Am I am being overly ambitious?

[jsxtreme01]

Good evening everyone!

My wife and I are looking to purchase our first RV to take our kids camping. We were suggested Grand Design from several friends. A little background, my family consists of myself, wife, 3yo and 1yo. Total weight for us is about 425 pounds right now. No dogs or any other pets.

Our tow vehicle is a 21 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 eTorque and 3.92 gears. Below are the numbers of my truck taken directly from the stickers on the door;
GVWR 7,100
Curb Weight 5,596
GCVWR 17,000
Towing 11,400
Payload 1,504
GAWR Front 3,900
GAWR Rear 4,100

We were instantly drawn to the Imagine 2400BH (7495 Gross; 5725 Dry; Hitch 505) We also like the Imagine XLS 23BHE (6995 Gross; 5325 Dry; Hitch 504), but definitely prefer the 2400 BH.

So, what is the realistic loaded tongue rating of the Grand Design's? It may be a loaded question and I'm sorry if it is. Based on our current weights and figuring in 100 pounds of cargo in the truck, 100 pounds for WDH, our max tongue weight to be within payload would be 850 pounds (11% of 7495), that would still give me 29 pounds to spare. Am I being overly ambitious thinking the 2400BH is doable? Or do I need to be shifting my focus to the XLS23BHE based on the numbers? Thank you in advance!

[NB Canada]

You should be fine
But keep in mind your curb weight is likely higher giving less payload. Any options added at the dealer are not in that. A quick stop on a cat scale will give your exact curb weight

I have a bit more payload but I also have more family,dogs and kayaks. My GMC also has a trailer pkg with integrated trailer brakes

I have a 800-1200lb Husky Centreline.


But as I have noticed on here before I have seen similar set ups and the person says they had a terrible experience. White knuckles and all so it is a mystery
Maybe it is perception or lack of experience. Maybe it is the trucks. I have been a GMC guy forever

Goodluck


Edit: I suspect my loaded tongue weight will be between 800-900 but likely closer to 800
Will be loading the trailer over the next month


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[NB Canada]

As far as the two trailers depending on you and your families height the 2400 is much taller
My family is tall so showering with head in the skylight is not for me.
The front storage on the 2400 is much larger allowing our folding chairs to fit
And I am not a fan of the plumbing necessary for the sink to be on the slide


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[el Rojo]

Welcome to the forum.

Red

[jmbopp]

The published tongue weight is unrealistic, 800-900# would be more like it.
I had a F150 with 1486# payload. With my wife and I ready to camp I was 200# over on my gross and rear axle towing our 2650.
Rather than spec out a new F150 I made the jump to a F250. No payload issues and it's a much more stable towing vehicle.

[NB Canada]

The published tongue weight is unrealistic, 800-900# would be more like it.
I had a F150 with 1486# payload. With my wife and I ready to camp I was 200# over on my gross and rear axle towing our 2650.
Rather than spec out a new F150 I made the jump to a F250. No payload issues and it's a much more stable towing vehicle.

The OP said he expects the TW to be 850

Rear kitchen trailers like you have do not tow well
Imo they shouldn’t even be made

The 2400 tows like a dream


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[Heavy Half Ton]

The math is actually fairly simple on an accurate estimation.
You have 1500 lbs of payload. From that, subtract yourself and family, groceries, generator, wood, etc. I’ll guess after loading everything up, that was 700 lbs. Subtract 100 lbs for a wd hitch. That leaves you with 700 lbs of payload left. 700 lbs divided by .13 is about 5380 lbs, which is the MAX LOADED TRAILER WEIGHT. That implies a empty trailer weight of 4500 lbs or so.

[Chewwi]

Good evening everyone!

My wife and I are looking to purchase our first RV to take our kids camping. We were suggested Grand Design from several friends. A little background, my family consists of myself, wife, 3yo and 1yo. Total weight for us is about 425 pounds right now. No dogs or any other pets.

Our tow vehicle is a 21 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 eTorque and 3.92 gears. Below are the numbers of my truck taken directly from the stickers on the door;
GVWR 7,100
Curb Weight 5,596
GCVWR 17,000
Towing 11,400
Payload 1,504
GAWR Front 3,900
GAWR Rear 4,100

We were instantly drawn to the Imagine 2400BH (7495 Gross; 5725 Dry; Hitch 505) We also like the Imagine XLS 23BHE (6995 Gross; 5325 Dry; Hitch 504), but definitely prefer the 2400 BH.

So, what is the realistic loaded tongue rating of the Grand Design's? It may be a loaded question and I'm sorry if it is. Based on our current weights and figuring in 100 pounds of cargo in the truck, 100 pounds for WDH, our max tongue weight to be within payload would be 850 pounds (11% of 7495), that would still give me 29 pounds to spare. Am I being overly ambitious thinking the 2400BH is doable? Or do I need to be shifting my focus to the XLS23BHE based on the numbers? Thank you in advance!

IMO, the 2400BH very doable. Unless you pack the kitchen sink or gold bars, it’s pretty hard to get close to the RVs GVWR. Fully loaded for travel the tongue weight on our 2600RB, measured using a tongue weight guage, is 750 lbs. That is an increase of only 126 lbs over the factory delivered tongue weight. That even includes about 110 lbs for the battery and propane tanks. We don’t dry camp so our fresh water tank only has about 10 gals when we tow. If your conservative on what you take with you, you should not have a problem.

Of course there are always the 2500 and 3500 crowd that thinks no RV can ever be towed by a mere 1500.


2020 2600RB,
2017 Silverado Crew Cab 1500, 6.2L

[jmbopp]

The OP said he expects the TW to be 850

Rear kitchen trailers like you have do not tow well
Imo they shouldn’t even be made

The 2400 tows like a dream


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

??? Never had an issue with sway towing it. My wife loves the rear window and counter space.

[Tgunter5]

We have a 2400BH and towed it without issues using a 2015 silverado 1500. Our limiting factor was the GVWR. Like yours, ours was also 7100 and after taking it to the scales we were at 7060!!!! Still within limits and it towed great, just cant pack much in the truck if you wanna be within your numbers. You'll get lots of opinions saying you need a bigger truck or not. My experience is the half-ton did its job WITHOUT issue, but it definitely does not compare to a bigger truck. With a new GVWR of 10650, its something I don't even think about anymore. As first-timers with a new modern day pick-up and new trailer, you will be fine and will make LOTS of great family memories. CONGRATS on your purchase and happpy camping!!!!!!