Comfortable tow weight (not maximum) for my 2017

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Irishgolf17

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There are so many mixed answers. Here is what I am dealing with. DW and I just purchased a new 2016 Ram Bighorn with 5.7 Hemi, 3.92 gears, and true towing package. My truck has the transmission cooler along with the class IV hitch and electronic braking system. We have two kidos and two dogs that will be traveling with us.

Now to the question... after so much reading and conflicting reviews I would like real world advise. We are looking at travel trailers ranging from 32'-36' and weighting in at 7,000 - 9,000 lbs dry weight. I would love to hear from some of you that have actually owned and towed something of this nature with the same truck. Not a 2500 or a Chevy or a Ford but a 1500 RAM with the same type set up. I have seen people pulling 9,000lbs trailers on YouTube with no issues and then read reviews of people saying don't pull over 5,000lbs.

WHAT IS THE REAL DEAL?????
Thanks!!
 

roastpuff

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There are so many mixed answers. Here is what I am dealing with. DW and I just purchased a new 2016 Ram Bighorn with 5.7 Hemi, 3.92 gears, and true towing package. My truck has the transmission cooler along with the class IV hitch and electronic braking system. We have two kidos and two dogs that will be traveling with us.

Now to the question... after so much reading and conflicting reviews I would like real world advise. We are looking at travel trailers ranging from 32'-36' and weighting in at 7,000 - 9,000 lbs dry weight. I would love to hear from some of you that have actually owned and towed something of this nature with the same truck. Not a 2500 or a Chevy or a Ford but a 1500 RAM with the same type set up. I have seen people pulling 9,000lbs trailers on YouTube with no issues and then read reviews of people saying don't pull over 5,000lbs.

WHAT IS THE REAL DEAL?????
Thanks!!
With that set up you will be 100% over the legal limit of the truck's payload. Guaranteed. I do not feel comfortable with that...

A 32'+ 7000lb+ trailer is much too big for a 1/2-ton to tow comfortably. That thing is going to be a big sail and push you around in crosswind conditions.
 

barr0208

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towing

8329 weighed at scale pulled all summer several thousand kilometers no bounce average 11mpg yeah I know I'm maxed except for gcvwr and axle rating no problems stays in eighth gear. and that's with me the wife and dog in the truck (friend took the pic) ready to go camping full tank of fuel and all camping equipment.oh I have tufftruck 1223v rear springs to level out the truck.
 

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Irishgolf17

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8329 weighed at scale pulled all summer several thousand kilometers no bounce average 11mpg yeah I know I'm maxed except for gcvwr and axle rating no problems stays in eighth gear. and that's with me the wife and dog in the truck (friend took the pic) ready to go camping full tank of fuel and all camping equipment.oh I have tufftruck 1223v rear springs to level out the truck.

I have never actually considered a 5th wheel... What is your hitch weight? Are you over your payload?

I am also going to add air bags for more support.
 

rocketman1083

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2015 RAM 1500 w/ 3.92 gears. I pull my Coachman 320 BHDS which weighs 8460 LBS within the great state of Michigan without any difficulty. My biggest complaint is probably from the squishy stock tires. Even at 44 PSI you can feel the sidewall flex on occasion. You can definitely feel it back there but the rig stops well and the integrated brake controller works well.

I weighed my rig fully loaded ready to camp and we usually camp light and my GVW came in at 6840 which is just shy of my MAX at 6900 LBS. My total combined weight is 14,420 with an actual tongue weight of 910 LBS.

I have been very happy with the performance of my truck so far, however I do wish I would have found this website before I bought my truck 2 years ago because I went by the book numbers not knowing they would be quite different when it was delivered to me.

If I could do it again I would buy a 2500 Diesel but that won't happen for a few years. In the meantime, Im going to replace the rubber and I think that will resolve my issue with the soft stock tires.

Feel free to message me if you need any more info

Bob
 

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barr0208

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I have never actually considered a 5th wheel... What is your hitch weight? Are you over your payload?

I am also going to add air bags for more support.
1329 pin weight over payload but not the axle rating I weighed it and it is 3850 lbs on the rear axle if your worried about payload just go with a shorter fifth make sure its a lite weight though mine is 32 feet long
 

dRAMbuie

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A good rule of thumb is never to exceed 80% of your maximum.
Weight distribution is incredibly important. For a bumper pull, make sure your tongue weight is between 10-15% of your trailer weight. No more, no less.

Using this as a guide, you should have no issues whatsoever with a 6,400lb trailer assuming a tongue weight between 640 and 960lbs.
 

UDCentaur

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A good rule of thumb is never to exceed 80% of your maximum.

Weight distribution is incredibly important. For a bumper pull, make sure your tongue weight is between 10-15% of your trailer weight. No more, no less.



Using this as a guide, you should have no issues whatsoever with a 6,400lb trailer assuming a tongue weight between 640 and 960lbs.



80% of max towing ? Payload? Or both?


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Farmer Fran

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I tow a Dutchmen Denali 289RK with 3 separate Ram 1500s now. 2013 Express CC, 2015 Sport CC and now a 2017 Larry CC. All with 3.92 and factory TBC.

My advice is if you are not comfortable towing the weight do not. If you are, set it up properly. And for the love of god make sure you set the trailer brake gain properly and adjust for conditions.
 

UDCentaur

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I tow a Dutchmen Denali 289RK with 3 separate Ram 1500s now. 2013 Express CC, 2015 Sport CC and now a 2017 Larry CC. All with 3.92 and factory TBC.

My advice is if you are not comfortable towing the weight do not. If you are, set it up properly. And for the love of god make sure you set the trailer brake gain properly and adjust for conditions.



The payload is only 1141 on my yellow sticker with my 15 Larry, so it's going to be close in terms of max finding a TT that has room for two kids and tongue weight under 550/600. Suggestions ?


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GsRAM

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The payload is only 1141 on my yellow sticker with my 15 Larry, so it's going to be close in terms of max finding a TT that has room for two kids and tongue weight under 550/600. Suggestions ?


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Gosh that's really low payload. There are some mid size suvs with payload in that range.

I'd look for tts with a gvwr max of 5000 lbs and 25' and under overall length
 

drittal

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There are so many mixed answers. Here is what I am dealing with. DW and I just purchased a new 2016 Ram Bighorn with 5.7 Hemi, 3.92 gears, and true towing package. My truck has the transmission cooler along with the class IV hitch and electronic braking system. We have two kidos and two dogs that will be traveling with us.



Now to the question... after so much reading and conflicting reviews I would like real world advise. We are looking at travel trailers ranging from 32'-36' and weighting in at 7,000 - 9,000 lbs dry weight. I would love to hear from some of you that have actually owned and towed something of this nature with the same truck. Not a 2500 or a Chevy or a Ford but a 1500 RAM with the same type set up. I have seen people pulling 9,000lbs trailers on YouTube with no issues and then read reviews of people saying don't pull over 5,000lbs.



WHAT IS THE REAL DEAL?????

Thanks!!



The real deal is this, Ram 1500 are the least capable of all the 1/2T for towing because of their low payload numbers.

Find the GVWR for your truck. Load it up with everything and everyone you are planning to load in/on the truck. Go to a scale and weigh it. Subtract the scales weight from the GVWR, that is what you have available for tongue weight. WAIT!! Subtract 80lb from that for a WDH hitch. This is a true number that accurately estimates how much tongue weight your truck can safely handle. My guess, 600-800lbs depending on your truck and family.

Now let's look at trailers. Completely ignore listed tongue weight. It's even less useful than payload figure of your truck. Find the trailer you like and take its GVWR and multiply it by 12.5% to estimate its real world tongue weight.

The guy with the 5th wheel above is probably 10-20% over GVWR of his truck and likely exceeding GAWR of his rear axle by an uncomfortable margin. The big TT is very close to exceeding ratings and does so because he didn't know the stuff I'm trying to explain when he purchased.

Payload sticker on the door only accounts for a full tank of gas and a 150lb driver in the vehicle. All aftermarket you added to truck will count against this number as well. When my family of 4 and dog are loaded into my truck with our gear 500 lbs are gone in a flash.


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zogg

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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 :favorites13:

You'll probably add at least 1,000 pounds of "stuff" to your camper as you begin using it....always happens.

You are at a good spot if you don't go much over 4,000 pounds. I used to have a 2500 with the 5.7 hemi and it towed well with 8,000 pounds in tow, but I had 3.73 gears...the 3.21s seem a bit tall for towing, so I'd expect you do a lot of downshifting on hills....not bad, just somewhat irritating.

I think you'll be just fine. If you get a camper in the 6-8000 pound range, it will struggle with those gears....
 

gofishn

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80% of max towing ? Payload? Or both?


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I've always used 75% (but close enough) for all limits - - payload, Towing, etc.

Keep the amount towed, hauled whatever, below 75% of limits, in each and every category.

**** so helps to minimize those white knuckle, I just **** my pants, life b4 my eyes, types of Moments.

Not to mention, your vehicle will thank you, with a much longer life span and fewer repairs.
 

69GWC

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You'll probably add at least 1,000 pounds of "stuff" to your camper as you begin using it....always happens.

You are at a good spot if you don't go much over 4,000 pounds. I used to have a 2500 with the 5.7 hemi and it towed well with 8,000 pounds in tow, but I had 3.73 gears...the 3.21s seem a bit tall for towing, so I'd expect you do a lot of downshifting on hills....not bad, just somewhat irritating.

I think you'll be just fine. If you get a camper in the 6-8000 pound range, it will struggle with those gears....

With the 2500s having the 6sp with really high gear ratios his 8sp with 3:21s will probably tow that weight just as good as a 6sp with 3:73s.

I
 

clh1220

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With the 2500s having the 6sp with really high gear ratios his 8sp with 3:21s will probably tow that weight just as good as a 6sp with 3:73s.

I

Power wise would of been every bit as good if not better than the 2500 5.7 6 speed.
 
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