I think you will be fine. There on lots of people on this forum who will tell you that you need a 3/4 or 1 ton to tow anything more than a pop up. Good luck!
TXiceman wrote: I am of the opinion, that a 30' trialer is too much for any 1/2 ton truck, even if it supposedly in weight rating. There is a lot more to towing than just having the power to pull the trailer. The dynamics involved require, better tires, better suspension and heavier components if you want the truck to last a bit longer.
The current 1/2 ton trucks (even the ones percieved as heavy duty) are designed for soft rides and running errands in town.
If most of the adament 1/2 ton drivers would ever try pulling their trailer with a 3/4 ton truck, they would quickly see and feel the difference in how easily the rig drives. My suggestion is to listen to the folks that have made the change and listen to their advice.
Ken
Try towing with a Frieghtliner, or Kenworth. You would quickly see, and feel the difference, in how easily the rig drives. YOU might even go buy one. I had one, But I no longer need one. I just get what I need. I don't need a 2500, or 3500, or Kenworth, To tow inside my trucks weight rating. Should I ever get a monster trailer, I'll get a monster truck. But for now. My F150 is waaay overkill for my 6000lb TT. In 2000lbs. I may look at a bigger truck. But then I don't really want a bigger TT, or bigger truck.
Quote: If most of the adament 1/2 ton drivers would ever try pulling their trailer with a 3/4 ton truck, they would quickly see and feel the difference in how easily the rig drives. My suggestion is to listen to the folks that have made the change and listen to their advice.
We have a 3/4 ton work truck (older Chevy) but prefer to use the 1/2 ton for towing. Our 1/2 ton has better suspension, more torque and tows the trailer easier than the 3/4 ton. Plus it sucks less gas and is a LOT more comfortable on those long haul trips (10-11 hours) towing than the 3/4 ton truck
BTW: To the OP. I believe MOST of the answers on here are dealing with weight and can you tow it. Your question was length of trailer to wheelbase of truck I believe.
For that you have MORE than enough wheelbase to handle a 30' trailer. I'd be willing to bet you have a longer wheelbase than about 1/2 of us on here pulling that length of a TT.
Weights are a completely different issue and even though you didn't ask, just make sure you are within the specs of both the cargo capacity of your truck and the tow capacity of your vehicle.
Keep your tongue weight of your trailer around 13% of the loaded trailer weight, invest in a good WDH hitch and brake controller (we use THE Equalizer and Prodigy. Hensley, Propride and others though expensive are really good and top of the line hitches as well).
As far as length - your fine to tow this trailer WITH THE PROPER EQUIPMENT (don't just do a ball drop on the back end of your truck - then you have zero control over sway and loss of steering control on the front tires!)
I have a 1/2 ton long box quad cab truck. Wheelbase is not an issue for me. Anyway, I pull a 33' foot trailer. I have towed it about 3000 miles so far with no issues.
Now, that said I grew up on a farm and have pulled and stopped trailers all my life.
With my prodigy brake controller the truck stops better with the trailer on than without.
The main concern is going to be wheelbase and whether the trailer wants to throw around the truck, mine doesn't, but I don't know how I would feel about towing a 30+ foot with a standard cab truck.. haven't done it..
Jeff
2009 Rockwood Signature Ultra Light 8317SS
2004 Dodge Ram 1500 QC LB Hemi
DW Kelly and DD
The problem with threads like these are the same issues when some member asks: "what is a good make trailer"??? The people who have Jayco's will answer Jayco, the people who have Forest River will answer Forest River, etc., etc., etc...
Same difference here - the people who have 1/2 tons say you'll be fine, the people driving 3/4 tons say you won't... No objectivity displayed on these forums any more...
Drive it and see how you like it... If your within ratings and you feel comfortable, your done!!! If you don't feel comfortable because of truck performance, get a larger truck !!!
Les
2000 Ford F-250SD, XLT, 4X4 Off Road, SuperCab
w/ 6.8L (415 C.I.) V-10/3:73LS/4R100
Banks Power Pack w/Trans Command & OttoMind
2006 Nomad 3150 Double Slide (Bunkhouse)
Hensley Arrow
Jordan Ultima 2020
3000 miles of towing makes an expert on towing???? With the various vehicles we have had, I am well over 100,000 miles with a trailer in tow.
Comparing a new 1/2 ton to ride on an older 3/4 ton is like apples and oranges. When we went from the the 1997 F350 to the 2002 F350, the difference in ride and quitness was amazing. You need to campare like years of the truck.
Yes, a newer 1/2 ton will have a better ride, but how much difference in actually handling the load.
A 31' trailer is still too much for a 1/2 ton truck and I give up at this point. And you do not need a class 7 or 8 tractor for it...that is a silly comparison.
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
A 31' trailer is still too much for a 1/2 ton truck and I give up at this point. And you do not need a class 7 or 8 tractor for it...that is a silly comparison.
Barring weight, how is a long wheelbase 1/2 ton going to tow any different than a long wheel base 3/4-1 ton? they`ll both have the same wheelbase!
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 8yrs
Daughter Marissa 7yrs
Dog Shadow
07 Cherokee 32B
02 Excursion 4X4 V-10 4.30 gear, Hellwig sway bar
Reese HP dualcam,Prodigy brake controller.
A bad day of camping is
better than a good day at work!
i'm within my tow ratings with a 1/2 ton yea id like a bigger truck but wanting doesn't justify the spending. it gets the job done safely. the trucks as safe as the driver wants it to be its not hard to slow down.
TT: 08 Monterey 27 PT by Extreme RV
TV: 06 Sierra K1500 SLE Crew - 3.73:1 4x4 w/5.3L
Hitched with a Husky WD & SC.
Powered by Champion 3500
A 31' trailer is still too much for a 1/2 ton truck and I give up at this point. And you do not need a class 7 or 8 tractor for it...that is a silly comparison.
Barring weight, how is a long wheelbase 1/2 ton going to tow any different than a long wheel base 3/4-1 ton? they`ll both have the same wheelbase!
I also keep trying to bring it back around! The WHEELBASE is the same on a 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton and the OP NEVER ASKED ABOUT WEIGHT OR IF HE COULD TOW IT WEIGHTWISE!
He did ask if he could tow it LENGTHWISE and with a 157" wheelbase (I think he said) YES, he could tow a 30' trailer. TONNAGE of tow vehicle does not change the length question the OP was asking.
I have to think that if the OP asked his question like this: I have a 157" wheelbase truck can I tow a 30' trailer - the answers would all be "yes, as long as the weight is within the specs".
Throw the word "half-ton" in a post and everyone who has a 3/4 ton - 1 ton freak out
If you plan on winning a race while towing and working the lanes through traffic like an ambulance then you are best to consider a truck built more like a tank.
On the other hand if you plan to do 55 to save a few bucks on fuel, are in no hurry to pass, won't sweat the line up behind you going up the hill and will buy a WDH for those windy open stretches and good handling, you will be just fine.
Towing is partially about attitude. I have a good friend that is embarrassed if he has a line up behind on a hill climb and would rather stomp on the accelerator and burn the fuel than be the guy that annoys folks for even one minute. I, on the other hand, think the highway is not a motor speedway and unless there is an actual ambulance on my tail (for which I will pull over) I think I am teaching folks a lesson in patience.
Happy trails!
- Dale
TV - 08 Chevrolet 2500HD
TT - 07 Jayco Jay Flight 26JTX
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