Towing a 10,000 LB Boat with a 2012 Ram 1500 2WD

[itsmesukkka]

What are your guys thoughts on towing a 10,000 LB boat with my 2012 Ram 1500 (2wd)... I am about to trade it in and sell everything off of it to get a diesel 2500 but if you think I have another option to keep this truck and tow.... PLEASEEEEE let me know.

Would towing air bags work???


This is my current set-up:

 

[WilliamS]

What gears and differential are important. As well how often you need to pull that boat? If its once in a while then I would stick with the 1500 considering its geared and has a limited slip. The limited slip doesnt add towing, but to get out of a ramp your going to need it. If you are pulling it daily then trade up to a more capable truck.

 

[MADDOG]

My first impression is Nope, that won't work with a 1500.

If you were to add up the weight of the combined vehicle (truck, trailer, boat, gear, fuel, passengers, etc..) I suspect you would be over your Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating.

 

[NewBlackDak]

Maybe an occasional short tow if you have stock size tires and 3.92s, 4.10s, 4.56s etc.

10k is a big load.


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[GsRAM]

No, especially with your lift and oversize tires.

Even stock I'd imagine you'd be over your payload rating by a large amount, not to mention receiver weight limit. If we figure 12% tongue weight that's 1200 lbs tongue weight before you add your weight, weight of the hitch, any other passengers and gear in the truck and bed.

I'm not one who thinks you can't tow with a 1500, because you certaily can, but 10k loaded trailer weight , personally I wouldn't

 

[VernDiesel]

About 9k for boat. Had 5 tires, rim & tools about 300 lbs in bed. Took it from Modesto CA to Lake Havasu AZ across 58 from Bakersfield to Barstow which has decent (6 percent?) grades.

Truck has 8 speed which is a dramatic Improvement over the six speed. Truck also has the Econodiesel & 3.92. Low rpm torque & grannie first would walk it up a boat ramp no Issue. Truck has tune with turbo brake so coming down those grades didn't require riding the brakes.

Truck had axle to frame airbags and 275/55/20 XL load tires. If you “need” To run faster than 55 mph up a long grade in the heat the truck oil temps may get too hot. But that would not be an issue with the Hemi. But You would want the electric over hydraulic boat brakes in the mountains with the Hemi.

You can see I am about 10% over Max drive axle rating. Max CVWR for the 09-18 1500 is 15,950.

 

[VernDiesel]

Everyone made important points for OP. My boat was dry no fuel no passengers with me etc. An actual 10k boat would be a lot. If me & bedload was 500 then I had about 1,000 on the receiver. (Guess that would mean the boat really only weighed about 8,500) With no WDH the receiver is only rated for 1,150. As GsRam mentioned the lift & oversize tires would NOT help.

https://timbergroveenterprises.com/old-home/

Oh it actually towed quite well. Truck had normal full unloaded weight on the steer axle for normal braking & steering plus the trailer is long & stable with the triple axle, wide 18” rims, & 55 series tires. Also the truck axles had a little more weight on them than the boat axles so the boat didn’t push the truck around at all. Hope this gives you a better handle on towing a bigger boat with a 1500. Lol I think the boat makes the truck look small.

 

[GsRAM]

From reading his posts and seeing his setups, Vern obviously knows what he is doing. He's also obviously very experienced and knows how to set up and optimize things so he can tow heavy with a half ton. He noted with his boat he's over his rear axle rating and your boat is heavier than his.

If your going to tow heavy with a half ton read Verns posts, take notes and ask questions. I'd share the highway with Vern any day.

If your going to tow the weights Vern is with a half ton you'd better do your homework and know what your doing. The Eco and 5.7 have plenty of power to pull a 10k trailer. It's about controlling and stopping all that weight where you need to have things right.

A 10k loaded trailer is a lot of weight period I don' care what your towing it with except maybe semi tractor or something along those limes... lol.

Again, OP in your case I think your wise to go up to a 2500 series. Good luck

 

[WilliamS]

You know what I didnt factor in the lift at all and that makes a huge difference. If its a solid 1k boat, not a 7k boat you think weighs 10k fully geared and fueled up I would be cautious and slow. The lift and tires change the stability as well the braking of the truck considerably, you add 5 tons to that mix and you going to have a bad time.

Again if its really a 10k boat I would consider a larger truck, a 2500 doesnt need to be a diesel, but with more weight, larger brakes, and cooling systems is where it is needed.

My half ton and power wagon pull my trailers nearly identical in terms of getting going, but at 70mph on the highway and coming to stops the 2500 is a night and day difference.

 

[itsmesukkka]

Ok, so how can I find out what gears I have on my truck? Its a 2012 Ram 1500 HEMI Sport Edition (2wd)

Already took off the suspensions and wheels to list for sale but would like to know if I still have a chance to keep the truck... remember it is 2wd.

 

[Riccochet]

You're not going to be able to tow 10k lbs with a 1500 within limits. You'll be way over on axle and payload ratings. Being 2WD is actually a benefit. Reduced vehicle weight which means a slightly better payload.

My truck is rated to tow 10,400 lbs, yet my payload capacity is 1470 lbs. The math just doesn't work for a 10k lb trailer.

 

[aladin_sane]

As noted above, you can't tow that boat with that truck, but it would help if you posted pictures of the boat.

 

[gofishn]

What are your guys thoughts on towing a 10,000 LB boat with my 2012 Ram 1500 (2wd)... I am about to trade it in and sell everything off of it to get a diesel 2500 but if you think I have another option to keep this truck and tow.... PLEASEEEEE let me know.

Would towing air bags work???

Yes, the truck will probably pull the boat. However, you will definitely be over limit.

Should you pull the boat, with that truck?
NO

The fact you had to ask the question indicates that you are familiar enough with towing, that I cannot recommend you do so.
It;s one thing for someone who has towed, often, and is well expreienced towing differing loads, than someone who is new to towing.

I recommend a 2500, minimum.

BTW, no insult intended.