Help with possible trailer purchase. Can I haul it? Wife wants to buy ASAP

[Qcman]

Hi like it says. I have a 2021 Classic Crew cab with the 5.7 Hemi and 3.21 rear gear. The label on my truck says 1485 lbs of weight capacity for the truck. The trailer is 26' without tongue etc. The trailer is 5795 dry with a tongue weight of 725. The trucks tow capacity seems to be about 8000- 8200 lbs from a chart I found online.

My wife is hammering me hard to buy this ASAP and I'm panicking worrying it is too much for my truck. I've done some research here and elsewhere and it seems its either not a chance or should be fine lol. The trailer gross is 7725 but we aren't the sort of folks to carry a lot of stuff so I'm not too concerned on that end as I would try to keep added weight in the trailer as low as I can. There is only us 2 folks in the truck no other passengers. We are looking at some long hauls as we are retired. Think Ontario, Canada to Florida as the longest range we intend to travel so pretty significant. I do plan to use the stabilizing weight distribution parts with it too.

Can someone tell me I can do this or say that I should not definitively? I can get more vehicle info from door stickers uploaded if that is needed for anyone to see? Please help when my wife gets an idea stuff happens fast!

 

[ThinkMud]

I'm not a towing "expert" but the trailer is under the max for the truck, but you may need/want a weight distribution hitch to be safer and keeping the truck level. I use airbags in my rear coils to help with sag from hauling heavy things and towing stuff, but don't tow anything heavy enough for a weight distribution hitch yet. Good luck and I'm sure others with more towing experience will chime in too.

 

[Qcman]

I'm not a towing "expert" but the trailer is under the max for the truck, but you may need/want a weight distribution hitch to be safer and keeping the truck level. I use airbags in my rear coils to help with sag from hauling heavy things and towing stuff, but don't tow anything heavy enough for a weight distribution hitch yet. Good luck and I'm sure others with more towing experience will chime in too.

Hi thank you! Yes I plan to use a WDH for sure.

 

[CanRebel]

Add the numbers. You would be likely close but with numbers you posted with no other details. I would say you would be within limits.

Are you experienced with towing?

If you going I75, it's relatively easy path for towing.

 

[tron67j]

So 1500 pounds of payload. I generally subtract 200 lbs per person for each including stuff brought into truck. That gets you to 1100 pounds. Another 50 for hitch and stuff, 1050 left. If you have running boards or bed cover subtract about 100 (maybe high, but conservative) gets down to 850 for both. If you have other stuff in bed subtract for that.

Problem with trailers is all the storage is generally in front of the trailer axle so it adds up fast. Dru weight of 5800 does not include battery, propane tanks both of which go right to the hitch weight. So dry tongue weight of 725 goes to 850 before gear in trailer. I would say your tongue weight will be near 1k pounds. You're going to be near or over your weight. With 3.21 gears you are going to struggle in mountains of NY and PA. Think you might want to go a bit lighter in trailer.

 

[Jas34]

You will be bumping up against your maximum payload weight with that trailer. My half ton ram is spec'd about the same as yours and I tow a similar sized trailer (Grand Design Imagine 22mle) and have no issues towing it, though I'm always right up against the max payload, but not close to maxing out either of the axles. My trailer is lighter than yours, though (6995 gvwr).

For a worst case scenario figure 15% of the trailer gvwr for tongue weight. I can guarantee you'll be over the 725 lbs tongue weight the manufacturer claims. Maybe ask others on a forum for your trailer what they are measuring for tongue weights to give you an idea what to expect.

That said, the truck will likely tow that fine, though you may be over your gvwr. If you do decide to get it, make sure you have a weight distribution hitch that is properly set up to move enough weight to the front of the truck. You'll also likely want a set of airbags. Personally, I'd probably want to go with a lighter trailer or a bigger truck.

Just to add...weigh your truck with everything in it including passengers and a tank of gas as you would have it set to go on a trip. Subtract what your weight is from the gvwr listed for your truck on the door jamb. That will tell you what you have left for the tongue of the trailer.

 

[Jas34]

So 1500 pounds of payload. I generally subtract 200 lbs per person for each including stuff brought into truck. That gets you to 1100 pounds. Another 50 for hitch and stuff, 1050 left. If you have running boards or bed cover subtract about 100 (maybe high, but conservative) gets down to 850 for both. If you have other stuff in bed subtract for that.

Problem with trailers is all the storage is generally in front of the trailer axle so it adds up fast. Dru weight of 5800 does not include battery, propane tanks both of which go right to the hitch weight. So dry tongue weight of 725 goes to 850 before gear in trailer. I would say your tongue weight will be near 1k pounds. You're going to be near or over your weight. With 3.21 gears you are going to struggle in mountains of NY and PA. Think you might want to go a bit lighter in trailer.

Agree with everything you said except the last comment about the 3.21 gears. Our trailer is a little lighter than his but no issues with that gearset on our trips through the mountains of SC, NC, KY, TN,WV, PA or NY with ours. The only difference on the highway is that the 3.21 geared truck like mine will be running 1 gear lower than a truck with 3.92 rear end much of the time. That 8 speed tranny makes up for the difference in anything other than an acceleration from a stop. Do agree he may want to go with something lighter, though.

 

[tron67j]

Probably just different driving types explain it. Another family member has 3.21 and seems to work harder. But it gets him there.

 

[mrack]

You can get it home it fine, but with as much towing as you plan to do, get a 2500 sooner rather then later. You’ll wish you had sooner when you do.

 

[Qcman]

Thank you to all of you. I have carefully read each response. I am not worried about the Hemi or the 3.21 gears as what I've read is that I will run out of payload before pulling power as you all seem to note. Here is the trailer specs site.......... https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2022...-grey-wolf-26dbh-travel-trailer-specs-tr54183

I've added the spec decals for my truck in case these are helpful?

 

[Qcman]

Add the numbers. You would be likely close but with numbers you posted with no other details. I would say you would be within limits.

Are you experienced with towing?

If you going I75, it's relatively easy path for towing.

Hi no I'm not experienced towing in the slightest.

 

[CamperMike]

As others said you will be close on payload but otherwise within limits. I tow a slightly smaller trailer with the 3.21 and hemi. With the 8 speed it does fine even in the mountains. The transmission will just be in a lower gear then one with the 3.92.

 

[mtofell]

My initial thoughts are you're in the ballpark. Yeah, a 2500 would be much better but that's not to say you're unsafe with your current truck. With modern 8spd trannies the rear end ratio is less of an issue but you'll likely be close to your max towing (pulling) number.

Payload (carrying on the truck) weight of 1500# is respectable and you can likely stay within all your numbers.

The biggest issue I see is the size of that trailer - 26' without the tongue means close to 30'... that's a lot of trailer behind a half-ton but not out of the question. Like so many of us out there towing you'll need to be very aware of what/where you carry and be sure you're running good tires that are properly inflated for your load.

It looks like you have a pretty good understanding of how "the game" is played - towing/pulling number AND carrying/payload number. Keep us posted and keep asking questions... lots of experience and good info here.

 

[Qcman]

Agree with everything you said except the last comment about the 3.21 gears. Our trailer is a little lighter than his but no issues with that gearset on our trips through the mountains of SC, NC, KY, TN,WV, PA or NY with ours. The only difference on the highway is that the 3.21 geared truck like mine will be running 1 gear lower than a truck with 3.92 rear end much of the time. That 8 speed tranny makes up for the difference in anything other than an acceleration from a stop. Do agree he may want to go with something lighter, though.

So basically I'm likely over on payload when all is taken into account......

 

[CamperMike]

Hi no I'm not experienced towing in the slightest.

Take it slow at first and start with trips close to home. Drive a bit slower on the interstates. And expect it to Rev quite a bit higher when driving then if it weren't towing. Oh and plan for 8mpg or so towing.

 

[Qcman]

Oh heres my truck. I love the RAM so far! I have driven GM's and Fords all through my career from the company I worked for but like the RAM far more than either!

 

[mtofell]

So basically I'm likely over on payload when all is taken into account......

5800# trailer with 1200# of stuff in it = 7000# - assume 13% tongue weight you're at 900# on the truck. 1500# payload - 900# from the trailer means you have 600# for other things on the truck.

There are a lot of assumptions and unknowns in my calculation but from what you describe of your lifestyle it should be close. I'd probably be advising differently if you had 3 teenage kids and 4 dogs to load on the truck

 

[GTyankee]

Get A good hitch
Drive slower, until you feel comfortable towing

Make sure that your trailer bearings are lubricated & your trailers tires have enough Air, do NOT over inflate

After towing for a while, you can decide whether to lighten the cargo, or switch trucks or lighten the trailer
Or keep what you decide to buy.

Definitely install a Mopar Trailer Brake Controller, if you do not already have it.
It interacts with the Ram
The rest of the trailer brake controllers are Less efficient

Good Luck

edited:
10/24/24

 

[BadHemi2014]

These are just some random thoughts as I've never towed anything heavier than a pop up and we have a dually that used to carry a slide in camper. So I'm not the expert here!

One, you will carry more stuff than you think, and that stuff is way heavier than you would expect. Clothes, food, cooking supplies, bedding, power cables, sewer hoses, tools, it adds up quickly.
Two, I think you'd probably be fine with this trailer, but do consider a similar but smaller one. If it's just the two of you, do you need the bunks for example? Be enthusiastic but cautious and hopefully the wife will understand that it's a safety thing. You want these trips to be enjoyable not stressful white knuckle driving.
Good luck and happy travels!

 

[Gero]

It's definitely on the higher end of the limit. Honestly, I would do it. I am very comfortable with towing and have some decent experience with it. With that said, a decent wdh hitch is mandatory (husky ts is what we use). I'd get: LT tires, timbren or sumosprings and maybe a hellwig rear sway bar.

We tow a 21ft travel trailer but it's 25ft with tongue, 7.5ft wide, 5900lb loaded and we are a family of 5. It tows it comfortably. We too are in Eastern Ontario and have taken our trailer to novascotia several times.