hello everyone from looking at these post i think i should be ok with my half ton pu towing a 29' TT 5800 lbs towing with a 2011 ram quad cab 4x4 with the hemi.
As Ron alluded to above... your payload capacity is the main concern with a 1/2 ton. Once you add the tongue wt of the TT, passengers, tools, equipment, wood, and whatever else you put in the back of the truck, the payload capacity of a 1/2 ton is quickly diminished.
Do your math and be sure ALL capacity ratings are not being exceeded. Most all 1/2 ton PUs have more than sufficient horsepower to pull much more of a trailer than it's rated for. The payload, rear axle, and gross weight of the truck needs to be addressed first.
Hope this helps
Another Ron
Ron & Sandie
'08 Safari Simba SBD35 CAT C7
Toad: 2011 GMC Terrain SLT2
Tow Bar: Sterling AT
Toad Brakes: Unified U.S. Gear
TPMS: Pressure Pro
Member of: GS, FMCA, Safari Intl, CAT
I tow in D with the tow/haul mode on if I'm on the highway or flat roads. If I'm on a backroad that's hilly or slow, I'll drop it to "3" to keep it from shifting so often. Also, raising the rpms a bit, going slower and not working the motor or trans so hard gets better MPG.
We tow our camper in D at all times. We just don't "gas on it!' when going up mountains (for example). We just take it easy, no sense in revving the motor up for no reason to get somewhere 5 minutes quicker overall. We tow with a 2000 F150, and our camper is about 4400 lbs. Plenty of motor, and tranny, no sense to waste the additional gas by dropping down to a lower gear..... unless we are going DOWNhill, then sometimes (like Old Fort Mtn.) we will shift down to 2nd and let the truck hold back the camper and save the brakes...
I always recomend taking the dry weight and adding approx. 1200lbs to it. this will get you close to your ready to travel weight! so around 6200lbs give or take, will be your ready to travel weight. shouldn`t be a problem for your truck. I used to have a 1/2 ton Dodge conv. van with the 5.9L and 3.90 gears and towed a 28ft. 6500lb loaded TT with it, it never had any issue doing it anywhere! keep in mind you will feel the truck working hard, but that`s because you will essentially be hauling a house behind you.
You`ll be OK!
As far a sway control systems. I highly recomend the Reese Dual Cam (Staright Line) system! they are the very best WD hitch with integrated sway control! I use it with my 32foot 9200lb TT and it does an exceptional job! just don`t let the dealer set it up, they will never get it right, ask any one here!
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 11yrs
Daughter Marissa 10yrs
Dog Shadow
07 Cherokee 32B
02 Excursion 4X4 V-10 4.30 gear 5Star tuner Y-pipe mod Hellwig sway bar
Reese HP dualcam Prodigy brake controller
A bad day of camping is
better than a good day at work!
Offline
.jpg)
