Missedbootcamp Posted April 27, 2020 Report Share Posted April 27, 2020 just bought Rockwood 2608BS, NEED truck to pick it up--Will travel all over U.S. What size truck do we need. Please and Thank YOU--we were going to Excapade Rally to Boot Camp to learn this and now its been cancelled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Second Chance Posted April 27, 2020 Report Share Posted April 27, 2020 It's not about pulling/towing capacity - it's about payload. The Rockwood 2608BS has a GVWR of 8,796 lbs. That means it will put about 1,050 lbs. on the tongue (loaded hitch weight that goes on the truck). You will need a truck with enough payload capacity left over after you subtract fuel, passengers, "stuff," and about 100 lbs. for a good weight-distributing hitch. Then you can start thinking about the powertrain and what the truck will pull. There are many good threads on this and other forums on the topic. Search for terms like "payload," "GVWR," "capacity" and "tow vehicle" combined in the same thread(s). There's a lot more to it than a simple answer to a simple question.- but I'm glad you bought the trailer first and then asked about a tow vehicle. Rob Quote 2012 F350 CC LB DRW 6.7 2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS, disc brakes, solar, DP windows Full-time since 8/2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Customer1 Posted April 28, 2020 Report Share Posted April 28, 2020 (edited) Always go bigger than you think you need. The stability and comfort of a larger truck is priceless and you really can't have too much truck. The price difference between a half ton and a one ton is minimal. I would suggest a 3/4 ton minimum. You want a vehicle that is stable and secure on the worst day in the worst conditions. Edited April 28, 2020 by Customer1 Quote 2018 Keystone Cougar 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 DRW D/A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee Jay Posted April 28, 2020 Report Share Posted April 28, 2020 Consider a 1 ton (3500) series truck, as it will also handle most of the future upgrades and changes that may occur in your trailer selection. The footprint and driving are similar across the three trucks (1500, 2500, 3500) unless you get into the long bed dually. Changes in recent years make all three trucks ride about the same empty, but it really becomes noticeable when you put a load on them, the heavier trucks adjust and the lighter ones just sag. Trucks are spendy, so go for the heavy one first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missedbootcamp Posted April 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2020 (edited) On 4/27/2020 at 4:06 PM, Second Chance said: It's not about pulling/towing capacity - it's about payload. The Rockwood 2608BS has a GVWR of 8,796 lbs. That means it will put about 1,050 lbs. on the tongue (loaded hitch weight that goes on the truck). You will need a truck with enough payload capacity left over after you subtract fuel, passengers, "stuff," and about 100 lbs. for a good weight-distributing hitch. Then you can start thinking about the powertrain and what the truck will pull. There are many good threads on this and other forums on the topic. Search for terms like "payload," "GVWR," "capacity" and "tow vehicle" combined in the same thread(s). There's a lot more to it than a simple answer to a simple question.- but I'm glad you bought the trailer first and then asked about a tow vehicle. Rob Very grateful- growing neurons which I need to do at my age. Do RVers/truckers ever use ratios such as Gross Weight of Tow Vehicle to Gross Weight of Trailer to determine the safe range of weight differentials between tow vehicle and trailer? Edited April 29, 2020 by Missedbootcamp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missedbootcamp Posted April 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2020 On 4/27/2020 at 9:27 PM, Customer1 said: Always go bigger than you think you need. The stability and comfort of a larger truck is priceless and you really can't have too much truck. The price difference between a half ton and a one ton is minimal. I would suggest a 3/4 ton minimum. You want a vehicle that is stable and secure on the worst day in the worst conditions. Thanks so much. Nice to get unbiased info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missedbootcamp Posted April 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2020 On 4/28/2020 at 12:16 AM, Tee Jay said: Consider a 1 ton (3500) series truck, as it will also handle most of the future upgrades and changes that may occur in your trailer selection. The footprint and driving are similar across the three trucks (1500, 2500, 3500) unless you get into the long bed dually. Changes in recent years make all three trucks ride about the same empty, but it really becomes noticeable when you put a load on them, the heavier trucks adjust and the lighter ones just sag. Trucks are spendy, so go for the heavy one first. Thanks for help. Good info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missedbootcamp Posted April 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2020 On 4/28/2020 at 12:16 AM, Tee Jay said: Consider a 1 ton (3500) series truck, as it will also handle most of the future upgrades and changes that may occur in your trailer selection. The footprint and driving are similar across the three trucks (1500, 2500, 3500) unless you get into the long bed dually. Changes in recent years make all three trucks ride about the same empty, but it really becomes noticeable when you put a load on them, the heavier trucks adjust and the lighter ones just sag. Trucks are spendy, so go for the heavy one first. Thanks for help. Good info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted April 29, 2020 Report Share Posted April 29, 2020 Check out the information on truck selection from Changin Gears website. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Second Chance Posted April 30, 2020 Report Share Posted April 30, 2020 17 hours ago, Missedbootcamp said: Do RVers/truckers ever use ratios such as Gross Weight of Tow Vehicle to Gross Weight of Trailer to determine the safe range of weight differentials between tow vehicle and trailer? Not really. We go by GCVWR of the tow vehicle, the payload capacity of the TV, the tongue/pin weight of the trailer, axle and tire capacities, GVWR of the trailer, etc. Rob Quote 2012 F350 CC LB DRW 6.7 2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS, disc brakes, solar, DP windows Full-time since 8/2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missedbootcamp Posted April 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2020 7 hours ago, Second Chance said: Not really. We go by GCVWR of the tow vehicle, the payload capacity of the TV, the tongue/pin weight of the trailer, axle and tire capacities, GVWR of the trailer, etc. Rob Good answer, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted May 30, 2020 Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 Don't forget to calculate your weights and balances. There's more to it than just how much the trailer weighs. How the weight is distributed, both fore/aft and how high, all play into what will yield a nice ride while staying in control. The motor/power is pretty far down the list in safety. Axle/brake ratings are near the top. Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailertraveler Posted May 30, 2020 Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 Welcome to the Escapees Forum! Another issue to consider is the wheelbase of the tow vehicle in relation to the length of the trailer. Here is an article that explains this relationship and gives some guidance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missedbootcamp Posted June 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2020 On 5/29/2020 at 8:55 PM, rickeieio said: Don't forget to calculate your weights and balances. There's more to it than just how much the trailer weighs. How the weight is distributed, both fore/aft and how high, all play into what will yield a nice ride while staying in control. The motor/power is pretty far down the list in safety. Axle/brake ratings are near the top. Thanks. sure wish Escapees had the Boot Camp but you are stepping up for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.