Octane SL 222 half ton towable?

[davisenvy]

Not new to towing at all, but this is my first half ton truck. Are the Octane SL 222 really half ton towable? I know a 2500 or 3500 would be better, but it isn't what I have. I won't have anymore than a kayak or dirtibke in it so maxing out the GVWR most likely isn't going to happen and when it is loaded, it will be loaded in the rear.

My truck payload is 1559 and the ramtrucks.com website says 11,500 max towing.

 

[Jagiven]

The yellow sticker on the driver's door jam, is critical. It will tell you exactly what your towing and payload capacities are for your truck, with the options it came with out of the factory.

Remember, any aftermarket items you have added will affect the payload. Already calculated in is a full tank of fuel and an average (150# driver).

The GVW of the 222 is 8000 lbs. Tongue weight will be around 1040 lbs (13%) and 1200 lbs (15%).

WDH will weight between 75-100 lbs

Depending on how much other stuff you have in your TV, you may have between 250 and 400 lbs available payload. That is not much, if you have any kids or other passengers.

Even if you only toss in 1000 lbs of gear (food, cloths, toys, water, etc). Your tongue weight may only drop by a 100 pounds, so it will not give you back much payload for other items.

 

[NewBlackDak]

Have you seen the yellow sticker on the trailer? Tongue weight is notoriously heavy on toy haulers(has to be so it’s not too light with toys loaded) and the “published” weights are total lies.

 

[davisenvy]

1559 lbs is the number on the yellow plate on the B pillar. I don't have any aftermarket items on my truck. The Jayco website states that the dry hitch weight of this camper is 790 lbs. With just the numbers that are given and assuming nothing else, is this camper half ton towable like advertised?

I have weighed all of the items in my previous fifthwheel and it came up just over 400 lbs.

 

[davisenvy]

1559 lbs is the number on the yellow plate on the B pillar. I don't have any aftermarket items on my truck. The Jayco website states that the dry hitch weight of this camper is 790 lbs. With just the numbers that are given and assuming nothing else, is this camper half ton towable like advertised?

I have weighed all of the items in my previous fifthwheel and it came up just over 400 lbs.

I am also looking at the Salem FSX 260RT with a hitch weight of 600 lbs. Would this camper work? Or do I need to abandon the toy hauler with the half ton idea?

 

[NewBlackDak]

1559 lbs is the number on the yellow plate on the B pillar. I don't have any aftermarket items on my truck. The Jayco website states that the dry hitch weight of this camper is 790 lbs. With just the numbers that are given and assuming nothing else, is this camper half ton towable like advertised?

I have weighed all of the items in my previous fifthwheel and it came up just over 400 lbs.

That’s a lot of assuming. First, it assumes the trailer has no factory options installed, no battery, and no propane.
Brochure specs on my travel trailer listed the dry hitch weight at 830lbs. The actual dry tongue weight was 947 lbs and loaded with full propane and batteries was 1187 lbs.
you can’t tow without a battery installed, and camping with no light won’t be much fun. That’s 60-140 lbs added directly to the tongue(depending on type and if 1 or 2 batteries). You will have another 40lbs of propane directly on the tongue.

You should also go to a cat scale, and make sure your truck sticker is accurate.


If you assume all the factory numbers(or lies as I call them) are accurate, you should be fine. You can’t assume that though.

 

[curver900]

​

stay on flat ground...

 

[LabMan-JAY]

My Jayco T29A toyhauler list a 1070# hitch weight. With 2 propane tanks and 2 batteries, 980 bike in back, the actual weight is 2040# by scale. Started with a half ton, ended up with a 3500HD. The tongue weight actually is better with more in the garage. With 3 bikes (~ 2500#) the tongue goes down to 1640#.

 

[cavie]

 

[davisenvy]

​

stay on flat ground...

Why? Because I'll be towing 6,000 lbs

 

[Riich]

My SL222 when fully loaded for camping, no toys, has a tongue weight of 950# FYI

I pull it easily with my 1/2 ton GMC with max trailer tow package.

 

[NewBlackDak]

My SL222 when fully loaded for camping, no toys, has a tongue weight of 950# FYI

I pull it easily with my 1/2 ton GMC with max trailer tow package.

Let’s work with that number…
1559-950=609
Allow 100lbs for WDH(most are a bit less, but it’s better to round up)
That’s 509lbs left for every person and thing you want to carry in the cab and bed.
Assuming you haven’t added running boards, tonneau cover, tool box, heavier wheels/tires, bumpers, etc to the truck you could possibly make it work by loading everything in the trailer.

What is the human and pet weight you’re working with?

 

[Riich]

Let’s work with that number…
1559-950=609
Allow 100lbs for WDH(most are a bit less, but it’s better to round up)
That’s 509lbs left for every person and thing you want to carry in the cab and bed.
Assuming you haven’t added running boards, tonneau cover, tool box, heavier wheels/tires, bumpers, etc to the truck you could possibly make it work by loading everything in the trailer.

What is the human and pet weight you’re working with?

My yellow sticker in the door says 1880#.

The wife and I combine for under 300#. No pets. Everything is loaded in the camper so very little additional weight in the box of the truck. Once in a blue moon I take extra beer, does that count? I know the answer, it all counts.

Trust me, I'm good.

Now for the original poster, he may have issues.

 

[flyfishscott]

I have a Tundra with 1350 payload. Just me 125 lbs) and 3 dogs (150lbs) plus a bit of firewood (75 lbs?) in bed and equalizer hitch (100lbs)

With full load of fresh water (53 gal?), approx 10 gallones of grey water and fuel (35 gal?) in toyhauler plus an approx 800 lbs 4wheeler and some other gear in trailer (100lb generator, grill, food, solar panel etc). I had an approx 1700 tounge weight/payload.

On way home, I lost some water (10 gallons?) and about 20 gallons of fuel (used water and dumped my grey) and repositioned quad further back about 8-10" and moved generator to behind quad).

I also adjusted WD hitch. I re-weighed and had approx 1360 lbs tounge weight/payload.

I know I didnt do my weighing exactly correctly as I only weighed truck alone with just me and then connected to trailer with WD bars installed and dogs/gear etc. But it does get me my total payload over an empty truck with just me in it.

You will be close to max on payload as toyhaulers are very tounge heavy depending upon how many people etc in truck. If I move the quad back a bit further I can move weight to the rear of the trailer lessening my tongue weight. "BUT" will need to do 3 weighs minium to get exact numbers making sure I keep with-in that 10-15% number. Im aiming for 12-13% or approx 1000 lbs. Ill also toneed to do this entire exercise again to see whre I am for tongue weight and quad position when on way home as Ill use all my fuel and transfer FW to grey/black tanks. I am hoping by being fully loaded at 12-13% I can still be at least 10% on way home with no major changes.

As you wont be having a "toy" to move around to balance TW you may be closer to 15%+. If you only load to about 6500lbs trailer weight you will be OK Im thinking but close to max possibly.

And yes I know I am over payload a fair bit when fully loaded. By moving the quad around I think I can get it at the max limit +/- 100ish pounds.

Edited to add. I start at 3200' go up to 5500' with a section of a couple miles up a 6% grade then back down to 4500'. The Tundra does OK. I dont stress the engine and take my time using the tranny as best I can to control speed. It gets pretty windy at times and I feel me get pushed a bit but nothing white knuckle so far. The heavy TW and Equalizer 4 way hitch do their job keeping things straight.

 

[flyfishscott]

My SL222 when fully loaded for camping, no toys, has a tongue weight of 950# FYI

I pull it easily with my 1/2 ton GMC with max trailer tow package.

What do you mean by fully loaded? Im assuming 2 propane tanks, 2 batteries. ANd at least full FW. DO you also fill the fuel station if optioned all the way? HOw much extra gear? Grill, generator, chairs, etc etc?

Just curious so I can estimate my TW when I dont take the quad (fishing only or photography trips)

 

[Riich]

What do you mean by fully loaded? Im assuming 2 propane tanks, 2 batteries. ANd at least full FW. DO you also fill the fuel station if optioned all the way? HOw much extra gear? Grill, generator, chairs, etc etc

Yes, all the things you mentioned. I don't have the fuel tank option but my buddy does and I believe it is in the rear of his 222, so that would help the tongue weight. My little Honda 2000 sits in the front of the pickup bed.

I wanted my actual weights so I prepped for camping and then did the weighing.

 

[cavie]

"Fully Loaded" means anything and everything that did you come with the trailer. Food, cloths. pots, pan etc!

 

[slippin_jimmy]

I have a 2017 Silverado 1500 LTZ and it tows my SL222 perfectly with a big Harley inside and full tanks. All the people who think you need an $80,000 pickup to tow a 7,000# camper are ridiculous. Get a nice weight distribution hitch and rock on. 2 of my other friends pull their toy haulers with a half ton and we go all over the place. Never an issue. Go get it.

 

[Danhikeski]

Take everyone’s advice with a grain of salt. Don’t believe all that is said on the internet. My truck can supposedly tow 6000lbs, I would not tow a camper larger than I have, no I don’t know the weight, but roughly 4000lbs. It struggles on hills, but get the same mpg as my brother in-law’s f250 hauling a 25’ camper. Try it if the numbers “work”. Only your ass can tell you if you are comfortable.

 

[Raptor1797]

I have zero issues towing my SL222 with my SXS in it with my 1500 Ram Hemi.