QuestionWe are about to purchase our first travel trailer and have been doing some research, but are still confused on weight capacities. We own a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad-cab with a 5.2 liter engine. The GVWR on this truck is 6400 lbs./the GCWR is 12,500 and the Maximum Trailer weight is 7,500. The RV dealers tell us that we can definately tow a 27' trailer that has a UVW of 6085 lbs. and GVWR of 8600. Now I know that we can only go to 7500 lbs., but we are being told that the average family will not carry more than 400 lbs of stuff. The research I'm doing says to the contrary, more like 1000 to 1200 pounds of stuff. PLEASE help. We want to get our travel trailer, but don't want to trade in our truck or tear it up. We can't seem to get a straight answer from anyone about the type/weight of travel trailer and/or what we need to do to our truck to optimize our towing abilities. We also looked into 5th wheels but were told that the hitch provided to much strain on the rear axle and we can't seem to validate this comment.
AnswerMelody,
Take the trailer dry weight and add two tanks of propane (80-120 lbs), water (8.33 lbs/US Gal), dealer installed options, dishes, linnens...
6085
120
383 (assuming 40 Gal fresh water tank + 6 Gal water heater and you will empty grey and waste water before you tow anywhere)
That's 6588 lbs. Empty.
Add your dishes, linnens, clothing, dealer installed options (they weigh more than you think -- e.g. awnings, power jacks/steps...), food, beer.
The beer alone is going to weight more than 400 lbs. (I am invited, right?)
If there are only two of you in your family, it should be possible. If you have kids, forget about it. The more room we had, the more stuff we brought to the cabin. We used to make the five hour trip in an Eagle Talon with three people and a dog. Now the new HEMI Durango isn't big enough. Your needs, or wants, will quickly outgrow the capacity of the trailer and truck.
I'm not sure who said that a fifth wheel would be harder on the rear axle. Even the best weight distribution system is going to load the rear axle over bumps. A fifth wheel puts it's weight a couple of inches ahead of the axle. A fifth wheel also will push the truck through a corner from the axle (like having something heavy in the middle of the truck box. A travel trailer will push from the rear bumper (several feet behind the axle) this uses the leverage of the frame to put more sideways force the rear axle.
I prefer fifth wheels, but that won't solve your current problem of load.
All is not lost. There are plenty of lighter trailers out there (Terry 260BHS for instance is 27'11" and weighs 5538# dry, 7700# gross). I would start looking with an eye on what your truck is capable of towing instead of doing what we all do which is find something you love and then try to make it work.
Good luck,
Shayne Peterson
MobileHitch
http://www.mobilehitch.ca
