Towing Weight on different trucks???

[Blue Water 23]

I just recently purchased a travel trailer. It is 27' long and has a GVW of 6800. I beleive the dry weight is 4300. Would that be about right? Loaded with water and normal camping gear I am thinking it will be about 5500 lbs. About right?

I currently have a 5.2 liter 1998 1/2 ton Dodge Ram. (318) I know that this isn't the perfect tow vehicle but will it due for a few trips before I get my new truck? I am installing the trailer brake controller tomorrow and I will have an EZ lift hitch with sway bars. I currently pull my 21' NR SeaHawk with surge brakes. It tows it ok with the only problem being going up hills it struggles a bit. I beleive the weight on the trailer with fishing gear and gas is about 5,000 lbs. Is that about right? With camping gear in the back of the truck and the boat I am thinking it is right up there with the weight of the trailer. Does anyone tow that much with a 1/2 ton? A 5.2 liter/ 318?

I plan on getting a truck this winter. I will either be getting a Dodge 3/4 ton Quad Cab with a 5.7 Hemi or a Ford 3/4 ton crew cab with a 5.4 liter. Either of those should pull my trailer or boat easy wouldn't they?

Anybody that has experience pulling with these trucks please chime in and let me know what your expereince has been. I KNOW a diesel would pull better but I will not be getting a diesel. I put on about 10,000 miles per year mostly around town except for when I am pulling about 6-8 trips per year.

Jesse

[Bluto]

For only 6 to 8 tow trips a year... I'd plan more for the town driving & stick with the existing vehicle (unless you are pushing/over the recommended tow weights).
At a minimum, load 'em up and go get them weighed so you know exactly how much you are pulling & can plan accordingly.
:twocents:

[Catchn not fishn]

towing information for your truck is either on the door or in the glove box. it will spell out what your trucks cap is.
trailer gross wt. is with no water propane sewage and personel gear it's a dry wieght.
Water wieght is aroound 6.2 pounds per gallon.
don't forget to figur in the passenger wieght it lessens your tow wieght

[MattPark]

Water is 8.33 pounds per gallon.

Look at your manual, I doubt towing that much would be too far out of the realm of possibilities.

[Captain Kirk]

8.33 pounds @ 20 degrees Celsius :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:

[tomictime]

actually weigh the load on a scale with tow truck disconnected, mfgr's fib on weights and all your stuff weighs more than yo think at 20 Deg C, F..whatever...

I know, just weighed mine.