23 RL and similar size TT owners

[jimp]

Looking at this trailer as a possibility in the near future and wondering a couple things right from the git go:

1) What TV do you pull this size TT with and do you feel it is adequate for the task?
2) Do you use a WDH, and is it required, suggested, needed ???

I know I would have to get a different TV as my current vehicle won't handle one of this size/weight. TIA

[ccrifasi]

I tow my 2018 rlsw with a 2003 Tahoe with the bigger engine and the tow package without much problem. We also use a wdh. So far we've only towed it into the mountains once and had no problems. Kept up with the flow of traffic with no problems.

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[Ohiofinlander]

We tow our 2017 x23B with a Chevy Trailblazer due to the fact that we already had this vehicle before the TT came along. It is fine, but we will go to a 1/2 ton pickup when it's time for a new TV. A WDH is needed along with an electric brake hookup. I'm sure others will follow with more tech data. Get ready for some fun!

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[rkresge]

We have the 2016 23RLSW, basically the same trailer you're looking at. Towing it just fine with a 2010 F150 5.4L 4WD, 3.55 rear end. The trailer's GVWR is 5995, which means a potential hitch weight of nearly 900 lb. The truck has a payload capacity of (IIRC) 1670 lb. So that leaves me plenty of spare payload capacity. Been to Maine from PA a couple of times with it; probably 5000 miles of incident-free towing.

You will absolutely need WDH and sway control. Those are NOT optional for this kind of towing. I'm using a pretty basic Husky setup - trunion bars, one friction sway bar, works fine. Haven't been able to justify spending the $$$ on an Equalizer or similar.

Newer F150s with the aluminum body have much higher payload capacity, BTW.

Good luck and enjoy!

Roger

[Fyouberg]

We tow our 23RL with a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado with the larger V8, automatic transmission and tow package. It handles the trailer well. On the straight and level with no wind (a rarity here in NM) we average 12mpg. We’ve found 60mph to be the mileage “sweet spot”. It’s a fairly lite trailer and it took me a couple of tries to get the gain and boost on the electric brake controller adjusted just right.

[geezerbob]

You can see below what we tow our 23rlsw with. No problems

[jimp]

Thanks for the replies and comments. Anyone else???

[dartwest]

We have a 23RB which is similar in size and weight. I had a 2015 Toyota Tundra when I purchased the trailer. The trailer was within the specifications of the truck in both towing weight and cargo weight. What I found was that in the hills and in a headwind the Toyota could not maintain highway speed without revving the engine to 4500 rpm which is where the power band was. When driving I felt like the trailer was pushing the truck around especially if there was wind. The truck was capable but by the end of a 400 mile day I was stressed and exhausted. We did not buy a travel trailer to be stressed and exhausted. So I upgraded to a 2017 Ford F250 diesel. The truck is overkill for the trailer but is a pleasure to drive. The truck no longer feels like it is being pushed around and I can go any speed I want in any terrain. We feel much more in control and safer. I use a Husky Centerline WDH and like the way it makes the trailer and truck sit level. No doubt this trailer can be towed by a half ton but I am retired and value my peace of mind highly. My wife enjoys my company much more when i am not stressed. All in all we think the larger truck a good investment. Also we will probably upgrade to a larger trailer in a year or so and the truck will handle it no problem.

[geezerbob]

Another experience to share with you. When we were pulling our previous tt an x23b which is about 1,000 lbs lighter than our 23rlsw through the mountains I did not try to keep up to flat lander highway speed. I agree with the sweet spot on the flats depending on the wind it was either side of 60 mph. In the mountains I moved over to the slow lane and and kept my speed up enough to not get in the way of traffic and not get into high revs with the engine. Most of the time I was in line with the 18 wheelers. We were passed up on occasion by diesel pickups pulling bigger campers but we were not in a rush anyway.
I tried to pay attention to the descent out of the mountains and used the manual function on the transmission to not heat up the brakes.
This was with the same truck as below.
Bob

[rkresge]

Followup to my previous response. I get MUCH better gas mileage running at 55-60 on regular highways than I do trying to run 62-65 on interstates. My fuel economy "sweet spot" while towing is around 55. And the truck doesn't work nearly as hard. It's much more enjoyable driving.

Roger

[geezerbob]

X2 what Roger said

[jimp]

Thanks for the comments, do appreciate the help.

[Atlee]

I too pull a 23RB. While my truck isn't nearly a F250, it certainly is a very solid tow vehicle for our 23RB. To date, by truck has not struggled one iota with the 23RB, and don't expect it to when we travel out to the western mountains this summer.

Originally Posted by dartwest

We have a 23RB which is similar in size and weight. I had a 2015 Toyota Tundra when I purchased the trailer. The trailer was within the specifications of the truck in both towing weight and cargo weight. What I found was that in the hills and in a headwind the Toyota could not maintain highway speed without revving the engine to 4500 rpm which is where the power band was. When driving I felt like the trailer was pushing the truck around especially if there was wind. The truck was capable but by the end of a 400 mile day I was stressed and exhausted. We did not buy a travel trailer to be stressed and exhausted. So I upgraded to a 2017 Ford F250 diesel. The truck is overkill for the trailer but is a pleasure to drive. The truck no longer feels like it is being pushed around and I can go any speed I want in any terrain. We feel much more in control and safer. I use a Husky Centerline WDH and like the way it makes the trailer and truck sit level. No doubt this trailer can be towed by a half ton but I am retired and value my peace of mind highly. My wife enjoys my company much more when i am not stressed. All in all we think the larger truck a good investment. Also we will probably upgrade to a larger trailer in a year or so and the truck will handle it no problem.

[Wireman]

Same 2016 23RLSW as Roger.

Towing with a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 3.0 V6 Eco Diesel. 240 HP &

420 ft/lb torque. Plenty of power when pulling the mountains out west. TT weighs about 5600 lbs loaded for travel.

JGC is rated for 7200 lbs towing capacity, but I would personally never tow at the max. rating. You definitely need a WDH with sway control.

Very capable vehicle and get a honest 28-30 MPG on the highway when not towing.

[TxTwoSome]

We have the 23RLSW and we tow with a Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi.

No problems towing or stopping!

I did add progressive springs on the truck the Ram has coil springs and they were a little soft for my taste while towing.

I would also reccomend a WDH. there are many good ones to choose from.

We average about 10-12 MPG at about 60-62 MPH on the highway.

[Midnightmoon]

I pull our 22BHM with a 2500 Ram Cummins. Not because I need a 3/4 ton for this trailer. I've had it for years and was purchased for much larger trailers.

I do still use a WDH, specifically an Anderson. I think it is just the right hitch for a small to medium sized trailer and a tow vehicle such as mine.

[jimp]

Thanks again for the comments.

[Scott_Trailer_Newbe]

We just got a 2018 White Hawk 28RL. Towing it with my 2008 Tundra CrewMax. Traded in our 24RKS because it was simply too small with only an 18” slide out.

[Mad Cow]

Wireman makes one salient point.... it is always a good thing to have more TV than you actually need so that you never bump up against max tow rating. It just handles the load better. To that end, I use a 3/4 ton pickup. Might be more than is needed, but there is hardly such a thing as overkill in this regard. But there is always the risk of not having enough TV for the job.

it is all about a lot of things.... TV frame structural support, suspension, brakes, tires, etc, along with drive train. And when a strong cross wind is messing with you, having the right TV in front keeping things under control can become critical. Especially so when along with that cross wind, several semi trucks go past you. That can be a lot for an SUV or very light pickup to deal with comfortably. Don't ever rely just on tow ratings to make a intelligent choice. Apply the real world outside of marketing brochures, which factor none of this sort of thing. These brochures assume one is rolling down a straight, level road with no wind. Hardly the real world normally.

And the goofy thing.... I bought that 3/4 ton, loaded to the gills, for actually less than one of the most loaded up 1/2 tons. A 2015 Chevy 2500, 6.0L gasser, 6L90 trans turning 4.10 diffs, Z71 4x4, Double cab, 6.5' box, tow package, snow plow prep package, 5th wheel/goosneck prep, a Line-X bed liner, Auto Armor paint protection and Auto Armor rust prevention. 20,500 lb GCWR with a 13,500 lb tow rating. All for a invoice of $38K, brand new off the lot, and not a end of year thing or during one of those big "truck month" sales. Couldn't get any 1/2 ton that came remotely close to that capability for that low of price. Hardly know a trailer is behind it.

And yes, even with that, I like the smaller, lighter TT's. I like to get into those more remote, dispersed, boondock kind of situations.

[Wireman]

Originally Posted by Mad Cow

Wireman makes one salient point.... it is always a good thing to have more TV than you actually need so that you never bump up against max tow rating. It just handles the load better. To that end, I use a 3/4 ton pickup. Might be more than is needed, but there is hardly such a thing as overkill in this regard. But there is always the risk of not having enough TV for the job.

it is all about a lot of things.... TV frame structural support, suspension, brakes, tires, etc, along with drive train. And when a strong cross wind is messing with you, having the right TV in front keeping things under control can become critical. Especially so when along with that cross wind, several semi trucks go past you. That can be a lot for an SUV or very light pickup to deal with comfortably. Don't ever rely just on tow ratings to make a intelligent choice. Apply the real world outside of marketing brochures, which factor none of this sort of thing. These brochures assume one is rolling down a straight, level road with no wind. Hardly the real world normally.

And the goofy thing.... I bought that 3/4 ton, loaded to the gills, for actually less than one of the most loaded up 1/2 tons. A 2015 Chevy 2500, 6.0L gasser, 6L90 trans turning 4.10 diffs, Z71 4x4, Double cab, 6.5' box, tow package, snow plow prep package, 5th wheel/goosneck prep, a Line-X bed liner, Auto Armor paint protection and Auto Armor rust prevention. 20,500 lb GCWR with a 13,500 lb tow rating. All for a invoice of $38K, brand new off the lot, and not a end of year thing or during one of those big "truck month" sales. Couldn't get any 1/2 ton that came remotely close to that capability for that low of price. Hardly know a trailer is behind it.

And yes, even with that, I like the smaller, lighter TT's. I like to get into those more remote, dispersed, boondock kind of situations.

MC, if I could have made a PU fit in my garage, that would have been my 1st choice. Would like to have been in your position.

The JGC with the diesel is a capable TV. With a shorter wheel base than a PU also limited in my opinion, what a comfortable tow length is for this vehicle.

So I had to match the TT to my TV limits. With a lot of research trying to find the right floor plan, length, weight and quality, I settled on the 23RLSW.

It tows well but as I stated, I feel for me it at the limits I feel comfortable with.

Towing out west where 90% of my vacations are, is a different horse to ride than say living in the Midwest and towing there.

A lot of considerations to factor in when deciding what to buy.

Safety should be paramount in that decision.