2012 ram 1500 3:55 gear ratio

[Sims]

My manual says I can tow 10,450 lbs when properly equipped. Yet my driver's door says 8500 lbs. What do they mean when it says ( properly equipped). I have the 5.7 hemi and 3:55 gear ratio, 2012 sport with crew cab and 5 1/2 box. Any help please.

 

[ThunderMug95]

My manual says I can tow 10,450 lbs when properly equipped. Yet my driver's door says 8500 lbs. What do they mean when it says ( properly equipped). I have the 5.7 hemi and 3:55 gear ratio, 2012 sport with crew cab and 5 1/2 box. Any help please.

You might ask a Moderator to move this to 4th gen, Towing & Hauling or repost your thread there. Its a specific thread to find answers to specific questions. Use the Forum button above, select 4th Gen, then scroll down to Towing and Hauling. Hope this helps.

 

[Sims]

Hi I have a 2012 ram 1500 sport 4x4 crew cab Short box with 5.7 hemi, 3:55 gear ratio. Driver's door reads 8600 to tow but manual says 10,450 lbs when equipped properly. What does (equipped properly mean) on my truck. Is it for a tow trailer or 5th wheel. Any help appreciated!

 

[Sims]

Thks will do

 

[crash68]

My manual says I can tow 10,450 lbs when properly equipped. Yet my driver's door says 8500 lbs. What do they mean when it says ( properly equipped). I have the 5.7 hemi and 3:55 gear ratio, 2012 sport with crew cab and 5 1/2 box.

Your confusing GVWR with towing capacity.
The GVWR of any vehicle or trailer is how much it can weigh fully loaded.
By "Properly Equipped" they are referring to using a Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH) and probably some form of helper airbags or springs. You use that to distribute the tongue weight to between the front and rear wheels. The best way to adjust a WDH is by using a truck scale. You need to know the axle weights of the truck without the trailer. Then weigh the truck and trailer fully loaded and adjust the WDH to put at least the weight back on the front axle of the truck. You also want to have approximately a 12% tongue weight.
You also need to pay attention to the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR are found on the same stick as the GVWR).

 

[crash68]

Your confusing GVWR with towing capacity.
The GVWR of any vehicle or trailer is how much it can weigh fully loaded.
By "Properly Equipped" they are referring to using a Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH) and probably some form of helper airbags or springs. You use that to distribute the tongue weight to between the front and rear wheels. The best way to adjust a WDH is by using a truck scale. You need to know the axle weights of the truck without the trailer. Then weigh the truck and trailer fully loaded and adjust the WDH to put at least the weight back on the front axle of the truck. You also want to have approximately a 12% tongue weight.
You also need to pay attention to the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR are found on the same stick as the GVWR).

 

[Loudram]

When they say properly equipped they mean 3.92 gears. That'll get you your 10k tow rating. Even if your truck is rated to tow that you won't want to. Typically you'll be over your payload rating before your tow rating. That's the weak point with our trucks.

 

[Sims]

Thks for info

 

[dhay13]

I had the same truck but a 2013. With the 3.55's it's rated to tow 8600lbs. I towed real close to that, maybe closer to 9000 with no problems but if you are going to do it often you would probably be further ahead with a 2500