I'm looking for advice from those of you who might have the configuration I want to go to. I want to upgrade from a large tent trailer (3600#s) to a toyhauler so I can use one vehicle to pull trailer and quads (2 large, 1 small). I have a 2000 GMC 1500 2Wheel Drive (posi, 5.3, 3.78) that the manual says I can pull 8200#s. I'm interested in the Weekend Warrior FB2200. Initially, adding the numbers up it looks like I will be ok. I know a bigger truck is better, but not planning to go that route and I'm not very interested in the trailer lite models that are out there that I have seen. I believe the FB2200 gross dry weight is around 5800#s. I know I see a few 1/2 ton pickups pulling 22' to 26' ToyHaulers out at the dunes and such. I'm interested in your real world experience if you or someone you know has this kind of setup? Thanks in advance!

 

I have a 21ft salem toyhauler. It is probably close to 7000 lbs when fully loaded with quads, water, fuel, etc. I tow it with a 2001 Ford Supercrew with the 5.4l 3.55 ls differential and 305 70 16 tires. It tows fine. You should be ok with that setup. Any larger and I think you will start to experience some performance problems.

 

Take a look at campmaster trailers, they aren't so tall or as bulky as the WW trailers, should be easier for your 1/2 ton to pull around.

 

I pull a 27ft Weekend Warrior with a dodge ram 4x4 1500. With the EZ loaders i have no problem at all pulling it. On highway, speeds arent a problem. But the EZ Loaders are a must with a Half ton.

 

I have the perfect solution. for about 500 bucks have the ring and pinion changed atleast to a 4:10 maybe even higher. that will fix your problem. if you want you can also stiffen your rear springs.

 

Be careful... In my dealings, I have never found the dry weight listed on a RV to be accurate. Typically the unit weighs more than what is noted. Say the dry weight of your trailer is 5000, that leaves only 3200 Lbs for the "truck and trailer" to haul". 100 Gallons of water, subtract 830Lbs (2,370Lbs) 10 gallons of propane 42Lbs (2,328) 2 quads Aprox 1050lbs (1,328.00) and you still have to add weight for: second battery?, food/drinks, Riding gear, clothing, utensils, TV, Gas Cans, Oil, tools and misc carry on items. You get the picture. It adds up in a hurry. Propane is 4.2Lbs/gal, gasoline is 5.6Lbs/Gal. I had a 1995 1/2 ton Z71 with a 350 and 3:73 gears. I had a small pull behind trailer and wanted to move up to a new trailer. So I went looking and found a 27' 5th wheel that based on the Dry weight my truck should have been able to pull it. Also, the salesmen kept re-asurring me that it would pull it! Anyway empty it didn't seem to bad, but once loaded with all fluids, gear ATV's Etc the thing was scarry. I even put Helwig overloads on the rear of the truck. The suspension was still really mushy and the brakes were pretty well taxed at stopping the load. I ended up selling the 1/2 ton truck and getting a larger one, problem solved. right? Well... except that I had to come up with more money to swing the newer/larger truck. Just think about the whole overall weight thing. See if you can get the trailer weighed to see what the "real" dry weight is, factor in all of your weights and see what the overall total is.....

Rude Dog

 

i have a 97 chevy 1500 lt pulls great even loaded with a banshee and raptor 40 gallons of gas and as much wood as i could pack in the bed and an old heavy 1979 18ft trailer behind it packed with everything you would need for glamis ( beer) i have a weight distribution hitch that helps out alot. speed on the highway is not a problem 65-70 up hills just dont put it in overdrive (ops) because a new tranny in the middle of noware costs $2000.00 brakes suck with that much weight but you do what you have to to get to glamis

 

Rudedog - I feel the way you do. I know that you CAN pull a lot with a v8 1/2 truck but to me towing isn't running at 65 mph with the throttle to the floor dreading every hill you come to. If you don't travel that far - 100 or 200 miles it isn't so bad but when you are going 500+ miles each way I want to be able to drive at least at the speed limit and not kill the truck in the process.

Personally, if you can try before you buy you'll avoid buyer's remorse.

 

Well said!

You will shred your 1/2 ton much quicker. 3/4 ton or higher will make your tasks seem like a walk in the park.

Trailer brakes are also a great idea for any size truck. They will keep you from having to wash your shorts constantly.

 

Thanks everyone for your comments. My father-n-law has a 26' TT that will come pretty close to the weight I'm looking at. For grins I think I will take his trailer out for a spin and see how my truck does. I'll call it the short's test. If the seat of the pants come back clean, then I'll pursue this further. If they don't, well no sense in moving on. Thanks again.