Back to a 1500?

[AlexC2350]

I’ve been doing too much thinking about going back to a half ton. I found a 2021 warlock classic with big horn interior, crew cab, 5.7 and 3.92 gears. I don’t know specific payload yet. I want it I miss my 2017 ram 1500 big horn.

Currently I have a 2018 2500 tradesman crew cab with a 6.4 and 3.73 gears. I bought this strictly to pull my 2020 imagine 3000qb it’s 35.5 feet bumper to hitch 30 foot box. Weights between 8k and 8300 loaded depending on the trip.

Question is, am I going to hate towing my camper with this warlock? I’d definitely put some airlift 1000 bags in it so firm up the rear end when towing. I towed a smaller camper with my last ram and it did very well. I don’t care if gets 5 mpg towing i just miss getting 20+ most of the other times I use it, and the smooth ride.

I’d just like some real world experiences. I know all about payloads and proper loading yada yada. I know that’s something I’d need to contend with if I did it.

 

[RamFP620]

For me, I would say it comes down to the weights...mainly tongue weight and maybe how often and far I trailer. I may only do a couple multi-hour trips during the season, but most trips are 1 - 1.5 hrs.

I have a 2017 Big Horn and I currently tow ~7000 fully loaded boat/trailer (guessing based on published weights). Towing boats is a little different than TT's....not as big of a sail behind the truck. Long story short, the truck pulls fine, it's just the fact I might be pushing GVWR when I throw the family in the truck.

I know the newer 1500 Rams have 6 lug wheels instead of the 5 on mine, so that would give you a little more payload to give more of a buffer from hitting GVWR. I was flip flopping between Ram and Chevy, but the Ram looked so much nicer and I love the interior compared to the Chevy. In some ways, I wish I had the Chevy for the 6 lugs because they have 300-400 lbs more payload, but I tend to be more conservative/cautious on pushing rated limits.


I hope this helps.

 

[AlexC2350]

Ram interiors are much better than the competition, across all the trim levels. Yeah payload is really the big hang up and towing comfort.

I definitely wouldn’t be nervous weight wise towing a boat. I towed my tractor with the backhoe many times with my last truck. The heavy and long travel trailers seem to be a different animal.

 

[White six four]

Going from a 2500 to a 1500 towing that camper you will not like it. Or for sure you'll like it a lot less.

My opinion is that's too big of a camper for a 1/2 ton. Our camper is 36' total length and there's no way I'd pull it with anything less then a 3/4 ton. That's a huge sail behind you to try to control it with a half ton which are more setup for everyday uses and not towing like the heavy duty trucks.

Maybe they would let you hookup the warlock and camper and take it for a test run and you can see how it does. But I wouldn't recommend it unless all you plan on doing are very short trips preferably no highways (no semis passing you) and a handful of times a year. Even then I still wouldn't do it with mine. The trip to and from the campground should be just as enjoyable as the camping itself and I dont see that happening with that camper and a half ton. But I've been wrong before.

 

[Jughed]

I towed my 30' travel trailer with my 1500 5.7 .393's a total of two times.

That was more than enough.

P rated tires, sag in the rear end even with a 10k weight distribution hitch, braking sucked and the trailer wagged the truck. And my trans would run hot...

IMHO - if you have to upgrade the tires, the suspension, add airbags and possibly a trans cooler - keep the 2500.

 

[mtofell]

I can't imagine opting for a 1500 with that trailer. As an HD driver I definitely get the appeal of a softer ride and would love to go that route but only under the right circumstances. Whatever the payload numbers are on that truck you'll be pushing the limits.

 

[Sandevino]

Take your 2500 and trailer to the nearest RAM dealer and ask them to take the Warlock for a towing test drive. If the dealer allows you to do it tell us what you think about the experience.

 

[engineering]

How much daily driving do you do with the truck (unloaded)?
How much time to spend pulling the trailer?

The compromises/balance between tow-capacity, comfort, fuel economy are quite difficult sometimes.

My experiences with tow vehicles that are loaded fairly close to max capacity is not very good. I have had much better towing experiences with the tow vehicle around 60% or so of any max capacity. The problem is that I ended up with two vehicles that REALLY sucked for daily driving.

 

[turkeybird56]

Too much white knuckle stuff on yer TT, stay with the 2500. Unless U plan on downgrading, getting a smaller TT, shorter, more in the 4-5000 lb range. The numbers may be there but you are art the extreme range ref capability. But yer truck, wallet and family, yer decision.

 

[KMKKOZ]

I have an 18 1500, hemi, 3.21 gears. I put airbags on. I also have a Leer truck topper on.

My camper is 27 foot, 6k dry. Probably with firewood and water and everything I'm up to 8k, plus some loaded in the truck.

I feel pretty good towing, love the airbags. I don't push it too hard and yes when it's windy I can feel it. We camp probably 6 times a year, probably 5 hrs or less travel times and this whole system works for me. I don't think I want to go much heavier, this is close to my limit. But it works for me.

 

[AlexC2350]

Take your 2500 and trailer to the nearest RAM dealer and ask them to take the Warlock for a towing test drive. If the dealer allows you to do it tell us what you think about the experience.

I’d love to do this. Sometimes I think I should have tried with to pull it with my last truck just so I’d know but it had a 3.21 gears and a only like an 8k tow rating.

 

[HEMIMANN]

I concur with the above members - I upgraded to 2500 from 1500 and glad I did. The frame, the tires, the suspension are all the right size to deal with your trailer. The engine too - the 5.7 is a fine engine, but it was maxed out on steep interstate hills in the driftless region of the upper midwest. I didn't like it. The 6.4 is much better.

 

[2003F350]

How much daily driving do you do with the truck (unloaded)?
How much time to spend pulling the trailer?

The compromises/balance between tow-capacity, comfort, fuel economy are quite difficult sometimes.

My experiences with tow vehicles that are loaded fairly close to max capacity is not very good. I have had much better towing experiences with the tow vehicle around 60% or so of any max capacity. The problem is that I ended up with two vehicles that REALLY sucked for daily driving.

This right here is pretty true. If you want a good comfortable tow, stay around 60% of your max capacity. You'll have plenty of room to spare.

I've grown accustomed to bigger trucks, so I don't mind driving them daily. Of course, my wife DOES have a half ton, so if I want a squishy ride I can just swipe hers for the day.

 

[AlexC2350]

Thanks for the input. I figured it would go like this haha and I pretty much agree I’d probably not like it. Since my current setup really does so well. I forgot to mention the other reason for wanting a half ton again is I’ll be needing my truck for work again. They’ll be giving me some money for using my truck but commuting with it again will suck. I have a car to commute with now saves me a pile of money.

 

[Toddbigboytruck]

I have an 18 1500, hemi, 3.21 gears. I put airbags on. I also have a Leer truck topper on.

My camper is 27 foot, 6k dry. Probably with firewood and water and everything I'm up to 8k, plus some loaded in the truck.

I feel pretty good towing, love the airbags. I don't push it too hard and yes when it's windy I can feel it. We camp probably 6 times a year, probably 5 hrs or less travel times and this whole system works for me. I don't think I want to go much heavier, this is close to my limit. But it works for me.

I am a similar boat 2018 Laramie 1500 with 1000 airlift airbags. My trailer is 21 foot hybrid and leer cap. Towing it to Florida two marched ago. Not a issue.

just so tired of the tow police. On this and other sites.

to the man get what you want and he’ll if they let you test tow even better You only live once

 

[engineering]

I am a similar boat 2018 Laramie 1500 with 1000 airlift airbags. My trailer is 21 foot hybrid and leer cap. Towing it to Florida two marched ago. Not a issue.

just so tired of the tow police. On this and other sites.

to the man get what you want and he’ll if they let you test tow even better You only live once

View attachment 241499

You are the people I worry about on the road........smarter than physics and smarter than the hundreds of engineers that design and test vehicles to best understand their limits.

But I am sure you know better. This exact thread will be at your deposition.

 

[Toddbigboytruck]

You are the people I worry about on the road........smarter than physics and smarter than the hundreds of engineers that design and test vehicles to best understand their limits.

But I am sure you know better. This exact thread will be at your deposition.

Well I don’t understand what you are saying. When any thing is manufactured there is a safe rating. So to only use 60% you loosing out on 40%


If I had my way I would have every vehicle that is towing have to be inspected to ensure that everyone is doing it correctly.

tell me have you had your brakes inspected on your trailer with in the year or been on a CAT scale. I have ever year on the inspection or 3000 km which ever comes first and I cat scale at least the day before a big trip.

 

[mtofell]

to the man get what you want and he’ll if they let you test tow even better You only live once

View attachment 241499

While I agree the, "weight police" are largely ridiculous on message boards, this part of your post is just plain ignorant. "Get what you want.... you only live once." Yeah, with a mindset like that it won't be for that long.

 

[Toddbigboytruck]

Well I don’t understand what you are saying. When any thing is manufactured there is a safe rating. So to only use 60% you loosing out on 40%

While I agree the, "weight police" are largely ridiculous on message boards, this part of your post is just plain ignorant. "Get what you want.... you only live once." Yeah, with a mindset like that it won't be for that long.[/QUOT

I don’t understand your last comment. Yes I believe to do what you want you only live once If you read the post the truck he want will still be under all the tow capabilities for his trailer. that comment was to tell all the 2500 lovers. That you don’t always need bigger is better. I have purchased a 3500 dualy so I can tow what ever I want
But for real I want a new hotshot truck.

 

[mtofell]

I never said anything about 60%..... I just can't get on board with not even considering weight.