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 > Towing
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 02-03-2021, 02:59 PM   #1
The Slade
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Utah
Posts: 5
Ram1500 keystone 202RD

Hi all I’m a total newbie to trailers and wanted to see if anyone is towing the keystone 202RD with a ram 1500
We have 2017 3.92 axle ration ram1500 v8 bighorn with 1450 pound payload, GCWR 15850 max towing of 9830.
I’ve completed a payload calculator and it says we can tow the trailer and be under the payload limit as there is only my wife, the dog and myself but it’s close. Should we get the smaller 175rd single axle that’s lighter? I like the idea of dual axle in case of tyre failure. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
The Slade is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-03-2021, 03:51 PM   #2
sourdough
Site Team
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,598
You've posted some good numbers but a little more info would be greatly beneficial; body type, 2/4wd, short bed/long bed etc. It helps to analyze the situation better. I'm assuming you have the 5.7 V8?

On the face of it I think you would be fine with the 202rd. I definitely would be wanting a tandem axle vs single. It has a gvw of 6720 BUT that includes over 2100 lbs of payload in a 24' trailer - I don't see that happening for a couple. I had a 25' no slide trailer like this one many years ago and if I could stuff 1000 lbs. in it.....now that would have been a miracle - and you're just a couple.

At gvw you would be looking at an approx. tongue weight of 873 lbs. with a payload of 1450 (I'm assuming that is from the driver door sticker). That leaves 577 lbs. for you, DW, puppy and "stuff" - whoops, deduct another 100 lbs. for a weight distribution hitch with sway = 477lbs. Doable but VERY close. If you added 1000lbs. to the trailer (vs 2100+) which will be more realistic IMO, you will be looking at 4614 + 1000 = 5614 x 13% = 730. That would add about 143 to the above 477 = 620 for the folks, puppy and stuff.

I've pulled a much larger trailer with a Ram 1500 Bighorn, CC, 5.7, 4x4, 3.92, SB and it pulled acceptably but it was NO fun in heavy traffic or cross winds. This is a MUCH smaller trailer (mine was almost 38').

My thoughts would be to watch what you load, how much you load and where you load as that will affect your tongue weight. I would replace the P rated tires with LT if you haven't. I would put an Equalizer 4 point weight distribution hitch with sway control and 1000lb. bars. You may find that you want to add air bags just to stop some of the inherent movement of those rear coils if that becomes an issue - I did and it helped. Just some thoughts but I don't see an issue if you watch the things I've mentioned.

Edit: Sorry! Welcome to the forum (just noticed it was your first post)! I want to commend you on taking the time to look into and ask about the weights. It is extremely important in towing. I wish you luck in your search and fire away with any questions or concerns you may have.
__________________
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 offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-03-2021, 03:52 PM   #3
JRTJH
Site Team
 
JRTJH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,836
First, welcome...

As for your questions about towing, I've no idea what numbers you might have used to determine any expected weights. So, this is what many (maybe even most) people tend to use as a general guide:

The Springdale 202RD shipping weight (something you will NEVER see) is 4614. That weight does not include propane, batteries, spare tire or any optional equipment. The cargo capacity is 2108. That gives you a trailer GVW (maximum weight) of 6722.

Most authorities recommend that you calculate a tongue weight of 10-15% of the maximum weight.

Most members here use 12% as a general starting point, then add 100 pounds for the hitch and go from there.

12% of 6722 is 806, add 100 for the hitch is 906 for the trailer.

Now, figure 200 pounds for you, 200 pounds for your DW (adjust as needed) and 50 for the dog.

So, with a 1450 pound payload for your truck, deduct any (and all) stuff you've added since it was "new from the factory".. That means any floor mats, navigation equipment, tools, or anything else you might have added.

Then, after deducting that, deduct the 806 and if you still have anything left, that's your "fudge factor"...

In other words, using this data: 1450-200-200-50-806-100=94. So, provided you haven't added anything to your truck since it was new, you're roughly 94 pounds "to the good". Adjust these numbers to more accurately reflect your actual weights and the dog's weight.....

In my opinion, that's cutting it very VERY close !!!!! in that kind of situation, even adding a BBQ grill and a couple sticks of firewood to the bed would put you over.

As for a "lighter single axle trailer". That is an option, but typically, single axle trailers are not nearly as stable on the road. It may be an option, but consider carefully as the choice will be "more or less a one time and done" at least until you can get enough equity to trade (unless you want to take a significant loss)...
__________________
John



2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
JRTJH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-03-2021, 04:08 PM   #4
The Slade
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Utah
Posts: 5
Awesome thanks all that’s exactly the advice I was after. The details of the truck were from ram for the vin number of the truck so I know they are correct. I have upgraded the tyres so will upgrade my bumper and look to purchase hitch and sway bars. Will make sure we keep it light. Wish I had of bought the power wagon....too late now.
The Slade is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-03-2021, 04:14 PM   #5
sourdough
Site Team
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,598
I wouldn't trust the VIN lookup for your payload, look at the sticker inside the driver door - black white and yellow, it will give you the real scoop. If it varies please post back and let us know.
__________________
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 offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-03-2021, 06:07 PM   #6
The Slade
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Utah
Posts: 5
Oh thanks for that this makes it even closer 1237pounds . Looks like it might be too tight now and we will have to downsize the trailer. THANK YOU
The Slade is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-03-2021, 06:43 PM   #7
JRTJH
Site Team
 
JRTJH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,836
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Slade View Post
Awesome thanks all that’s exactly the advice I was after. The details of the truck were from ram for the vin number of the truck so I know they are correct. I have upgraded the tyres so will upgrade my bumper and look to purchase hitch and sway bars. Will make sure we keep it light. Wish I had of bought the power wagon....too late now.
You're fortunate that you didn't buy a Power Wagon. They have the lowest payload of any of the RAM line. They're "sprung for off-road use" and the springs are softer to absorb the rough travel conditions. The 2500 Power Wagon has, if I remember, a 1300 pound payload, so you're better off with your 1500 than you would be with a 2500 PW.
__________________
John



2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
JRTJH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-03-2021, 07:13 PM   #8
sourdough
Site Team
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,598
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Slade View Post
Oh thanks for that this makes it even closer 1237pounds . Looks like it might be too tight now and we will have to downsize the trailer. THANK YOU

Yes, that payload is very low for a 1/2 ton Ram 5.7/3.92. Do you have the 5.7 V8? My Bighorn was 15xx as I recall. Either way the 1227 puts you looking at a very small trailer as that is about what a mid size SUV has.
__________________
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 offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-03-2021, 09:27 PM   #9
The Slade
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Utah
Posts: 5
Thanks yes 5.7ltr v8 bighorn 2017. Ram info for this vehicle says 1450 pounds but door sticker has at 1237. Smaller camper means less money to outlay I guess ��
The Slade is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-04-2021, 02:43 AM   #10
Millertyme76
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Lafayette
Posts: 30
I have a 2020 Springdale 202RD that I pull with a 2016 F150 with the 2.7L ecoboost. My payload is 1660 lbs. I am not in the same situation you are in but one of the things I like about the 202RD beside the dual axles is the CCC. It's at almost 2000 lbs. Most of the stuff I bring goes into the camper. When loaded properly it works out good for me.
__________________
2000 Flagstaff 227 (Bought Used 2018-Sold)
2016 Jayco X17Z (Bought Used 2018-Traded In)
2020 Springdale 202RD (Bought New 2020-Traded In)
2022 Prime Time Avenger 27DBS (Bought New 2022)
2018 Nissan Titan XD (Bought Used 2023)
Husky 32215 WDH
Millertyme76 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-04-2021, 07:26 AM   #11
sourdough
Site Team
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,598
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Slade View Post
Thanks yes 5.7ltr v8 bighorn 2017. Ram info for this vehicle says 1450 pounds but door sticker has at 1237. Smaller camper means less money to outlay I guess ��

Unfortunately, with that small of a payload (very low for a 1/2 ton) you will be hard pressed on a trailer of much size. The last calculations were very tight using a 1450 payload; with the 1237 number it would take a miracle for it not to be overloaded even if towing with nothing in the truck or trailer except people, puppy and necessities (bottle of water and clothes on your back). I wouldn't do it.
__________________
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 offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2021, 03:01 PM   #12
Campermike
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Metamora
Posts: 143
I am going to say than some of the others. I have a 2300bh trailer that is similar weight. 4500 or so"dry" but almost 7k gvwr. I HAVE weighed it loaded for camping and it was only 4500 on the trailer axles and all my trucks weights were ok including rear axle and truck gvwr. My payload is 100lb more than the op but that's it. This was with me and 1 light passenger but I also had a little firewood and a couple bikes in the bed. I believe you could keep it within limits if careful and you arranged your cargo properly.
Campermike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2021, 06:17 PM   #13
linux3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Western NY
Posts: 586
Why so heavy for the 202RD.
My Passport 195RB is only a little smaller and over 1500 LBs lighter.
It's also dual axel. IMHO the type of TT configuration to get.
__________________
#####################
Rob
Bereft of TT and looking.
2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71 6.2L
linux3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2021, 08:25 PM   #14
JRTJH
Site Team
 
JRTJH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,836
Quote:
Originally Posted by linux3 View Post
Why so heavy for the 202RD.
My Passport 195RB is only a little smaller and over 1500 LBs lighter.
It's also dual axel. IMHO the type of TT configuration to get.
Your Passport is an aluminum frame, "sandwich floor" technology trailer build.

The Springdale is a wood frame, solid floor technology trailer build.

Comparing weight per foot of trailer length is like comparing apples to oranges.
__________________
John



2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
JRTJH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2021, 03:54 PM   #15
The Slade
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Utah
Posts: 5
Thanks I will look into the lighter passport models you may have saved the day thank you
The Slade is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2021, 01:36 PM   #16
linux3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Western NY
Posts: 586
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Slade View Post
Thanks I will look into the lighter passport models you may have saved the day thank you
We bought our Passport in 2016 and since then 3 friends have bought around the same model and we all pull with 1500's.

We don't have a slide and that keeps the weight down. Also, I think slides are the #1 problem area.
We have a Murphy bed and for 2 people that is a really nice feature in a small TT because if you have a regular bed it takes up way too much of a limited space.
We make 3 or 4 trips of 3 / 4 weeks each every year and then a few long weekend type trips and really enjoy our traveling home.

I don't think Keystone makes our model anymore.

I think Keystone owes me a commission.
__________________
#####################
Rob
Bereft of TT and looking.
2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71 6.2L
linux3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
keystone

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 04:11 AM.


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