Some towing suggestions sought - 2800bh

[wstcoaster07]

If you haven't read my review on my combo of a 2500RL and my Expedition EL W/blue ox it may provide you additional info:
https://www.mygrandrv.com/fo...-Expedition-EL

The 2500RL I am guessing is very close to the 2800BH depending on how it is loaded. The only update to that thread is I now use 1500# bars from BlueOx vice the 1000# bars I used to use.

[f100owner]

I am missing the days when I had super duties
I am in that position of "well I am going to have to work with what I have." I leaned the pickup with not towing in mind and then we turned around and bought the the tt looking just at the 9200 pound max trailer the expedition can tow, per the towing guide.
I research guns for days before I buy. I hardly went past the salesman's pitch in the capability of the vehicles, and rv salesman saying I should have no problem with either vehicle.
Such is my impulsive attitude.

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[wstcoaster07]

I personally wouldn't sweat it. My expedition tows the trailer just fine and I can't imagine the 2800 is much different (hopefully because we plan to swap up to a 2800).
It is probably by no means ideal as an F250 or 350, but it works and if safe if operated properly. We don't tow over 63mph, monitor our tongue weight with a scale, and don't tow in heavy winds. Would I like an F350, heck yeah. But the $$$ for that upgrade is for another day.

[howson]

I am missing the days when I had super duties
I am in that position of "well I am going to have to work with what I have." I leaned the pickup with not towing in mind and then we turned around and bought the the tt looking just at the 9200 pound max trailer the expedition can tow, per the towing guide.
I research guns for days before I buy. I hardly went past the salesman's pitch in the capability of the vehicles, and rv salesman saying I should have no problem with either vehicle.
Such is my impulsive attitude.

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Again, forgive me if I seem to be proselytizing about this whole topic.

Buy yourself a Sherline Tongue Scale so you'll know your tongue weight. https://www.mygrandrv.com/fo...light=Sherline

Trip #1 should be the CAT scale to get true "as delivered" numbers. Then on your first real excursion stop at the CAT scale again. In short, know your numbers. Keep everything within specs (I had to move stuff from my camper to the truck to stay under my trailer's GVWR) and you'll be fine. Be hyper-diligent about the air pressure in the trailer's tires. It's amazing how quickly the tires get derated (carrying capacity) as air pressure drops.

Once you are comfortable with your setup you'll know what you can (and can't, or should I say "shouldn't") carry.

[Jking46]

FWIW.....I pulled our 28000bh for a year with a Ram 1500 5.7 hemi. Plenty of power, short on stability. Tossed around by cross winds and passing trucks.
Had enough, actually way too much. Bought a 2500 with the 6.4 hemi. Totally different feel. Much more stable and secure.
Not trying to sell you on a Ram. My opinion is that the 2800 is right at the edge of a half ton capacity. I prefer to not be on that edge.

[f100owner]

Since I am pretty close on towing capabilities with either of my options, does the extra length of the pickup make much different? Wheelbase 145 vs 131.
Also, I have been using a receiver hitch to mount a bike rack on the rear of my trailer to carry a couple of bikes. Sounds like that might even help my cause, not by much but some. I have these brackets that are supposed to improve the strength of the bumper on the tt. Forgot the brand. Removed them from my trade in to use on my 2800bh.

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[f100owner]

Out of curiosity, for rough purposes what is wrong with totalling vehicle weight and trailer weight and subtracting that from GCWR to get available total payload.
Expedition option has gcwr of 15100. Truck and trailer has combined weight of 12400 leaving 2700 for payload of which 1438 could go in the truck .
F150 approach has 12700 gcwr with truck and trailer weighing 11200 leaving 1500 pounds. With a payload rated at 1575 , hmm.

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[Jking46]

The extra wheelbase of the f150 could help you. However, before I bought the Ram 2500, I drove other vehicles. Tried a Ford f150 with max tow. The back end squatted more than a dog taking a dump. Way more than my 2013 Ram1500. I wanted that truck to work cause it was really nice. Then tried a f250. Dealer let me hook a new f250 to try it. It pulled my camper great, but the ride was not what I wanted unloaded.

When I tried the Ram, it was the best of both worlds. Great towing and acceptable empty. It has 3000 lb payload , more than enough for my situation.

[DaveMatthewsBand]

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[howson]

Out of curiosity, for rough purposes what is wrong with totalling vehicle weight and trailer weight and subtracting that from GCWR to get available total payload.
Expedition option has gcwr of 15100. Truck and trailer has combined weight of 12400 leaving 2700 for payload of which 1438 could go in the truck .
F150 approach has 12700 gcwr with truck and trailer weighing 11200 leaving 1500 pounds. With a payload rated at 1575 , hmm.

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That's not a valid calculation methodology. Each vehicle has their own specific GVWR. You shouldn't exceed that number.

Your tow vehicle (TV) in addition to the GVWR has a GCWR. I'm going to use ridiculously low numbers for the following examples.

Let's say your TV has a GVWR of 10 and when you weigh it on the CAT scale it's 9. Your trailer has a GVWR of 5 and weighs 4. You can put 1 more in the truck and one more in the trailer, but you should not put all 2 in either the truck or trailer. Doing so will exceed the GVWR of the vehicle you add the 2, too.

Now to the GCWR. You've got the same setup as above, but discover your TV's GCWR is only 12. Your actual combined weight is 13 (9+4), so your combined actual weight exceeds the TV's GCWR even though you stayed within each vehicle's GVWR! (Unlikely scenario--just trying to demonstrate the math.)

Let's say your GCWR rating is 20 instead of 12. That does not mean you can add 8 more to either the TV and/or TT because your actual combined weight is 12. The two vehicles are still limited to adding just one each based on their individual actual weight and GVWRs.

I hope that makes sense. I'm tired so if I messed that up somebody help me. (At least I now know it's Sunday thanks to Brian.)