Is This To Much Trailer For My Truck? - Page 3

Smoke05 · 03-30-2008, 06:43 PM

http://www.rvtowingtips.com/how-long.htm

The above is a popular link for info. For a truck of the Titan's length the chart says 27-28ft is basically safe and sound as a general rule of thumb. Reading on further the author mentions that going 3-4ft over that length is not instant roadside carnage provided there is proper WD and sway control. The next portion brings trailer design into the equation. Not all trailers are designed equally. Some tow better than others due to wheel and tire specs as well as axle position in relation to tongue length. The axles on my TT are pretty much in the center of the TT and do not make for a long distance to the tongue. Let it also be noted that the author states he is 3-4ft over his own chart with his own rig and states he tows with no trouble. FWIW I think the biggest problem many new towers have is slowing down. It just isn't safe to drive down the highway with a trailer in tow in the same manner you would an empty truck.

**loufish** · 03-30-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

FWIW I think the biggest problem many new towers have is slowing down. It just isn't safe to drive down the highway with a trailer in tow in the same manner you would an empty truck.

That's what it boils down to...
I still wouldn't want to tow over about 27-28 ft with my Titan...

NorCal 4x4 · 03-30-2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loufish

It's all good...Just curious.
I keep forgetting about these "kids" you humans have...

Probably wouldn't even be in my Titan if it wasn't for my kids. Back somewhere around 2002 I took the kids with me to checkout & test-drive a Mitsubishi Eclipse. They were only 10 or 11 at the time but had no leg room in it even back then. They started chanting "don't buy this car" over and over ... more funny than embarrassing. Btw, they are normally well behaved, but sometimes you've gotta make a stand ... So I considered that they would most likely be over 6 footers within a few years. and started looking for vehicles with more legroom in the back seat, ... eventually I notice found the Titan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoke05

FWIW I think the biggest problem many new towers have is slowing down. It just isn't safe to drive down the highway with a trailer in tow in the same manner you would an empty truck.

Yep and emergency maneuvers ... avoiding deer, etc. I would definitely not push it and derate.

BobF49 · 03-31-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nordicgod55

I have a 2004 Titan CC, short bed, with the big tow package. I am thinking of purchasing a 2006 Dutchman Tundra 27FK-DSBS super-lite travel trailer. The unloaded vehicle weight of the tt is 6217 lbs with a GVWR of 7600. The dry hitch weight is 626.* All of this seems to meet the criteria of what my Titan can tow. The issue that I have is that the tt is 32'4" in length overall (bumper to tongue) and has 2 slides, which may be too much for my truck.* But with the sway bar, weight distribution hitch and Prodigy brake controller, on paper, I should be able to tow this tt.Has anyone out their towed a tt this length and weight, and if so, did they run into any problems? Thanks,Nordicgod55

Hey Nordicgod
Yes, the trailer probably is too long, & I have told myself that many times, but, this trailer is the one that we wanted. It's not that the truck can't handle the trailer, it's the fact that sway is going to be an issue.

Will be beginning my 4th year of towing a Trail-Bay TB31RL. Trailer is 32'8" from tongue to end of bumper. Dry weight was 6400 lbs, tongue weight a little over 700lbs. & a GVWR of over 10,000lbs. (No way I would put 4000lbs in a trailer.) Like you I have a 2004 SE CC with the Big Tow Package.

I have had many issues over sway in the wind & passing trucks in the past,some of them white-knucklers. I spent a lot of time on the forum reading information about the sway & how to solve the problem & have made some changes that have worked and "virtually " eliminated the problem. Notice the word virtually, I still get sway from time to time but not near as bad as it used to be. These are just suggestions.

First thing, I hope you don't still have Goodyear SRA's on your truck. Chuck 'em. Get a good quality tire with a stiffer sidewall. I purchased Toyo AT'S for mine . Noisy on the road but great for towing. You don't have to purchase LT tires unless you like them.

I put Bilstein HD gas shocks on the rear. Really helped stiffen the rear suspension.

Replaced the stock suspension stops with Timbren SES stops with the 1 1/2" spacer on each side. The addition spacers made all the difference in the world.

These three things really helped the truck tow & handle better overall.

There are some other things to consider also.

Get a good weight distribution hitch & have it set up properly where ever you are purchasing the camper

Slow down on the highway . Lot easier to control at 55 than 70. And doesn't take that much longer to get where you are going.

When you see a grove of trees along the highway with space in between just mentally prepare yourself for a blast of wind. Same thing applies when you are being passed by a big truck.

And continue to read the forum, because you will find tons of valuble info to help you. Be sure & read Smoke 05' s comments. Good luck & happy camping

Shane06fl · 03-31-2008, 10:41 AM

I don't believe there is any ''real'' document stating what lenght trailer vs TV wheel base is best. It is all rule of thumb. If you have ever towed a long trailer with long wheelbase heavy truck then you can tell the difference. The Titan is a light weight and is a short wheelbase vehicle. You take a heavy trailer and add lenght to it then hook to this truck and you have much greater chance of loosing control even with all the latest and greatest sway control devices. The Titan has the power, thats never been the issue.

If you have any doubts see if a RV dealer will let you test drive with TT in tow. Give a run around town and see how you like it on the interstate.

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 04-07-2008, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nordicgod55

I have a 2004 Titan CC, short bed, with the big tow package. I am thinking of purchasing a 2006 Dutchman Tundra 27FK-DSBS super-lite travel trailer. The unloaded vehicle weight of the tt is 6217 lbs with a GVWR of 7600. The dry hitch weight is 626.* All of this seems to meet the criteria of what my Titan can tow. The issue that I have is that the tt is 32'4" in length overall (bumper to tongue) and has 2 slides, which may be too much for my truck.* But with the sway bar, weight distribution hitch and Prodigy brake controller, on paper, I should be able to tow this tt.Has anyone out their towed a tt this length and weight, and if so, did they run into any problems? Thanks,Nordicgod55

Let these guys argue over wheelbase, truck weight yada yada yada. Too many crybaby number-chasers. You could tow the trailer you're talking about without knowing it's even back there at times. I towed the 32+' TT in my avatar for nearly 3 years and it weighs a lot more than the one you're looking at....and I'll tell you.....we've gone everywhere with it! I now have an 08 CC with the LWB which will be better for sway but I used to run at 70 MPH past big rigs and was always able to fully control my truck and trailer. A good WD hitch is a MUST as well as a sway control device. If you know what you're doing and can properly set your rig up (you need to correctly set the hitch height to level the trailer and properly adjust weight while packing your TT), you'll have no problems at all.

**RobKar** · 04-07-2008, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derwud

No, air bags won't stop sway, but what they do is add more "Spring" to your truck, which should make it more stable.

You will never get rid of Sway or the Wind Wiggle, but you need to find everything you can to make you and your vehicles safe. The right tires, (on the truck and trailer) inflated to the right pressure. Upgraded shocks. Equal-I-Zer hitch or Better. Beer quality over load springs (Air bags or something like the Roadmaster kit) and slow down..

Air bags do help with sway. I pull a 29ft TT 8000lbs and they helped a lot. I even have double sway control and the bags helped a ton.

**redneckpapa1996** · 04-08-2008, 03:54 AM

This is TOO much, but i have towed it a few times...
Truck pulled it great up some pretty steep grades but not very stable above 55mph !!!!

As it sits in the pic, it is well over 10,000 lbs., maybe over 11K.......

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 04-08-2008, 01:55 PM

LOL...What is that.....38-40'? Yeah, I'd say that's too much! I can't even see the WD bars...are there any?

eurohazard · 04-08-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

LOL...What is that.....38-40'? Yeah, I'd say that's too much! I can't even see the WD bars...are there any?

I don't even see a TT.......all I see is redneckpapa1996's avatar! I guess they are TT's! lol, I kill me.

I remember his post in another thread, no wdh, but didn't move it very far if memory serves.

travelship · 04-10-2008, 11:51 PM

I've pulled big boxy trailers for more than a million miles. When you get passed by me, the bow wave pushes you away. I've seen an old VW van get blown almost completely off the right side of the road by a passing truck. Once the bow wave is past and the front of your vehicle is behind it, the wing effect takes over and creates a vacuum between the vehicles that then sucks them together. Once the rear of my trailer passes you, you'll feel the wing effect "let go". It is especially noticeable with a cross wind. The only sway (what I define as a side to side oscillation of the trailer which may or may not get progressively worse) I've ever experienced in a rig is with a set of doubles with an empty rear box or a rear box that is heavier than the front. Single trailers like 53 footers don't really sway at all, even when pulled with a little daycab short wheelbase tractor. What happens in that situation is poor tracking, where the whole combo tends to change direction quickly and dance around in the lane. A fifth wheel connection is just much more stable than a tongue pull though. Dual tires and 3 axles on the tow vehicle make it even more stable. As far as weights, max loaded big rigs weigh in at 100% of their gcvwr, and the trailers outweigh the tractors 3 to 1. When towing various trailers with my pickup trucks over the years, I've found the short trailers are the most likely to sway. Long trailers are more likely to jackknife the tow vehicle when cornering, especially when decelerating. For the original poster, I'd say that trailer is right near the max end of the Titan's capabilities, but I would probably be comfortable doing it. I have air bags, Bilsteins, and LT tires and my 5k lb 21 footer gives me absolutely no problems, and I could see putting another 6 ft and 3k lbs behind my Titan.

**redneckpapa1996** · 04-11-2008, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eurohazard

I don't even see a TT.......all I see is redneckpapa1996's avatar! I guess they are TT's! lol, I kill me.

I remember his post in another thread, no wdh, but didn't move it very far if memory serves.

It is a 36 footer...8800 lb. dry weight but was full of schit....

Didn't move it very far or get on the interstsate....