Jump to content

Towing with camper and 4 wheeler in the bed

Cdog1970

Recommended Posts

Cdog1970 New Member

Cdog1970

Posted
Posted

Good evening all,

Heading out in the morning to Moab, Utah from St. Louis, MO and wanted to get some feedback on towing. I have a 29' travel trailer I'm taking that weighs 8000 LBS (fully loaded). From the manufacture the tongue weight is 710 LBS. I also want to take my 4x4 (05 Honda Rancher, weighs 498 LBS).

Does anyone see that being too much weight or anything else I might be missing.

Quick BIO, I'm a longtime truck owner and very mechanically inclined, but this is my 1st 3/4 ton (2015 Sierra 2500 SLT- 98000 miles) and this is my first time pulling a camper this far.

I really appreciate any and all tips, suggestions (good or bad), & advice.

 

Thanks in advance

Clem

Truck & Camper.jpg

ShamrockShooter Senior Enthusiast

ShamrockShooter

Posted
Posted

I don't have the technical knowledge to answer your question, but I would suggest traveling with all your camper tanks empty to cut weight. Also do you have a weight distribution hitch and sway control on the trailer? The distribution hitch will help the rear from squatting.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

ShamrockShooter Senior Enthusiast

ShamrockShooter

Posted
Posted

My camper is about 4000 lbs and my leer truck cap is close to 300 lbs and my 1500 barely notices it's there.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

catpartsman Enthusiast

catpartsman

Posted
Posted

If it’s a 3/4 ton truck, I’d say you’re fine. Just make sure you have your trailer brakes set right and watch your trailer while towing. If things get squirmy, empty tanks like mentioned above to cut weight.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

2018GMC Senior Enthusiast

2018GMC

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, catpartsman said:

If it’s a 3/4 ton truck, I’d say you’re fine. Just make sure you have your trailer brakes set right and watch your trailer while towing. If things get squirmy, empty tanks like mentioned above to cut weight.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

^ This. 

 

You have a 3/4 ton. It should handle that weight no problem. The 6.0 will want to rev 4K+ RPM on hills. Enjoy the small block sound and have a safe and fun trip!

Cdog1970 New Member

Cdog1970

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Great info guys. Defiantly taking it all in. I do have a WD Hitch and just pulling the trailer I cant hardly tell its there. The fresh water tank was the only one I was going to fill, but might just take the advice from all and wait. Not too worried until I hit New Mexico. from there should get interesting going in the mountains.

 

NWI Denali Enthusiast

NWI Denali

Posted
Posted

Was gonna say you were crazy with that much payload on a 1/2 ton but then continued on and saw you have a 3/4 ton. Im guessing youre payload capacity is in the 2500-2800lb range? You will be fine. Have fun.

Imcrazy Senior Enthusiast

Imcrazy

Posted
Posted

I was thinking when I read the title: great another 1500 guy who thinks he has a HD truck but, I would think you'll be fine: add up your tongue weight plus the weight of your cargo and as long as you're under the payload listed on your truck you're good to go..

hizzo3 Enthusiast

hizzo3

Posted
Posted

For the mountains, just take your time. We did similar but with a HD Duramax. Had a Ural on the bed using a diamondback cover (~1k lbs). Then pulled a 27' toy hauler with bikes. We were doing Continental Divide so a good part was off road, including the truck/trailer combo. Nothing like having to hit 4wd to get the truck up a loose gravel hill.

 

Just pay attention to going downhill. Scrub off any extra speed before going down the grade, make sure tow mode is engaged, and watch your transmission temps. The Duramax was nice because of the added engine braking. Otherwise have fun.

 

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donstar Senior Enthusiast

Donstar

Posted
Posted

I am sure many would haul a similar load with their 1/2 tons.  It sounds like you will have a very comfortable load for your 3/4 ton.  Enjoy!

L86 All Terrain Senior Enthusiast

L86 All Terrain

Posted
Posted

My friend pulls his 32' with over 900lbs tongue weight and a Honda Foreman with a 1500, not saying that is the best idea of course but the truck handles it pretty well until you hit a hill. That is a cake walk for a 2500. 

mookdoc6 Senior Enthusiast

mookdoc6

Posted
Posted

How are the tires on the trailer?  One Flat and your done!  Do you have what it takes to handle that?  I hate trailers and I hate tires!  Actually, I hate windshields now more!  Just busted out my already busted out windshield? 

ShamrockShooter Senior Enthusiast

ShamrockShooter

Posted
Posted

Speaking of tires, I have been looking at the different systems out there that screw on to you valve stems of your trailer tires and shows you on a portable screen the temp and psi of your trailer tires. It won't prevent a flat but it might help you to spot a developing leak before it becomes a blow out. My travel trailer is a single axle so it is super important to avoid a flat.
https://www.campingworld.com/tireminder-trailer-tire-pressure-monitoring-system-tpms-2-tire-kit


Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Kyleorsini Enthusiast

Kyleorsini

Posted
Posted

Tpms are great for travel trailers, however instead of spending money on that upgrading the tires on the trailer to some 8-10 ply tires will be a much more beneficial upgrade first. Luckily my trailer came with Goodyear endurance tires


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.5k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,912
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    RangerRick17
    Newest Member
    RangerRick17
    Joined

  • Who's Online   5 Members, 1 Anonymous, 600 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • newdude
      Gasser Subforum Has Been Quiet - - So, Regenerative Braking and Using L10

      By newdude · Posted

      No such thing as regenerative braking on a pure ICE vehicle.     Regenerative braking is the re-capture of energy from electric motors and stores it in the battery pack.  So hybrids, PHEV and EVs have regenerative braking.     What you are seeing is the charging system changing modes is all.  Its likely entering charge mode for some sort of reason is all.  All of the charging modes will be listed below.   As for L10 vs D.  L10 turns off automatic grade braking.  L10 puts you in control of grade downshifts where in D it will automatically do it based on brake pedal position and other factors.  Otherwise L10 and D drive exactly the same aside from that one aspect.    Battery Sulfation Mode The BCM will enter this mode when the interpreted Generator output voltage is less than 13.2 V for 45 minutes. When this condition exists the BCM will enter Charge Mode for 2–3 minutes. The BCM will then determine which mode to enter depending on voltage requirements.   Charge Mode The BCM will enter Charge Mode when ever one of the following conditions are met:   Windshield wipers are ON for more than 3 s. Climate Control Voltage Boost Mode Request is true, as sensed by the HVAC control module via serial data. High speed cooling fan, rear defogger, and HVAC high speed blower operation can cause the BCM to enter the Charge Mode. The estimated battery temperature is less than 0°C (32°F). Battery State of Charge is less than 80%. Vehicle speed is greater than 145 km/h (90 mph) A current sensor malfunction exists. System voltage is determined to be below 12.56 V When any one of these conditions is met, the system will set targeted generator output voltage to a charging voltage between 13.9–15.5 V, depending on the battery state of charge and estimated battery temperature.   Fuel Economy Mode The BCM will enter Fuel Economy Mode when the estimated battery temperature is at least 0°C (32°F) but less than or equal to 80°C (176°F), the calculated battery current is less than 15 A and greater than −8 A, and the battery state-of-charge is greater than or equal to 80%. Its targeted generator output voltage is the open circuit voltage of the battery and can be between 12.5–13.1 V. When fuel economy mode is active, the generator is not charging, only maintaining open circuit battery voltage. The BCM will exit this mode and enter Charge Mode when any of the conditions described above are present.   Headlamp Mode The BCM will enter Headlamp Mode when ever the head lamps are ON (high or low beams). Voltage will be regulated between 13.9–14.5 V.   Start Up Mode When the engine is started the BCM sets a targeted generator output voltage of 14.5 V for 30 s.   Tow/Haul Mode (if applicable) Pressing the Tow/Haul Mode button located on the center stack, the vehicle system voltage is raised and the remote (non-vehicle) battery will be charged. Having the headlamps on will raise the system voltage and if the Tow/Haul button is applied it will not serve any purpose. The voltage is regulated between 13.9-14.5 V.      
    • jaszr2
      Active Grille Delete

      By jaszr2 · Posted

      Hello from Australia Just sharing that there is now a way to delete the active shutters entirely with just a plug in module. Opens up tons of room to light bars etc.
    • jake111
      Gasser Subforum Has Been Quiet - - So, Regenerative Braking and Using L10

      By jake111 · Posted

      I have an observation and a question... 1) I watch the voltage closely because I have had to dial in the cut-in/cut-out voltages of the battery separator to my camper.  The "smart" charging drives me nuts.  Anyway, I noticed that when coasting for a while, and especially if lightly using the brakes (though not necessary), the voltage goes up from mid/high-13 volts to mid/high-14 volts.  Then it drops back down after stopping or going again.  Consistently!   The only explanation I can come up with is REGENERATIVE BRAKING!  Well, maybe that's a little bit of an exaggeration, but it's certainly free extra battery charging.   2) Driving on mountain roads I will use L and vary the max gear.  Things straighten out and I end up in L10.  Sometimes I leave it there for a while.  Is there any difference between L10 and D?   
    • devonthegreat
      anyone interested in a 2002 Chevy Silverado 4x4 parts truck NYC

      By devonthegreat · Posted

      **SOLD** Please end or delete post. thank you
    • PBNB
      Tire pressure for 37s

      By PBNB · Posted

      Do you think this width might affect the chalk test with a higher pressure closer to 65psi? I think lowering the pressure makes sense to get the tread to lay flatter

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...