3320BH and 2014 Silverado 1500?

[TomHaycraft]

Originally Posted by IA-Outdoors

Let's work this from a different angle. How would you calculate the optimum trailer for this pickup? I need a way to figure a safe range for hitch weight and trailer weight.

I have a similar truck, tow rating of 9,600 lbs, but pull a 5th wheel so more frontal area and different physics for stability. Short of that, fully loaded I'm at 90% of my GCWR of the truck. That is a metric anyone can apply to their setup. I do okay around Texas and have been in the Ozarks, won't go to the Rockies.

I had no problems going into and getting out of Palo State Park and a couple miles of 10% grade. Working in my favor was the slow speed of the road and it didn't go on for 7+ miles as passes in Colorado do.

Weak link: Taking a headwind of 15 to 20 knots on the interstate and trying to hold 60 to 65 mph. The engine has no reserve, frequent down shifts to 4th and sometimes 3rd gear (6 speed auto tranny) with rpms running up toward 4,000 when it hits 3rd.

Knowing the limitations and limited on amount of vacation time I can take, I have more than enough places to explore. When I replace the truck, target is 2019, I'll step up to a 3/4 with diesel.

Hope this helps.

[audio1der]

May I chime in?
It's TOO LONG for a half ton. They don't have the "meat" (frame, brakes, floating axle) to control a trailer with that much side area. Unless you invest in a Hensley/Propride hitch you will be prone to nerve-wracking drives and white knuckles.
This is over and above any weight concerns, from someone who wasn't told this before he bought. Hope it helps you.

[IA-Outdoors]

Yes, the dealer mentioned the length might be an issue so we did upgrade the hitch.

Thanks,

--Tony

[IA-Outdoors]

Well, I guess this bears revisiting. The hitch they are trying to sell me is an Equalizer 4pt hitch. I'm not 100% sure of the size but will ask today. I spent a bit of time reading the religious wars on PropRide, Henley, Equalizer and am no clearer on the subject. Will Equalizer work and, if so, what size? I'm thinking the 14k (90-00-1400) should be enough.

[Javi]

Sorry, but this is something that you will probably have to learn for yourself. Or you can read the stories from several of us (myself included) that have tried and failed to tow that sized trailer with a short 1/2 ton and do it comfortably.

I found that new tires, shocks, special hitches and several experts adjusting said hitches all failed to stop the trailer from driving the truck instead of the truck pulling the trailer.

There are two extremes on most of these forums... those that will tell you that you need a 1 ton dually to pull a popup and those that can and have pulled a 16K 5'er with a Volkswagen Beatle.. The truth is somewhere in between

[lspajm]

I had an f150 And we have the 3220bh. The 1/2 ton trucks are not heavy enough or a long enough wb. I upgraded to a f250 diesel quad cab and what a huge difference it has made. Even if the numbers say it works use caution and get a bigger truck or smaller camper. I know from personal experience. Andy


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[IA-Outdoors]

Thanks Andrew, you probably missed it so I downsized to a 2920BH so now we are safe weight-wise it's a length/hitch issue now. I think I will try it with the Equalizer 4pt hitch at local joints the first month or two then re-evaluate.

[robo]

Sorry late to the game here i towed a 3220bh with my 03 f-150 crew cab 5.4 3.73 gears love the room in the coach had an 8kid sleepover last year wow. Thanks jack Daniels for helping me sleep lol. Anyway yes we pulled it, my max speed pulling was 50.

[avidbowhunterww]

A Heavy Duty truck has the components that you will want to ensure the safety of your family. While a heavier camper will stay behind you.....it will also push and pull you on the road. An HD truck is capable of controlling that load and keeping it where you want. One trip with our Bullet 298BHS (34.5 feet long and 5800 lbs dry weight) with 20 to 30 mph crosswinds in my F-150 was enough to upgrade. Even in my HD truck, my numbers are 12,650 lbs towing capacity and 3,252 lbs payload......but when fully loaded, they change to 9,838 lbs towing capacity and 2,622 lbs payload. That does not even factor in hooking the trailer up to the truck. Not saying your truck can't, but..... I have been there and learned the lesson first hand.

[dougjoliefrey]

We recently purchased the Bullet 308BHS with basicly is the same model as the 3220. 35ft long and 5900 lbs dry. I pulled with my 1500 Subrban and Equalizer E2 hitch home from the dealer. (7 hour and 30 min drive) No problems with control at all. I will say it's a bit of a struggle to get up to speed coming off an on ramp but other than that I'm very happy with the combination.

[HappyCamperMN]

IA-Outdoors - I was in very much the same situation as you... Had a Toyota Sequoia (essentially a Tundra 1/2 ton but with SUV body). We decided on a trailer which is the Premier 31BHPR and more or less the same floorplan as the 3320BH. I went to the scales, did all the math, figured that I would be on the edge of my limits, but would give it a whirl. If needed I would upgrade the truck in a year or two.

Then I found an excellent opportunity to sell the Sequoia and found a great deal on an F350. With a good amount of residual value in the prior vehicle things worked out well. I won't have the opportunity to experience the "might have been ok" towing adventure. But I will feel confident in the "I'm below all of my limits by 20% or more" towing adventure. Ok, maybe the last statement is a bit of a stretch, but you get the idea.

[08quadram]

I was in the exact same situation you are in, only I have a Ram 1500 with 5.7 hemi and 3.92 axles. Wife and kids wanted the 3220. Put a down payment on it to hold it. Got home and just wasn't at ease with the length and weight. Decided to go to the 2920bh and love the trailer. I also have the equalizer hitch. Haven't pulled it and further than a couple of hours (Iowa also). Still toying with the correct adjustment on the hitch, but it works pretty well. I believe that length is just too long for a short wheel base tour vehicle.

What part of the state are you in? I'm in the northeast. Bought at Thompson Family RV. Don't see many Passports in this part of the state normally, but saw 2 last weekend at Backbone state park and one in Elkader.

Mike

2008 RAM 1500 quad cab; 5.7 Hemi; 3.92
1970 VW Beetle
1948 VAC Case
2008 Kubota bx2350
2013 Keystone Passport 2920bh

[IA-Outdoors]

Originally Posted by 08quadram

What part of the state are you in? I'm in the northeast. Bought at Thompson Family RV. Don't see many Passports in this part of the state normally, but saw 2 last weekend at Backbone state park and one in Elkader.

Hi Mike,

We're in the Des Moines area. We usually head up to Decorah for Memorial Day weekend but the weather last year took the wind out of my sails so we decided to head up to Ledges State Park.

Yeah, the 2920 pulled fine. No nervousness even going over the mile-long bridge over Saylorville. Keep in touch, I'd love to trade stories sometime soon!

--Tony

[HappyCamperMN]

@IA-Outdoors and @08quadram - Maybe we'll cross paths some day... My sister-in-law lives in the Decorah area and now that we have a travel trailer, we'll probably be camping in that area from time to time.

[IA-Outdoors]

Originally Posted by HappyCamperMN

@IA-Outdoors and @08quadram - Maybe we'll cross paths some day... My sister-in-law lives in the Decorah area and now that we have a travel trailer, we'll probably be camping in that area from time to time.

Excellent. I'll ping you guys the next time I head that direction!

--Tony

[08quadram]

We usually camp in Deborah for at least a week every summer. I'll keep my eyes or for other passports, as if I didn't already!

Mike

2008 RAM 1500 quad cab; 5.7 Hemi; 3.92
1970 VW Beetle
1948 VAC Case - sold :-(
2008 Kubota bx2350
2013 Keystone Passport 2920bh

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by audio1der

May I chime in?
It's TOO LONG for a half ton. They don't have the "meat" (frame, brakes, floating axle) to control a trailer with that much side area. Unless you invest in a Hensley/Propride hitch you will be prone to nerve-wracking drives and white knuckles.
This is over and above any weight concerns, from someone who wasn't told this before he bought. Hope it helps you.

This real world experience FIRST HAND!

I see it as you have two choices, smaller TT or larger TV!
Just keep in mind 36' of light construction TT will get pushed around by the wind a lot!

[IA-Outdoors]

Yeah, I'm not sure you guys were following but I did downsize to a 2020BH. Well within what my 1500 can tow. Still a bit long but given I do not (and will not) do the kind of miles you guys will be doing were fine.

Reflecting on this, I need to thank-you all for convincing me to downsize. Having pulled it a few times already, I'm comfortable with it and know the 36-footer would have been far too much to even tow to the local campgrounds we plan on hitting.

Thanks!

--Tony

[bigj3234]

Funnily enough, we have been shopping at Thompson Family RV, and having similar discussions. I have never considered going longer than 32', and am currently considering the 2920BH. Weight-wise we're good (Tundra), but considering the longest thing I have ever towed was a 16' utility trailer, I am a little nervous jumping to such a long trailer.

Any reason to be concerned about pulling the 2920BH from here to eastern PA? Having trouble finding an appropriate floor plan within the sizes I want.

[LittleJoe]

I will only add that too much speed gets you in a bad spot much quicker than you can imagine. Running 70+mph in fast lane just because you can, will turn bad real quick if the unexpected happens.

Get comfortable with your rig and just plan on NOT making the same time as you used to without a trailer in tow.