Pulling a Camper

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pmk5150

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I have a 08 1500 5.7L Quad Cab Big Horn 20" wheels, have no idea what gear in rear is the tag on the axle is gone and no sticker in glove box. I am looking at getting a 24-26' travel trailer, gonna keep it lite under 7k passengers and gear included. Just looking for any advice, as far as tire size and factory trans cooler.
 

RonJon '06

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If you go to the link below and type in your VIN# under Your Vehicle--->Equipment Listing it will tell you your gear ratio and should tell you your towing capacity.

Dodge - Contact Us

If you have the tow package then you have a larger transmission cooler. They did make an even larger trans cooler in 2003 that has 24 rows and some guys including myself have installed this on the newer 3rd gens. :welcome:
 
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pmk5150

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that was exactly what I was looking for, I was scared i had a 3:21 rear gear and was afraid to tow with that.
 

MegaMouseGW

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that was exactly what I was looking for, I was scared i had a 3:21 rear gear and was afraid to tow with that.
My daughters 07 with the 4.7l has the 3.21 rear end and the truck used to be mine. I would tow damn near anything with it. Her truck is a 1500 long wheelbase crew cab. Never had any problems with it except when I tried to pull my friends 30 foot fishing boat. I could not get the damn boat out of the water on the ramp we used. It was just too steep. Ended up getting a guy with a 3500 ram to pull us up.

Gave the truck to her for her 16th birthday.
 

RamRod37

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Dang 3.21 My 2005 1500 4.7 With the 5 speed has A 3.92 in it but still only runs 1900 to 2100 RPM's between 70 and 75 MPH
 

MegaMouseGW

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My daughters truck runs around 79 mph at 2000 rpm with the new 20" wheels she bought (why did she have them powdercoated PINK???)
 

ManAndHisRAM

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I am running an 08 6.7L Cummins which I bought at arrigoftpierce.com, and I have always towed things for work, but I am looking to purchase an RV this fall, and travel this winter with work slowing down and all. I am looking at this: Interstate RV - RV Dealer Fort Pierce Florida (Cedar Creek Day Dreamer).

Anyone have any insight on the RV itself? Or any recommendations, as I am not sure my 2500 will handle it. I expect to only drive regionally. I do intend on upgrading to the 3500 eventually--but right now I am hoping to make due with the 2500 for another year or so... Any advice would be great! thank you.
 

hounddog

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20" OEM wheels are packaged with 3.92 gearing after the first year Dodge offered 20" wheels. They discovered the 3.55 gearing is crap and fried a ton of transmissions , thus its packaged together now.
 

NYCruiser

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20" OEM wheels are packaged with 3.92 gearing after the first year Dodge offered 20" wheels. They discovered the 3.55 gearing is crap and fried a ton of transmissions , thus its packaged together now.

I have 20" wheels and 3:55's on my '14. When are you saying they stopped doing that?
 

hounddog

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2017 laramie 2500 credit cab 4x4 cummins
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6.7 Cummins
I am running an 08 6.7L Cummins which I bought at arrigoftpierce.com, and I have always towed things for work, but I am looking to purchase an RV this fall, and travel this winter with work slowing down and all. I am looking at this: Interstate RV - RV Dealer Fort Pierce Florida (Cedar Creek Day Dreamer).

Anyone have any insight on the RV itself? Or any recommendations, as I am not sure my 2500 will handle it. I expect to only drive regionally. I do intend on upgrading to the 3500 eventually--but right now I am hoping to make due with the 2500 for another year or so... Any advice would be great! thank you.

Dry base weight for that is 12,550lbs with a dry base pin weight of 2,168lbs.
Without know actual options and weights its likely your truck be over its GVWR, payload, GAWR.

By how much is hard to say. You would need to have it weighed on the truck to get that info. Being overweight by more then a couple hundred pounds exposes you to liability and criminal charges should you be involved in a crash, more so if someone is hurt or killed.

Your truck will pull it, but how safely is the big question. Only you know how well you 'really' maintain your vehicle.

Lastly, I tried pulling our 5er with a couple 2500s. They pulled it, they stopped it, and it wasn't unsafe. But, the camper was usually in charge of the truck and it could be a white knuckle ride at times. But it did it. Driver experience ultimately decides if its a.good idea or not, and you are the only one who can determine if your comfortable with it.

Oh, and don't forget hitch weight. If your truck is a short bed you really need a slider hitch. A regular hitch adds 90-130lbs. Slider adds quite a bit more weight.
 
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hounddog

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If you're going only a couple hours it should be OK. Just keep your packing load light and try to center it behind the axles of the camper.

Look into airbags. Airlift 5000 would help dramatically.
 
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