Length vs weight- is there a "danger ratio"?

[audio1der]

We're seriously considering trading down our 3220BH for a 25-28' bunkhouse. I feel 32' is just too much sidewall for a half ton. The only thing I have not yet done to correct sway is replace the stock P-rated 20" tires on our TV.
If our 3220 weighs in at 7K and change loaded with some water and tries to push the truck around in wind, would a 25-28' unit weighing 5K-5,00# do the same? I'm wondering if it is a ratio to be avoided, or if 32' is really just too much.

To date, I have replaced the TT tires with 14" D rated Kumhos, upgraded the axles to 6K with spring in the leaf packs, added air bags to the TV, we travel with fresh water to give more tongue weight. Hitch is a Reese 12K DCSC dialed in.

The truck tires might do the trick, but the overall length is more than the lot our house in on so parking the night before is an adventure. The kids don't really use the rear BH portion like we thought they would...

[denverpilot]

Can always up the pickup truck instead... ;)

[audio1der]

That would involve more money which is tight right now. If money were not much of an issue I would have a 2500 gasser in the driveway, I assure you.:(

[busterbrown]

I recently bought the twin to the Passport 3220, the Bullet 308BH. Dry, it's around 6100. Loaded up, around 7,000 lbs. Pulling it with my 08 Yukon XL Denali. I've towed it at highway speeds for three small trips. 1st trip, the sway was noticeable as I needed to decrease the chain length on my Blue OX sway bars by one link. Made a world of difference after I did that. On our last trip, I moved some of the heavy items to the bunk house and kept the black tank about a 1/3 full. The gray and fresh tanks maybe had a couple of gallons. Took most of the sway out at 65 mph. I suspect my tongue weight was a bit much.

The maximum speed I drive at is 65 mgh, usually cruising around 60-63 mph. I know the OEM tires are only speed rated up to 65mph so I don't want to test those waters.

Also, I upgraded my Denali's tires to an XL Cooper tire, even though I originally wanted a D rated LT tire. For my application and for the price, (paid just over $450 for my 275/55/20 Coopers), anything stiffer would have been over kill. I have the XL's inflated to the maximum of pressure of 50 lbs when towing. It's kept my TV nicely planted without much sidewall flex.

I'm just under max payload capacity with my SUV. If I need to take on additional heavily-weighted items, it will go in the trailer and be loaded equally between the front and rear axles of the trailer. I think i have about 850 lbs of tongue weight (or about 12%) of the trailer's GVW.

The wide-spaced axles on the trailer help I'm sure. But I think any heavier trailer, I would probably upgrade to a 3/4 ton truck. Right now though, it works for us.

[notanlines]

Audio, I would love to see the 3 figures (steer, drive and trailer) from a good weighing at any of your CAT scales. The truck without the trailer and then all three areas individually. I think there might be a story to tell there. I'm thinking that your WDH might be a little out of kilter. The scale might be the answer to your problem.....all for less than $20 Canadian.....

[sarossi14]

I have the 3220 as well and I tow it with a 2015 F150. I agree with busterbrown it is all in the set up and weight distribution. I had put angle on my hitch which increases you chain length, which made the trailer feel like it was taking the truck for a walk. I straightened up the hitch reduced the number of links and everything is fine.

I also learned where to load things in the trailer to balance it out and we don't even know it is there.

For my family we like having the extra room so I would not go shorter. If you don't need it that is your choice. As for length vs weight I don't feel there is an acceptable ratio for safety, it all depends on how you load.

I say that because of my years in trucking, I specialize in heavy haul and oversize. I can tell you trucks and trailers are getting lighter and weights are getting heavier. It all comes down to weight distribution and how you load your trailer.

Hope this helps.


Adam
2014 Passport 3220BHS
2015 F150 Eco Boost

[Pull Toy]

I assume you are using load levelers, Do you also use an anti-sway bar? It makes a big difference.

[KSH]

I had a lot of sway. Got the propride wdh hitch. Everything stays put now.

[Ken / Claudia]

I have read some length guides and they use the tow vehicle wheel base and come up with a max trailer length. But, they like any guide cannot cover every tow vehicle since the differences in the actual build of that vehicle could be better or worse for towing. As others pointed out, try changing the WDH adjustment's or get a better one before spending money on a new trailer. Remember P tires are for ride comfort not great towing.

[GMcKenzie]

Mine is 34'4" from hitch to bumper, and 8,200 lbs loaded.

I've only towed a short distance with my current truck, but towed a lot with a 2500 Diesel.

Upgrading my hitch from the stock Husky to an Equal-i-zer 4 point did a lot to get rid of my sway. Had real problems in cross winds before upgrading.

I found a used hitch for a good price, but if I was doing it again I'd probably try a Blue-Ox setup.

[sarossi14]

I use your standard weight distribution hitch and a friction anti sway bar.


Adam
2014 Passport 3220BHS
2015 F150 Eco Boost

[Hideout17]

Mine is about 7200 loaded with reuse 12k wdh set up with sway control. Upgrading my tires helped alot. Only sway i had was in heavy wind on wet roads. I am going to recheck my wdh set up this spring before I take it out. My cat scale sheet said i was lite on front.

[RLM5150]

The only thing I have not yet done to correct sway is replace the stock P-rated 20" tires on our TV.

I hated the factory Goodyear tires on my RAM and have been very happy with the Michelin's I replaced them with. Have you been increasing the tire pressure on the truck when you tow? I normally run 38 lb on mine unloaded but increase rears to max (44 lb) in the rear and 41 in the front. That will make a difference in the feel, among other benefits. Proper tire inflation on the tow vehicle is needed before any other adjustments.

[x96mnn]

Yes a 25ft to 28ft 5500 PD camper is much better matched for that truck and tow experience would be much better!

I do agree with every post on here, setup goes a long way and I am sure there are things you can do to improve your current setup. Different weight distribution and a good anti sway hitch are excellent choices.

I towed a 8000pd 30ft with my 2011, truck had every possible upgrade including air bags and MS/2 E rated tires. Tires I found made no difference, best bang for buck was airlift 1000s.

At the end of the day I was the biggest issue. I found my setup just drove ok, I did not like any push or pulls. I don't think I could change my mindset on that and upgraded the truck. Most people would have been fine towIng it and I was under my max tow and max payload.