Dodge Durango Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Anyone here towing a 30 foot travel trailer?

2 reading
Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 23 Posts

IvoryHemi

· Registered
Joined
·
903 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Looking at getting a Keystone 272BHS or Coachmen Apex 288BHS.

It is 31 feet long, end to end. So the box itself is roughly 28 feet long. I know WDH and brake controller are a given, and the weight doesn’t concern me.

I’m simply worried with it possibly being too long. Anyone else here have experience with travel trailers this long?
 
#2 ·
The weight is not an issue, but I think there was a post somewhere not sure on this site or not that once you get around the 29ft range you can start to get a lot of sway due to the DD wheelbase being what it is. Just my 2 cents. I would definitely look into that though. Happy Camping !!
 
#3 ·
I too have the same question. I have a 2015 DD V6 Special Service trim with a factory Tow Package rated at 6200lbs. (I think the SS trim has bigger brakes gas tank, cooling and things like that).

I am looking to get a 2016 Starcraft Ultra Lite which is 30.67 ft. length. Dry Weight 4820 lbs Payload Capacity 1430lbs and a GVWR of 6250lbs.

Even when the trailer is maxed it's only 50lbs over the max for the Durango. Will be using weight distribution hitch as well.

I'm curious for some feedback on if it's safe to tow that particular trailer. Also in general, if going from 25' to 30' given equal weight would cause much more headache. I was also looking at a 25' that was about 4200lbs dry and 5500 max.. Weights are similar.

Looking to buy within the next week so any advice would help.
 
#10 ·
I got turned Down on a coachman 288BHS they said the hitch weight on the 2020 RT Durango didn’t cut it... really upsetting since I purchased to tow a camper and it seems to not tow anything large enough for a family of 5...
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
JeffB116 said:
I got turned Down on a coachman 288BHS they said the hitch weight on the 2020 RT Durango didn’t cut it... really upsetting since I purchased to tow a camper and it seems to not tow anything large enough for a family of 5...
Click to expand...
That doesn’t make any sense. The 5.7’s AWD/RWD limits are 7,200/7,400 lbs with a 720/740 lb tongue weight. The Coachmen Apex 288BHS numbers are within the Durango’s spec..

Dry Weight: 4,882 lbs.
Payload Capacity: 2,118
GVWR: 7,000 lbs.
Hitch Weight: 585 lbs.

Now you can’t use the full payload capacity. You’d be limited to approx 1,118 lbs of payload, (6,000 lbs total weight) in order to keep around 720 lb tongue
 
#13 ·
Well, with my 18' R/T HEMI didn't have a problem towing, but was using weight distribution hitch.. ebrake controller... made it
Image
all through the Redwood's of northern California HWY 101 and Crater Lake Oregon
110668
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#14 ·
We tow a 29.5 TT with dry weight of 5100# and 600# tongue. WDH and brake controller, and our 2011 D w/ 5.7L and tow package has a Payload of 1280#. With the TT loaded and the WDH hooked up, that 600 tongue is 740#'s (it's actually closer to 825# on my diy tongue scale when it's not hooked up, but the WDH throws 85#'s back on the TT axles). The ONLY reason I can make this work is because it's just the wife and I. I minimize what goes in the D because that all comes out of the payload. I also CAT scale every summer, and I'm at 3820# on the rear axle (3900 limit). Keep in mind that advertised tow limits are the max a vehicle can tow with only a driver and a 10% tongue weight. Campers rarely have a 10% tongue weight (mine is about 12%). Tongue weight comes out of payload, so if you are loading up the D with bodies and stuff, you won't have enough payload left for a larger trailer. I picked a TT that had a dry weight 2100#'s under my 7400# max tow, and I am for all intent and purposes, maxed out.
Keep looking, there are a lot of TT floor plans out there.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
I can now understand why people recommend sticking to a 25-26 ft box. It can get a little sketchy with wind gusts on the open highway.

1,400 miles round trip to pick it up: 23.1 mpg to get there, and 9.3 mpg coming home with the trailer.

Trans temp stayed 195-199 the whole time, while oil temp averaged in the 225-235 range, while hitting 250 degrees on some extended inclines in the “mountains”
 
#19 ·
IvoryHemi said:
I can now understand why people recommend sticking to a 25-26 ft box. It can get a little sketchy with wind gusts on the open highway.

1,400 miles round trip to pick it up: 23.1 mpg to get there, and 9.3 mpg coming home with the trailer.

Trans temp stayed 195-199 the whole time, while oil temp averaged in the 225-235 range, while hitting 250 degrees on some extended inclines in the “mountains”
Click to expand...
Did you use a weight distribution or sway hitch?
 
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
About this Discussion
22 Replies
10 Participants
Last post:
vrodguy12
Dodge Durango Forum
posts
509K
members
60K
Since
2004
Welcome to the best Dodge Durango Forum around, where you can find a great Dodge Durango Wiki and discuss the reliability of the different trim levels including the GT and SRT!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Durango Discussions 2014+ Durango Discussions 1998-03 Durango Discussions Dodge Durango 2018+ SRT and Hellcat Durango Purchasing