Something doesn't seem right here
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 947
Likes: 144
From: Columbus Ohio
Lots of people in here need to get with the times, or at least cut out the puritanical hand wringing. You all sound like a bunch of gated community housewives that are appalled at a neighbor who bought an unsightly project boat. That Colorado has better brakes and more horsepower than a 3/4 ton of the 90s. With a WDH, maybe stiffer springs or bags depending on how it sits after the WDH, and some tires that can take the load that camper should be no problem. Even without the WDH it would probably be fine as long as you drive like an adult (if YouTube is any indication this is something most TT owners are not capable of). IIRC the Colorado can "officially" tow 7k and haul 1.5k. Even if the camper is 1000lb over the supposed dry weight he's only 500 over the tow rating and almost certainly under the truck's cargo capacity.
Assuming 7500lb he's less than 10% over the official towing capacity. As long as he doesn't behave like an idiot that's really no big deal. Kinda ironic how most here wouldn't blink twice at a 80s or 90s F-150 that's 10% over but when someone does it in a new truck everyone is all "hurr durr, he should know better" and "won't anybody think of the children".
Assuming 7500lb he's less than 10% over the official towing capacity. As long as he doesn't behave like an idiot that's really no big deal. Kinda ironic how most here wouldn't blink twice at a 80s or 90s F-150 that's 10% over but when someone does it in a new truck everyone is all "hurr durr, he should know better" and "won't anybody think of the children".
You do have a very valid and strong point! I have seen many people pulling different Travel Trailers and 5th Wheels with late 80's early 90's Chevy 2500's and F250's that are gas that pull 12k plus with their trucks, they aren't rated for that weight either... Thank for putting stuff into perspective!
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 7,941
From: Texas
Well, they will do it every time! AND.........just because one *CAN* does not mean that one *SHOULD*
Yup, I have seen 40 ft 5th wheels pulled with F150’s, Tundra’s, and other half tons
Still does not make it right.
Yup, I have seen 40 ft 5th wheels pulled with F150’s, Tundra’s, and other half tons
Still does not make it right.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 1
With some of these camper setups and/or driver mentality , RV's can almost be like U-haul rental trucks. Just keep your distance. Anyone can buy and drive these things, lets hope the bone head moves are kept to a minimum or they'll be requiring training, a special license and extra insurance, all of which will dig deeper into the cost of simply having some vacation time.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 371
With some of these camper setups and/or driver mentality , RV's can almost be like U-haul rental trucks. Just keep your distance. Anyone can buy and drive these things, lets hope the bone head moves are kept to a minimum or they'll be requiring training, a special license and extra insurance, all of which will dig deeper into the cost of simply having some vacation time.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 137
From: tucson
I don't know about that VW pickup but there is a youtube video showing a 5th wheel made for a beetle. The hitch is on top of the roof and the beetle can turn 360* under it.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,686
Likes: 12,808
From: Wyoming
I've seen that. It's cool doing the 360°.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 1
Seen that on something else as as well. I think that trailer was made for just about anything. It was one of those 70's things that failed. Guess it was on Let's Make a Deal at some point. .
This Harmon Shadow Trailer Had An Innovative Hitch Design
This Harmon Shadow Trailer Had An Innovative Hitch Design
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 947
Likes: 144
From: Columbus Ohio
Well, they will do it every time! AND.........just because one *CAN* does not mean that one *SHOULD*
https://youtu.be/1W5r7rrR_Mg
Yup, I have seen 40 ft 5th wheels pulled with F150’s, Tundra’s, and other half tons
Still does not make it right.
https://youtu.be/1W5r7rrR_Mg
Yup, I have seen 40 ft 5th wheels pulled with F150’s, Tundra’s, and other half tons
Still does not make it right.
WTF? I am at a loss for.words! I've seen it all now!
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 7,941
From: Texas
Things like this are why I say just because one can does not mean they should!
I have seen way too many RV’s like the one in the video that Ed posted in post #7 of this thread. A light tow vehicle maximizes chances of something like that happening. That is just plain physics, no way around it. Then out here in the mountain west, where there are river canyons and gorges where the winds are shifting, etc. it all gets magnified. There is another factor when it comes to towing.......the frontal area of the towed vehicle. A 6000 lb camper tows a hell of a lot different than a 6000 lb flat with a load of pavers on it. The weight is the same, but the dynamics involved are totally different. If one reads the fine print on the owners manual for these smaller pickups and SUV’s there is likely a statement to the effect of maximum frontal area of a towed vehicle. When I bought a Jeep a number of years back, I do remember seeing that even though the towed weight rating was like 3500 or 5000 lb, the max frontal area was posted pretty small, I think like 48 sq. Ft.
I have seen way too many RV’s like the one in the video that Ed posted in post #7 of this thread. A light tow vehicle maximizes chances of something like that happening. That is just plain physics, no way around it. Then out here in the mountain west, where there are river canyons and gorges where the winds are shifting, etc. it all gets magnified. There is another factor when it comes to towing.......the frontal area of the towed vehicle. A 6000 lb camper tows a hell of a lot different than a 6000 lb flat with a load of pavers on it. The weight is the same, but the dynamics involved are totally different. If one reads the fine print on the owners manual for these smaller pickups and SUV’s there is likely a statement to the effect of maximum frontal area of a towed vehicle. When I bought a Jeep a number of years back, I do remember seeing that even though the towed weight rating was like 3500 or 5000 lb, the max frontal area was posted pretty small, I think like 48 sq. Ft.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 903
Likes: 119
Things like this are why I say just because one can does not mean they should!
I have seen way too many RV’s like the one in the video that Ed posted in post #7 of this thread. A light tow vehicle maximizes chances of something like that happening. That is just plain physics, no way around it. Then out here in the mountain west, where there are river canyons and gorges where the winds are shifting, etc. it all gets magnified. There is another factor when it comes to towing.......the frontal area of the towed vehicle. A 6000 lb camper tows a hell of a lot different than a 6000 lb flat with a load of pavers on it. The weight is the same, but the dynamics involved are totally different. If one reads the fine print on the owners manual for these smaller pickups and SUV’s there is likely a statement to the effect of maximum frontal area of a towed vehicle. When I bought a Jeep a number of years back, I do remember seeing that even though the towed weight rating was like 3500 or 5000 lb, the max frontal area was posted pretty small, I think like 48 sq. Ft.
I have seen way too many RV’s like the one in the video that Ed posted in post #7 of this thread. A light tow vehicle maximizes chances of something like that happening. That is just plain physics, no way around it. Then out here in the mountain west, where there are river canyons and gorges where the winds are shifting, etc. it all gets magnified. There is another factor when it comes to towing.......the frontal area of the towed vehicle. A 6000 lb camper tows a hell of a lot different than a 6000 lb flat with a load of pavers on it. The weight is the same, but the dynamics involved are totally different. If one reads the fine print on the owners manual for these smaller pickups and SUV’s there is likely a statement to the effect of maximum frontal area of a towed vehicle. When I bought a Jeep a number of years back, I do remember seeing that even though the towed weight rating was like 3500 or 5000 lb, the max frontal area was posted pretty small, I think like 48 sq. Ft.
Frontal area is mostly about not cooking the transmission. Jeep doesn't want you trying to punch a travel trailer sized hole in the air with your '05 Liberty at 70mph because they know the transmission cooler won't be able to shed all that heat. Any big empty box is gonna suck in cross winds no matter what you're towing it with though. You just gotta go slower when that happens.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 7,941
From: Texas
The bigger vehicle costs more to run. Not everyone can justify having a truck big enough to tow stuff like it's not there when you can be just as safe by going slow and paying attention to the details (within reason, you're not gonna be grossing 25k with a Ranger).
Frontal area is mostly about not cooking the transmission. Jeep doesn't want you trying to punch a travel trailer sized hole in the air with your '05 Liberty at 70mph because they know the transmission cooler won't be able to shed all that heat. Any big empty box is gonna suck in cross winds no matter what you're towing it with though. You just gotta go slower when that happens.
Frontal area is mostly about not cooking the transmission. Jeep doesn't want you trying to punch a travel trailer sized hole in the air with your '05 Liberty at 70mph because they know the transmission cooler won't be able to shed all that heat. Any big empty box is gonna suck in cross winds no matter what you're towing it with though. You just gotta go slower when that happens.
And I still stand on “Just because one *CAN* does not mean lone *SHOULD*!
But, with all this discussion, I see these things all the time, and MOST get away with it with no problems.
*CAN* the guy with a .22 Long Rifle kill a bear? You bet he *CAN*!!!!!! Do YOU want to go hunting with him? If not, why not?
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 655
From: Sioux Falls Area
Do you want to go squirrel hunting with the guy who uses his 300 Ultra Mag? If not, why not?
just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
Personally, I choose not to pull our camper with the super duty, because the expedition can do it just fine. All while (some) others look at me like I’m crazy.