Need some advice

[H3MI UP]

I have a 2016 Ram qc 1500 4wd with 8 speed trans and 3.21 gears. I also have a rcx 6"lift with 35-12.50 20. I am looking at buying a small travel trailer. I am looking for something under 21ft for my hunting camp. I want be pulling the trailer but a few times and year and mostly flat land. My question is will my truck pull it and will I have any issues? Any of you guys pulling with a lifted set up like me? Just looking for info and advice..

 

[H3MI UP]

Looking at campers like these

 

[H3MI UP]

Not looking at nothing big...

 

[muzupan]

It will pull it fine you just need to get a drop shank to make sure the trailer switch level.

 

[H3MI UP]

Thanks for the info

 

[mdmachiavelli]

Looking at campers like these

What make and model is this camper, I would like to look up the specs?

 

[maxx442]

With 3.21 gears and 35's you have no torque band left. The 6" lift also reduces your safe towing capacity. Yes, your truck will move it, just not safely or efficiently.

 

[Ratket]

^^^^ I would disregard that post-
Just get a drop hitch, I am
Sure with 35"s and 3:21"s you still have plenty of torque/hp- not like it's a damn race-

 

[TRCM]

^^^^ I would disregard that post-
Just get a drop hitch, I am
Sure with 35"s and 3:21"s you still have plenty of torque/hp- not like it's a damn race-

Disregard the truth ??????

While he will still be able to move the camper, the post is true....I can put a 6" lift & 40" tires on a 4 cyl jeep, and it will still move, but it will have no torque for acceleration, and no power to tow with, and the lift will make towing questionable.

 

[H3MI UP]

So not a good idea huh

 

[TRCM]

So not a good idea huh

Not a great idea, but not un-doable.

Just be aware that the lift will affect handling even more so with the camper in tow, and the acceleration will be lacking, so anytime you may need instant power, it probably won't be there.

 

[Ratket]

omg.. I didn't realize he had no idea. My bad-
Op-
Do you notice it takes longer to stop ur truck with 35"s? - it should because of the added weight and size of the tires. So take that into account when trying to stop. As far as not having enough power I can't tell wich motor you have but I see you have the 8 speed transmition- so am I safe to assume you have the 5.7 hemi? If you do when you mash the gas pedal does it Cherp those 35"s.
If it does then you clearly have enough power and torque to drag that little trailer around. Do you have a brake controller?
Also do you have a link to the stats of that trailer you are looking at?
Don't let three opinions sway ur mind - wait for more to post.

Anyone else with a lifted half ton towing that can chime in?

 

[Ratket]

Found the specs on the trailer -
Hitch weight of like 350 pounds-
Dry total weight of like 3200 pounds.
There where 3 different floor plans - I pasted the heaviest-

If you want to know what 3k pounds is gonna feel like behind it truck- get a u haul car trailer toss a good size sedan on it and see how it feels. I am sure we have members on the forums that have lifted 1/2 tons that tow heavier loads on a daily basis and hopefully they chime in

 

[H3MI UP]

omg.. I didn't realize he had no idea. My bad-
Op-
Do you notice it takes longer to stop ur truck with 35"s? - it should because of the added weight and size of the tires. So take that into account when trying to stop. As far as not having enough power I can't tell wich motor you have but I see you have the 8 speed transmition- so am I safe to assume you have the 5.7 hemi? If you do when you mash the gas pedal does it Cherp those 35"s.
If it does then you clearly have enough power and torque to drag that little trailer around. Do you have a brake controller?
Also do you have a link to the stats of that trailer you are looking at?
Don't let three opinions sway ur mind - wait for more to post.

Anyone else with a lifted half ton towing that can chime in?

I bought the truck from my local dodge dealer and they factory lifted it. So I have no idea how it was stock since it's been on there from day one. I have never tried to do a burn out but I'm sure if I tried it would. I had a 2005 hemi ram quad cab 4x4 with the factory 20s and 305/55/20 (33") nitto terra grapplers and my current truck feels just as strong or stronger with the same tires but in 35-12.50 20. I had the 3.92 gears in my 2005 and 3.21 with my 2016 and honestly I can't tell a lot of difference between the too acceleration wise. I tow a 1720 center console key west boat and really can't tell it's back there and also 3 Honda 4x4 atvs (1 in the truck and 2 on a trailer) with no problem! Like I said not looking for a big camper at all. Just need one big enough for me and the wife to use a couple of times a year and mostly at the hunting club.

 

[H3MI UP]

Here is my 2005 beside my 2016 for reference

 

[Rzrman328]

Haha dude...you'll be fine.

Common sense, safe speed, proper distance etc...

I personally would look into trailers with tandem axle....that single axle **** is for the birds.

 

[TRCM]

omg.. I didn't realize he had no idea. My bad-
Op-
Do you notice it takes longer to stop ur truck with 35"s? - it should because of the added weight and size of the tires. So take that into account when trying to stop. As far as not having enough power I can't tell wich motor you have but I see you have the 8 speed transmition- so am I safe to assume you have the 5.7 hemi? If you do when you mash the gas pedal does it Cherp those 35"s.
If it does then you clearly have enough power and torque to drag that little trailer around. Do you have a brake controller?
Also do you have a link to the stats of that trailer you are looking at?
Don't let three opinions sway ur mind - wait for more to post.

Anyone else with a lifted half ton towing that can chime in?

I did chime in......

My current rig isn't lifted, and it will not chirp the stock tires unless I turn off traction control.....

I have towed with a 1/2 ton rig that had more lift, more gear, and more power, and it still sucked. o

It did it, just like I said in a previous reply, but it had almost no acceleration and the sway and handling was at times scarey.


As I also said, he'll just have to be more careful. Sure he knows it slower now with the tires, and I'm sure he knows it will be even worse with the trailer.

 

[GsRAM]

i think you'll be fine if you stay within your payload capacity. just take your time. you are losing some effective overall gear ratio by having the taller tires which will reduce bottom end torque some.

still i think if you stay under 5,000 lb GVWR and under 25' overall ball to bumper, you'll be fine.

do check your weights and don't overliad your truck. make sure your wdh is adjusted properly and buy a good quality wdh with built in sway control like the equalizer or something similar. good luck

 

[Ratket]

You will be fine - but like stated above - try to find something with tandem axles as it will tow better but at the same time that trailer is so small it may be ok as a single axle.