Lifted, Towing Capacity, and Gear Ratio

[Dan87]

I’ve got a 2019 Ram 1500 Classic 4x4 Crew Cab Hemi 5.7 8-speed with 3.21 axle. The tuck has a 4” lift kit from Mopar and 35” tires. I got it new this year and had no plans on towing, but now we are getting a trailer in the next couple of weeks and I’m concerned about the towing capacity of my truck with this setup.

The trailer is about 5800-7000 pounds and 28’ in length. I would be towing it around 4 times a year.

I have been reading about the difference between 3.21 and 3.92 and some people say 3.21 is fine with the new transmissions nowadays, but for others 3.92 is a must. I have seen that with the 3.92 I could have gained roughly 3000 lbs in towing capacity.

Questions are,
- with my truck the way it is, would I still be OK towing this trailer?
- is it a possibility to replace the axle from 3.21 to 3.92? If so, is it a crazy amount of money? Would I need it?
- I have heard some people mentioning some type of air bag on the rear. What exactly are these? Would they go by any name/brand specifically so I can ask around for pricing? Would these help with the rear drop and try to level with front a bit more since my truck is lifted?
- would there be anything else that would be recommended for me in case changing the axle is not a possibility?

Thanks!

 

[Ohio5pt7]

Your truck will handle 7500lbs loaded no issues. And swapping gears is about 3k minimum on a 4wd unless you do it yourself even then 2k.

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[Ohio5pt7]

O and get a good weight distribution hitch airbags arent a bad idea there are airlift or timber grove. I am going with airlift 5k bags with a onboard compressor for mine.

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[jvbuttex]

short answers..
yes you can swap out the gears, looking $500-$1000 for gear swap, X 2 for the 4x4 u have, front and rear need to match.
Air bags, yes do a search in this towing forum, they help to level out the truck, however they wont increase your towing capacity.

 

[Dan87]

Just an update here with more numbers.

Truck sticker:
GVWR: 6900 lbs
Weight of cargo: 1333 lbs max

Trailer sticker:
GVWR: 6995 lbs
UVW: 5834 lbs
Weight of cargo: 1121 lbs max

Spoke with my local Chrysler dealer and they don't swap the gears, would have to be an aftermarket shop.
So if my lifted 3.21 is fine for towing this I wouldn't consider replacing it with 3.92.
Would appreciate on tips for improving the sag/drop that it will have.

I've found these charts too that show the towing capacity:
https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/dam/fca-brands/na/ramtrucks/en_us/towing/2018 Ram 1500.pdf
https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/d..._Tow_Official_Report_OFFICIAL_A_2018-1-31.pdf

I guess I'm just worried I would be maxing it out and damage something or be unsafe to do it since it is my first time towing something.

 

[Ohio5pt7]

Just an update here with more numbers.

Truck sticker:
GVWR: 6900 lbs
Weight of cargo: 1333 lbs max

Trailer sticker:
GVWR: 6995 lbs
UVW: 5834 lbs
Weight of cargo: 1121 lbs max

Spoke with my local Chrysler dealer and they don't swap the gears, would have to be an aftermarket shop.
So if my lifted 3.21 is fine for towing this I wouldn't consider replacing it with 3.92.
Would appreciate on tips for improving the sag/drop that it will have.

I've found these charts too that show the towing capacity:
https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/dam/fca-brands/na/ramtrucks/en_us/towing/2018 Ram 1500.pdf
https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/d..._Tow_Official_Report_OFFICIAL_A_2018-1-31.pdf

I guess I'm just worried I would be maxing it out and damage something or be unsafe to do it since it is my first time towing something.

Stay as light as you can on your tt mine is 5807 dry which is useless most dont travel dry. Add propane clothes and other randoms closer to 7500lbs. I have a 18 crew cab 4x4 with 3.21s with a 6" lift and heavy 24x14 and 35x12.5s. I definitely feel the difference but still now issues. A good wdh is a must. I'm going to get a bulletproof drop hitch now that mine sits so high. Airbags will help again going with the airlift 5k with onboard compressor. They have 1k bags but no spacer for the lift. Good rule of thumb is if it has the dry weight assume 1500 more than that sticker. Power wise my truck could tow a hell of a lot more than the rating but stopping it and keeping it under control are a different story. Also if your truck doesnt have it get a trailer brake controller.

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[Dan87]

Thanks so much for the update!
I just got the Mopar brake controller added today.
I have also added the sway bars for the TT.
I will definitely take a look at the airbags.

 

[rule18]

Just an update here with more numbers.

Truck sticker:
GVWR: 6900 lbs
Weight of cargo: 1333 lbs max

Trailer sticker:
GVWR: 6995 lbs
UVW: 5834 lbs
Weight of cargo: 1121 lbs max

Spoke with my local Chrysler dealer and they don't swap the gears, would have to be an aftermarket shop.
So if my lifted 3.21 is fine for towing this I wouldn't consider replacing it with 3.92.
Would appreciate on tips for improving the sag/drop that it will have.

I've found these charts too that show the towing capacity:
https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/dam/fca-brands/na/ramtrucks/en_us/towing/2018 Ram 1500.pdf
https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/d..._Tow_Official_Report_OFFICIAL_A_2018-1-31.pdf

I guess I'm just worried I would be maxing it out and damage something or be unsafe to do it since it is my first time towing something.

Part of the solution to your sag/drop is a weight distribution hitch (others have mentioned it) in order to shift some of that extra weight from your rear axle onto your front axle. Airbags won't do that, they'll just raise the rear end.

 

[OC455]

Air assist springs are great for stabilizing the rear of the truck like Timber Grove or Air Lift.

I saw this video earlier and it does explain in my mind a good way to use air assist springs with your weigh distribution hitch: You should use CAT scales to get the weights right depending on your WDH.

Again, getting a good WDH will help more than anything.

https://www.weigh-safe.com/product/true-tow-weight-distribution-hitch/

Just learned about the Weigh-Safe WDH, wish these were out when I was purchasing....pretty much fool proof set up the way it is utilized.

 

[Ohio5pt7]

Air assist springs are great for stabilizing the rear of the truck like Timber Grove or Air Lift.

I saw this video earlier and it does explain in my mind a good way to use air assist springs with your weigh distribution hitch: You should use CAT scales to get the weights right depending on your WDH.

Again, getting a good WDH will help more than anything.

https://www.weigh-safe.com/product/true-tow-weight-distribution-hitch/

Just learned about the Weigh-Safe WDH, wish these were out when I was purchasing....pretty much fool proof set up the way it is utilized.

That is a sweet hitch

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[69GWC]

I also tow a 7,200lb 26' trailer with a 5.7 -8sp -3:21s and heavy 35s, truck does it with no problems. Sure 3:92s would be better but not something you haft to have.

 

[OC455]

That is a sweet hitch

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Yeah, I guess it was debut in Dec 2019 and available in April of this year. I would have saved money for it just because it looks fool proof as it gets.

 

[dhay13]

You will be real close to your tow limits. My step-son has a 2019 1500 with 3.21's and his tow capacity is about 8250lbs. He tows about a 6500-7000lb 26' camper. He says it tows it fine but he wishes he had went with 3.92s. His truck is 100% stock. Your biggest issue will be stability with having a lift kit and bigger tires. If you get the WDH and weights set up properly you should be ok but I would keep speeds on the lower side of things

 

[Dan87]

Air assist springs are great for stabilizing the rear of the truck like Timber Grove or Air Lift.

I saw this video earlier and it does explain in my mind a good way to use air assist springs with your weigh distribution hitch: You should use CAT scales to get the weights right depending on your WDH.

Again, getting a good WDH will help more than anything.

https://www.weigh-safe.com/product/true-tow-weight-distribution-hitch/

Just learned about the Weigh-Safe WDH, wish these were out when I was purchasing....pretty much fool proof set up the way it is utilized.

That's awesome. Thanks for sharing!

 

[tron67j]

Before you spend money on bags, try a good weight distribution hitch. Lots of opinions throughout this forum, but my personal experience with the over 20 trailers my family has towed for 30+ years: always was able to fully level out the ride with WDH. Not one truck, SUV or van have needed bags for a properly loaded tow vehicle and trailer. A sagging hitch area of a rig means a excessive load of tow vehicle and/or trailer; the WDH is improperly set up, or a combination of both. Lifting a rear end of a tow vehicle with bags will not properly redistribute weight to front axle, and you will have steering and braking problems.

 

[Dan87]

Before you spend money on bags, try a good weight distribution hitch. Lots of opinions throughout this forum, but my personal experience with the over 20 trailers my family has towed for 30+ years: always was able to fully level out the ride with WDH. Not one truck, SUV or van have needed bags for a properly loaded tow vehicle and trailer. A sagging hitch area of a rig means a excessive load of tow vehicle and/or trailer; the WDH is improperly set up, or a combination of both. Lifting a rear end of a tow vehicle with bags will not properly redistribute weight to front axle, and you will have steering and braking problems.

I see. I just checked this video and it seems to explain that well. WDH really seems to make a big difference and should be a must. I'll start with that and will check on the sag and try to fix it the proper way. Thanks!