Travel Trailer Towing

[RidgebackBob]

I have a 2019 Laramie 1500 with Hemi and 3.92 gearing. Looking at travel trailers in the 6,500 to 7,000 lb range (empty). Truck in theory can tow in excess of 11,500 lbs. All weights are ok (GVW etc) but interested in others opinions of towing this class of trailer in this weight range. We did rent a 6,000 lb travel trailer for a weekend and the truck handled that well but of course gas milage went from bad to really bad. Any thoughts you have will be welcome. (great truck!).

 

[rule18]

If you want to see what your actual vehicle's payload/tow capacity is, go here, click the Look Up My Vehicle link and put in your VIN: https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing-guide.html It's an interesting comparison to what the generic ratings are. That said, lots of folks here with that setup tow in that range all the time.

 

[Grimson]

Hi Bob,

I have a Bighorn 3.92 pulling an 8000 empty TT. Added Timber Grove Airbags. Pulls fine but hitch setup is sensitive (Husky Centerline here).
I’m sure a 2500 would do better but I can live with my setup for a dozen-ish outings a year.

Cheers!


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[Jerrybob]

I have a 2019 Ram 1500 with a similar set up....can tow 11500lbs as well. We pull a smaller travel trailer....about 3500 lbs.....truck doesn't know it back there and we get 16 to 18 mpg depending on terrain. I also pull a car trailer around once in awhile with either a tractor or car loaded....weight is probably around 4 to 6 thousand pounds. Truck handles the weight fine except gas mileage goes down quite a bit. If I did the car trailer a lot...I would install Sumo springs on the rear. With our TT....my rear drop is about 1/2 inch.....with a fully loaded car trailer.....the rear drops a couple inches. Most of the car trailer towing is local so I don't worry about it....if I went any distances....I put on the springs. Good luck.

 

[Mustangmike66]

@Jerrybob what trailer do you tow?


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[RidgebackBob]

Thanks everyone. We are looking at a number of bunkhouse travel trailers that will allow us to have room and have room for our three dogs when camping (they get the bunkhouse). Primary candidate is the
Cougar Half-Ton 29BHS. Dry weight 7008 lbs, hitch weight 765 lbs. Perfect layout for us and most important the wife loves it.

 

[Grimson]

So funny...we have 3 dogs and also debated a bunkhouse but found a deal on a rear living. Open Range 272RLS. Love the theater seating and big couch...and the dogs do as well!


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[Marley]

On my 4th travel trailer and can tell you with confidence that a 7K dry weight trailer will be pushing 8500 towing with at least 1000lb tounge weight........always go by the trailers GVWR and 12 - 15 % of that for tounge.

Perfect Example for ya'.
Our current trailer has a listed 6120 dry weight and a 7740 GVWR, scale weight is 7439 and no extravagant loading of junk in trailer, it's just me and the wife.

That 1500 will yank that weight around easily but the heavy tounge eats up the payload quickly.

Your getting very close to 2500 truck territory.

 

[crash68]

The biggest thing when towing heavy with a 1500 is getting the WDH set up properly along with the weight distribution correct.
Find a local CAT scale get a weight of the truck by itself loaded then attach the trailer. With those weights you can dial your WDH where the truck/trailer will tow right.

 

[RidgebackBob]

Thanks Marley, your opinion is helpful.

 

[Snacktime]

Weight distribution hitch as stated above.

Double axles, let's the trailer bridge pot holes better. Less jerking on the truck and better ride.

Watch the size, the new ultralight trailers in the 30ft range blow over out here in the high desert during wind storms. Lots of side area makes for a fun time.

I like the 25ft range for towing, once you get past that the road gets a lot smaller. Gas stations, parking, road side attractions are not set up for the new 30ft travel trailers.

 

[Santo Tomasine]

I have a '19 1500 Limited with 3.21 gears. Tows my 30ft 6500lb dry trailer just fine. My truck has the 4 corner independent air with auto level. Also have my WDH setup properly. Weight is distributed throughout the camper so its not too heavy in the front or back. The majority of my trips are 95% thruway so the towing isn't strenuous on the truck.
Gas mileage is almost exactly the same coming from my '19 silverado 1500.

 

[runamuck]

our trailer is about 6000# when towing and the truck pulls it fine. I set cruise for 68-70 and it holds fine. I get 8.5-10 at that speed depending on the terrain. I only have 1324# cargo cap. so have to pack lite. the 8 sp tranny works well and the truck has great brakes. I also us a Husky WDH.

 

[Jerrybob]

@Jerrybob what trailer do you tow?


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We tow a Casita 17ft. standard deluxe....great little trailer. I also tow a 17 ft. car trailer rated for a load of 7000lbs.

 

[2019RamInSC]

We have a 2019 Laramie 4x4 hemi 3.93. EQUAL-I-ZER hitch.

We tow a 31 foot TT. Loaded weight 6400 lbs. Tongue weight 800 lbs.

Tows great. Problem? Can't carry anything in truck. Me and the "war department"and 80 lb Rottie along with tongue weight almost max out the 1398 lb payload capacity.

So the morale is towing capacity is not the problem. Payload capacity is the issue

Good luck

 

[Joe Merchak]

I have a Spirit 2758RB that has a max weight of 7000lb. I own a 2018 Express that has a tow capacity of 8040lb and a payload of 1547lb. With a estimate of 15% of tongue weight that is 1050lb. That leave roughly 500lb for people and cargo in the truck. I just got back from taking my TT to hershey which is about 2.5 hours from my house. The truck had no issues with the trip because all that we had in the truck was my wife and I so we did not cross the 500lb threshold for payload. I had no issues with crosswinds or Trucks, the trailer tracked fine. The only issue I had were the crappy 20" goodyear tires. They flex too much even with 43lb of air in them, and give a mushy ride when you are close to the payload threshold. I even have 3.21 rear and power was no issues on the hills between NJ and PA.

I have 8000lb WDH that is setup with the correct amount of load on the front wheels. The rear is down about a 3/4of a inch with the load. I do have airbags and use them to help with stiffening up the rear suspension. Next I am going to get load D or E tires to get stiffer sidewalls and I think that will help the meshy ride. I have the factory brake controller so I know exactly how many miles I tow. Right now I am about 15% of my total miles and they all been with this trailer.

 

[JimmyO]

I have the 2017 1500 with the same engine and gear and easily tow my 31’ Highland Ridge 28BH, with a GVW of 7,000 lbs.
I tow this through the Sierra Nevadas and across the deserts of southwest Arizona frequently, with no issues.

 

[seadog1272]

I tow an Imagine 2150RB @ 6400 lbs 28 ft long using an Andersen WDH. I get 10 mpg towing and 18 mpg around town not towing. It is a 2019 Ram 1500 Limited 5.7 E-Torque 3.92 rear end 4X4 and it has air suspension. I have gone from Vancouver Island, BC to Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Moab Utah, Mesa Verde, Crater Lake, Sisters Oregon and never experienced any towing difficulties such as sway or bouncing or problems going up hill or down hill.
This is by far the best truck I have ever owned, also the Imagine is an excellent travel trailer.

 

[star_deceiver]

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/travel-trailer-opinions.165182/

Space!



I always remember to pull this thing out AFTER I bash my shin...

 

[Floyd1979]

Just remember pulling TT You have the head wind factor
Pulling through the air , not like a lowboy Trailer.