Comfortable tow weight (not maximum) for my 2017

I have a 2017 Bighorn Crew Cab, 4x4, 3.21 gears, tow group (tow mode, class IV, and trailer brake), 5.7" bed, with 5.7 engine.

I understand I have an 1,500 payload and 8,000lb tow rating. I'm looking for advise on the "sweet" spot for a camper. I am looking at several models and most are in the 2,500-4,000lb and 14-20ft range. I want to keep overhead and be far off the maximum as I want the travel to not be white knuckle, especially in Colorado hills that can get me above 11k elevation.

I've read a bunch of threads but I'm just looking for a sort of "max comfortable" weight I should target or not exceed. Hopefully that makes sense

Makes sense to me. Good on you for doing your homework before you buy and not just going by the numbers I bought a camper that runs ~6500 loaded and thought my Silverado w/ 9100 tow capacity would haul it fine. Boy was I wrong, steep grades killed me and the tail was wagging the dog! With the 3.21's and steep grades I'd go for a max of 4K if you want to be comfortable. Also, if the tow package didn't come with tranny cooler make sure you add one.

Good luck, I can't wait for camping season!

2015HD said:

Makes sense to me. Good on you for doing your homework before you buy and not just going by the numbers I bought a camper that runs ~6500 loaded and thought my Silverado w/ 9100 tow capacity would haul it fine. Boy was I wrong, steep grades killed me and the tail was wagging the dog! With the 3.21's and steep grades I'd go for a max of 4K if you want to be comfortable. Also, if the tow package didn't come with tranny cooler make sure you add one.

Good luck, I can't wait for camping season!

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Thanks for the input! That's exactly what I was looking. Of course other first hand experiences help too.

Looking at my window sticker (attached) it looks like I have the Trailer Brake Control option but not the "Trailer Tow Mirror and Brake Control Group" but neither of them mention a transmission cooler. Honestly the only thing I can tell between these two groups is the mirrors as mine have the turn signals, lights, heater core, etc.

Trying going here Dodge - Contact Us, click on equipment listing (left side) and plug in your VIN. If you have tranny cooler it will show up. I'm guessing you do not. Also, get a decent Weight Distribution Hitch too.

Make sure you post pictures when you get your camper!

Here is another good resource:
https://www.rv.net/forum/

Thanks for that. I did find the attached on my build but I'm not sure if that's the default or if this is additional.

I had a 08 Z71 with 3.73 5.3. And this one with the 3.21 runs circles around it. You can do up to 8k and 6k shouldn't feel bad at all. My 29ft TT is 6500. No problem with the 8 speed. The chevy would drop in second gear sometimes with alot less than that load.

Google up the Ram "Body Builder" pdf file for your towing and payload specifications first.

Then when you have that, send me a PM with your email address and I'll send you a towing calculator that I have found super handy in determining what I can tow and haul within safe limits.

Then you can use that towing calculator that fits in the "sweet spot" based on the numbers, not a guess.

Basically, all 8-speed 5.7 Hemi trucks have the heavy-duty transmission and oil coolers already installed IIRC.

I have the 3.92's on my truck, so 1400lbs payload and 9850lbs towing ratings. Didn't even really feel the ~6000lbs U-Haul trailer that I used to move, even on steep (10%) grades. I think you would also be fine around that weight especially on the highway, but might just take a bit more throttle to start off.

What you need to do is load your family and all your gear in your truck, take it to a scale and weigh your truck. Get your actual weights and figure out what your available payload actually is. On a half ton truck, going over your payload is what will cause you the most discomfort.

Once you know your actual available payload, it will be quite easy to determine what kind of trailer you can pull. A 4000 lbs trailer should be sufficiently under your weights enough that it should tow fine. A properly equipped and set up weight distribution will determine how comfortably you can tow that weight though.

Good luck and very good decision to educate yourself BEFORE dumping money on a trailer that might not work for you.

Length of trailer is a huge determining factor as well. A lot of "featherlites" are beating guys to death because weight-wise, yes, they're within spec but wind drag laughs at spec. Laughs at spec and calls spec a little ***** that should respect physics. Basically wind drag is a know-it-all *******. On the upside yer truck is strong and you sound a great deal smarter than stoopid. Have fun with yer shopping!

"Oh, sweet debt. Thy name is Truck."

I have a 2016 SLT crew cab 4x4 with 5.7, 8 speed, 3.21 rear...I tow a 2016 Jayco Jayflight SLX 264BHW...dry weight is 4700 lbs...loaded it is closer to 5500 lbs...it is 29'3" from hitch to bumper. Pulled it round trip 3500 km last summer mixture of flat and steep hills.
Pulled like a dream. Plenty of power and never noticed any difference than pulling it with my 2012 with a 3.55 rear and 6 speed that I traded in. If anything the 8 speed really makes a difference.


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Great job doing your homework before your trailer purchase.

What is your max tow rating? A quick method i use is to take the GVWR of your trailer, and go no more than 80% of your tow rating with the trailer GVWR (don't use the useless dry weight figure).

I've found if i do that it makes for a pleasant tow with plenty of margin.

If you only have 1500lb of payload, that is a concern, so be mindful of the weight of all cargo and passengers in the cab and truck bed and deduct that from your payload limit on the yellow sticker on the driver's door jamb.

I don't know if ram includes the weight of a 150lb driver in that limit or not. Some do. I'm over 150, , so the amount I'm over has to come off that figure if ram does it that way. Good luck.

Ps, I'd also reccomend you stay under 25' overall trailer length if possible. Less of a large sail behind you, less chance of getting pushed around by the big rigs

We traded in our 1500 for a 2500 last month. We had a 2015 Express CC, 5.7 and an 8 speed. The towing Capacity was just a hair over 8k and the payload was 1450ish. I towed a 2007 Ford Edge on a 2300lb Uhaul trailer twice. It pulled it, but it wasn't very far, I never really got it above 60mph and it was all mostly flat roads.

My personal experience. The heaviest I towed was the trailer for the high school marching band. It's a car trailer so it comes in heavy at 3200lbs empty. The first trip of the year, we loaded it up and weighed it. It came in right at 7000lbs which was right at it's limit. For the last competition of the year, I pulled it 90 miles one way, down I-95 and back and it was as loaded as the first trip of the year. It really lightened up the front of the truck, a lot. I did have the Airlift air bags in the coils. Hitting bumps at higher speeds caused it to bounce and at any speed over 60, the bouncing was scary. The other part was that with all of the hills on I-95 here in VA, I was constantly running 3-4K rpms going up the hill just to maintain 60mph. I burned a full tank of gas on that trip. Now there were three adult in the cab and a little gear in the bed.so, I'm sure at was at my payload limit too. And that is how we ended up in a 2500!

Sandbox said:

We traded in our 1500 for a 2500 last month. We had a 2015 Express CC, 5.7 and an 8 speed. The towing Capacity was just a hair over 8k and the payload was 1450ish. I towed a 2007 Ford Edge on a 2300lb Uhaul trailer twice. It pulled it, but it wasn't very far, I never really got it above 60mph and it was all mostly flat roads.

My personal experience. The heaviest I towed was the trailer for the high school marching band. It's a car trailer so it comes in heavy at 3200lbs empty. The first trip of the year, we loaded it up and weighed it. It came in right at 7000lbs which was right at it's limit. For the last competition of the year, I pulled it 90 miles one way, down I-95 and back and it was as loaded as the first trip of the year. It really lightened up the front of the truck, a lot. I did have the Airlift air bags in the coils. Hitting bumps at higher speeds caused it to bounce and at any speed over 60, the bouncing was scary. The other part was that with all of the hills on I-95 here in VA, I was constantly running 3-4K rpms going up the hill just to maintain 60mph. I burned a full tank of gas on that trip. Now there were three adult in the cab and a little gear in the bed.so, I'm sure at was at my payload limit too. And that is how we ended up in a 2500!

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Were you using a weight distribution hitch when towing with your 1500 that heavy? If not, that's scary. Very likely you were over your payload limit with that much weight on the tongue and in the truck. Smart upgrade to the 3/4 ton.

My 2012 Ram is rated to tow 2,000lbs more than your 2017. You have the 8sp and I have the 6sp, but I also have the 3.92 gears. I wonder if the difference in towing is due to a new standardized payload and trailer towing that all manufacturers are required to use now, or at least supposed to. Its dropped the max tow ratings a lot. I cannot list all the tests that the vehicles are required to pass in order to achieve their max tow ratings. Search SAE J2807 and you'll see just how extensive these tests are and what the vehicles must do in order to get their max tow rating.

Here's an example of the effects of the new tow ratings:

My friend just got a new 2016 silverado 2500 diesel. His max tow is only 13,900lbs. The same truck options for a 2015 is 17,100lbs. It's also dropped his max payload by over a 1,000lbs. The 2015 and 2016 are essentially the same truck. Frame, body style, motor and trans. In my opinion, that's a huge drop in tow ratings. Especially when you're looking at a 5th wheel toy hauler or travel trailer to buy.

It was hard not to brag and tell him what my 2012 Ram 1500 4x4 is rated to tow; 10,200lbs. Not that much less than his 3/4 ton diesel truck!

Based on the drop in tow ratings, I would be comfortable in towing up to the max rating. Especially in given the example on my friends truck. I wouldn't want to tow 17,100lbs in a 2015 silverado 2500 diesel. But I'd feel comfortable in towing the max rating in a 2016 silverado 2500, 13,900lbs. That's 3,200lbs UNDER the max rating of a 2015 model. And again, the only drop in those two vehicles tow ratings is due to the SAE J2807 test.

I have a 2014 Big Horn 5.7 hemi, 4X4 CC with 6'4" bed and the RamBox Storage. My Cargo limit is 1130 lbs and 7800 tow. It is just DW, me and 3 small dogs in the cab with some camera equipment. Have a 2kw gen, an air compressor (3 gallon size), air hose, extension cord and a small charcoal grill in the back. Towing a 25' lightweight travel trailer weighing about 5500lbs loaded. Equalizer hitch and balanced properly. I come in at max everything except towing capacity and GVWC. This thing tows like a champ and you can hardly tell there is a trailer back there except when accelerating or braking.

Did about 14,000 miles last year and another 3000 this fall.
Plenty of power and control. We travel at 60 mph and don't worry about keeping up the speed going up hill, even though the truck would do it without question. Just hate to see the mpg go down on those uphill runs.
Surprisingly we averaged about 12+ mpg overall and that was hand calculated. EVIC reads about 1.5 mpg higher, guess that is to make me feel good.

This is one capable truck, even though it is pushing max on my setup. A 2500 might make more sense, but I would hate to give up the ride.
Tom

talk2cpu said:

I have a 2014 Big Horn 5.7 hemi, 4X4 CC with 6'4" bed and the RamBox Storage. My Cargo limit is 1130 lbs and 7800 tow. It is just DW, me and 3 small dogs in the cab with some camera equipment. Have a 2kw gen, an air compressor (3 gallon size), air hose, extension cord and a small charcoal grill in the back. Towing a 25' lightweight travel trailer weighing about 5500lbs loaded. Equalizer hitch and balanced properly. I come in at max everything except towing capacity and GVWC. This thing tows like a champ and you can hardly tell there is a trailer back there except when accelerating or braking.

Did about 14,000 miles last year and another 3000 this fall.
Plenty of power and control. We travel at 60 mph and don't worry about keeping up the speed going up hill, even though the truck would do it without question. Just hate to see the mpg go down on those uphill runs.
Surprisingly we averaged about 12+ mpg overall and that was hand calculated. EVIC reads about 1.5 mpg higher, guess that is to make me feel good.

This is one capable truck, even though it is pushing max on my setup. A 2500 might make more sense, but I would hate to give up the ride.
Tom

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That is good real world feedback with plenty of miles to back it up. Thanks, this means much more than ratings to me.

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GsRAM said:

Were you using a weight distribution hitch when towing with your 1500 that heavy? If not, that's scary. Very likely you were over your payload limit with that much weight on the tongue and in the truck. Smart upgrade to the 3/4 ton.

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I was not.

We had a 2015 Crew Cab Sport with 8 speed and 3:21 gears. Camping is our thing from springtime through fall. Our first camper weighed approximately 4800-5000lbs loaded and it pulled like a dream. Yes, you knew it was back there, but passing cars was not an issues. Even when we upgraded campers to a 6750lb dry trailer, the power was adequate and put a lot of 3/4 ton Fords to shame. We switched to a 1 ton 6.4 hemi 4:10 truck due to bouncing and being over payload. The 1 ton (purchased in Chicago) was something I fell into because the price was well below a 3/4 ton in Michigan. If I were in your shoes I would stay below 5K lbs and not worry about payload or bounce. The porpoising at certain speeds and roads is why I upgraded. Power, mpg, and for every day driving the 1500 Rocks. The problem with camping/trailers is that you very seldom ever see someone downgrade!

Thanks for all the advise and posting up your 1st hand experiences.

I've found many model campers/trailers in the 14-20ft range that weigh around 2,500-3,500lbs which sounds like the "sweet" spot for us to have an enjoyable tow while leaving room for 1 passenger, 1 dog, cooler, camp equipment, water, full tank of gas, etc.