5th Wheel Towing with 2013 Ram 1500 5.7lt Hemi

My opinion get a bigger truck. You do not have enough towing capacity for a fifth wheel. This is coming from a mopar person.

No way the Ram 1500 is not overloaded with a fifth on it. I had a 2013 Ram Laramie and my payload capacity per the door sticker was 1061lbs...that is before anything is in the truck. Ram 1500's have very limited payload capacity

I'm not sure anyone makes a sliding hitch for the 5' 7" Ram box. Most I've seen were for the 6' 4" box. I would first check with them.

I see in Rams body builder guide your truck is rated to tow 6100 lbs up to 6750 lb trailer depending on your truck configuration.

With anemic 6xxx GVWR and small 3800-3900 RAWR numbers the 5er will need to be in the 5k dry gross weight range.
Payloads run from 940 lbs to 1600 lbs depending on the trucks configuration. You didn't give us much tech info from your truck to go on so answers will be general numbers.

You didn't tell us which Prowler 5th wheel trailer but they start in the 9k GVWR range and go up from there. Even the smallest looks like too much pin weight and too much gross weight for your truck. Gear ratio changes will help the truck pull more weight but won't help your truck carry more weight.

Being a former owner of a 2013 Ram with the 3:93 rear-end (More pulling power) I can assure you that you do not have the capacity to accomodate a fifth wheel. I loved my 2013 but was very displeased when I got down to brass tacks about the actual payload capacities that they have. If you run teh numbers in the following link it should give you an idea of where you will be at.

Fifth Wheel Weight Calculator

The 3.21 gears will be a major setback. Also, the rams lower payload than the other half ton trucks who want to be 3/4 tons.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Forget web sites.
Look at the data plate on door/pillar
Trucks GVWR, axle ratings etc.

Then go get your truck weighed with you, all passengers and any stuff in truck....add 250# to your trucks actual weight for hitch.

How much do you have left before exceeding trucks GVWR?
How much before exceeding rear axle rating?
How much before exceeding rear tire MAX LOAD Ratings?

Do you have enough for pin weight of 5th wheel (roughly 20% of trailers GVWR)?

Although 150/1500 trucks have come a long way they are still lacking in actual payload to handle majority of 5th wheels. Would need to find a 'Lite' model.

Air bags just pump sagging overloaded rear up......don't had weight capacity.

A lot more travel trailer can be had and towed better.....which makes for better camping experiences vs I HATE to tow this %^$&#

Pretty much sums it up...Some might be able to give you a "down and dirty" answer if you post the GVW of the 5er....you may not load to that, but it would help to determine what kind of towing experience you might have. I towed a 5er with a 2000 Chevy 1/2 ton set up for towing and I "lived and learn", and it was a 27'5er....but trucks have come a long way since then....As stated, a 1/2 ton tends to not have as much "payload"....IF you know the 5er's GVW, you could take 20% of that to "ballpark" what your pin weight may be close to....Also add 200# for a 5er hitch.

When I towed mine, all tanks were empty, even the hotwater heater to make it as light as possible..but all my towing was in the mountains. My experience wasn't a good one, but that's been 14 yrs ago and a lot of things have changed...I could be wrong, but I get the impression that the 1/2 ton Rams don't offer a lot of payload...that being said, I'm not 100% sure of that statement.

Do the math and use some common sense before you "make the move".

Again, if you could post the 5er's GVW, a lot in here know the specs of your truck and may be able to give you a more consise answer.

Forget web sites.
Look at the data plate on door/pillar
Trucks GVWR, axle ratings etc.

Then go get your truck weighed with you, all passengers and any stuff in truck....add 250# to your trucks actual weight for hitch.

How much do you have left before exceeding trucks GVWR?
How much before exceeding rear axle rating?
How much before exceeding rear tire MAX LOAD Ratings?

Do you have enough for pin weight of 5th wheel (roughly 20% of trailers GVWR)?

Although 150/1500 trucks have come a long way they are still lacking in actual payload to handle majority of 5th wheels. Would need to find a 'Lite' model.

Air bags just pump sagging overloaded rear up......don't had weight capacity.

A lot more travel trailer can be had and towed better.....which makes for better camping experiences vs I HATE to tow this %^$&#

Great thanks, with all these "weights" that I can gather from various web sites, what weights do I refer to ie: GVWR or GAWR ? What would an approx number for the pin weight limit be for the 1500 ? Any recommendations on the type/brand name of air bags and slider ? I wont be using it all that much, this will be an introduction into the camper world for us and if we like it I will get a bigger truck and camper. thanks for the help.

Need to check your weights of the camper fully loaded and ensure the truck can handle the pin weight. Air bags and a slider (or similar to my Andersen) are a must. I pulled a fifth wheel for years with a half ton and although the truck could handle it, I never really felt comfortable. If you're just going out a few times per year probably not a big deal.