2009 Keystone Everest 344j

[Rusty67]

I'm new to this so I have a question. I currently have a Dodge 2500 crew cab 4x4 with the 6.4L engine and 3.73 gears. Dry weight is 12,135 on the camper. Will I be able to tow this camper home approximately 1 1/2 hours drive? We are going to be buying a 1 ton Dodge dually in the future . I won't be towing the camper anymore with the Dodge 2500, just from the dealer to my home.
Thanks for the help.
Rusty

[CWtheMan]

I'm new to this so I have a question. I currently have a Dodge 2500 crew cab 4x4 with the 6.4L engine and 3.73 gears. Dry weight is 12,135 on the camper. Will I be able to tow this camper home approximately 1 1/2 hours drive? We are going to be buying a 1 ton Dodge dually in the future . I won't be towing the camper anymore with the Dodge 2500, just from the dealer to my home.
Thanks for the help.
Rusty That trailer's advertised hitch weight is 1845#. Empty it should not be over that figure, surely your truck can handle that weight for a trip home.

[Rusty67]

Here's what's posted on the dealers website for this camper.
GVW: 13,935
Dry Weight: 12,135
Payload Capacity: 1800
Hitch Weight: 2075

[sourdough]

IF! you don't put ANYTHING in the trailer(LP, water, etc.) you can probably pull it home BUT that trailer is much larger than your truck should be pulling if you are actually going to try to use it. I have the same truck. Max tow is 12,500. My payload is 3200. I doubt yours will be more. I wouldn't dream of putting that trailer behind my truck for any kind of a drive. Are you going to actually install a 5th wheel hitch on the 2500 for one 1 1/2 hour drive with the trailer??

[Rusty67]

Well it is already set up because I used to have a 2007 Yukon which is a much smaller camper.

[rhagfo]

Nice unit, but it only has a 1,800# payload, that is tight for a 37' 5er.

Can you pull it home, most likely, if the path is mostly flat, the 3.73's should give you enough power to move it Ok.

[notanlines]

Our neighbor in the RV park has more or less the same truck, but diesel. His yellow sticker says load capacity is 2040 pounds. I don't see a problem in you just bringing it home until you have a little more capacity for everyday use.

[Rusty67]

We decided to go with a 2017 Open Range Roamer in a bumper pull. Not as heavy as the Keystone Everest 344j and will still give us everything we needed. My truck should be able to handle this camper much better. We have a 2014 Dodge 2500 4x4 with the 6.4L engine. This camper is 37'.8" and has a dry weight of 8,815# and the hitch weight is 1035. That's the information from the dealer.
It's on order so won't be here for another week. Thanks to everyone for all your advice on the Keystone Everest.

[Rusty67]

I forgot to mention the model number is the 323RLS.

[sourdough]

Congratulations! Remember that I have the same truck you do. My trailer maxes at 10k and that's all she wants. Your trailer will max out at 11435. It's within towing spec, and if you have the same payload as mine (3200), you should be fine there as well. The problem is with a gas engine pulling larger loads. I always say anything over 10k needs a diesel. I pull mine all day long at 2500 rpm or less at about 9 mpg without any long, sustained hills. Once it begins to bog it will run 3500 until it "catches up). Yours will struggle much more with the extra weight so just be aware. Also keep in mind that you probably need to buy a 1400 lb rated WDH (12% of 11435).

[Rusty67]

Awesome thanks for the info. At some point down the road we will be upgrading our truck to a Chevy diesel but, that's gonna be a while so we will limit our road usage until that happens. Forgive my ignorance but, what does WDH stand for? Sorry, I'm still new with all of this. The camper does come with a hitch if that's what your referring too?
Thanks again,
Rusty

[ctbruce]

WDH = Weight Distributing Hitch.

Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Fuzion Impact 312
2017 3500HD Silverado LTZ