Poor handling while towing

[VirtualRAM]

My RAM is a 2014 1500 Big Horn, Crew Cab, short box, 5.7L, 3.2 gears. It's 17mos old with 13K miles.

Apparently I made the mistake in downgrading from a 2003 2500 to this 2014 1500.

Since my downgrade, I purchased a Triton HD22 car hauler that I use to tow 2 larger size ATVs. My total trailer weight + ATVs is around 6500lbs, so well under the 8000lbs my truck is rated for.

While towing the trailer, the whole truck vibrates, especially in the 50-60MPH range, which is where I do most of my driving. I've had the tires on the vehicle and trailer balanced.

Thinking the problem is obviously the trailer, I had my brother with is RAM 2500 CTD tow it. It was solid as a rock, no vibration whatsoever. I even used the same drop receiver and ball just to make sure it wasn't an out of spec ball (2 5/16).

Adding insult, I tried towing a 14' single axle utilitly trailer that was empty. It felt like it was throwing the back end of the truck around like a sumo wrestler.

Again, it towed fine with the 2500.

Before I bring this thing back to the dealer (I love the way it drives and handles when it's NOT towing) and take it up the u know what in trade for a 2500, what am I doing wrong?

What should I be looking for? What should the dealer service department be checking for?

 

[stoney]

Have you hauled anything heavy in the bed of your truck before, was it fine if so?

 

[tjfdesmo]

Is the truck squatting? Air bags may help keep the truck from pitching, thus making for a more relaxed tow. I have towed my box trailer with two different half-tons, and three different three-quarter tons, and it is a much more relaxed ride with the heavier truck. No way around it.

 

[VirtualRAM]

Attached is a picture of the trailer loaded up. Truck doesn't seem to be squatting too bad. If anything, maybe I need a longer drop hitch?

I've read about the leveling bags on here. Not sure I could install them myself. I don't want to go pouring too much money into the truck without some solid guidance as to what could be wrong.

I haven't had a chance to put anything too heavy in just the bed. A couple hundred pounds of sand in bags would probably be about the heaviest. Didn't seem to cause any issues.

 

[BossHogg]

I'd do what stoney suggested, get few hundred pounds in the bed and see if the vibration is present. If it is, now the dealer has something to fix instead of hearing that awful "can't duplicate customer's concern".

I've towed 7.2K behind my 2013 1500, 3:21s with the eight speed, 18 foot flatbed with tractor and implements without issues. You should be fine with a 1500.

 

[stoney]

Attached is a picture of the trailer loaded up. Truck doesn't seem to be squatting too bad. If anything, maybe I need a longer drop hitch?

I've read about the leveling bags on here. Not sure I could install them myself. I don't want to go pouring too much money into the truck without some solid guidance as to what could be wrong.

I haven't had a chance to put anything too heavy in just the bed. A couple hundred pounds of sand in bags would probably be about the heaviest. Didn't seem to cause any issues.

I know you stated the same thing occurs with an empty trailer, but in that picture, you have the bulk of the weight at the rear of the trailer, never good, try switching those vehicles so the heavier one is up front.

 

[SlowRoller]

,,, and add Airlift 1,000's,,, (under $100 for the parts)

 

[14hemiexpress]

Something's wrong I have pulled lots of trailer with my ram and none of them have ever acted like you are describing. Just few weeks ago pulled a car hauler with mgb on it total weight in the 4500lb range on a 16ft steel top car hauler pulled it down the highway at 75 with no problems didn't wag didn't throw the truck around when I switched lanes it was like it wasn't even back there. A while back I pulled a buddy's keep on the same trailer same thing pulled awesome at 65 that was a little closer to 5500lbs total. I have pulled that car hauler, a 18ft tandem, and a 18ft equipment trailer trailer grosses at 14k empty weighs 2800lbs and had no problems pulling that empty or weighing 6k. I also have experience in pulling with 3/4 and 1tons to me this truck pulls awesome.

 

[silver surfer]

Agree with Stoney. If you can't switch them, at least turn the rear vehicle around and get that engine weight over the axles. Looks like too much weight behind the wheels right now.

 

[tjfdesmo]

Yes, I'd load the Ranger first, then back the RZR on to get the weight closer to the axles. I imagine that will make her squat a bit, but airbags are cheap and easy.

 

[MADDOG]

The larger percentage of your weight is on the back of the trailer and it should be towards the front.

This can cause some lifting of the hitch away from the truck and creating some stability issues.

 

[drittal]

I have a small atv trailer that tows like crap empty. They dang thing doesn't have enough tongue weight to keep the receiver from rattling like mad up and down. Put a quad or weight on it and it pulls like a dream.

 

[Andy578]

yeah put the heavier one up front. i do kinda doubt that's the entire issue but it would balance the weight much better and maybe help. also try to put them both facing forwards or they catch more wind which will use more fuel and could cause some vibrations

 

[VirtualRAM]

Thanks for all the comments.

The heavier part of the Ranger is actually the back, so I already have the heviest part of the Ranger over the axles. I would really like to tow the Ranger backwards as the doors are suicide doors, and the Polaris latches aren't that great.

Would it be too much tongue weight to back the Ranger on, then back the RZR on as well? I fear the Ranger at probably 1800-20o0lbs will be too much tongue weight.

 

[Andy578]

Thanks for all the comments.

The heavier part of the Ranger is actually the back, so I already have the heviest part of the Ranger over the axles. I would really like to tow the Ranger backwards as the doors are suicide doors, and the Polaris latches aren't that great.

Would it be too much tongue weight to back the Ranger on, then back the RZR on as well? I fear the Ranger at probably 1800-20o0lbs will be too much tongue weight.

if you're worried about the weight you could load the RZR sideways giving you room to pull the ranger up more. also if you're worried about the doors you could also put a strap around it to keep em shut

 

[audio1der]

^Doh! I was just going to suggest a ratchet strap or 2 around the Ranger.
Try all the combinations; one will work. It doesn't sound like something is wrong with the truck, just need to dial in the trailer.

 

[drittal]

Try different combos. Hell, just loading the RZR backwards might help. Also, make sure rear tires are inflated properly. When my dad bought his 2012 3500 he was disappointed with how wiggly the truck felt pulling his toy hauler. He was going to buy new tires until he checked the pressures and found out why it rode so smooth. The dealer had 50psi front and back.

 

[DannyMK2]

Would it be too much tongue weight to back the Ranger on, then back the RZR on as well? I fear the Ranger at probably 1800-20o0lbs will be too much tongue weight.

most likely not. you should be fine.

 

[VirtualRAM]

I don't believe it's possible to load the RZR sideways. It's 106" long, front tire to back tire. The trailer is only 101" wide. I'd be missing 5" somewhere. I'd like to do it though, it would allow me to get another 1UP wheeler on there! LOL...

I'll try some other combinations, though.

 

[Dubstep Shep]

I've towed quite a few things with my truck and only ever had a problem once.

That was when I was pulling an enclosed trailer with stuff in it. The trailer was starting to wag back and forth around 60mph. Turns out I had too much weight in the rear of the trailer, as moving it towards the front solved the issue.

I've pulled a 3000# trailer with a 3200# car several times now and never had a single issue, because now I air my airlift bags to about 38psi, then pull the car forward until the truck is about level with maybe the rear a tiiiiiny bit higher than the front.