26-30 ft is realistic 5-6k dry weight anything longer/heavier is going past the limitations of a 1/2 ton.. that's if you want to stay legal, happy and not being pushed around by semis blowing by at times. If you pulling on the flats that would be ideal but even the foothills of mountains would be challenging going past those limits, especially weight.. look into a lightweight 30ft if you can find it.
Travel Trailer w/ a 1/2 ton, what's realistic?
Hi all.
My wife and I bought a pop up camper during COVID and are looking to upgrade to a travel trailer. I've been trying to stay around 32 feet or less and about 6,000 lbs. I recently bought a '22 Silverado RST crew cab w/ a short bed and a 5.3 v8. Towing capacity is 9,200 lbs.
For the most part we camp state parks within a couple hours of the house but wouldn't mind venturing out a little further. We live in Ohio so no mountains here but if we were to go south through West Virginia or Tennessee we could hit mountains if we went that route.
Is this a realistic set up? Am I pushing the limits too far with a 1/2 ton and a trailer of this size or should I be looking at something smaller? The camper we like is pretty much right at 6k.
My wife and I bought a pop up camper during COVID and are looking to upgrade to a travel trailer. I've been trying to stay around 32 feet or less and about 6,000 lbs. I recently bought a '22 Silverado RST crew cab w/ a short bed and a 5.3 v8. Towing capacity is 9,200 lbs.
For the most part we camp state parks within a couple hours of the house but wouldn't mind venturing out a little further. We live in Ohio so no mountains here but if we were to go south through West Virginia or Tennessee we could hit mountains if we went that route.
Is this a realistic set up? Am I pushing the limits too far with a 1/2 ton and a trailer of this size or should I be looking at something smaller? The camper we like is pretty much right at 6k.
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👍I went through this exact same exercise. 2009 Silverado 1500 5.3, HD towing package (adds trans cooler and gears - 10K towing cap) puling a 30' Keystone 30RIPR (36' hitch to spare) that is 6750 dry. I've never weighed it like some of the guys on here, but the wife takes everything we own, so I am guessing at least 8k loaded. The Silverado will pull it, and it will stop it, but it is NOT a good time driving. The front end floats despite the Blue Ox Sway Pro weight dist hitch. Like all over the place, and hold on when a semi passes you. You are going to get pushed, and then pulled into it. Its a rush the first time that happens. The truck can do it, but it doesnt like it. Its drops 2 gears on any decent hill - I live in SC, and have never pulled it in the mountains, only to the coast. Started pulling it with an F-250 6.7 and never looked back. TOTALLY different experience. Can cruise down the interstate at 70mph and pass semis with one hand on the wheel. I actually forget the thing is back there sometimes. I would get more truck, or get less camper.
View attachment 951933
View attachment 951934
Same experience here, me and my friend would swap pulling the TT each trip to the race .. my 1/2 ton and his 3/4 with the TT... Totally different experience with the same trailer and 2 different platform trucks.. like you said pass semi's and forget it's there with the 3/4 ton.
1 - 2 of 45 Posts
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