Searching for the Holy Grail trailer

breeves2245 · 08-09-2022, 06:24 AM

Would really like to sell my 2022 Ram 2500 and use a 1/2 ton to tow so I don't have to have two trucks. I hate driving the Ram, just too big for a daily driver. I bought it to pull the trailer. It's great for that since it has almost 17k towing capacity and my trailer is 7k GVWR.

Always on the lookout for my same Passport SL 229RK layout but in a shorter and lighter trailer. It would have to have a murphy bed to make it shorter. Got excited about the new Jayco Jay Feather 21MML with almost the exact floor plan, but it is only a foot shorter with it's murphy bed and about the same weight. So that doesn't help much.

The 229RK is 26' 10" total length and 7k GVRW. The search continues for something a 22' range with both recliners, dinette and regular or queen bed, just can't find it or it doesn't exist.

bsmith0404 · 08-09-2022, 06:33 AM

Sounds like your looking for a trailer with 10 lbs of “stuff” in a 5 lb bag. Check out the grand design imagine xls 17MKE. I think it’s about as close you’re gonna get to what you’re looking for. It has theater seating with a table that connects to the front of them so I’m a sense, you get two recliners and a dinette. Only so much you can put into a 5 lb bag.

peanut · 08-09-2022, 07:09 AM

Why would you need to go to a smaller trailer?
Your GVRW for your trailer is 7200 lbs. Hitch weight - at 15% - would be 1080 lbs.
Any 'half-ton' truck from the big 3 can be configured with a payload capacity exceeding that. You just need a truck with the 'max-payload' or 'max trailer' type packages (and whatever other upgrades to get that max).

Payload capacities for the big 3 are (according to a quick & dirty google search):
Chevy 1500 - - - - 1480 - 2300 lbs
Ford 150 - - - - - - 1310 - 2238 lbs
Ram 1500 - - - - - -1225 - 2325 lbs
Just depends on how they are configured. If you got the max from any of them, you would have plenty of truck for your load with plenty left over. Visit your dealer and tell them what you need. If they don't have what you need they will most likely be able to locate one.

bsmith0404 · 08-09-2022, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peanut

Why would you need to go to a smaller trailer?
Your GVRW for your trailer is 7200 lbs. Hitch weight - at 15% - would be 1080 lbs.
Any 'half-ton' truck from the big 3 can be configured with a payload capacity exceeding that. You just need a truck with the 'max-payload' or 'max trailer' type packages (and whatever other upgrades to get that max).

Payload capacities for the big 3 are (according to a quick & dirty google search):
Chevy 1500 - - - - 1480 - 2300 lbs
Ford 150 - - - - - - 1310 - 2238 lbs
Ram 1500 - - - - - -1225 - 2325 lbs
Just depends on how they are configured. If you got the max from any of them, you would have plenty of truck for your load with plenty left over. Visit your dealer and tell them what you need. If they don't have what you need they will most likely be able to locate one.

Pretty much my thought as well. That trailer isn’t that big and a 1/2 ton can be configured and set up to tow it well, but who am I to argue with him on what he feels comfortable with. I feel the same way about the 2500 vs 1500. The trucks are the same “size”, one is just taller than the other. Again, who am I to argue with someone’s “comfort” level?

breeves2245 · 08-09-2022, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

Sounds like your looking for a trailer with 10 lbs of “stuff” in a 5 lb bag. Check out the grand design imagine xls 17MKE. I think it’s about as close you’re gonna get to what you’re looking for. It has theater seating with a table that connects to the front of them so I’m a sense, you get two recliners and a dinette. Only so much you can put into a 5 lb bag.

Yes, I have tried to talk myself into that one. I use the dinette a lot. Eat and using the laptop. Don't think I would be comfortable with the table setup. I need to sit up straight with some back support. But your right, it's real close.

bsmith0404 · 08-09-2022, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by breeves2245

Yes, I have tried to talk myself into that one. I use the dinette a lot. Eat and using the laptop. Don't think I would be comfortable with the table setup. I need to sit up straight with some back support. But your right, it's real close.

I will say in 4 years of selling RVs and factory tours of both keystone and grand design, I don’t see how you’re going to get a dinette and recliners in anything under 25’. There’s only so much room to work with. A Murphy bed tries to compensate for that by turning the bed into a couch, but it’s a couch, not recliners and that cannot be changed.

breeves2245 · 08-09-2022, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peanut

Why would you need to go to a smaller trailer?
Your GVRW for your trailer is 7200 lbs. Hitch weight - at 15% - would be 1080 lbs.
Any 'half-ton' truck from the big 3 can be configured with a payload capacity exceeding that. You just need a truck with the 'max-payload' or 'max trailer' type packages (and whatever other upgrades to get that max).

Payload capacities for the big 3 are (according to a quick & dirty google search):
Chevy 1500 - - - - 1480 - 2300 lbs
Ford 150 - - - - - - 1310 - 2238 lbs
Ram 1500 - - - - - -1225 - 2325 lbs
Just depends on how they are configured. If you got the max from any of them, you would have plenty of truck for your load with plenty left over. Visit your dealer and tell them what you need. If they don't have what you need they will most likely be able to locate one.

Oh no doubt a properly configured 1/2 would work. Can get up to about 11k towing. But I'm one of those very conservative guys that want plenty of extra to feel comfortable. I think of 30+ cross winds and how thankful I'm pulling with plenty of capacity left. And that's with a Equalizer Four WDH.

wiredgeorge · 08-09-2022, 07:39 AM

My sis & bil just traded in their Class C and bought a Forest River Flagstaff Micro Lite 21DS and it has a big U shaped dinette which would seem to me to be perfect for computer work. It does have a murphy bed and they claim it is comfy. They just leave the thing down all the time when camping.
https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/trave...lite/21DS/6088

RollaMo · 08-09-2022, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

I feel the same way about the 2500 vs 1500. The trucks are the same “size”, one is just taller than the other. Again, who am I to argue with someone’s “comfort” level?

I feel the same way about these trucks.
I "daily drive" my 2500 Sierra HD just fine.

The 2012 Silverado 1500 I had before this one was not any easier or harder to drive around all day.
They were the same physical size, but as you said the 2500 sits up just a littler higher.

I pulled our previous travel trailer with both trucks, with a much better experience with the 2500.
Even through we were within all towing specs with the 1500, the "experience" was just better with the 2500.

Of course I would have never been able to move to our current 5th wheel with that 1500.

peanut · 08-09-2022, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by breeves2245

Oh no doubt a properly configured 1/2 would work. Can get up to about 11k towing. But I'm one of those very conservative guys that want plenty of extra to feel comfortable. I think of 30+ cross winds and how thankful I'm pulling with plenty of capacity left. And that's with a Equalizer Four WDH.

You seem to to be worrying about "towing capacity" when, IMHO, "payload capacity" is a much more important consideration. Even a small V8 will have plenty of grunt for a 7000 GVWR trailer. It's the payload that is more often the problem.

bsmith0404 · 08-09-2022, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by breeves2245

Oh no doubt a properly configured 1/2 would work. Can get up to about 11k towing. But I'm one of those very conservative guys that want plenty of extra to feel comfortable. I think of 30+ cross winds and how thankful I'm pulling with plenty of capacity left. And that's with a Equalizer Four WDH.

In my experience, smaller/lighter trailers are more of a problem in wind conditions than bigger heavier. If that’s really your concern, I doubt you’d be happy with any 1/2 ton truck after towing with a 3/4 ton, regardless of trailer size.

travelin texans · 08-09-2022, 08:26 AM

I'm curious how swapping a 3/4 ton for a 1/2 ton with possibly as much payload will improve the ride, mileage, driveability or overall size. Rams & GMs the only way I can tell the difference is looking at the badges, Fords are obvious between 1/2s & Super Duties.
I also agree with peanut, in the rv world the max tow weight rating is meaningless, payloads are the numbers to be looking at, unfortunately the truck manufacturers don't advertise those you have to look at the door jamb of a particular truck to find it.

bsmith0404 · 08-09-2022, 08:38 AM

Add in the fact that with a 1/2 ton you typically have to start modifying it right away to make it a good tow vehicle. New tires, possibly suspension upgrades just to make them feel stable. I don’t know, I’m just not a fan of 1/2 ton tow vehicles. I know a lot of people have/use them, but if stability is the main concern, I’d deal with the bigger (not really) size of the 2500. I don’t mean to be disrespectful and down play what the OP is saying about the 2500 being too big for a daily driver, I just don’t understand what the concern is. I drove a dually as my daily driver for several years, that is actually bigger than a 1500.

rhagfo · 08-09-2022, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelin texans

I'm curious how swapping a 3/4 ton for a 1/2 ton with possibly as much payload will improve the ride, mileage, driveability or overall size. Rams & GMs the only way I can tell the difference is looking at the badges, Fords are obvious between 1/2s & Super Duties.
I also agree with peanut, in the rv world the max tow weight rating is meaningless, payloads are the numbers to be looking at, unfortunately the truck manufacturers don't advertise those you have to look at the door jamb of a particular truck to find it.

I agree, there just isn’t that much size difference between a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton, mainly stronger components. Stepping down to a 1/2 ton from a 3/4 ton for ease of daily driving just doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.

**flybouy** · 08-09-2022, 09:08 AM

The one thing I don't see is the configuration of the OP's current 3/4 ton truck or what he's thing on a 1/2 ton. If his current truck is a crew cab long bed and he wants a 1/2 ton crew cab (much shorter bed) I can understand his desire to drive less truck. Everyone is different with different experience. To some, just driving a 1/2 ton PU will feel like an 18 wheeler.

breeves2245 · 08-09-2022, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhagfo

I agree, there just isn’t that much size difference between a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton, mainly stronger components. Stepping down to a 1/2 ton from a 3/4 ton for ease of daily driving just doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.

I guess everyone has different takes on it. For me the size difference is substantial. I can't begin to touch the truck bed in the Ram. Getting in/out requires the hand grip to mount/dismount. Not so for me in the 1/2 tons.

I'm 6'0" and just like the idea of being able to reach things. Like cleaning the windshield. Can't reach the center point of the front windshield in the Ram, easy on the 1/2 tons.

My daily driver is a 2002 Silverado 1500. So it's even smaller compared to today's 1500. Not sure when they got bigger, but parked next to a later model 1500 it is definitely not as tall.

My brother has a Ram 3500 dually as a daily driver. I guess it's just what one is used to driving.

CedarCreekWoody · 08-09-2022, 01:26 PM

I understand your concern. While I'm quite happy in my 2500 my wife hates it, wishes we still had the 1500. She much prefers the softer ride and lower profile.

bsmith0404 · 08-09-2022, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

I understand your concern. While I'm quite happy in my 2500 my wife hates it, wishes we still had the 1500. She much prefers the softer ride and lower profile.

Funny, my wife is just the opposite, she wants the bigger truck. We put 35s on her jeep too. She’s 4’11”, I think she has a Napoleon complex.

markcee · 08-09-2022, 05:24 PM

If you can even order it, the Ford F150, equipped with the heavy duty payload package (HDPP) option will net you about 2400 lbs of 'sticker' payload in a crewcab configuration at XLT trim level.

HDPP is only available in XLT or XL trim and must be ordered with a 6.5' box. It has a thicker frame and heavier axles than a non-HDPP F150. I believe the GVWR is 7850 lbs.

Texas Steve · 08-10-2022, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markcee

If you can even order it, the Ford F150, equipped with the heavy duty payload package (HDPP) option will net you about 2400 lbs of 'sticker' payload in a crewcab configuration at XLT trim level.

HDPP is only available in XLT or XL trim and must be ordered with a 6.5' box. It has a thicker frame and heavier axles than a non-HDPP F150. I believe the GVWR is 7850 lbs.

If it has the thicker frame and heavier axles wont that make it ride like a 3/4 ton? Put LT tires on it and now you have a F150/250 hybrid? I would stick with the more robust truck especially if its paid for.

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