My Towing Numbers - Does This Work?

[Pitts2112]

Would appreciate some real-world advice on this truck/camper combo since trying to do it by the numbers has driven me crazy and led me to a lot of conflicting info.

Can I safely tow the following setup a few times a year, trips typically under 250 miles? Ram, camper, and hitch dealers all say "yes", but official numbers are close to limits. I'm mostly concerned about tongue weight being over Ram limit. All the other numbers seem within tolerance. It seems from this thread that with a WDH and proper loading, this shouldn't be a problem, but some experienced perspective would help me a lot.

The truck:
2019 "All-new" Ram 1500, 5.7 Hemi, Quad Cab, 5'7" bed, tow package, Class 4 hitch, 1,200 lb WDH

• Tow capacity = 11,340
• Payload capacity = 1,840
  • Figure about 700 lbs family and bikes in truck, leaves 1,100
• Gross Axle Wt Rear = 4,100
  • Base Axle Wt Rear = 2,166, leaves 1,934
  • but payload limits to 1,100, correct?
• Tongue Wt Limit = 1,045

The camper
2020 Lacrosse 3311RK, 37' overall length
https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2020-prime-time-lacrosse-travel-trailer-floorplan-3311rk-tr45149

• Dry Weight = 8,100
• Cargo Capacity = 3,080
  • in reality probably load to 1,000 - 1,200
• Estimated all-up loaded weight = 9,300
• Tongue Weight = 1,035
  • 10% min = 930
  • 12% target = 1,116
  • 15% max = 1,395

What say the veterans?

Many thanks for any contributions!

 

[Quyonmob]

Massive trailer for a 1500. Living on the edge of catastrophe isn’t where I would want to be.

The load of the wind alone on a trailer that size is huge.

 

[Dennis2]

Hello Pitts2112

Where are you getting your numbers from, brochures or real weights from a scale? Is your truck 4x4? What’s your axle ratio? I was very surprised at the true weight of my truck vs what the brochures stated, not even close. Your truck may have the capabilities of towing such a large trailer of that weight but I highly doubt the payload capacity is that high.

Personally based on all the information posted on this site I would never dream of towing a trailer of that size with a 1500.

 

[Travelin Ram]

Too much trailer for the truck.

 

[392DevilDog]

Those numbers for the truck are for configuration. It is the generic number for that style truck. The cab, bed size, and drivetrain.

You need to input a VIN to get the true number.

I have been chasing payload numbers on the 5th Gen RAM for almost 3 years now. No one has a truck with 18xx payload.

And that is a huge trailer.

I would not do that. But you did start with the right configuration. The quad cab is the configuration for the max tow truck lol

 

[dhay13]

My step-son has a 2019 1500 4x4 with 3.21's. His payload is about 1600 if I remember correctly, maybe a little lower. With 3.21's his tow capacity is only about 8200 so you must have the 3.92's?

I think you will be over payload, or extremely close. 37' is a huge sail. I have been towing for 35 years and I would not be comfortable at all towing that with your truck. A short trip a couple of times a year you might be ok but a longer trip you will be mentally exhausted by the time you get there.

My step-father had a 2011 then a 2014 1500 4x4 3.92s that he towed about a 30' 5th wheel with. 5th wheels are much more stable and he hated it. They only towed it about 12 times in the 5 years they had it because it was so stressful towing. The truck dealer and trailer dealer both told him it would be fine. It weighed about 9000lbs dry.

I had a 2013 1500 Express 4x4 with 3.55s and towed my sons 2018 Grand Design Imagine 2670MK (~6600lb dry) 200 miles and I was fine with it but I did slow down when semi's passed me and I wouldn't have wanted to tow anything any bigger with that truck.

 

[star_deceiver]

Open the door of the truck, it will tell you the true cargo capacity of your specific rig.

Can you tow that trailer with a half ton? Sure...
Would I do it... not a chance.

 

[Elkman]

The GCWR is what matters as that is the maximum total load for which the engine, drivetrain, frame, and brakes are designed to handle.

Spend $15 at a CAT scale and you can quickly determine the true weight of your truck with passengers and gear in the bed as well as the load for the trailer with whatever is inside.

The maximum is just that, the maximum load and if you drive with that amount of load you are pushing the limits of every part of the truck which is a foolish risk.

One thing if you plan to tow a few hundred miles across Kansas but something else again if planning to head into the mountains of Colorado. Over 10,000 lb trailer load I would want a 2500 class truck and get the stronger frame, better brakes, stronger transmission. Over 13,000 lbs I would want a full size diesel engine.

And I would rather have a used low mileage 2500 than a brand new 1500 truck if I was going to be towing over 10,000 lbs on a regular basis.

 

[Firetruck41]

Open the door of the truck, it will tell you the true cargo capacity of your specific rig. View attachment 214719

Can you tow that trailer with a half ton? Sure...
Would I do it... not a chance.

This! ^^^

 

[BWL]

Load up your truck as you would without the trailer. Get it weighed front and rear axles seperate. Compare that to max axle rating and go from there. As long as you don't exceed max axle weight or your licensed gvw you'll be fine if dot decided to check you out.

 

[runamuck]

I would say trailer too big..37' is really going to be the tail wagging the dog on any windy stretch of road and that feeling can be very unnerving. 9300# can be pulled by your ram, they are great at pulling but not so great at cargo carrying. get your truck weighed. my yellow sticker shows I can only have 1324# cargo..7100#-1324# leaves a wt. of 5776# for the truck, but mine weighed 5960# with me (224#) and 1/2 tank of fuel (120#) and a few personal items under the back seat. the math would show me having a 5616# truck with 1484# left for cargo..theoretically. cat scale numbers will give you better info to go by. towing something a little lighter and 6 or 7' shorter will be a lot less stressful

 

[2019RamInSC]

[QUOTE

• Payload capacity = 1,840
• 
  
• 
  
• What say the veterans?

Many thanks for any contributions![/QUOTE]



I can almost guarantee you that your payload capacity is not 1,840. Like recommended above. Check your door sticker. Probably closer to 1300.

And hit the "cat scale"

Your mileage may vary

 

[Marley]

Oh wow, late to the party.

You can't go by dry weight , that's what it weighed off the end of the conveyor belt, factory use only.

That'll end up being a 10K trailer with roughly a 1200 tounge......that's 2500 territory on payload alone.