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dansdad
Concord, Ca.
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Joined: 10/20/2002
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Ok now I'M where I'm supposed to be to post this question... I finally bought my 26' T.T. yesterday and since my truck isn't in yet, I rented a 250 swb Ford to haul it down. This is the question, the trailer was slightly "bucking" me as if I had a 1/2 ton. The trailer is 4500# and has the sliding sway brace along with the bars that attach underneath from trailer to hitch, but I ordered a 2500 Dodge Crew Cab Diesel LWB. Is my truck enough or what? Or is this normal? My friend pulls a 30' T.T with a 250 ford diesel and says he feels nothing. should I order a 3500 before its built? What is your opInion??? thanks Dave
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Kenneth
Washington, the state
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Joined: 03/20/2001
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Your trailer will tow fine with a properly set up 1/2-ton truck, and will be no problem with your 3/4-tonner.
I don't know what you mean by "buck" but you evidently didn't have things balanced and set up correctly. Here's good info: http://www.can-am-rv.com/cantow1.htm
The spring bars underneath the hitch are for weight distribution--when correctly tightened they move the tongue weight partly to the truck's front end and partly to the trailer wheels to level your truck. The sliding gizmo is a (not very effective) friction sway damping bar, and again it needs to be correctly adjusted for it's limited ability to damp sway.
The bucking you experience could be from an incorrectly adjusted electric brake controller--or a poorly designed controller. The only controllers worth considering, regardless of what your dealer tries to push, are either the Tekonsha Prodigy or the Jordan Ultima www.jordanbrake.com ...don't even consider anything else.
Stick around, learn a lot more about correctly balancing and setting up your rig, and you'll have relaxing and safe tows. Don't count on your trailer dealer to set things up right for you. Some do an excellent job. Some don't know or don't care. Some only care until your check clears.
Ken
*This Message was edited on 12-Jan-03 04:38 PM by Kenneth*
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waam
Holland, Mi 49423
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Joined: 10/06/2002
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dansdad
Your new dodge will pull that trailer, even if you had the wheels off. You are getting top of the line truck for pulling. Their ain't nothing that I know of that Cummins engine wont pull. waam Holland Mich.
2002 dodge diesel c.c. short box anti spin 3.55 axle slt pkg. and its a ROCKET
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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Joined: 10/16/2000
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Dansdad,
You DON'T have a problem. Your truck will be more than adequate to handle (by Handle, I mean pull, stop, maneuver) that trailer. It will probably be more than adequate for just about any standard travel trailer you will ever buy. Just make sure your hitch equipment is set up correctly and get a good anti sway system. I would recommend the Reese Dual Cam if you haven't ordered already. The friction one you used is not very effective.
Good luck and happy camping! ![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD, 1997 Ram 2500 5.9 gas engine
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TXiceman
Bryan, TX
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Joined: 11/17/2000
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A 3/4 ton with the right tow package will do fine. A 26' trailer on any 1/2 ton is a bit of a stretch.
You bucking may have been caused by an improper hitch set up. When you get your truck, make sure that the truck and trailer are both level when set up and the weight distributing bars are parallel with the ground. Also, you must have a sway control.
make sure that the dealer gets the hitch height set up and level. Also make sure you keep 12 to 15% of the total trailer weight on the tongue when loaded.
Happy traveling.
KW
Amateur Radio Operator.
2023 Cougar 22MLS, toted with a 2022, F150, 3.5L EcoBoost, Crewcab, Max Tow, FORMER Full Time RVer. Travel with a standard schnauzer and a Timneh African Gray parrot
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Tmeek
Jackson, MS
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Joined: 02/07/2002
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"A 26' trailer on any 1/2 ton is a bit of a stretch."
OH NO!!! You mean to tell me that over the course of the 4,500 miles I put on my rig last year I was putting my family and every driver we passed into life-threatening danger?
d**n. Well, next trip I'll be sure to send out an APB alerting all drivers of our route and the dates/times when they'll need to stay clear of the roads we'll be on. d**n, d**n, d**n - if ONLY I'd done some research and put a little thought into my purchase decisions. If ONLY I had a little consideration for folks OTHER than myself...
2019 Nissan Frontier 2WD 4.0L V6, 2019 Rockwood A-122 A-Frame folder. 1 man, 1 dog, 1 truck, 1 trailer and God leading the way
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2oldman
NM
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Joined: 04/15/2001
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Where did you find a rental truck with a tow hitch ??? I've never found one ...
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Westronics
Redmond, WA
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Joined: 08/07/2002
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Tmeek:Quote:"A 26' trailer on any 1/2 ton is a bit of a stretch."
OH NO!!! You mean to tell me that over the course of the 4,500 miles I put on my rig last year I was putting my family and every driver we passed into life-threatening danger?
d**n. Well, next trip I'll be sure to send out an APB alerting all drivers of our route and the dates/times when they'll need to stay clear of the roads we'll be on. d**n, d**n, d**n - if ONLY I'd done some research and put a little thought into my purchase decisions. If ONLY I had a little consideration for folks OTHER than myself...
Well, let's see...
Assuming a 1500 (1/2-ton), your wheelbase could be 140" or as 160", in either case long enough for a 26' trailer (rule of thumb puts it at a minimum 134" for 26') so length is okay.
Assuming the 160" wheelbase, the curb weight is 4,990 lbs, the GVWR is 6650 lbs and the GCWR is 11,500 lbs, if I'm not mistaken. Given the camper top, etc, I'll assume you at or near your GVWR of 6650 lbs, leaving only about 5,000 lbs for your trailer.
The Prowler 826M weighs 4,090 lbs empty. So you could safely tow it if you load it very lightly.
Most likely you are indeed over your GCWR and/or your GVWR.
The comment that a 26' trailer is a stretch for a 1/2-ton is right on the mark.
Can it be done within weight and length safety limits? Yes.
Is it a stretch? Yes.
Stow your smart-a** reponses, please.
Even if your GWCR is a bit higher than I've stated above, there is no doubt you are near your limits, so a little less sarcasm next time, if you please.
2002 Jayco Greyhawk 24SS, Camera, ScanGauge, Inverter, Airtabs, Portabote, SeeLevel II, Tireman valves, Xatnrex Battery Monitor, Aero-flo vent, Trik-L-Start, XPS Rib, Chains, Lil' Stanker, Be kind to septic systems Ford: 1-800-444-3311. RV Tires
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Tmeek
Jackson, MS
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Joined: 02/07/2002
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Westronics:
The answer I gave was suitable to the statement, as the statement gave no regard to any criteria but length.
You are correct, though - it was both smart*** and sarcastic. Intentionally.
Now, allow me to share the basis for my remarks.
My tow vehicle:
Wheel base: 140.5, GCVWR - 11,500#; GVWR 6650#
Curb weight: 5100#, +\- (automatic trans)
ARE cap = 160#
Passengers and cargo for a 2-week trip: 425#
Tongue Weiht: 600#
Tow vehicle gross weight: #6285
365#, or 5%, below maximum safe load.
Towed vehicle:
4385# with options
4850# loaded for 2-week trip, including 12 gal. fresh water, 4 gal. black tank, food, clothing, bedding, etc. (we do laundry!)
Minus 600# tongue wt. included with tow vehicle =
4250# gross towed vehicle weight.
6285# Tow Vehicle, plus
4250# Towed vehicle
___________________
10,535# GCVW
965#, or 8%, below maximum safe load
So, in summary, we have a 26' trailer that is well within the generally-accepted safe length parameter for a half-ton truck, and is 8% below its recommended maximum capacity.
I think it's a bit of a "stretch" to call that a "stretch."
*This Message was edited on 13-Jan-03 07:15 PM by tmeek*
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Soundbrz
Olympia WA
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Joined: 10/30/2002
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Dansdad, worry not. I just got my '03 Dodge 2500 QC (HO 6spd). It pulls my little 5700 lb trailer around easy as pie. In fact, I'm worried the durn thing won't break in right without a real heavy load. I guess I'll just have to tow up steep hills for the first few hundred miles ;-)
Perhaps it was the road, as I've experienced bucking and porposing (sp?) on some roads, just the way the expansion joints on the road fit together I'm told. Let us know how you like that new rig when it arrives. Mine took 30 days from order to delivery.
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