Towing

[Jukebox64]

I have a 2014 1500 5.7L Ram. I just got an RV that is well within my towing range, but it causes causes my rear to sag. Big time! Why would a 2500 with the SAME motor tow better?
I’m new to towing an RV so I’m trying to see if I should get a bigger truck or just install air bags. Any information would be helpful.
Thanks

 

[Karlsweg]

The suspension is rated to haul more. You have several options. A weight distribution hitch, helper springs for the rear, air bags and other gizmos a 1500 is a 1/2 ton, 2500 is 3/4 ton and 3500 is a 1 ton capacity.

 

[HemiLonestar]

Suspension, frame and running gear. It isn't just engine that determines towing/cargo capacity. All of those factors play into it. If the rear of your truck sags that much, it sounds like your trailer is tongue heavy (not balanced) and is probably exceeding the tongue weight your truck should be towing. What size/weight is the trailer?

 

[crash68]

Post up the specs on your travel trailer, length weight, etc. Your going to want a WDH before the airbags. Ram recommends a WDH for anything over 5K lbs.

 

[turkeybird56]

Delete:

 

[Jerseybob175]

Same type of question with ZERO help from local dealer or dodge corporate.

2017, crew cab, 5.7 hemi with 3.9.2. trans with tow package. 17,500 miles on truck Truck is rated to tow 10K lbs.

I spoke to the dodge ram product "experts" at a show I attended regarding pulling a trailer.
They assured me the 1500 would be able to pull a 7,000 lbs. GVWR trailer with no issues at all.

I purchased a 2018, 7' x 16' dual axle trailer with a trailer weight of 3500 lbs and a total GVWR of 7,000 lbs.

I also purchased an adjustable hitch that also measures tongue weight. (https://www.weigh-safe.com/) to ensure I was within the 10% -15% of trailer weight.

Now my question.
With very little inside the trailer and 11% on the tongue, my truck sags 3". Yes, 3 inches to the rear.

Folks, Dodge corporate refuses to address my questions. The "experts" indicated no worries, the local dealer says don't worry about the sagging, just buy our air bags.
I am wondering who the hell knows the truth. More importantly, I am looking for advice on a correct fix before I go on a long trip with this truck and trailer.

 

[Jukebox64]

I have a weight distribution hitch. Supposedly the trailer weights 5300lbs but the title say3000.
I’ve searched everywhere for the true weight, but still not sure.
I was under the impression that my truck could tow up to 8400lbs.

 

[Mr.AK902]

tow it to your local scaled and weigh everything that way. It is the only true way for you to get the numbers you're looking for. No two trailers weigh the same, ever.

 

[crash68]

as stated above you'll want to take the trailer to a scale to weigh the truck and trailer, preferably loaded up how you would be headed out for camping. Using a scale is the best way to get the WDH set up properly.
Read through some post from VernDiesel on how to set up the WDH using a scale. He tows TT for a living with his 1500 Ram. He just turned over 500,000 miles.
https://www.ramforum.com/threads/looking-at-the-numbers.123099/

You say the trailer is 5300lbs, is that actual(base) or the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating? Just as a ballpark way to estimate the base weight of a travel trailer, it's about 2/3s of the trailer's GVWR(toy haulers excluded).

 

[Jukebox64]

Mine is a Toy Hauler. Soon as I get home I’ll be going to the scales. The hitch I’m using actually came with the trailer. So I know it’s set up for the toy Hauler. I just need to find out how much the trailer is and if my truck can pull it. I’ve bought a lot of trailers with my little 1500 and never had any problems but this is by far the biggest and heaviest a palled with this truck. I do appreciate all the information from you guys.

 

[OC455]

Mine is a Toy Hauler. Soon as I get home I’ll be going to the scales. The hitch I’m using actually came with the trailer. So I know it’s set up for the toy Hauler. I just need to find out how much the trailer is and if my truck can pull it. I’ve bought a lot of trailers with my little 1500 and never had any problems but this is by far the biggest and heaviest a palled with this truck. I do appreciate all the information from you guys.

What is the year, make and model of your toy hauler? Pretty sure it's out there. Usually on the driver's side front of the trailer, the trailer has specs on a tag that will usually tell you what the dry weight is and the gross vehicle weight rating.






Looks something like these.

 

[OC455]

I purchased a 2018, 7' x 16' dual axle trailer with a trailer weight of 3500 lbs and a total GVWR of 7,000 lbs.

I also purchased an adjustable hitch that also measures tongue weight. (https://www.weigh-safe.com/) to ensure I was within the 10% -15% of trailer weight.

Now my question.
With very little inside the trailer and 11% on the tongue, my truck sags 3". Yes, 3 inches to the rear.

Sounds like you need a weight distribution hitch vs. a Weigh Safe hitch. How heavy is the trailer loaded?

 

[OC455]

Jukebox64, even though you have a weight distribution hitch, it needs to be set up for your truck & trailer together. It took me a few trips to get my travel trailer setup right with my WDH.

 

[OC455]

Deleted

 

[markusaf81]

I upgraded the springs in the rear, gained a half an inch, no more sag while towing or hauling and it’s easy enough I did it myself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[spoon059]

I spoke to the dodge ram product "experts" at a show I attended regarding pulling a trailer.
They assured me the 1500 would be able to pull a 7,000 lbs. GVWR trailer with no issues at all.

With very little inside the trailer and 11% on the tongue, my truck sags 3". Yes, 3 inches to the rear.

Half ton trucks are designed to run smooth and gentle, like a car. They have a soft suspension and car tires. Your truck WILL sag when you put weight in the bed or the hitch. That is the truck working as it was designed. You can't have a soft suspension and carry large weights without sag... its one or the other.

 

[spoon059]

Jukebox64, even though you have a weight distribution hitch, it needs to be set up for your truck & trailer together. It took me a few trips to get my travel trailer setup right with my WDH.

Agree with you 100%.

OP, just because the hitch came with the trailer means nothing. Just because a dealer set up the hitch means nothing. You need to read up on your hitch and take measurements and set it up yourself. You mentioned you have a toy hauler. Those are notoriously hard to set up with a WDH because they have such fluctuations in hitch weight. With an empty garage, they will be tongue heavy. Load up the garage and the balance changes and the front gets lighter. Depending upon where in the garage you load, that balance can constantly change each time.

Like I wrote above, you bought a truck that was designed to be comfortable first. The cargo capacity and towing characteristics weren't nearly as important as smooth ride and overall passenger comfort. A 2500 truck is designed with cargo capacity and towing characteristics being much more important. That's why my 2500 rides a lot more rough empty than your 1500. Stiffer springs and stiffer tires make it ride harder, but carry substantially more weight.

They sell hammers in multiple sizes, from a brad hammer to a sledgehammer. You can drive a brad with a sledge, but it won't be pretty. You can do demo with a brad hammer, but it'll take forever.

 

[crash68]

OP, just because the hitch came with the trailer means nothing. Just because a dealer set up the hitch means nothing. You need to read up on your hitch and take measurements and set it up yourself. You mentioned you have a toy hauler. Those are notoriously hard to set up with a WDH because they have such fluctuations in hitch weight. With an empty garage, they will be tongue heavy. Load up the garage and the balance changes and the front gets lighter. Depending upon where in the garage you load, that balance can constantly change each time.

^^^^ This exactly!

 

[dexter]

Mine is a Toy Hauler. Soon as I get home I’ll be going to the scales. The hitch I’m using actually came with the trailer. So I know it’s set up for the toy Hauler. I just need to find out how much the trailer is and if my truck can pull it. I’ve bought a lot of trailers with my little 1500 and never had any problems but this is by far the biggest and heaviest a palled with this truck. I do appreciate all the information from you guys.

The two most important numbers are:
Payload
Hitch capacity of the truck

How much it can pull is of little value.

No one can really help you without knowing those numbers plus the information from your TT - Loaded as you will use it.

You can not increase your payload of the truck.

Also read how payload is computed.

You will be surprised how little it is in real life.

 

[pacofortacos]

Same type of question with ZERO help from local dealer or dodge corporate.

2017, crew cab, 5.7 hemi with 3.9.2. trans with tow package. 17,500 miles on truck Truck is rated to tow 10K lbs.

I spoke to the dodge ram product "experts" at a show I attended regarding pulling a trailer.
They assured me the 1500 would be able to pull a 7,000 lbs. GVWR trailer with no issues at all.

I purchased a 2018, 7' x 16' dual axle trailer with a trailer weight of 3500 lbs and a total GVWR of 7,000 lbs.

I also purchased an adjustable hitch that also measures tongue weight. (https://www.weigh-safe.com/) to ensure I was within the 10% -15% of trailer weight.

Now my question.
With very little inside the trailer and 11% on the tongue, my truck sags 3". Yes, 3 inches to the rear.

Folks, Dodge corporate refuses to address my questions. The "experts" indicated no worries, the local dealer says don't worry about the sagging, just buy our air bags.
I am wondering who the hell knows the truth. More importantly, I am looking for advice on a correct fix before I go on a long trip with this truck and trailer.

Personally I went with heavier springs, the stock springs are VERY soft - which is great for a soft ride - not so great for carrying a load.

My 16 would drop 1-2" with just me jumping in the bed.

I went with Tufftruck 1211 springs which are stock height and 50% more load - my truck does ride firmly now with that and the XL load 20" tires.

You can do bags, springs or springs and bags - I opted for springs and tires. I tow a 4000-5000# boat/trailer W/full bed and crewcab from Pa to Fl. Keys every year and am quite happy with this setup.

I highly rec. a heavier tire than the standard load "P" tire though - I wanted highway tread so I went with General HTS60 XL-load 275/60/20 - almost the same load capacity as the E-load 17" tires I had before.

I now added a Hellwig rear sway bar and am done with the suspension
Truck handles great empty or loaded BUT does ride much firmer than stock - Outdoorsman suspension and tires @ 44-46 psi cold.

I wouldn't say the ride is harsh, just more truck like vs. Caddy like. Handling around bends vs. stock (w/17" wheels) is like day and night for the better.