True 2013 Towing Capacity?

Ok, this has probably been answered somewhere but I can't seem to find it or get a straight response. So, I purchased a 2013 Ram Sport w/8spd. and 3.21. We have since decided to get a travel trailer and I would like to know the true tow capacity. According to Ram it is 6,350#'s. However, after looking at the years after (14, 15, 16) with the same set up the capacity is about 7,600#'s. There were a few threads where people had said Ram adjusted the 2013 numbers as they were incorrect. Does any know where I can get the real values? I have a hard time believing it changed over 1,300#'s and this is a big difference in size of TT I can get.

As long as you don't mind going over payload. You have some options.

I tow 5400 lbs gross 22 ft travel trailer. @ 15% tongue weight. ~800 lbs less from my available payload. Which means i'm probably over by the time the family is in the truck. Wind resistance is still the biggest factor.

The real challenge becomes length and handling sway. 27 feet seems to be on the long end for 1500s and more than i would tow without investing heavily in the fancier $$$ hitches.

It is not an accident i choose 22 feet.

Ram upgraded the parking pawl in the ZF/ZF based 8 speed transmission to allow a higher GCWR.

If you do decide to run with the 2014+ numbers, I recommend setting the parking brake fully every time you park. Good luck.

I thought maybe the change in tow capacity rating was due to the change of 6 to 8 speed during the 2013 MY.

With good set up / weight distribution as proven on tripple scales such as truck stop Cat scales the 1500 can easily tow 7,600 without going over GVWR/payload.

It takes some trial & error and often help from those who are good at hitch adjustment & weight distribution as proven on the scales to get to a more safe stable or more optimum set up. We recently helped this guy;

Baseline him & empty truck.
Steer 3,120
Drive 2,680
Total. 5,800

Axle weight with TT & WDH as set up by RV dealership.
Steer 3,000
Drive 3,980
TT. 6,400

Same Ecodiesel TT & WDH after adjustments.
Steer 3,340
Drive 3,540
TT. 6,520
CVW 14,000

14,000 less 5,800 means his wet TT weighed 8,200.

Afterword a much more safe & stable set up that met all mfg specs. 14,000 met his CVWR of 14,500. 3,340 & 3,540 met his 3,900 axle limits. 1,080 seen TW meets 1,150 receiver rating without WDH allowance. 6,880 made his 6,950 GVWR/payload.

On top of that 1,080 is 15.7% of his 6880 so there is room if he needs to free up more payload such as to fit more people and meet GVWR, without going over any other limits. As he can go down as low as 10 percent TW.

But as Cardhu said wind resistance is or can be the biggest factor. Despite the 8 speed 3.21s don't help. Cardhu also makes a great point about trailer length. A hitch with built in sway control helps a lot but depending on wind every tow can be it's own. In the sticky what have you towed with your 1500 thread I have a pic of me towing a 39' or 35' floorplan TT. But really with a 1500 & family I suggest a floorplan of less than 30'.

After reading up on the parking pawl, I can see where it helps if a person puts it in park before setting the e-brake but as far as trailer weight I don't get it. Sure the more weight you place on the truck the more it must support it but I thought the numbers were about the capacity the truck could tow. Trailers we are looking at are between 28 and 31 feet. We will of course add a WDH and airlift. So I figure if we get one around 5500 - 6200lbs we would be ok. Am I wrong in thinking this? I get there is more to in than just TT weight.

So if your truck GVWR is 7,600 pick a TT with a GVWR of 7,600 or less. Up to that point you should be able to make it meet specs with WDH and scaled weight distribution.

Fwiw most people between battery propane minimal water drinks food clothes & supplies add about a 1,000 pounds over the TT dry weight.

Max tow isn't just what you can tow up a hill but also what you can safely park on it ie the parking pawl. CVWR is what you safely descend a grade with curves and all.