What are you towing????

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ripper29

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I have a 2019 ram 1500 5.7L v8 hemi bighorn. crew cab 3.92 axle ratio, short box. Gvwr is 6900, payload is 1840.towing capacity 11.450.

Looking at a 6300 pound travel trailer dry weight. Gvw would be 7700. Tongue weight of the trailer is 730 lbs. Should I be good?I will be using a weight distribution hitch.

What weight travel trailers are you guys towing with your 1500?
 
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2003F350

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I'm going to presume you're looking at an RV since you don't give us any other details. If you AREN'T looking at an RV, a lot of what I say next will be useless...but that's still a HEAVY trailer for your 1500. You also don't tell us much about your truck, such as axle ratings and payload. You also aren't telling us what the GVW of the trailer is - dry weight is incorrect at best and useless for figuring out if you're 'good' or not. I honestly don't know why they publish a 'dry' weight, other than to tell you how much stuff you 'should' be allowed to pack in the thing. It is NOT USEFUL for figuring out if you can (or should) pull it.

Having been around the RV industry for a LONG time, I'm going to make some educated guesses.

You're looking at a GVW of probably 8500-9000 lbs. So a tongue weight somewhere in the neighborhood of around 1,000 lbs.

You probably have a Bighorn as it's most common. Payloads on ANY 1500 is usually in the 1000-1200 lb range, so you're close to max on that. SOME have payloads well UNDER those numbers, so it's possible you're already over just by hitching up, but without seeing your stickers we have no way of knowing.

Your axle ratings will make things look better, but you're still probably around 75% of max capacity or so. Again, this is a guess, not gospel. I would need more info on your truck and the trailer you're looking at.

Will your truck do it? Most likely. Make sure you've got a good quality WDH AND sway control, and get it set up properly to put most of the weight back on your front axle.

There is a high probability that, once you have the camper loaded, every family member/animal in the truck, and whatever else you want in the bed of your truck, that you're going to be very close to, if not well over, all of your official weights. Is it going to blow up? No. Will the truck like it? Probably not, especially your suspension. It's a pull that, as someone who has been pulling trailers of all sizes and styles for almost 30 years, I'd hesitate to do for very long, if at all.

You see, these aren't the old days where 1500 trucks were massively overbuilt, or just scaled-down versions of 2500/3500 trucks. They're built more like passenger cars with a box on the back, and the handling/ride/ratings reflect that. Sure, they ride and corner like a dream, but that comes at a trade-off of capability. My dad used to be able to pull a 28-foot fifth wheel with his 1979 F150. You'd be hard pressed to find a 28-foot fifth wheel you could put behind today's F150s, even with their heavy-duty package.

Trailers, or RVs rather, are also built a lot longer, and thus heavier, than they were in years past. I remember a time when a 35 foot camper of ANY kind was rare to find because they were so BIG. Now it's just barely the high side of average, because people want amenities in their RVs like microwaves, tvs, slideouts, etc. etc. and the easiest way to fit more stuff is to make it longer.

TL,DR: Your truck can PROBABLY do it, but you're going to be close to if not maxxed out on the truck's capabilities. Personally? I wouldn't. I'd look for an RV that is a bit smaller and lighter that will still suit your needs. Or, if you are dead-set on this trailer and you can swing it, get a 2500. It'll be a MUCH more comfortable tow.

You're going to get guys who are going to tell you 'yeah you're good, just get a set of air bags.' That is not advice I put much faith in, because the physics just don't show that it is a good solution, but rather a band-aid.
 

Hudson

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You have the same setup as mine except my truck was an Express. I run the Blue OX weight distribution hitch and like it. While the RAM website said 1760 payload, the door sticker said do not exceed 1580 (maybe the carpet weighted 140lbs). You being a Bighorn, your door sticker will probably have less payload.
I weighted my truck ready for travel (loaded camper and family in the truck, full tank of gas and full propane bottles and battery on the camper). On paper I was 90lbs under my payload, on the door sticker i was 300lbs over payload. Rear axle had 300lbs left tot he max limit.

We towed the rig all over the state last season (flat, highway, 8% grade up and down). Truck did fine on flat ground, on the highway at 65 the truck was getting pushed by the trailer some and I had to always correct when semi trucks were passing by. The 8% grade is when it got interesting. The truck did OK but i knew the trailer was back there and had to stay in the range of 40mph. On the downslope it was a bit sketchy as the trailer was pushing on the truck hard. Fuel economy suffered greatly ( went from 15mph to 8-9mph depending on terrain).

Did the truck do it, yes, was it safe, maybe. Would i trust the setup in an emergency breaking situation, not really. Would i take this rig cross country, no.
Take my post, as my opinion only. After careful consideration I chose to upgrade to a 2500 Diesel for stability and fuel economy. Is diesel an absolute overkill for the weight of my camper, yes. Is it going to make my towing trips more enjoyable and less stressful, absolutely.
 

turkeybird56

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I have a 2019 ram 1500 5.7L v8 hemi bighorn. crew cab 3.92 axle ratio, short box. Gvwr is 6900, payload is 1840.towing capacity 11.450.

Looking at a 6300 pound travel trailer dry weight. Gvw would be 7700. Tongue weight of the trailer is 730 lbs. Should I be good?I will be using a weight distribution hitch.

What weight travel trailers are you guys towing with your 1500?
Towing short ok. Any trips u need to go to 2500. IMHO.
 

2003F350

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I updated my post. Does that change your opinion. Thank you for the tips on what to include
No, it doesn't change my opinion. As @Hudson mentioned, your door stickers (not the advertised numbers online) are what YOUR truck is rated for. Yes, there were Ram 1500s with the 1840 lb payload, but I would HIGHLY doubt that's what yours is - your door sticker is likely considerably lower.

The hitch weight you're seeing for that camper is usually the UNLOADED tongue weight, though a few manufacturers do list it based on the GVW. It is also very odd that the trailer is only rated for 1400 lbs of cargo...food, clothes, and bedding add up fast, and some of that 1400 lbs is also taken up by water, propane, etc.

The reality is, you're going to be close to the max capacities of your truck, if not over, with that trailer and loaded up to go camping. If you're only going a few times a year and relatively close to home, you'll probably be okay. You could probably take it cross-country, but I'd strongly advise against it. The longer your trip, the greater your chances of having to make an emergency maneuver. With a truck close to or above its rated capacities, things can get sketchy REAL quick.

Do people do this all the time? Yes. And a lot of them don't have any issues. But are they still a risk? Absolutely! And a dangerous one. If you have to change lanes quickly with a truck close to its limits, it's not going to recover as quickly as a truck that has some wiggle room. I've had to dodge deer and merging cars with our camper behind both my '17 and my '22, and I was NEVER concerned that I would lose control of my rig. But that's because I am nowhere near the max capacity of my truck.

I would still recommend a smaller trailer, or if you are dead-set on this trailer and can swing it, a 2500 to pull it.
 
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ripper29

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Thank you for all your posts. I just checked the sticker and you’re correct, the payload on the sticker is 1609.
 

JayLeonard

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I have a 30 ft travel trailer. Factory spec was 594 tongue weight. Actual from factory paperwork was 660. After adding 2 batteries and loading the trailer, measured tongue weight ( cat svale) was just under 1000 lbs.
The 2017 Bighorn i had listed a payload of 1400.
The truck did fine around central Florida untill we went into the hills of eastern Tn.
Spent lots of time in 5th and 6 gear ( 8 sp tranny). Also got pushed by every big rig that passed me on the expressway.
Same trailer with my 2500 Bighorn diesel and it doesn’t budge when I get passed. Rarely shifts unless im pulling a big hill, much more pleasant towing experience.
 

WSix

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2025 Grand Surveyor 220RBLE...
Set up the Anderson Hitch today. Seems very stable!
 

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wrench78

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You should be fine. My 2017 Ram 5.7 with 3.92 rear pulling my 6500lbs (Fully loaded with water) 2024 Grand Design 22 MLE 26ft trailer. Barely know it's back there. I tow in the mountains of PA and NY. No overheating, No excessive shifting.
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clay282

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DA67Goatman

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No I don't have weights cause if you have to ask, you can't haul it.
 

CaptOchs

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2013 RAM Big Horn / 5.7, 3.92, 6-spd, 4x2. Trailer is a '23 Prowler 303bh that is 35' long, 7000 lbs dry. The WD is a Reese dual cam. It tows pretty well. I usually keep it around 65 mph on the expressway. It maintains that pretty good even up hills. Out of all the trailer/truck combos I have had, this tows the easiest by far. Sway isn't a problem for me. If I towed cross country or needed to go faster than 70 mph, I'd probably go for a 2500. The 1500 suits my needs. My seasonal spot is no picnic to get into. I back up-hill and weave in-between trees. The truck has all the power to do it.

You'll be fine with that truck/trailer combo. Be sure and get a good WDH. The RV dealer rejected the WD kit I gave them (and I'm glad they did.)
 

JEPomer

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2024 RAM 1500 Tradesman with 3.6L eTorque, 3.21 rear axle, and tow package (and "off road" package). We bought a new Keystone Springdale 202RD 25 ft travel trailer. Weight is 4725 lbs, tongue weight 565 lbs. Load equalizer hitch and added sway control.

Used a load equalizer hitch from 1996 when I towed a Trail-Lite 8212 (2864 lbs, tongue weight 513 lbs) behind my 1996 Jeep Cherokee. Traveled extensively through New England and the Canadian Atlantic Provinces with no issues.

We traveled from Southern NH to Saint John NB a 400 mile trip each way as our shake-down trip. I noticed two problems:

1) Fuel economy dropped from 22 mpg to 8 mpg when going 70 miles/hour.
2) Getting used to the much wider turning radius of the RAM 1500 let alone adding the travel trailer.

I had purchased the RAM just a few weeks earlier when my 2012 Grand Cherokee had an intermittent "computer" glitch that finally stopped the engine. Although I had Chrysler's Unlimited Extended Warranty (with $100 deductible), the RAM Tradesman had a great price plus several incentives. Chrysler bought out the Unlimited Extended Warranty for $5,000 credit towards a new Chrysler vehicle. Traded in a 2007 Dakota at the same time. The new RAM looks like a grown up Dakota with MUCH more room.

Since my wife and I plan on making many trips across the country, the new vehicle gave us added confidence. The 2012 Grand Cherokee also had the 3.6L engine and a 3.09 read axle. The Grand Cherokee pulled the new travel trailer with no issues when we brought the trailer home.

I was considering another Grand Cherokee in a similar price range with all the creature comforts I wanted, except it had no low range which I frequently use. It was also rated to haul the travel trailer we just purchased.

======
Since our travels are for retirement vacation with very flexible time tables, we won't be needing to be in the fast lane. Often we will choose the scenic byways.

Now that I have driven the RAM over 7 months, I have mostly adjusted to the larger turning radius limitations.
 

nlambert182

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Short version - your fully loaded TW could be north of 1,100 lbs if you get close to the GVWR of the trailer. Tongue weight on an RV is NEVER 10%. It's typically closer to 12-15% on a travel trailer. Once you add in a couple of passengers, the weight of the WDH, and anything you added that didn't come from the factory you'll almost certainly exceed payload. Can't say by how much.

In my opinion, you're in 2500 gasser territory. You'll hear people say all day that they physically could do it but it's working that truck a lot harder than it needs to be and more than likely any sort of emergency braking situation may be precarious. But... take my opinion for the .02 it's worth.
 

redvetram

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I tow my 7500# horse trailer a couple thousand miles every year. In the mountains and narly forest service roads. No problems other than on the steepest pass (10% grade) it dogs a bit going up.
 

Panduh

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2016 Express crew cab 4x2 hemi w 8 speed and 3:92, Centerline WDH. Towing 6480 lbs. of TT (25 ft. box), cargo and people total. So my fully loaded trailer plus passengers is similar to your completely empty trailer. Tongue weight 920 lbs. This package tows great - virtually no sway ever, passing other cars going up mountains, have hit speeds of 80 mph but generally stay under 70. Couple of emergency braking experiences and never lost control. That said, I would not want to go any heavier. I'm close to but not over any limits, esp. rear axle load. If it didn't tow and handle as well as it does, I would get a 2500.
 

darioa

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I have a 2019 ram 1500 5.7L v8 hemi bighorn. crew cab 3.92 axle ratio, short box. Gvwr is 6900, payload is 1840.towing capacity 11.450.

Looking at a 6300 pound travel trailer dry weight. Gvw would be 7700. Tongue weight of the trailer is 730 lbs. Should I be good?I will be using a weight distribution hitch.

What weight travel trailers are you guys towing with your 1500?
I have a 2023 RAM 1500 diesel, 3.92 axle ratio, 7200 GVWR, 1,459 lbs payload with a max towing capacity of 9600 lbs. I tow a 24 ft TT that's 6200 GVWR and I have an Andersen WDH which I really like. I am always careful how I load the truck and the trailer since I approach the 7200 lbs for the truck and the 6200 lbs for the trailer often, on my trips from Colorado to the East Coast and the West Coast, going through 11,000 ft passes. My wife makes fun of me because I needed to add to my spreadsheet the 1.4 lbs step stool she bought for our next trip. I make sure my tongue weight is between 10% and 15% of the trailer weight. Often it drops below the 10% and I have to move things to the front of the trailer or else I experience some sway. Likewise if my payload exceeds the rating or the GVWR I have to move things to the back of the trailer to make my spreadsheet not complain at me.

I can go up a 7% grade from 10,000 ft to 11,000 at 65 MPH (but not much more) without overheating the engine in the summer (Vail pass, Berthood pass, and Eisenhower tunnel pass). I try to keep my speeds below 72 MPH so I don't experience any sway. I always use tow mode but especially when going downhill. I get between 15 and 18 MPG when towing, especially in California, where the maximum speed when towing is 55 MPH. Speed and wind are the biggest fuel enemies.

In my calculations I cannot carry more than a 6200 lbs trailer without exceeding some limit, usually payload, but also GVWR, even if I know the engine can take it fine for a while. I check for rear axle limits as well as tongue weight and tow ratings using 80% towing weight recommended margin.
 

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