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- Dec 26, 2013
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- 2018 Rebel
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- 5.7L HEMI
Does your factory tow package include the trailer brake controller and tow mirrors? You will need both.
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A horse trailer isn't the same as a camper, the load is more centered over the axles on a horse trailer than an RV. Same can be said for a flatbed or even an enclosed cargo trailer. You also have the added benefit of being able to move the weight around at least somewhat to get weight off the truck.Sounds like most of the people are saying what you SHOULD do, not necessarily giving advice on what you are GOING to do. In my opinion you should be fine, I’ve been in the same situation before. Stick with no air support, no WD hitch and a 2in leveling kit. Towed a 3 horse trailer totaling around 8000lbs at highway speeds with zero issues as far as braking and sway goes. Yes it squatted some but that’s to be expected. Make sure the brakes on the trailer work and you will be fine.
As far as your comment goes about the weight distribution being different, that is completely dependent on the trailer. This for example was a 3 horse slant with a tack room in front so the axles were most definitely not centered. A loaded tack room plus 2 out of the 3 horses being on or in front of the axles adds pretty comparable tongue weight and handling characteristics as a travel trailer. I still stand by my first comment, he will be fine.A horse trailer isn't the same as a camper, the load is more centered over the axles on a horse trailer than an RV. Same can be said for a flatbed or even an enclosed cargo trailer. You also have the added benefit of being able to move the weight around at least somewhat to get weight off the truck.
An RV basically has its weight distribution fixed, and you can't really move much of it around. Furniture, appliances, beds, etc. are all fixed in place. Sure you can move clothes and items you add around, but generally speaking it's not enough to offset the weights. An RV is also wider and taller than a horse trailer generally.
All that said, I have seen the effects of pulling without the proper equipment. It is disastrous. It's not safe.
I almost watched my FIL make the same mistake. He was picking up and moving a 38 foot travel trailer with his F250 to take 50 miles up to their vacation property. Tried to convince him to buy at minimum a WDH, because it had something like 1200 lbs of tongue weight. He didn't, then tried to get on the expressway. He couldn't run over 35 mph, and even a small side wind almost shoved him off the road. We ended up getting off the expressway and going to find one. I had to set it up in a parking lot for him so he could get it up there. He got a cheap one and didn't get a sway control, so while it was better...it was still all over the place.
I'll say it again. Bare minimum you're going to want a WDH, even if it's a basic one. Sway control is highly suggested, even if it's a stand-alone one which for some reason no one on this site but me prefers. With that much weight trailer brakes are highly suggested, so if you don't have a brake controller get one. I doubt you'd need air bags, but even then those are something to add in AFTER all of the above.
If you towed that on a class IV or V with a 1500, you were living dangerously. You had a ridiculously unloaded front axle that could easily have lost traction and therefore steering. You likely had a tongue weight in excess of 1,000 lbs which is well past when you should have had a WDH.As far as your comment goes about the weight distribution being different, that is completely dependent on the trailer. This for example was a 3 horse slant with a tack room in front so the axles were most definitely not centered. A loaded tack room plus 2 out of the 3 horses being on or in front of the axles adds pretty comparable tongue weight and handling characteristics as a travel trailer. I still stand by my first comment, he will be fine.
You have plenty of power etc. If you MUST tow without leveling bars at least get two sway bars, and do not exceed 65MPH, on the best roads.I think that leveling kit is going to be a killer for you. Truck power wise you’ll be good with the 3.92. I towed a similar sized (tad smaller) trailer with my 17 1500 with 3.21 never an issue. It was stock height with e rated tires and a stout hitch, set up right.
I would agree with some of the other posters, you’re going to be maxed out by the numbers and most likely feel it. The RV dealer when I was looking to by the one I had now said sure you can pull this or that with your truck but we require rams to have air bags to leave with it.
All that being said, my Dad is pulling a same sized trailer but heavier with 2 slides, with a 15 Durango Hemi and had a woman cut him off badly. He was able to maneuver out of a bad situation. He’s been confident in the setup but He admitted to me, not in front of my mom, he was probably going too fast.
Without a wdh you'll be swinging in the wind. Like most here have said, don't tow without it. Past results of those who advise it is not needed should not be used to " guess" if you'll also get lucky. And weigh your loaded trailer hitch, 580 seems way too light unless you are loading too much behind your trailer axle, and that is just an accident about to happen. Properly load the trailer, check your door jamb to be sure you are under both axle weights as well as payload capacity. Do all that and enjoy the ride, well worth the cost for a wdh.The truck is a 2017 Ram 1500 Tradesman Express with 20" wheels, 5.7 hemi, 3.92 gears, and factory towing package. Its all stock except for a 2" leveling kit in the front. I do not have air bags and will not have a weight distributing hitch. The camper is about 4900 to 5000 lbs as it will be towed, the hitch weight is 580 lbs, and 29'7" from hitch to rear bumper (It's a 26' model). I'm just curious how it will tow since I will not be able to get air bags or weight distributing hitch until later. I am towing it about 200 miles with 98% of it being the interstate. Thanks
You can expect lots of sparks trying to tow a " camper" as they are meant to be hauled in the back of the truck, if you mean a camp trailer.......The truck is a 2017 Ram 1500 Tradesman Express with 20" wheels, 5.7 hemi, 3.92 gears, and factory towing package. Its all stock except for a 2" leveling kit in the front. I do not have air bags and will not have a weight distributing hitch. The camper is about 4900 to 5000 lbs as it will be towed, the hitch weight is 580 lbs, and 29'7" from hitch to rear bumper (It's a 26' model). I'm just curious how it will tow since I will not be able to get air bags or weight distributing hitch until later. I am towing it about 200 miles with 98% of it being the interstate. Thanks