Travel trailer towing

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tylerfoster

Member
Joined
May 27, 2013
Posts
12
Have had a an RV before and towed a 6x12 enclosed trailer with Harley no problem. But no car.
Now looking at 27-29 travel trailers so I could tow with Harley in bed of truck. Figuring I will need a one ton 3500 diesel truck probably a duelly. Even with this much truck am I going to comfortably be able to do this? My storage barn is only 11.5 ft high so a big DP won't fit. Comments?
 
Truthfully you shouldn't need that big of a truck to tow a medium sized travel trailer. It depends on what it weighs and how much you put in the truck bed.
There are numerous threads on this forum about how to calculate towing ratings.
 
I'm going to agree that a 3/4 ton should suffice, but of course it depends on the trailer and weight of the bike, and other cargo in the truck.

My F250 (regular cab)can haul somewhere in the vicinity of 3,500 pounds (gross vehicle weight 10k).  Do the math on a few trucks.  I think you will be fine, but do get what you need to pull safely.

 
I agree.  A ? ton should do the job, but if you want a dually, nobody ever complained about too much truck!

The formula is simple.  On the driver door of every truck built since 2009 is a yellow label that states the max weight of cargo and passengers.  This is the REAL payload as it left the factory.

Now add together the weight of all passengers and cargo you plan to have in the truck, including the weight of the Harley and loading ramps.  Add 80# for a WD hitch.  Add 10% of the GROSS weight of your proposed TT.  When you go truck shopping, make sure any proposed truck has a payload that exceeds this value.  Do not let some salesman dissuade you from this informed position!!!

Depending on brand,  body style and trim level, a 2500 / F250 payload should average between 2500# and 3200#.  A SRW 3500 / F350 should average 3500# - 4000#.  A 3500 / F350 DRW will average between 5000# and 6500#.
 
I've been looking at trailers in those lengths as well. The weights I have seen are in the 7600 lb to 8400 lb vicinity. A decent 3/4 ton pickup will handle that. I have a 2015 heavy 1/2 ton Chev and it will tow up 9500 lbs., although I would never tow close to that as by the time you add water, food, luggage, propane, and people, etc.


Bill
 
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