towing an RV

retiredfireman · Feb 12, 2013

I posted this in the great outdoors section- but figured ti wouldn't hurt here too:
I am planning a cross country trip next summer. I have been weighing the different RV options- one that came up was a towable trailer. I have a 2012 Ram 1500 that is lowered, with the AirLift 1000 bags.
My question- what am I able to tow, weight-wise and what tongue weight should I be under?

Also- It will be the family travelling- Mom Dad ( me) and two kids- preteens.
plus our stuff and food etc..

Musclemckeester · Feb 12, 2013

I forget the exact numbers, but I think max towing on the 1500s is like 7k or so. Not sure about tongue weight.

Cthulhu · Feb 12, 2013

2012 RAM Trucks | Towing & Payload Specifications | RAM Trucks

I just checked it out.. there's a link to view your own truck.. if you've got the VIN you can use it, or build it per your truck specs and it'll give every thing you are looking for.

retiredfireman · Feb 12, 2013

sweet thanks all.

S2kiHemi · Feb 12, 2013

Need to know if your truck is 2wd/4x4, what size cab, and what gears it has to know your max tow rating.

Cthulhu · Feb 12, 2013

or he goes to the site with his VIN and it builds his truck for him... easy peasy.

retiredfireman · Feb 12, 2013

well, it's a 2WD 5.7L with the 3.55 limited slip- I also have lowered it 4" and put the AirLift 1000 air bags in the springs.
And I have the factory trailer brake controller. It's a Big Horn edition.

S2kiHemi · Feb 12, 2013

Max trailer weight for quad cab is 8,750lbs and max trailer weight for crew cab is 8,650lbs. That's stock but I don't think id tow that much with a lowered truck.

03MopaRamman · Feb 12, 2013

My 2 Cents (as a fellow RV Guy/ 3rd Gen Though) A lightweight trailer around 5000 Dry WT with no more than an 800 LB Tongue weight with weight distribution Kit (800 LB Bars) w/adjustable Up-Down Receiver and a Class III Hitch is what I'd be looking at. The air Bags could be adjusted (Load your Gear in the Bed) as required but most important is to have the trailer perfectly level when hooked up.

retiredfireman · Feb 12, 2013

oh, it's a crew cab.
Thanks for the info, all.
I am just cracking into this planning and appreciate all of the information.

Cthulhu · Feb 12, 2013

I don't know if this is still a concern or not, but I know back in the 80's when I was traveling with my family in a motorhome, we ended up with an expensive repair bill because we weren't level at a camp site for ~1-2 weeks... it caused an issue in the fridge ?coil?, ended up with a blockage and had to get it sorted out... not a cheap fix...

retiredfireman · Feb 12, 2013

^^ interesting. although prelimanary plans are to only stay one night at each stop, good thing to know about keeping everything level.

65Bowtie · Feb 12, 2013

It all depends on your rig. My '13 CC sport 3.92 is rated over 10K lbs towing.

Noved · Feb 12, 2013

65Bowtie said:
It all depends on your rig. My '13 CC sport 3.92 is rated over 10K lbs towing.

A good rule of thumb is all 3.92 geared 1500s pretty much have a 10k max tow rating.

All 3.55 geared trucks have a 8500ish max tow rating.

A 3.21 Geared truck has a 6.5kish Tow Rating. Poor 3.21 geared guys.

retiredfireman · Feb 13, 2013

thank you.
this has started a lot of thinking on my part.
thanks again for all the info.

towing an RV

retiredfireman

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Musclemckeester

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Cthulhu

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retiredfireman

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S2kiHemi

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Cthulhu

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retiredfireman

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S2kiHemi

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03MopaRamman

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retiredfireman

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Cthulhu

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retiredfireman

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65Bowtie

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Noved

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