Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Tech Forums > Tow Vehicles
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 07-25-2021, 08:23 AM   #1
skunked again
Senior Member
 
skunked again's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Highland
Posts: 145
Proper tow vehicle ?

I've read through a couple of threads, getting myself confused. For the following, what TV would you recommend? From your experiences.

- The trailer https://www.keystonerv.com/product/b...trailers/specs Ours is the 1900 rd
- It will be two adults, 330 #'s combined.
- Things we have talked about adding - two bicycles, an 8' plastic boat (100#'s), battery (27 series, 70#'s) for the boat, trolling motor, ladder rack (for the boat, this will depend on the setup of the TV), portable waste tank, undermount spare tire carrier, cargo rack on the back of the TT.
These are extras that I can think of at the moment. Looking at worst case scenario.
skunked again is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2021, 08:39 AM   #2
foldbak
Senior Member
 
foldbak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 299
Obviously more is always better but you'll be fine with a half ton with weight distribution and sway control. An Anderson would work well on this.

https://shop.andersenhitches.com/pag...ribution-hitch
__________________



Tony & Donna & Murphy
2022 Montana HC 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2000 inverter, 200AH Lithium, 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, 10 speed Alison Trans, Demco 21K Auto Slide
foldbak is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2021, 09:08 AM   #3
flybouy
Site Team
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,714
The trailer GVW is 4,700 lbs.Without an actual scaled weight use the GVW. The tongue weight will be between 10% - 15%. The general accepted number to use when estimating is in the middle :13%.

4,700 x .13 = 611 lbs. TW . To that add about 110 lbs for a good weight distrubiting hitch with built in 4 point sway control. Now the weight that you sre strapping on to the truck is 721 lbs. (Estimated) Add the 330 lbs of occupants and you are 1,050 lbs. That does not include anything else you throw in the truck bed or inside the truck.

Now open the drivers side door on your truck and look for the yellow and white tire inflation label. On that label will be the trucks payload which will read "all cargo and occupants should not exceed xxx. Lbs." The imporrant thing is to not exceed that payload number. But here's the thing, that payload number was calculated at the factory by taking the the truck's GVW and subtracting the curb weight. Now if the dealer or you add ANYTHING to the truck it reduces the payload by that amount.

Example: Adding mud flaps, bed liner, floor mats, extra lighting, cell phone charger, ice chest, tool box and tools, and yes even the change you throw in the cup holder. Payload is the Achilles Heel of light trucks. There's not a lot of payload so it will run out rapidly. To find out the true numbers and where you really stand then load up the rig to go camping. Then on the way to the CG stop at a Cat Scale. Weight the rig, then drop the trailer with the WDH bars in the bed and weight the truck. Cat Scales has an app and their website is very informative https://catscale.com.

Let us know if you have any questions. Travel safe.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
flybouy is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2021, 09:33 AM   #4
sourdough
Site Team
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,600
1/2 ton trucks have come a long way in the recent past few years. Some payloads approach, and some exceed, 2k lbs. Look at that yellow sticker to see where that particular truck you're considering lands.

All the extra equipment you mention all carries weight and adds up quickly. Plus, look into your crystal ball; is there a possibility you will want a larger trailer anytime soon, before any new truck is worn out/paid off? If so consider what will be required for THAT potential trailer (larger truck?).

Does your trailer already have that rack on the back or are you going to add one? How is it attached? The attachments/supports on the back of a trailer are notorious for being weak and problematic.

In the end a good 1/2 ton with tow package, LT tires and good 4 point wdh/sway control should handle what you propose IF you don't get carried away just "throwing stuff in the truck". Some things you didn't mention which will probably/need to be added; compressor, tools, jacks....
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
sourdough is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2021, 10:25 AM   #5
travelin texans
Senior Member
 
travelin texans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
The rub is he has a Nissan Frontier towing the mentioned rv, not a 1/2 ton truck, so likely several hundred less lbs of payload. I'd be surprised if it were much more than a 1000lb payload, with tongue weight + hitch + people it's most likely at it's weight limit.
To skunked, I'm glad you've decided to check this out for yourself!
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
travelin texans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2021, 11:18 AM   #6
chuckster57
Site Team
 
chuckster57's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,235
https://www.covingtonnissan.com/blog...y-and-payload/

Which engine do you have? according to this you have between 900 and 1400 pounds of payload. It seems to me that your on the edge either way.
__________________

2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.

Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
chuckster57 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2021, 11:53 AM   #7
notanlines
Senior Member
 
notanlines's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,308
According to www.autoblog.com you have about 1120 pounds of payload capacity. 4x4 doesn't help your payload. Pretty skimpy no matter what you might tow with a large front air dam behind you. Sorry, but you badly need a half-ton or bigger from the big three. And one with a great payload. You have to watch the door stickers closely.
__________________
Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
notanlines is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2021, 12:27 PM   #8
JDDilly
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Roseville
Posts: 292
A properly loaded 1/2 ton might do it. To have the excess capacity when you through something extra in the box of the truck, you may want to look at 3/4 ton. As others have said, as you look, check the yellow/white payload sticker.
__________________

Jim and Carole
Roseville, MN
2018 RAM 3500 DRW, Diesel, Long Box, Air Lift Bags - 2023 Fuzion 421
JDDilly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2021, 03:21 PM   #9
skunked again
Senior Member
 
skunked again's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Highland
Posts: 145
First off, thank you all for the replies.
foldback - The person we bought from included a husky centerline ts model hitch.

flybouy - I did weigh the truck, at a local grainery, I called them first, got permission. I was lazy, I admit, its only 10 minutes away (it was free, as I didn't want an official ticket, I went after hours). Nearest cat scale is 20 minutes away. Anyway, with what I normally carry - hard tonneau cover, floor jack, various hand tools, 3\4 impact, jumper cables, 12volt inflator, seems like I'm missing something, at that time it had 3\4 tank of fuel (20 gallon tank add another 31#'s?) the weight was 4870#'s. Lets add in that 31#'s + 4870= 4901. 5815 is what's on the door sticker thus 5815-4901= 914#'s remaining payload correct?

sourdough - Wife and I talked it over, at this point, we're in agreement that this tt is perfect for us. However, we only have two trips under our belt, all is subject to change! When we bought the frontier in August of '18, a tt was the last thing on our minds! Her version of camping was a holiday inn without a pool ! ! The conversation for a tt didn't start until this past winter\spring. Otherwise, we would not currently have the frontier.
The tt only has the spare tire on the bumper, I've yet to buy anything else. As for the bumper attachment - there are two pieces of c-channel that sandwich the trailer frame (through bolted with four bolts and welded on one side) the bumper is welded too the two pieces of c-channel. Is that bad or good ?

travelin texans - yes, thats the rub. Well, part of it. I like the frontier. It will be paid off in two years. It has 22,500 miles on it.

chuckster57 - Our frontier has the 4.0 v6 with a 5 speed automatic. Yes, on the edge.

notanlines - What are the thoughts on the Nissan Titan or Titan XD? The titan xd is a tweener, correct? I admit, I've yet to really look at the numbers (price, payload, or towing) for any of them. I'll work on that. A SUV or Van is an option.

JDDilly - Will do.
skunked again is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2021, 04:12 PM   #10
chuckster57
Site Team
 
chuckster57's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,235
Take it for what it’s worth: don’t look for an “adequate” TV for your current trailer. If we are all being honest, it starts out “that’s enough for us” and once the camping bug bites you’ll be looking at bigger. I started with 21 1/2 ft fiver in 1989, went to 27 1/2 feet in ‘96 then 32 feet in ‘97. Current trailer is 27 1/2 feet.

All this to say, you may never do what I or many others have done, but buying 1 truck is better than buying a newer/bigger trailer AND truck every time.
__________________

2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.

Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
chuckster57 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2021, 04:27 PM   #11
JDDilly
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Roseville
Posts: 292
I second that, Chuckster. We got bigger rigs as the kids left. Now we have a 42' 5er that we tell our kids it sleeps us and only 2 Grandkids at a time.
__________________

Jim and Carole
Roseville, MN
2018 RAM 3500 DRW, Diesel, Long Box, Air Lift Bags - 2023 Fuzion 421
JDDilly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2021, 05:49 PM   #12
skunked again
Senior Member
 
skunked again's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Highland
Posts: 145
chuckster57 - Very true !

jddilly - That made me laugh ! !
skunked again is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2021, 06:08 PM   #13
xrated
Senior Member
 
xrated's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: "Murvil, TN
Posts: 2,198
skunked again.....no thoughts on the TV, ....BUT.....my wife is from Highland, born and raised there. We live in TN now, but just wondering if she might know you guys. PM me if you want to say who you are....if not, that's OK too, and welcome to the forum.

Vern
__________________
2016 F350 King Ranch Crew Cab Dually Diesel 4x4
2018 Grand Design Momentum 394M
2023 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+
Excessive payload capacity is a wonderful thing

"If it ain't Fast....It ain't Fun"
xrated is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 12:56 AM   #14
RickV
Senior Member
 
RickV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Fort White, Fl.
Posts: 688
Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57 View Post
Take it for what it’s worth: don’t look for an “adequate” TV for your current trailer. If we are all being honest, it starts out “that’s enough for us” and once the camping bug bites you’ll be looking at bigger. I started with 21 1/2 ft fiver in 1989, went to 27 1/2 feet in ‘96 then 32 feet in ‘97. Current trailer is 27 1/2 feet.

All this to say, you may never do what I or many others have done, but buying 1 truck is better than buying a newer/bigger trailer AND truck every time.
This is a lesson that I learned after we bought our second 5er. You can never have too much truck.
__________________

Rick
2021 Alpine 3790FK
2021 Ford SD F350 6.7 PS 4x4 Crew Cab LB Dually
RickV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 01:54 AM   #15
notanlines
Senior Member
 
notanlines's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,308
Dilly, a long time member here once said they follow the 6-4-2 rule. An RV should be big enough for drinks for six, dinner for four, sleeps two!
__________________
Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
notanlines is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 02:50 AM   #16
JDDilly
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Roseville
Posts: 292
Jim - I like that plan!
__________________

Jim and Carole
Roseville, MN
2018 RAM 3500 DRW, Diesel, Long Box, Air Lift Bags - 2023 Fuzion 421
JDDilly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 04:14 AM   #17
skunked again
Senior Member
 
skunked again's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Highland
Posts: 145
x-rated - pm sent
skunked again is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 04:39 AM   #18
xrated
Senior Member
 
xrated's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: "Murvil, TN
Posts: 2,198
Quote:
Originally Posted by skunked again View Post
x-rated - pm sent
PM replied to. Thanks!
__________________
2016 F350 King Ranch Crew Cab Dually Diesel 4x4
2018 Grand Design Momentum 394M
2023 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+
Excessive payload capacity is a wonderful thing

"If it ain't Fast....It ain't Fun"
xrated is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 06:49 AM   #19
curtiscapk
Senior Member
 
curtiscapk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Overland Park
Posts: 252
we have a 2021 hideout 177 rd we tow with an f150 xlt 2wd 5.0. We can barely feel it back there but my payload is app, 1770#. I would think the frontier with the boat batteries etc. is getting to the edge if not over. Our bumper is pretty thin. if you add a rack make sure and get it supported. Pic of ours in parking lot.

Have fun with whatever you choose!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	20210425_171859 (Medium).jpg
Views:	118
Size:	354.0 KB
ID:	34871  
__________________
Craig and Paula
(Keith)
2022 Primetime Tracer 24DBS
2013 F150 5.0 2WD
Equalizer 4 WDH
Overland Park, KS
curtiscapk is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 07:05 AM   #20
travelin texans
Senior Member
 
travelin texans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
Quote:
Originally Posted by curtiscapk View Post
we have a 2021 hideout 177 rd we tow with an f150 xlt 2wd 5.0. We can barely feel it back there but my payload is app, 1770#. I would think the frontier with the boat batteries etc. is getting to the edge if not over. Our bumper is pretty thin. if you add a rack make sure and get it supported. Pic of ours in parking lot.

Have fun with whatever you choose!
As for mounting anything to the bumper of a rv, that bumper was designed to carry the weight of the stinky slinky & VERY little more.
Anything you mount to that flimsy tin can bumper just be sure it's something that won't total the vehicle behind you when (not if but when) it breaks off.
If you absolutely feel the need to carry something back either have a hitch welded to the frame or remove that flimsy sewer hose holder & replaced with something more substantial.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
travelin texans is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
tow, tow vehicle

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:09 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.