I've been towing my Keystone 299BH for the past year with my 2013 Ram 1500. She pulls and stops fine (trailer brakes), I've never felt like the truck was laboring at all when towing. My only concern is with wind buffeting causing the trailer to initiate small side to side movement with the truck. This occurs most especially when being passed by semi's, although it does happen on windy days. I don't know if this is normal for a truck/trailer combo of this size or if it is something to worry about.
When towing I go no faster than 65mph and remain alert. However, on busy interstates, this buffeting occurs so much it creates a white knuckle experience for me. There was one time my antilock brakes engaged and it sounded like my left front tire lost traction. This has only occurred once and was on a wet road when I was passed by a semi. That was months ago and has not happened again. This incident may contribute to my anxiety because I'm constantly on the alert listening for it to happen again.
I'm also using a BlueOx sway pro hitch with 1000lbs bars, and tow the trailer with the tanks empty.
Here's the stats on the two vehicles:
2013 Ram 1500
5.7 Hemi with 3.55 rear end and tow package installed.
1661 is max payload
8800lb max tow limit
curb weight is 5150
GVCWR is 14150
2015 Keystone Laredo 299BH
Dry weight of 6819 (probably has 1000lbs of stuff in it)
hitch weight is 830lbs (more like 1000lb when loaded)
trailer is 11'1" tall and 32'10" long.
I'm wondering it it's the height and length rather than the weight causing this.
Should a properly equipped rig have these symptoms?
When I say side to side movement it's not truck sliding side to side but more of a vague jerky feeling in the steering wheel. this might be natural when towing something heavy, I just don't know.
I posted the above on another forum, right before I purchased a 2500. I eventually decided that I was pushing my 1500 to it's limits and wanted to ride safer. I'm not saying this is the answer to everyone in my situation, but it was what I chose. one close call that activated my antilock brakes was enough.