ctbruce
02-25-2018, 07:06 PM
You have a truck. Doesn't matter what size, shape, color or manufacturer it is. At some point in time you are going to match the weight of the trailer and the payload capacity of your truck.
The Time To Do This Is Before You Buy The Trailer!!
Why is this so? Well, despite what Tommy Truckdriver said to you ("Sure!!!! Go ahead, and pull the trigger! Your rig will pull a house!) that may not (absolutely, positively, is not) be true. You, the purchaser are responsible for your actions and what you are pulling. It does not matter what Tommy says. It most definitely does not matter what the salesman says. He's there to move inventory, make a paycheck, look good to the sales manager, all in that order. Note that your safety, knowing anything about tow ratings or being honest is NOT on his 3-point job description.
The good folks on this forum will be glad to help you make a good decision. They are not paid enough to thumbs up a bad decision you have already made (Ha, Ha, Ha. If they doubled our salaries they would still be $0.00). So, if you come looking for help before the deed, great. If you come after the deed, be prepared to get advice. Lots of advice. Lots of very direct advice. Lots of very direct, pointed, opinionated advice. But, keep in mind, all of that advice is from people did the same thing at some point in the past. We just hate that the size of that group keeps growing after every RV show.
You need to do the math yourself. Here are some things that will help with that daunting task:
1. Do NOT use the numbers in any of the advertising brochures. They are for a stripped down truck version that NO ONE owns. Go out to your truck and open the door. Look at the stickers there that list the official payload for your truck and your trucks axle weight ratings. These are YOUR numbers to use to make the calculations.
2. You should strive to be under all of the numbers. Not some of the numbers. Certainly under just one number. All the numbers. These numbers are how your truck with your numbers (see #1 above if confused on this) is designed with maximum safety in mind.
3. If you say, "the dealer told me I could pull anything on the lot with my truck!" Not surprised. Did you see their 3-point job description above. Here is the gospel on this. You probably can move anything on the lot....for a short distance, with no margin for safety and absolutely no regard for the wear and tear on your $70K truck. We do not talk about moving on this forum. (See Atlas Movers forum for that info) We are talking about towing, maybe long distances, safely, with optimal mileage and reduced wear and tear leading to maximum enjoyment, smiles and high fives all around for a trip well done.
4. Don't come here and start off with, "I was over on the Ford/Dodge/Chevy/Toyota forum and lots of guys over there said no problem. Really. You took advice from this guy (see below).
5. Put your big boy/girl panties on. You will get honesty. Straight in the eye, no fluff, unadulterated honesty. And you will hear all sides. Guaranteed.
I hope this helps you in your quest to match a truck and a trailer. And that you have an absolute ball once you accomplish your task.
The Time To Do This Is Before You Buy The Trailer!!
Why is this so? Well, despite what Tommy Truckdriver said to you ("Sure!!!! Go ahead, and pull the trigger! Your rig will pull a house!) that may not (absolutely, positively, is not) be true. You, the purchaser are responsible for your actions and what you are pulling. It does not matter what Tommy says. It most definitely does not matter what the salesman says. He's there to move inventory, make a paycheck, look good to the sales manager, all in that order. Note that your safety, knowing anything about tow ratings or being honest is NOT on his 3-point job description.
The good folks on this forum will be glad to help you make a good decision. They are not paid enough to thumbs up a bad decision you have already made (Ha, Ha, Ha. If they doubled our salaries they would still be $0.00). So, if you come looking for help before the deed, great. If you come after the deed, be prepared to get advice. Lots of advice. Lots of very direct advice. Lots of very direct, pointed, opinionated advice. But, keep in mind, all of that advice is from people did the same thing at some point in the past. We just hate that the size of that group keeps growing after every RV show.
You need to do the math yourself. Here are some things that will help with that daunting task:
1. Do NOT use the numbers in any of the advertising brochures. They are for a stripped down truck version that NO ONE owns. Go out to your truck and open the door. Look at the stickers there that list the official payload for your truck and your trucks axle weight ratings. These are YOUR numbers to use to make the calculations.
2. You should strive to be under all of the numbers. Not some of the numbers. Certainly under just one number. All the numbers. These numbers are how your truck with your numbers (see #1 above if confused on this) is designed with maximum safety in mind.
3. If you say, "the dealer told me I could pull anything on the lot with my truck!" Not surprised. Did you see their 3-point job description above. Here is the gospel on this. You probably can move anything on the lot....for a short distance, with no margin for safety and absolutely no regard for the wear and tear on your $70K truck. We do not talk about moving on this forum. (See Atlas Movers forum for that info) We are talking about towing, maybe long distances, safely, with optimal mileage and reduced wear and tear leading to maximum enjoyment, smiles and high fives all around for a trip well done.
4. Don't come here and start off with, "I was over on the Ford/Dodge/Chevy/Toyota forum and lots of guys over there said no problem. Really. You took advice from this guy (see below).
5. Put your big boy/girl panties on. You will get honesty. Straight in the eye, no fluff, unadulterated honesty. And you will hear all sides. Guaranteed.
I hope this helps you in your quest to match a truck and a trailer. And that you have an absolute ball once you accomplish your task.