Towing, Airbags, Tires & GVCR

[OkotoksChris]

Guys or gals, need your input, please.

We purchased a 2019 RAM 2500 Laramie Longhorn /w the alcoholic 6.4 HEMI (not the best, I know) and the 3.73 gears. Tow capacity -

Tow Capacity - 14,410#
GVWR - 10,000#
GVCR - 21,500#
Payload - 3380#
Hitch/pin weight - 1800#
Tires: LT285 60R20 (E) 8 Ply

Here is where I need your input. We are in the process of buying a Travel Trailer or 5th Wheel however everything we like is 500# to 2000# over the GVCR of the truck which poses DOT issues in various States and British Columbia.

So my thinking is to install airbags for the rear suspension and changing to 10 Ply tires.

Thoughts?

 

[mlrtimemach]

Air bags won't change the over all weight but it will help the ride an leveling of the truck. I don't have them but talked to people that have. I haven't invested in em because our travel trailer only weighs around 6,700ish lbs depending on where we are goin so the truck sits level using weight distribution hitch. Tradesman 2019 2500 with 6.4 an 3.73 gears.
P.S. do not go by what the tag on the camper says as far as what it weighs. That is factory weight an doesn't include things like propane bottles, batteries etc. And Its amazing how quick you can reach the max trailer weight with so little once u start loading it.

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[crash68]

If your bound by the GCVWR in Alberta then about only thing you can do is weigh the truck to know how much you have left for a trailer. Some states allow you to plate the vehicle for GCVWR also know as Elected Gross Weight, then your just bound by the GVWR and GAWR ratings.
You might not like towing north of +12K lbs through the mountains with the 6.4l, keep in mind the engine gets derated the further up in elevation you go.
The airbags will help control the sizable load your looking at but in reality doesn't change the legal aspect unless you can get it certified.
You truck should already have Load Range E tires(10 ply), you could go up to Load Range F but the Transforce E tires are good for 3600 lbs

 

[OkotoksChris]

Thanks. I lead to believe that the air bags would allow an increased of weight to the overall GVCR, and that going to a 10 Ply tire would also allow for additional load capacity. Still learning on my part to do.

 

[OkotoksChris]

Thanks Crash 68, I will look into that.

 

[OkotoksChris]

MLRtimematch or anyone else. We have found a trailer that is within the load limits however it’s 37 feet long; 10800# GVWR. Pulling that length doesn’t scare me but the fishtailing is a concern considering the size of the truck. How much do stabilizers bars really work with that length?

 

[mlrtimemach]

They will help tremendously. Research them carefully an find what you are comfortable with. Like everything else there's a million opinions about weight distribution hitches an which is best. What it comes down to is how much do you want to spend. Our trailer is 30ft long including the tongue an I don't have any sway.

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[mlrtimemach]

An I recommend doing the 3 weight rule. Go to a Cat scale an weigh the truck and trailer hooked up. Then weigh it without the weight distribution hooked up then weigh the truck by itself. That will give you the toung weight an every other weight you'll need. Weigh it loaded like you would be goin on a trip so you get accurate weights

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[OkotoksChris]

For sure, thanks again.

 

[olyelr]

Adding bags (or any aftermarket item for that matter) will not change the legal weight rating for your truck. What it comes listed with from the factory is what it will always be.

I use a wd hitch and air bags on my power wagon for our 8000 pound travel trailer. Works great. I would not ever tow a tt without a wd hitch...ever.

I only added bags because after I leveled the truck it was low out back when towing the tt, even with the wd hitch.

 

[OkotoksChris]

Thanks olyelr.

 

[star_deceiver]

The sail will pull your mileage down to 26-32L/100kms. Worse when your ripping through a Utah headwind at 130...

Keep your trailer at a reasonable size for your 3/4 ton and you will have no issues with the hills in BC... just remember that you’ll be paying $1.40/L or more for 89.

 

[Dr J Cumminz]

I second the notion of using a WD hitch. That will keep you going straight. You should be fine with that size trailer, but just keep down the excess accessories and stuff. I. E. Too much wood, heavy stabilizers, large generators, empty your tanks frequently, etc...

 

[Firetruck41]

Pretty sure that anything over 5k lbs requires a weight distributing hitch per the owners manual.

 

[RAM DRVR]

WDH is a must...…

 

[star_deceiver]

WDH is a must...…

On a 1500 or big SUV, absolutely.

On a bigger truck you’ve got more wiggle room.

 

[OC455]

A weight distribution hitch with sway control is piece of mind any way you look at it.

I posted in another thread in the 4th Gen section, the Weigh Safe WDH that I discovered recently. I'm looking at this to replace my Curt Trutrack.

https://www.weigh-safe.com/product/true-tow-weight-distribution-hitch/