Confused. Need some help.

[smcken2973]

Bought a 1500 Bighorn with 5.7, 3.92 axle. Love the truck. Confused about towing numbers. I have read so many forums and so many posts and it seems like it the responses are either the weight police or the you can tow anything. The numbers on my Ram are 6900 GVWR. Took my truck to the scales and it weighed in at 5760, including my wife, me and hitch weight control set up.

Trailer my wife wants is a starcraft launch 27BHU. Bumper to hitch length is 31 ft. The dry weight on the yellow sticker is 6400. Assuming 7,500 ready to camp.

Oh, I did already install the airlift 1000 and the factory integrated brake controller. I am a relatively new tower. Had a little single axle 20 ft starcraft. My wife really wants the camper but I do not want to do anythiong unsafe or stupid. Does this seeem like a good match for trailer and truck. Sometimes I think I should have got the Silverado for a heavier payload but wife also loves this truck. Thanks for the input and help. Scott

 

[TRCM]

Well, based on your numbers, you have 1140 available for tongue weight before your hit max GVWR.

And 7500 should be within the range your truck is rated to tow. My 2012 is rated for 9850 max towing.

 

[Andy578]

you didn't mention 4x4 or not so i'm just going to assume it's 4x4 which has a max payload of 1381lbs for 2015 meaning you and your wife plus whatever else is adding weight is taking up 241lbs of that leaving you with 1140lbs to work with which is about your max hitch weight anyway

max towing is supposed to be 10,050lbs so the trailer will easily fit into that but you need to find out what the hitch weight is. i'm thinking you should be just fine but you probably won't have much if any payload to spare. it's important to remember that weight can add up very fast as you add things to the trailer. water, propane, waste ect will all add a good bit of weight

 

[smcken2973]

Thanks. Yes, it is a 4x4. Crew cab.

 

[14hemiexpress]

The trailer seems like a good match to me, if I understand correctly the trailer is 27, with 31 hitch to bumper if so that's a great match in my eyes.

 

[PippinAin'tEasy]

It'll take some getting used to. You'll second guess yer decision. You'll hit a ****** cross wind and curse yourself for not getting a 2500. You'll get E rated tires. You'll get the load balanced and the WD dialled in. You'll have a great run and then you'll sway a bit. You'll second guess yourself some more. You'll tweak it again, have another great run and realize "Damn, this is one solid rig. Glad I didn't buy into those inflated Silverado numbers or I'd be in the exact same boat only stuck with a Chebby."
All kidding aside it sounds like a great 1/2 ton rig even if you are a tad on the big side. Be smart, be safe and let the wife have a TT with some room to stretch out. Ya'll are gonna have fun come spring.

Sent from the mountains of WV hauling 34' @ #8400 with a '14 1500 Crew Cab and 3.92's using Tapatalk

 

[smcken2973]

Very helpful PippinAintEasy. So what suggestions for WD hitch and sway. I have one but I am guessing I will need to upgrade. I think you described perfectly what my response will be. Are you pleased with the way your 1500 pulls the 34' @ 8400. Any other suggestions?

 

[cableguy_hd]

I towed those same numbers for 4 years. I have an express which has less options and I think that plays a small into the numbers thing but it towed it just fine. I had the chain type wd and additional away bar and when we got rolling in the highway I hardly knew it was behind me. Dial in your brake control and you'll be fine. Put about 25-30 lbs of air in the bags, USE the tow haul button and enjoy. I fall into the category of " you can pull/tow anything" but I'm slowly being converted... It took time. I have recently upgraded to a 34' 6000lb empty and will making my maden voyage Thursday. It did ok coming home with it but it was only 1.5 hrs. Thursday it will be 6 hrs....

 

[Yardbird98]

I have & tow same as you are asking about. 14, 1/2 ton, 5.7, Crew Cab, pulling a Jayco 27 DSRL, overall length 30'11". Started out with a Blue Ox Sway Pro, good hitch as long as its not windy. Bought a Propride system and am glad I did. Expensive but worth it in my opinion.

 

[PippinAin'tEasy]

If I was a noob I'd have too much trailer for the truck. It holds 60 uphill @ 3700 rpm but, as is the 1/2 ton's MO, wind is a *****. Running the Ox Swaypro and enjoying the convenience and stability. Never hauled with the Propride but have also never heard anyone speak ill of them. X2 on the #30 in the bags.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

 

[Jerry1984]

What kind of terrain are you towing in? Mountains or mainly flat lands? It will tow it fine but be prepared for <10mpg while towing.

 

[smcken2973]

Live in central PA so I will be towing in the hills but most likely not the anything like the Rockies. Not worried about gas mileage.