Towing Question on Wheelbase

My 28’ Airstream comes in a hair over 7k when loaded for camping. I have done multiple trips over 5k miles.

 

The 2800BH is about 32’ from hitch to bumper. If you are set on the 2800BH I would highly recommend reading the Grand Design boards to see what other people have experienced with 1/2 tons. I know you didn’t ask about payload but it is much more of a factor than the total weight. My 2800BH base hitch weight is about 800lbs measured with a hitch scale, that is dry and without any of our gear. Once all of your gear and people are loaded up you will be over your payload rating, although with careful planning it can be a small overage. We had a high quality WDH that was properly adjusted and was a comfortable drive most of the time. Cross winds with a 32’ trailer and a 1/2 ton truck can get rough. I highly recommend getting the 2400BH instead for a 1/2 ton, you lose the couch but it’s still a great setup.

 

Thank you for the info, I will check there as well and I appreciate the info. Is the issue mostly the weight of the truck, payload, or the wheelbase? Or I guess a combination?

 

Yes,mine is a short bed .

 

Over payload, under axle ratings. Hitch weight of 980 lbs as per Sherline scale. 28’ is one of the highest tongue weights for all Airstreams. “E” rated tires, good shocks & rear sway bar have all benefited my towing experience. You will do fine with a 25’ Airstream, but look for a rear bedroom for lighter tongue weight. Twin bed also IMO.

 

Overall the 2800BH is a lot of trailer for a 1/2 ton. In extreme conditions it can be overmatched, probably the biggest factor is the 1/2 ton suspension. It is designed to be comfortable for everyday driving and smaller loads. The lower payload rating is also part of this. I don’t know if the wheelbase length is an issue, haven’t researched that aspect and only heard negative issues on much shorter vehicles.

 

Between that front bike rack and couple of bikes plus a cap on the bed there is no way you are not way over payload.

Impossible.

SPP

 

Cap is so handy, but a big weight penalty.

 

Never said I was there Slowpoke…
I am however, 2k under GCVWR, under axle ratings & 2k under max tow.

 

Absolutely yes

 

So a noticeable difference in I am assuming handling with the extra foot of bed, but, the shorter bed would not be the reason to kill it.

 

Your trailer must be empty, My neighbor has a 2019 23' airstream, his tongue weight is 850 lbs loaded. He had to put air bags on his 2019 F150 pickup truck.

 

It won’t be an issue, u will be absolutely fine. I towed for years with a 2500 suburban that was my daily drive and it drove like garbage day to day but towed like a champ. The amount of towing you say u will do I agree with getting the 1500 level vehicle… and it will still tow like a champ even if the math on paper looks sketchy

 

Quite a bit of truth in this statement. Important to know the ratings and limits. Also important not to get too bogged down in the numbers. We over analyze every spec and make decisions based on them as if they are truly that important. There’s a safety factor involved in towing and staying within the ratings so that the systems perform as they should. Don’t want to overheat, or burn up a trans, or not be able to stop. The ratings tell you what your truck should be able to do. The specs on a Colorado tell you you can’t tow 10,000# trailers safely. Toyota said the Tundra can. Stick close to the numbers and stay within your comfort zone. Exceeding the ratings and driving 80mph is foolish and dangerous. Sticking close to them and drive responsibly and you’ll be fine.

 

Thanks all for the thoughts and experiences! At the very least I think at this point I am going to stick with the Tundra and if I need to upgrade to something bigger than I will cross that road when I get to it.

Based on feedback I will keep my reservation on my current Tundra which won’t be available until mid Feb anyways.

Side question, has anyone even seen a Crewmax with the 6.5ft bed? I know it is supposed to be available, but, so far I have only seen it with the dbl cab.

 

Bed length makes zero difference. Wheelbase does. A double cab with a 6.5 foot bed and a Crewmax with a 5.5 foot bed will have the same wheelbase and tow in the same general manner. If you get a Crewmax with a 6.5 foot bed that will be a longer wheelbase like the double cab with the 8 foot bed.

 

Yes thank you, that is what I was referring to. I should have said wheelbase instead of the bed lengths but this is only talking about the Crewmax. So 5.5 vs 6.5 foot bed gives an extra foot in wheelbase.

 

I have seen and its pretty much the same as the 5.5 just longer lol. did not get to drive it yet. but thats my build crewmax long bed. i too am shopping for a new TT however the truck and trailer will be a step down for me and the wife, past 10 years i tow a jeep wrangler behind a 40 foot diesel class a motorhome, now that my kids are older looking at just me and the wife and 2 great danes, so been looking at airstream. all this "looking" to down size gets me out of a minivan and into a new truck lol.

 

Where did you see it? All of the dealerships I have talked to seem to think that it doesn’t exist that way and have only been getting the 5.5 beds with the Crewmax.

But, that sounds like a great downsizing for you then. Ha!

 

Northern New Jersey West Caldwell Toyota
Also Cresmont Toyota had a crewmax longbed SR5 trd OR that I passed on because my wife wants the big sunroof. crewmax long bed it out there. Just give it time.

 

I feel you may have misquote.

This was my comment:
IMO, as long as you set the trailer up correctly with the truck (tongue weight, etc) you'll be fine.

If its set-up properly, you'll be fine. Most people allow the "professionals" aka the stealership to set up their WDH. I have come across more improper vs proper set-up this way. It's your rig, IMHO, the owner needs to set it up, not the stealership. They basically use the WDH to mark-up pricing (IMO) and based off my recent shopping experience.

You own the truck. You own the trailer. Take a saturday, go to the scales and get your rig setup properly!