Tow better with my truck

Badger 13 · Jan 14, 2021

Thank you.

mtofell · Jan 14, 2021

You might consider just renting one from Uhaul the next time you need it as a test run. In my area a one-day rental is $55 which is a steal IMO. My company uses a few little run-around cars and I usually end up buying one every few years. I'll often travel a few hundred miles to get the best price and renting the Uhaul auto transport works out great.

I know it's not exactly what you are looking for but it could give you an idea of how your truck will respond.

HEMIMANN · Jan 14, 2021

My tire supplier told me all trailer tires are now made in China. I trust the guy, been in the business for many years, but have no way to validate his statement. fyi

mtofell · Jan 14, 2021

HEMIMANN said:
My tire supplier told me all trailer tires are now made in China. I trust the guy, been in the business for many years, but have no way to validate his statement. fyi

Tire talk is always raging on the RV message board I frequent. The most recent word there is that Goodyears are the only trailer tires made in the US but, like you say, I'm not really sure how to verify.

I replaced my 5th wheel tires a year ago and went with Carlisle. They are made in China but are a generally respected brand. I'd definitely steer clear of super cheap/off-brand Chinese tires but can't imagine ruling out any/all.

HEMIMANN · Jan 14, 2021

mtofell said:
Tire talk is always raging on the RV message board I frequent. The most recent word there is that Goodyears are the only trailer tires made in the US but, like you say, I'm not really sure how to verify.

I replaced my 5th wheel tires a year ago and went with Carlisle. They are made in China but are a generally respected brand. I'd definitely steer clear of super cheap/off-brand Chinese tires but can't imagine ruling out any/all.

I asked him that very question - he said Goodyear offloaded their Marathon trailer tires to China too. We're a nation of nothing more than electron-shufflers now.

csuder99 · Jan 15, 2021

HEMIMANN said:
I asked him that very question - he said Goodyear offloaded their Marathon trailer tires to China too. We're a nation of nothing more than electron-shufflers now.

The Endurance tires are made in the US. In the RV world that has become a marketing "differentiator".

fljab · Jan 15, 2021

mtofell said:
You might consider just renting one from Uhaul the next time you need it as a test run. In my area a one-day rental is $55 which is a steal IMO.

I looked into using one for the run out to Phoenix a while back. On the website, they have you put in what tow vehicle you're using and came back my truck was not good enough as I recall. Need to look at it again.

On the trailer tires, a friend of mine went through that recently. He bought a used trailer and wanted to make sure all that was good. I helped him put new wheel bearings/seals in it. For tires he did some good research and bought - I forget which brand - but a better tire and it was made in China which seems to be the norm. Pretty much everything is these days on any product you can think of.

HEMIMANN · Jan 15, 2021

csuder99 said:
The Endurance tires are made in the US. In the RV world that has become a marketing "differentiator".

Unfamiliar with Endurance. Who makes those?

kurek · Jan 15, 2021

HEMIMANN said:
Unfamiliar with Endurance. Who makes those?

They're Goodyears. When you look at the specs here on Tirerack.com it says country of origin is US

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Endurance

HEMIMANN · Jan 15, 2021

kurek said:
They're Goodyears. When you look at the specs here on Tirerack.com it says country of origin is US

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Endurance

You sure these are still available? Here's where the link takes me -->

Bluegill1 · Jan 18, 2021

For the travel trailer you’ll want to PU a weight dist hitch w sway control. It’s couple hundred bucks.
For that occasional towing a car, as long as your trailer has brakes, shouldn’t be any issues. Of course common sense, take your time goes a long way in safety.
If you become more serious in towing, a lot more frequently then a 2500 would be a good choice. but for what you’ve mentioned, you’ll be fine.

Socalramfan · Jan 18, 2021

I tow an enclosed 24' car trailer @ 2x's a year to Monterey and other car show events.

Lessons learned along the way, and items which make it much more safe and enjoyable:

A MUST:

Tow Mirrors
Electric brake controller
Know YOUR "vehicles" towing capacity rating

Just a good Idea:

Lights.... lots of F#$%'in lights

and a TRAIN HORN !!!

Can't tell you how many times people pull out and cut you off after seeing a big truck / trailer coming at them. That's one good way to turn a minivan into a the size of a smart car.

Keeping in mind with OP's questions and others responses, one thing to NOT over look isn't so much "Can I tow it?", but "Should" I tow it? Just because you can get going, better make sure you can stop it too.

My trailer is rated at 10k, but I know that's not feasible with my Ram, which is ok for my purposes. Yes, 3.92 gears will serve you better for several reasons.

Having lived in Florida previously as well, the highest gradient I found was going over the Tampa Bay Bridge, but once you head out towards the Rockies..... just watch your performance go down. Without doubt, my next Ram will be a 2500 Cummings partly because thats what it is built for.

Ribtipram · Jan 18, 2021

Socalramfan said:
I tow an enclosed 24' car trailer @ 2x's a year to Monterey and other car show events.

Lessons learned along the way, and items which make it much more safe and enjoyable:

A MUST:

Tow Mirrors
Electric brake controller
Know YOUR "vehicles" towing capacity rating

Just a good Idea:

Lights.... lots of F#$%'in lights

and a TRAIN HORN !!!

Can't tell you how many times people pull out and cut you off after seeing a big truck / trailer coming at them. That's one good way to turn a minivan into a the size of a smart car.

Keeping in mind with OP's questions and others responses, one thing to NOT over look isn't so much "Can I tow it?", but "Should" I tow it? Just because you can get going, better make sure you can stop it too.

My trailer is rated at 10k, but I know that's not feasible with my Ram, which is ok for my purposes. Yes, 3.92 gears will serve you better for several reasons.

Having lived in Florida previously as well, the highest gradient I found was going over the Tampa Bay Bridge, but once you head out towards the Rockies..... just watch your performance go down. Without doubt, my next Ram will be a 2500 Cummings partly because thats what it is built for.

If your going to go cummings might as well go 3500. Just for the extra payload. If needed

Socalramfan · Jan 18, 2021

Ribtipram said:
If your going to go cummings might as well go 3500. Just for the extra payload. If needed

Point taken.

For my purposes it would be too big of a footprint though. And Ive learned that at least while traveling..... if I bring a bigger suitcase (or anything with bigger capacity).... someone always fills it with Sh#$ :waytogo:

Ribtipram · Jan 19, 2021

Socalramfan said:
Point taken.

For my purposes it would be too big of a footprint though. And Ive learned that at least while traveling..... if I bring a bigger suitcase (or anything with bigger capacity).... someone always fills it with Sh#$

I hear that for sure

VernDiesel · Jan 20, 2021

I might add simple air bags in the rear will help or Sumo springs if don't like air. Fixing sag is a side benefit. The support better dampening and rear suspension control on rough roads is amazing. There is also cheap in coil bags but air leaks & more mean I will never go back to these.

https://timbergroveenterprises.com/old-home

If you do invest in a WDH check out the Andersen. Its light quiet easy to work with backs well and has built in sway control that works well.

https://andersenhitches.com/Product...h-4-droprise-2516-ball-3-4-5--6-brackets.aspx

The gear change is not needed for the weight & drag of a car trailer but it sure is more confidence inspiring to drive. Sometime you can get a new take out whole rear end drum to drum so to speak for 4 to $500 and its a simple swap many do themselves. This is IF you have a 2wd. If you have a 4wd its just cost prohibitive.

https://car-part.com/

fljab · Feb 4, 2021

Thank you all for your input. I have decided to keep this truck and put some money into it to make it fit my needs. The camper is something we don't now have and not sure when/if that will happen, so open car trailer will be my main need.

I was at the point with the truck to either trade it off, or put some updates including tires and some other bits. So, ordering bits is what it is! I will use this thread as a guide to what I need.

KMKKOZ · Feb 23, 2021

Towing a load safely has more to with suspension and braking than horsepower. The stock coil springs limit the overall payload. I added airbags to my rear coil springs and this increased the capability of my truck a lot. My 26 ft camper is probably 8500 lbs fully loaded, realistically, and without the airbags it was mushy and way saggy. Even with WD hitch. Now it rivals or exceeds an HD leaf spring truck and doesn't comprise the ride quality unloaded. I have the 3.21 with the 8 speed, and just stay in the gear that suits the driving conditions.

Toddbigboytruck · Mar 1, 2021

I have a 2018 Laramie crew with that with the 3:2:1 and we tow our 6000 lbs (when loaded so the tow police can settle ). Yes we have towed a lot yes you don’t get the mileage when towing but look at the big picture towing cost with what you have vrs cost to upgrade cost and towing. You will be fine.

pacofortacos · Mar 1, 2021

The biggest thing to make sure of, by far, is that the trailer brakes work and stop the trailer WITH the load on it.
On my boat trailer, I have big Kodiak disc brakes. Surge brakes currently and while they do work, I think I am converting to electric over hydraulic this summer.
For trailer tires, I only run LT tires with a load rating well in excess of the axle rating. They last longer than any trailer tire and tend to not dry rot as quickly.

Being 2WD, changing rear ends is a quick and easy job using an entire assembly. Plus if you don't currently have a limited slip rear, finding a 3.92 w/limited slip would be a bonus.

You don't really need to upgrade the sway bar, but it won't hurt.

As far as load, it's a simple job to replace the rear coil springs with higher capacity springs or add air bags - pick your poison.

Tow better with my truck

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