I think what a lot of people miss when these discussions come up is you can pull anything if you 'want' to. Will it be a pleasant experience if you have an under rated TV? No.
Been there done that, and it is not fun. You are exhausted by the time you get to your destination fighting winds, semi suck, inclines etc with a TV that has to work at getting you and your TT there.
Then get behind the wheel of a TV that is made to haul your TT safely and then the ride to your destination becomes part of the whole pleasant camping experience.
Not to mention I don't want to be ahead, behind, or next to a TV that can't handle it's load doing 65 mph down the interstate.
31 ft Four Winds
Chevy Tracker 4x4 Blue Ox We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
JJBIRISH wrote: I just wonder...of all the ones that so no don't pull it, and to take it back...
only 1, list what they are pulling and what they are pulling it with... the one the did list his could pull three of his trailers with his TV...
things that make you go hmm...
I noticed this as well. Everyone that has actually pulled a trailer with a smaller vehicle report no problems, and that they have been doing it for miles and miles in the mountains or on cross country trips.
The only difference between pulling my trailer with a half ton 5.3 V8 Chervolet Pickup and my smaller Ranger truck is how much power you have at 65 MPH+ on the freeway. With my Ranger I can top out at 70 or so on the freeway in 3rd gear, but with the 5.3 Chevrolet I could probably tow at 100 mph.
I can't figure out why I would need to go over 70 on the freeway with a trailer
I honestly notice no stability issues, sway, etc with either truck, they are about the same in that regard.
MPG is the exact same 10- 11 MPG with both vehicles towing.
For those that are scared of being on the road with my smaller truck and trailer, I will be happy to tell you where in the country I will be traveling so you can take an alternate route. Just PM me.
If the dry weight of the trailer is 3500 lbs and your truck is rated for 5500lbs, allow 1000lbs for camping stuff and your still 1000lbs under. And the 4.3l is a great little engine. Get a weight distribution hitch, sway control and a good brake controller and don't get in a rush to get there and you'll be fine. Also make sure to tow in 3rd or your tranny won't last long. You'll be fine.
Thanks again everyone for all the input... much appreciated!
We decided to hang on the this truck until we try a weekend adventure close to home and see how we get along... our first reservation is for the end of June... I'll give an update then!
JJBIRISH wrote: I just wonder...of all the ones that so no don't pull it, and to take it back...
only 1, list what they are pulling and what they are pulling it with... the one the did list his could pull three of his trailers with his TV... things that make you go hmm...
I noticed this as well. Everyone that has actually pulled a trailer with a smaller vehicle report no problems, and that they have been doing it for miles and miles in the mountains or on cross country trips.
The only difference between pulling my trailer with a half ton 5.3 V8 Chervolet Pickup and my smaller Ranger truck is how much power you have at 65 MPH+ on the freeway. With my Ranger I can top out at 70 or so on the freeway in 3rd gear, but with the 5.3 Chevrolet I could probably tow at 100 mph.
I can't figure out why I would need to go over 70 on the freeway with a trailer
I honestly notice no stability issues, sway, etc with either truck, they are about the same in that regard.
MPG is the exact same 10- 11 MPG with both vehicles towing.
For those that are scared of being on the road with my 'smaller truck and trailer', I will be happy to tell you where in the country I will be traveling so you can take an alternate route. Just PM me.
It goes further than just the 'size' of the TV. My first and last RV'ing with a TT was with a 6,500 lb Tahoe 4x4 big engine! You'd think that she'd have enough power right!
Well ya I 'could' have gone 100 mph, but it wouldn't have been safely.
It becomes an issue of the tail wagging the dog with a TV with too short of a wheel base which is the Tahoe's problem. I see a lot of TV's on the road with a short wheel base and the TT is doing all the driving. These are the ones I like to stay away from.
On the way to Tulsa on I70 during spring storm season was all it took for me. I had to pull off the road and delay my trip. If I would have had a longer wheel base truck or 5'er I wouldn't have had to stop and could have continued 'safely' down the road. The Tahoe was retired as a TV after that trip.
Some of the advice here is good. But it is normal for many on this site to tell you you can not do it.
That said your may be able to pull this trailer but you will find the truck really straining. Most of the small trucks will pull a trailer up to the tow rating if it has low wind resistance like a boat. But pulling a TT is not at all like pulling a boat. The wind resistance really plays a big role and the drag is exponential to the speed.
So pulling the TT will be a challange. Make sure you do a couple of things to be safe. Get a quality brake controller, a good weight distribution hitch with sway control, we like our equalizer hitch, pay very close attention to the tounge weight and load the trailer as lightly as possible. Transmission cooler is a great idea. Make sure all of the tires, TV and TT, are properly inflated. Lastly take your time, you will not be able to drive like you did without the TT attached. Limit your speed.
A short trial run trip to someplace within about an hour away will help. Take a note pad and keep a list of all of the stuff you forgot.
In the end you will proably wnat a bigger turck, lots of good deals on used ones. But in the meantime take your time, make sure your equipment is in good shape and try and have some fun.
A man, his wife, a son and Cody the Goldendoodle.
2008 Laredo 284BHS, 2001 Chevy Sliverado 2500HD 4X4 4.10, Equal-i-zer, Primus, Subaru RG4300iS
amdoucette01 wrote: My partner and I bought (a bit impulsively) a new travel trailer yesterday - a 22 ft 2007 Fleetwood Mallard. The salesman told us that our 1/4 ton V6 little truck will pull it no problem, but the more I'm looking on line (which I probably should have done before yesterday!), the more scared I'm getting. The towing capacity of our truck is 5500 lb and the trailer's GVWR is 5600.
I'm hoping someone out there can give me some advice... do we need to buy a new truck as well??
I'm also a bit concerned that we made a mistake going with a wood frame trailer instead of fiberglass.
Did we make a big mistake?
You will only enjoy the TT if YOU are happy with it and your truck.
Since you are already concerned then you will never be happy with your current setup. IF you can afford it then you should go ahead and get a new truck so that you will be comfortable towing.
Now notice that I have repeatedly used the word YOU. This is because it does not matter what anyone here thinks, YOU have to be happy with what YOU have. It is great to ask for advice and thoughts but (once again) YOU have to do what makes YOU comfortable.
(Now whatever YOU do DO NOT ask what brand of truck to get, that would bring on pages of replys. So that said get a Dodge ....haha)
303 Keystone Zeppelin
180RX Stingray
2006 Dodge Ram Mega 1500 (yeah its got a Hemi)
2006 Dodge Durango (yeah its got a Hemi)
..Some folks say that I've got the perfect life
Three swell kids, lots of toys and a lovely wife...
It is fun to watch how many people want to spend your money. Like it is just so easy to just 'upgrade' a vehicle. I think you will be just fine. Get a WDH, good brake controller. Drive safe, and manage your speeds and weights. Don't try and win any races. I have a 3500 dodge ram diesel and I still do all of this stuff.I keep my speed on the safer side, have WDH and have a Tekonsha brake controller.I find if I take my time and relax while driving instead of trying to make the best time make a more relaxing ride then having the biggest tow vehicle. I know I severly overdid it with my vehicle but it was a deal I would have been dumb to pass up. Otherwise I would have a smaller TV. In retrospect you will always get 3times more negative info then positive info. So keep this in mind when asking any question. The neysayers always like to pipe in before everyone else. By the way mine is only a 6cylinder also...he he he...just be safe have fun and enjoy....Keep us informed on how it did. I am curious on how you felt it towed/handled....
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