I'm really considering purchasing a 2004 Cardinal T31BH Travel Trailer. It's in unbelievable condition. I'm a little concerned about whether or not I will be able to tow this camper with my current truck and if so, what kind of problems I may encounter. I own a 2005 F150 FX4 with the tow package (Trans cooler, larger radiator, 3:73 gears with the 5.4 Triton V-8. I have Goodyear Silent Armor P275/65R18 rated at 2601lbs. I intend on buying the prodigy braking system. I will be using the Equilizer Hitch setup for WD. I don't think I will have any problems and everyone I've spoken to says I won't have any problems towing this TT. I still have my concerns. I guess I'm looking for things that I may be overlooking. I'm from South Louisiana and don't plan on pulling it no too far or very often for that matter. Maybe 2 times a month at the most. No hills to worry about. Just one large bridge crossing the Mississippi River so If I loose speed only at that point, I'm really not concerned about that. Please give any insight or stories of similar situations. Thanks in advance for all advice.

Possible 1st time TT owner.

 

If you don't exceed any of the truck's maximum ratings, you won't have any problems. If you have the tow package with 3.73's, you should be able to tow 9000# as long as the total weight of loaded truck and trailer are kept under 15000#. This is going to be right at the edge, you should look up your exact tow ratings for your exact truck configuration. The T31BH is about 7600# empty and max is around 9500#.

 

Yea, id say youll be fine, just remeber to stay away form inclines and not push the MAX, sound likes a nice trcuk you got there...lets see some pics when you buy the trailer!

 

Twice a month is often for RVing!

That pig will weigh 9500 pounds ready to camp. GVWR is almost 11k! Your truck will be over GVWR and probably GCWR as well. Find a smaller RV.

 

Just a little info. on the Camper itself. APT, I really value your oppinion beings your a senior member to this forum. Don't worry, everyone elses opinion matter also.
Truck GVCW = 15000#

2004 Forest River Cardinal TT (Model T31BH)
UVW = 7320 lbs
Hitch Weight = 780 lbs
GAWR = 8800 lbs
GVWR = 9580 lbs
CCC = 1818 lbs
Brake Size 12"
Myself = 175 lbs
Wife = 130 lbs
1 - 4 Yr old 40 lbs
1 - 2 Yr old 25 lbs.
Exterior Length = 32'-9" which includes the tounge.
41 gallon fresh water tank. I only plan on carrying maybe 5-10 gallons in the tank in case of emergency use.

Again, all comments and suggestion are very much welcomed.

 

You will be at or over your GCWR. Your truck empty is about 6k, plus people and other things you are carrying. My suggestion would be to look for a little smaller or lighter trailer, or upgrade the truck.

 

Yeah - you are right at the limits of any 1/2 ton truck. That's a hell of a load to play with if you are not an experienced tower. Most rigs that size I see out on the Interstates are behind 1 ton diesels, a lot of dualies, quite a few being 5th wheels.

If you were buying that thing with the idea of a one time tow to some place where you were going to leave it - or maybe move it twice a year, you could do it. Towing it twice a month is going to be pretty rough.

 

One thing I should have put in the first post. You are going to be carrying your kids, That 2 yr old and that 4 yr old. In my opinion, the larger safety margin, the better. Do you really want to tow something with them on board when you have no margin?

 

Why such a huge difference in opinions? I'm getting more confused. Maybe I should try before I buy???

 

There are alot of different opinions because some guys do not understand the difference in "Can" and "Should"...

For example, you "can" pull the trailer in question... But in reality, you "Should" not. Your truck will do it, but it will not be safe. Many guys will go ahead and do it without any repercussions. Myself, I might tow it twice a year, and never with family. If you wanna tow often, buy a bigger truck.

 

If you can try before you buy, do this. Hook it up, get someone with experience to help you set the WD up properly. Load the truck and trailer exactly the way you would to go camping, including a full gas tank in the truck. Use sandbags to replace the wife and kids if you don't want to load them up too. Go hit a truckstop that has CAT scales. Run the thing over the scales and get the weights for the front axle, rear axle, and trailer axle.

Now, look on your door plate and note the front GAWR, rear GAWR, and GVWR. You already know the GCWR is 15k, right?

Take the weight ticket and the front axle cannot exceed the front GAWR. The rear axle cannot exceed the rear GAWR. The sum of front and rear cannot exceed the GVWR. The sum of all 3 weights cannot exceed the GCWR.

Take the trailer back and unhook it. Without unloading the truck or putting anything else in it, go weigh again.

Add up the front and rear axle weights. Subtract them from the sum of the front and rear axle weights from when the trailer was hooked up. The difference is the tongue weight of the trailer. This cannot exceed either 1000# or 1200#, depending on the rating of your hitch.

If ANY of the math comes out as exceeding any ratings, it would be wise to look for a lighter trailer. You already have one of the highest rated 1/2 ton trucks around, and anything heavier is Super Duty territory.

CAN you tow an overload? Sure - and it may tow just fine. SHOULD you? Nope. It's illegal and potentially unsafe. Like I said - once or twice a year is decent odds, but every other week isn't wise.

With that kind of load, do NOT tow in overdrive. You will cook the tranny. I would also not exceed 55 mph.

 

GLC is 'dead on' with his advice.
Think of a too heavy trailer as 'The tail wagging the dog'
The hard part is controlling the moving load. This includes steering and breaking. You might find your 9K trailer pushing your 6K truck through a curve or down a mountain pass.
I know you said you have no real hills to deal with. You may find yourself taking a trip one day that includes a 7% grade.
You also gave us the weight of your 2 and 4 year old kids. I promise you that they will get heavier with each passing year.
Finally, if you ever end up in an accident, you will find insurance companies and law enforcement doing all these same weight calculations. If you have exceeded any of the specified weight limits, you may assume some or all of the liability for the accident.
I like to be under my weight limits, not over. I really think a 9K trailer belongs behind a 3/4 ton truck, not a 1/2 ton truck.
You also want to consider how much 'wear and tear' might be caused by pulling this heavy trailer.
Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

I don't think the 2005 f150 had a 9k option. Even if they do there is no way you want to tow that much weight that often. Its just not a good idea. You will be stressing the heck out of the truck, the performance will be horrible, you will probably be breaking the law and you will be potentially endangering your family and other drivers by exceding the limits of what the truck can handle. Even if you were lets say 1lb below the limit and hence 'legal' its a really not a good idea to pull that big of a trailer that often with a 1/2 ton truck. That is a HUGE trailer.

Also, I've been over that bridge with a trailer and it sucks. If you get held up by traffic plan on doing 20-30mph and abs. screaming the engine to do it. Also be prepared for your tranny temps to skyrocket when you get stuck in traffic in that area and its 102 in the shade.

 

I can tow a 20000 lb trailer with my v6 F150... but is it safe? Absolutely not. Would I do it? Ummmm... yes, on a dare bet!!! hahaha

 

I think you would have a hard time getting that moving without smoking your clutch or busting the M5OD input shaft - even with your 4.10's. If you take the dare, better have a new clutch and a rebuilt tranny ready..........