312BH and GMC 1500?

[jodipitbull]

Hi we have a deposit on a 2017 312BH that is 7800 pounds dry weight and a GMC 1500 rated at 9600 pounds towing capacity. We won’t be fully loaded most of the time, since the camper will be parked at a permanent spot. So in spring we can travel it light, get it set up, and bring the rest of the gear next time. And in fall we can empty it out the second to last trip, and likewise bring it home empty. But we might actually take it from it’s permanent spot a few times and would be fully loaded during those times. We don’t want to get caught buying the trailer, then having to go get a new truck. Should we be ok or forget it? If it’s too heavy then what is the max dry weight you would pull with our 1500? We already bought a Buyers weight distribution hitch rated up to 12,000 pounds. Thank you!

[66joej]

From the specs on that TT it looks like the tongue/hitch weight alone would be north of 1000#. Check the payload on the door sticker of your truck.

[jodipitbull]

GVWR in the door says 7000 pounds.

[ctbruce]

Originally Posted by Jodi3888

GVWR in the door says 7000 pounds.

That's the most your truck can weigh fully loaded. What does the payload say?

Use the trailer GVW x 0.10 to see what the max tongue weight would be.

If your GVWR is 7k, I'm thinking that the 9.8k you quoted above may be from the advertising brochure instead of your actual truck?

[66joej]

There is another sticker that is white and yellow (usually) and gives the max payload number.

[jodipitbull]

Combined weight of cargo and occupants for the truck is 1,598

[jodipitbull]

Hitch weight for the trailer is listed at 1030

[ctbruce]

Originally Posted by Jodi3888

Hitch weight for the trailer is listed at 1030

Then with those numbers it would leave you 568 pounds for all cargo in the truck, people other than the driver, and pets.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Jodi3888

Hi we have a deposit on a 2017 312BH that is 7800 pounds dry weight and a GMC 1500 rated at 9600 pounds towing capacity. We won’t be fully loaded most of the time, since the camper will be parked at a permanent spot. So in spring we can travel it light, get it set up, and bring the rest of the gear next time. And in fall we can empty it out the second to last trip, and likewise bring it home empty. But we might actually take it from it’s permanent spot a few times and would be fully loaded during those times. We don’t want to get caught buying the trailer, then having to go get a new truck. Should we be ok or forget it? If it’s too heavy then what is the max dry weight you would pull with our 1500? We already bought a Buyers weight distribution hitch rated up to 12,000 pounds. Thank you!

From the parts in red I'd say you already know your answer. Many, if not most of us have been thru the truck chasing the trailer trap. It's not just about weights, don't forget to take into consideration the sail area of the trailer as that will have a huge effect on trailer sway and handling during windy days and passing trucks.

[sourdough]

Here are the specs for the 312bh from the Keystone website:

Key specifications - 312BH
Shipping Weight
8016
Carrying Capacity
1484
Hitch
1030
Length
36' 6"
Height
11' 4"
Fresh Water
60
Waste Water
38
Gray Water
76
LPG
60
Tire-Size
ST225/75R15E
Sleeping Capacity
9


As you can see the gvw will be 9500 lbs. - which is what you need to look at, not the empty weight.

Figure tongue weight of 950 min. to 1400 max. Add 100 lbs for the hitch. That could possibly put you at 1500 lbs. before you add ANYTHING in the truck vs. a payload of 1598.

I pulled my trailer, actual weight 9312, with a 1/2 ton thinking I could get by. One long trip and that was it. It was more than the truck, or I, wanted. HD truck fixed that.

You didn't provide the other specs of your truck that would help; engine, axle ratio, cab configuration, bed length, tow package? etc. All contribute to the trucks ability, or inability, to tow in an acceptable manner.

As far as how much trailer for your truck? The above information would help us quantify that but in my mind, regardless of the equipment on the truck, a 1/2 ton is pretty much maxed out for comfortable towing at about 7500 lbs. and 30'. Not because it can't TOW it but because they just don't have the suspension, tires etc. to really control a large load and keep you and others safe. That is my conclusion after towing several larger loads with various 1/2 tons.

[JRTJH]

After many years of towing and reading other's comments about their experiences with towing, just looking at two of the specs: Truck= 1500 and length 36'6" and my suggestion is NOPE.... All the rest is just "muddy water", that length trailer behind a half ton truck is already an accident waiting to happen. I know that my comment "sounds rough" but in reality, "rough" is trying to control that kind of rig without hurting yourself or someone else.

So, if it were me, I wouldn't do it or even consider it. And "justifying" it by saying, we'll only tow it empty and bring everything out if it back home the trip before we tow it home empty at the end of the season and follow that with another comment, "But we might actually take it from it’s permanent spot a few times and would be fully loaded during those times." Well, who is trying to fool who?

[jodipitbull]

So here I go down the slippery slope you have all blazed before me... as long as I am going to need to upgrade my truck to a 2500, why not just get a 5th wheel in the first place? Lol.

[Kylemcmahon1]

I been there. Already had a 2500 and looked at 5ers. Most 5ers are to big for 2500 serious trucks. Will need a 1 ton with most 5ers. 2500 are great for large tt though. 2016 ram 2500 with Cummins toes my 325 bh great. And I am within all numbers safely.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Jodi3888

So here I go down the slippery slope you have all blazed before me... as long as I am going to need to upgrade my truck to a 2500, why not just get a 5th wheel in the first place? Lol.

If you're looking at fifth wheels with a GVW of l0K or less, you'll be OK with a 3/4 ton truck. If you're looking at fifth wheels heavier than about 10K, you'll probably want to upgrade to a diesel. Diesels weigh about 800 pounds more than a gas engine, so that comes right off your payload. That means most diesel trucks are too heavy (don't have enough payload) for a large fifth wheel. That puts you in the one ton (350/3500) category for most "medium size" fifth wheels. THEN..... if you start "casting your eye toward a 40 footer" start thinking dually........... Yup, trucks grow with the trailer, the bigger one gets the bigger the other gets also.....

I have a 31' fifth wheel, Cougar XLite, GVW 10K and I'm at my absolute max with our F250 diesel. It tows great, but there is no payload left for a bigger trailer's tongue weight, so we're "against the wall" with no options to upgrade to a larger trailer. For us, there's other considerations that prevent buying a longer trailer (we double tow a boat behind us) so I wouldn't want a bigger trailer with our current situation. That said, if we stop fishing and towing the boat, a larger trailer would mean buying another truck to tow, so we are limited to our current rig.

It is a "slippery slope" and any of us who've "slidden down" have either hit some hidden roots, a rock or a dry spot.... All of those will make your trip to the bottom much less enjoyable.... If you're going to get a "big trailer" if it's a travel trailer, get at least a 3/4 ton tow vehicle. If it's a fifth wheel, just set your sights on a one ton or a dually. That way, when you buy that 34' "dream fifth wheel" and your DW sees "the one she wants" and it's 36', you're not faced with the same situation you're in now: Eyes bigger than tow vehicle..... Most of us who are on our second or third trailer have "walked in your shoes"..... Just go big early and avoid the frustration......

[flybouy]

Yup! I've got skid marks (in more than one way ) from going down that slippery slope!

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Jodi3888

So here I go down the slippery slope you have all blazed before me... as long as I am going to need to upgrade my truck to a 2500, why not just get a 5th wheel in the first place? Lol.

I think if you're at a place where you can do both you might consider it. Most importantly to me is to figure out exactly what you want in a camper. For us, being just us, it was pretty easy to prioritize what we wanted then go find what fit best. Our family wasn't growing and we knew we didn't want a 5th wheel so our dilemma was somewhat easier than others. With a growing family trying to get to the end game in what you want in a trailer won't be so easy.

When you pick the trailer you can then pick the truck that is appropriate for it. Much easier and you have the trailer you wanted - the most important piece IMO. I think most folks that end up unhappy are those that have a truck and "try" to get a trailer that's too big for what they have justifying it in any number of ways. Basically hoping and wishing that everything will be OK.

It IS a slippery slope fraught with all kinds of little perils that will pull your drawers off. Better to just put a lot of thought into it then jump to the bottom of the slope and bypass all the "little grabbers" on the way down by getting what you want, that works, the first time. That way you get to keep your drawers on along with everything else you lose by constantly upgrading trucks and campers. I wish you the very best of luck in your decision.

[ctbruce]

I did the 36 foot 6 inch toy hauler of about the same weight as you are talking about. Pulled it with a 1500 Silverado that had 4.10 gears and the full tow package. Had a Equalizer 4 point hitch. Pulled it to Yellowstone and it was a miserable trip. Lots of sway, pushed around by trucks, cars, the wind, even a hummingbird that passed us. My hands cramped from so many white knuckle moments. This doesn't even take into account screaming up the mountain passes at 35 mph. In a single thought, No Bueno.

I could not in good conscience recommend what you are considering doing to you. This not weight police-speak, it is real life first hand experience.

Good luck with your decisions. Consider them with open eyes.

[66joej]

Chip good response as usual. Don't even go there with those hummingbirds!

[jodipitbull]

lol on the hummingbirds. But seriously you are all awesome! After spending the whole day researching towing equations and learning from you, I feel so much better at least knowing the truth. Sad so many RV dealers don’t help and educate people this way. We’ve had so many tell us our truck will be just fine. Now my better half is looking at dually 3500 diesels. Lol. Who knows how this will end. I will keep y’all posted. Thank you again!

[ctbruce]

Glad it helped. In my defense the hummingbirds in South Dakota are the size of vultures.............maybe.