Tongue Weight Max?

[gsinclair]

I've got a 2017 BigHorn with the 3.21 axle, and I'm trying to figure out what RV camper I can tow. One of the things I'm struggling with is the the hitch. It's a Class 4 hitch, but on the bumper, it says max tongue load of 500 lbs. Is that 500 lb limit for the bumper (if it had a ball on it) or for the hitch underneath?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ohio5pt7]

Max will be on the hitch nothing in the bumper is relevant if your not pulling from it.

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[392DevilDog]

The bumper is 500/5000. It is a class 3 hitch.

The class 4 reciever hitch should be 1100/11000.

But, anything over 500/5000 is to have WDH.

I have too many of the differences between 4th gen and 5th Gen right now...but this is ballpark lol

 

[mtnrider]

Class 4 hitch is rated for 1000lbs tongue and 10,000 towing. Far more then you should be putting behind that truck so no worries with that. 500 is just the bumper which you aren't using so doesn't mater.


.

 

[392DevilDog]

8. The recommended tongue weight for a conventional hitch is 10 percent of the gross trailer weight. The maximum tongue weight for Class IV receiver hitch is limited to 1100 lb.
9. Weight Distributing Hitch is recommended for trailers over 5,000 lb.

Straight from the towing guide

 

[CamperMike]

When you are figuring the size of the RV, ignore the dry tongue weight in the brochures. Figure 12-15% of loaded weight (often this will be close to the GVWR of the trailer). 26' box or smaller is probably what you're looking for. We went with 23' with slide (around 26' total length).

 

[Ohio5pt7]

I have a 18 crew cab 4x4 hemi with the 3.21s I pull forest river wildwood 263xlbh weighs about 7500 loaded. Truck as pulled it thousands of miles no issues. That's includes thru mountains.

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[Ramcharger60]

The maximum your truck can tow is 8k. But you have to include passengers and cargo in the truck. You should stay at least 10-15% below that to be safe.

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[GsRAM]

When you are figuring the size of the RV, ignore the dry tongue weight in the brochures. Figure 12-15% of loaded weight (often this will be close to the GVWR of the trailer). 26' box or smaller is probably what you're looking for. We went with 23' with slide (around 26' total length).

This is spot on. With your highway gears I'd suggest you look for trailers 26' and under overall length and 7k gvwr and under (preferably around 6k gvwr or so with those gears)

Just my .02. Good luck

 

[2003F350]

This is spot on. With your highway gears I'd suggest you look for trailers 26' and under overall length and 7k gvwr and under (preferably around 6k gvwr or so with those gears)

Just my .02. Good luck

Yeah, I mean there are some ultra-lite trailers that give you more length under the 7k weight, but for your truck I wouldn't recommend it. They're still big, they actually get pushed around MORE because of their size to weight ratio, and overall it's just not worth the risks involved. Safety is #1.

 

[Scott S]

I've got a 2017 BigHorn with the 3.21 axle, and I'm trying to figure out what RV camper I can tow. One of the things I'm struggling with is the the hitch. It's a Class 4 hitch, but on the bumper, it says max tongue load of 500 lbs. Is that 500 lb limit for the bumper (if it had a ball on it) or for the hitch underneath?

Thanks in advance.

Find out your specific trucks towing/payload capacity here:


https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing-guide.html

 

[crash68]

Find out your specific trucks towing/payload capacity here:


https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing-guide.html

That website look up can be wrong... according to it I can't even be in my truck as it lists my payload as 0 lbs
For accurate numbers for any vehicle look up the SAE J2807 charts.

 

[Ramcharger60]

That website look up can be wrong... according to it I can't even be in my truck as it lists my payload as 0 lbs
For accurate numbers for any vehicle look up the SAE J2807 charts.

I looked up my VIN and it said my max cargo is 800lbs. Towing capacity 10,590. That cannot be right

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[Scott S]

That website look up can be wrong... according to it I can't even be in my truck as it lists my payload as 0 lbs
For accurate numbers for any vehicle look up the SAE J2807 charts.

It may not be accurate beyond the last few years. Mine was spot on as were several others I ran when looking for a truck. It is supposed to take into consideration your vehicle as built is my understanding.

 

[392DevilDog]

They redid the configurator.

With a check of about 10 trucks it was spot on. Then we got 3 that were off.

So still not fixed correctly.

It works back to 2009 for 1500 and 2010 for HeavyDuty.

The charts are way off as they are for a base model in that CONFIGURATION. So a tradesman will be close...a limited not so much.

IE. cab size bed size and 4x4 or 4x2.

You really have to get in your head GVWR and GCWR.

GAWR can not be exceeded...but you can fudge GVWR and GCWR a bit. You just have to understand the way they do the testing and consider your driving terrain and conditions.

Most of your concerns with GVWR will be to be within GAWR.

Most of your concerns with GCWR will be with braking and from dead starts or passing situations.

And a trip to a scale is about the only way you can be sure.

So, familiarize yourself with the towing requirements for the standardized test. Familiarize your self with your trucks ratings. And then head to a scale.

 

[crash68]

It may not be accurate beyond the last few years. Mine was spot on as were several others I ran when looking for a truck. It is supposed to take into consideration your vehicle as built is my understanding.

What could the factory possibly build on my truck that would equate to a 0lbs payload and per the "Payload Police" with that I can't drive my own truck. My truck is a '15 so it's not that old. I've read about this happening with other people's trucks.
The web look up like a lot of the things on the internet..just because it's on the internet doesn't mean it's yrue. You can build combinations of vehicles that the dealer can't order and there is combinations available that is not on the website.
The SAE J2807 are officially published documents and actually weighing your vehicle/trailer will tell you what you need to know. Ram was the first to implement the SAE standard for towing starting with the '15 model yr.

 

[Loudram]

I looked up my VIN and it said my max cargo is 800lbs. Towing capacity 10,590. That cannot be right

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It's not. Your payload can be found on the yellow sticker. That has your CCC. Your towing will be around the high 7k to low to mid 8k range with 3.21 gears and around 10k with 3.92 gears. For specific tow numbers consult a chart, which one? Can't tell ya.

Depending on the chart my tow rating is either 10300 or 10600 lbs. My payload is 1500 lbs.

That'll give you a ball park number.

 

[Sam Ram]

I've got a 2017 BigHorn with the 3.21 axle, and I'm trying to figure out what RV camper I can tow. One of the things I'm struggling with is the the hitch. It's a Class 4 hitch, but on the bumper, it says max tongue load of 500 lbs. Is that 500 lb limit for the bumper (if it had a ball on it) or for the hitch underneath?

Thanks in advance.

What engine do you have? 3.6 penstar, 5.7 Hemi or a 3L EcoDiesel? Also whats knowing your bed size will help t
determine your tow capacity.

 

[Sam Ram]

Here check out this 2015 chart for towing capacities based on engine, transmission, bed size and rear axle drive.

 

[CaptOchs]

I use Trailerlife tow guides. There are lots of factors like cab, bed, axle, etc. They do a pretty good job breaking it down. Dealerships generally are clueless.

https://www.trailerlife.com/trailer-towing-guides

Once you have your max tow, look for a trailer that weighs roughly 70% of that number empty. Get a decent weight distribution kit and it should be comfortable to tow.