily managed the length is considerable for a TT. My experience is that most trucks have very narrow rims as OE. I know that my older 2013 2500 had 7.5'' wide wheels and upgraded/wider tires stock. The TV was pushed around by the smallish 30 TT that I towed. My solution was to increase the rim width to 9''for the same tire. This made a dramatic increase in the truck's stability. Many will increase the tire width believing that they have improved their safety when the effect was actually de stabilizing due to the sidewall flex causing more "wander". Bilstein shocks were a considerable improvement as well. They have 2 versions for trucks 4700 and 5100 series. If your TV is not lifted, I recommend the 4700 series. BTW, I would never lift a TV. Anyway, the lower number Bilstein is specific to non-lifted trucks. Again, many will say that they have had good luck with the 5100 series on non-lifted trucks. My discussions with Bilstein Technical in that regard was not ambiguous. The product specialist remarked that Bilstein would not invest the R&D into 2 different dampers with no apparent advantage.
Good luck in your shopping.
The sticker below was on my 2017 F350 1 ton diesel pickup on the hitch itself. Your TT easily could easily exceed that 1,210 Mas Tongue Wt. I would look for a Class V hitch that comes with a max tow package on heavy-duty trucks.


View attachment 5312
The sticker below was on my 2017 F350 1 ton diesel pickup on the hitch itself. Your TT easily could easily exceed that 1,210 Mas Tongue Wt. I would look for a Class V hitch that comes with a max tow package on heavy-duty trucks.


View attachment 5312
Thanks. According to Heartland my Northtrail TT has a hitch weight of 695lbs at a GVWR of 9600#( not 9400 I posted earlier). Ive read tongue weights are normally between 8-15% of trailer weight so this seems light. It has a double axel. I’ll need to weigh it. The hitch I will use is an E2 Fastway rated at 12,000lbs max tow and 1,200# max hitch. I’ll mostly use this setup for weekend warrior camping, fair weather and flat terrain. Still think I’ll need a one ton? I’d be a bit disappointed if I cant make this safely work with a 3/4 ton truck that will be my ’at home’ vehicle. I appreciate your thoughts!
 
My thoughts...You appear well within the specs of the tow vehicle you are considering. While the weight appears easily managed the length is considerable for a TT. My experience is that most trucks have very narrow rims as OE. I know that my older 2013 2500 had 7.5'' wide wheels and upgraded/wider tires stock. The TV was pushed around by the smallish 30 TT that I towed. My solution was to increase the rim width to 9''for the same tire. This made a dramatic increase in the truck's stability. Many will increase the tire width believing that they have improved their safety when the effect was actually de stabilizing due to the sidewall flex causing more "wander". Bilstein shocks were a considerable improvement as well. They have 2 versions for trucks 4700 and 5100 series. If your TV is not lifted, I recommend the 4700 series. BTW, I would never lift a TV. Anyway, the lower number Bilstein is specific to non-lifted trucks. Again, many will say that they have had good luck with the 5100 series on non-lifted trucks. My discussions with Bilstein Technical in that regard was not ambiguous. The product specialist remarked that Bilstein would not invest the R&D into 2 different dampers with no apparent advantage.
Good luck in your shopping!
Thanks. So are you recommending wider tires and better shocks?
 
I am not recommending wider tires, I am recommending wider wheels (with the same tires) that must be load rated to at least match your LRE tires.
There are many wheels sold in the 8 bolt config that do not meet the OEM spec.
For example, I was researching Fuel Wheels spec’d for a dually. They are a big name manufacturer, their dually wheels that I found do not meet OEM spec for weight carrying capacity.
This is critical for a working truck.
Without seeing the door sticker for the truck you’re considering, it is impossible to give blessing to the purchase.
My old GMC used stock tires and wider load rated wheels and had an actual 2981# payload. It towed remarkably well at the payload limit but used air bags for ride height adjustment. I also added a Bilstein steering stabilizer.
 
I am not recommending wider tires, I am recommending wider wheels (with the same tires) that must be load rated to at least match your LRE tires.
There are many wheels sold in the 8 bolt config that do not meet the OEM spec.
For example, I was researching Fuel Wheels spec’d for a dually. They are a big name manufacturer, their dually wheels that I found do not meet OEM spec for weight carrying capacity.
This is critical for a working truck.
Without seeing the door sticker for the truck you’re considering, it is impossible to give blessing to the purchase.
My old GMC used stock tires and wider load rated wheels and had an actual 2981# payload. It towed remarkably well at the payload limit but used air bags for ride height adjustment. I also added a Bilstein steering stabilizer.
Thanks. I need to do more research. I will def examine the sticker.
 
Wow! A “37’ TT” is well into 5th wheel territory. Are we really talking about a 37’ straight-pull TT?

If so, I wouldn’t consider anything less than a 1-ton chassis for towing something that long; if I would consider towing it at all. I’d be afraid of the tail wagging the dog with anything less than a 1-ton with stiffer suspension, heavier brakes, etc.. YMMV.

TJ
I just bought a 36ft tt. 7200lbs dry, around 2000lbs cargo capacity. I will be pulling with a one ton diesel drw with air ride and I'm a bit leary... no way I would do it with a 3/4 srw even if the numbers made sense. I prefer to have more truck than needed.
 

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