Power Wagon Registry

So I have a friend that purchased a camper last month only to find out that his truck isn't up to the job of pulling it ( about killed his truck going up one of the larger hills in the area). Its a Keystone Passport 3220BH. My understanding is this thing is just over 6,000 lbs so based on info I found online my Durango should be able to pull it . Apparently my family hauler Durango has more guts to it then his truck . I don't know what year it is, but my understanding is its in good condition. He paid 15K for it and is considering selling. I'm looking at the possibility of taking it off his hands, but wanted some professional advice on what I should be looking for or at if I wanted to make him an offer. Since I don't know any professionals in this department I figured I would ask the group.

TonkaPW wrote:So I have a friend that purchased a camper last month only to find out that his truck isn't up to the job of pulling it ( about killed his truck going up one of the larger hills in the area). Its a Keystone Passport 3220BH. My understanding is this thing is just over 6,000 lbs so based on info I found online my Durango should be able to pull it . Apparently my family hauler Durango has more guts to it then his truck . I don't know what year it is, but my understanding is its in good condition. He paid 15K for it and is considering selling. I'm looking at the possibility of taking it off his hands, but wanted some professional advice on what I should be looking for or at if I wanted to make him an offer. Since I don't know any professionals in this department I figured I would ask the group.

It's a camper, knock 20% off the price. Becuase that happened when he drove it off the lot. Subtract 2k from that and offer 10k.

He didn't buy it new and got it from some one that had it posted online. Plus he's a friend so I don't want to short change him.

Jeez, Mike, you spent the weekend with me. I was a RVIA Certified Tech at my last job.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

I know. Just found out about the his problem last night and didn't think I would be looking for a camper for at least a year.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

What year is the camper?

It's a 2015

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Thats a lot of trailer for Durango. Dont go off dry weight, go off the max weight thr trailer can be. It'll include full tanks and gear etc. What year durango? I tried towing 24ft with a tacoma that was rated at 6500. Was still a bad idea.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

The Durango is an 08 with the hemi and tow package. Everything I found said it will tow 8950 lbs

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

GVWR on the trailer is 7500 lbs and hitch weight is 600 lbs

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

That's a 35ft camper. Loaded with your stuff, and kids stuff. You'll be pushing 7,500 lbs easy. You'll be better off towing it with the PW. You can still throw the kids bikes in back of the truck. If your buddy paid $15,000. and it's in good shape. Offer him $13,000. Used one are going for around $15,000 to $17,000 roughly. Towing a 35ft, 7,500 lbs camper with a Durango is not my ideal combination. I towed a 35ft 10,000 lb Outback for a couple of years.

TonkaPW wrote:GVWR on the trailer is 7500 lbs and hitch weight is 600 lbs

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

I towed our 6000lb 27' with a '05 hemi Durango for years and that's about all I felt comfortable with... The length on this one would scare me away for sure! Just my $0.02.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The PW would be the primary tow vehicle. The thought of using the Durango was just because the family fits better then the PW. I also just thought it was funny that the Durango had more pulling power then my friends Titan.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

The Durango has plenty of power but weak tires, suspension and crappy payload once loaded... I was always fighting the handling with mine. Take the PW and enjoy!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No one really talks about it but wheelbase and length trailer matter too. 32 feet is long... your basically engaging in a high speed wrestling match st 75 mph. Weight class and leverage matter. So a long trailer with a short wheelbase on the tow vehicle also compounds things. I tow 36 feet with my PW and i wouldn't touch it with a 1500 even though the trailer is only 7k dry with a 9k max.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Thanks all for the comments. Based on the feed back I received from my wife the chances of me buying anything this year are slim to non so probably not going to be getting this one. .

My next question to the group is 5th wheel vs standard tow behind?
What are the advantages and disadvantages?
Whats recommended for our trucks?
I did lift mine a few inches so I have heard that a 5th wheel is not a good idea with a lift.

One of the things I liked about my friends trailer is that it will fit the whole family, so I'm looking for something that would fit the 4 kids, wife and I without having to sleep anyone on the couch.

5th Wheel I think you can have a greater tongue weight. They also hitch easier (to some people) but they are a bitch to maneuver. Pull behind can be difficult to hitch (I suppose for some, not me) generally takes turns and corners better than a 5th wheel and is easier to maneuver and back into a spot. Pull behinds usually are smaller, and you have to watch tongue weight to make sure your truck and hitch can handle it.

There was a guy at PW in Moab who pulled a 5th Wheel with his 2015 PW Laramie. Said it did great. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I pull a 27ft Airstream, tows beautifully with the PW.

Used to be a guy on here. Glenn was is name. He pulled a 5th wheel with his 3G. Remember him saying that you have to watch the bedsides because of the height of the PW. Said he came close to hitting his a few times. Also he said that lifted trucks and 5th wheels don't go together. Not enough clearance/no clearance between the bedside and the camper.

I had a 2000 Dodge Dakota that I ordered with the 5.9L gas V-8 & 3.92 gears. It was rated to tow 6000 lbs. I towed a 3000 lb tent camper & it was all it could do to pull that up the hills. Personally, I would not want to tow 32' & over max load with a short wheelbase vehicle. No way, no how. I also towed the max 10,500 lb that my Power Wagon was rated at for a few years. It towed great because of the G-56. Same camper with an auto---I wouldn't want to do it. I did do it with an 04' 2500 QC 4x4 Hemi/auto/4.10's & it absolutely sucked. That is the reason I traded for a G-56 Power Wagon, 4.56's & the manual shift. Life is good. Also, no matter what you end up getting, get a WD hitch with anti sway control. Worth their weight in gold.

I dug high and low trying to match up a 5th wheel on my 3rd gen.. they all vary in deck height but consensus is unless you lift the trailer (and void warranty) its marginal on bed rail clearance or pointing at the sky.... my $0.02 is bumper with a PW..

vanished wrote:I dug high and low trying to match up a 5th wheel on my 3rd gen.. they all vary in deck height but consensus is unless you lift the trailer (and void warranty) its marginal on bed rail clearance or pointing at the sky.... my $0.02 is bumper with a PW..

You also become a giant top heavy sail. I wouldn't do it. To me, Power Wagon = Trailer only. No 5th wheels and only light offroad campers. On the bright side you can get the RamBox and feel good about it. Apparently RamBox and 5th Wheel hitch ain't easy.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

MikeKey wrote:5th Wheel I think you can have a greater tongue weight. They also hitch easier (to some people) but they are a bitch to maneuver. Pull behind can be difficult to hitch (I suppose for some, not me) generally takes turns and corners better than a 5th wheel and is easier to maneuver and back into a spot. Pull behinds usually are smaller, and you have to watch tongue weight to make sure your truck and hitch can handle it.

There was a guy at PW in Moab who pulled a 5th Wheel with his 2015 PW Laramie. Said it did great. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I pull a 27ft Airstream, tows beautifully with the PW.

Mine tows great except for two things. Higher engine rev uphills compared to my old Duramax. But that is just the nature of gas engines. Power bands are at a much higher rpm than diesels.

And if i go to fast with or without the trailer i feel like the tires get squirrly. I think that has to do with 35s on 17s and so much sidewall. When it starts to flex it just... flexes.

And that is me being SUPER nitpicky.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

After pulling our 28' tt around with the pw and my wifes full size yukon, there is no way in hell i would even hookup a 32 footer to a durango. Regardless of numbers. MAYBE just to move it around in the driveway or something.

RustyPW wrote:Used to be a guy on here. Glenn was is name. He pulled a 5th wheel with his 3G. Remember him saying that you have to watch the bedsides because of the height of the PW. Said he came close to hitting his a few times. Also he said that lifted trucks and 5th wheels don't go together. Not enough clearance/no clearance between the bedside and the camper.

I had a 3" lift installed on the fifth wheel. Now I take it all sorts of places that the manufacturers (Dodge for the Power Wagon & Forest River for the fifth wheel) never imagined such a combination going. (It's a Power Wagon thing - I know you will understand )