I Don't Know What My Truck Can Tow!

Yamaki wrote:
I have a 2007 Dodge Ram MegaCab 1500 with the 5.7L HEMI.

I'm seem to get lost doing the math on what I can actually tow for a 5'VR. And since it's a short box, am I gonna have issues towing a 5'VR?

I am soooo confused. Guess that's why I'm a newbie, huh? ;)

With a short box p/u you could consider a sliding 5th wheel hitch or a pin box coupler similar to the 'Sidewinder" by Reese. Also, more recently, many Fivers are constructed to accommodate short bed trucks eliminating the need for special hitches or pin boxes.

I'm no expert but I just found out that my 2006 Dodge 2500 short bed diesel 2500 can tow a whole lot more than I thought without any changes. I just bought a 38' Montana 2014 Mountaineer 4 slides upgrading from my 2006 32' Montana and I pulled it over a huge pass with little difference. Technology in weight today is amazing. As one guy said-- The Boeing 787 is bigger but lighter. I'm out on this discussion cause you'll get a lot of old school opinions but I'm here to tell you the 2013-14's can be found a lot lighter and pull just fine!!!!

I read the news on the 1/2T diesel and the 6.4L gas engine. The 6.4L goes in the HD trucks only. Too bad they won't be putting them in the 1/2t's.

The DW and I are gonna sit back, have a talk and see if we aren't leaning in another direction...a DP.

Also, I was at the Chrysler Nationals this past weekend. The 1/2 ton Diesel is a go and also a new 6.4L gasser for the trucks. So buy the 1500 MegaCab now, wait for wrecked truck in a year and then you will have your new drop in motor with all the power you need!!

I have an 08 1500 MegaCab with the Hemi and 3:73 gears. This truck is in reality a 2500 with slightly less GVWR (8510) vs the 2500 at 8900. This truck has the full eight lug full float rear axles and is very under rated as I tow a 26-27ft 5th wheel loaded at 8000 lbs no problem. I went over the CAT scales this weekend to check my weights again. Truck with me, full of fuel and the hitch was 7080lbs, GCVWR was 15100, but my RAWR was at 4800lbs, which is way under the 6010 RAWR. I had an 04 1500 Quad Cab, full tow Pkg before I found this truck, Night and day difference. It also rides better unloaded than a 2500, I have tried both. Very popular truck if you can find them, only made them for 3 years

Knowing that my 1/2T rated "MegaCan", as the 8 yr old grandson calls it, is built on the 3/4 ton chassis and derated due to lighter springs and the HEMI, I considered two modifications:

1. Add the 3/4T springs, and,
2. Build the 5.7L HEMI (345 cu. in.) into a 6.4L HEMI (392 cu. in.)

Springs were easy to do but the bore and stroke didn't give me enough torque to tow the loads the springs would allow. I surely don't plan on doing a CTD transplant and since the DW wants a lot of room in our roving home, I need an upgrade or a totally different approach to what type RV we purchase. Maybe a DP with enough power to use the MegaCan as a toad would be a good idea. ;)

I truly do appreciate everyone's input here.

Its really not that confusing other than some RVers want to use every number that Dodge has on the truck.

The rest of the world out here uses axle/tire load rating to figure pay loads on the trucks axles and particular the rear axle from a GN or 5th wheel hitch.

As the wiser member mentioned the 1500 Mega sits on a 3/4 ton chassis with 6010 RAWR E tires and wheels for carrying loads on the trucks rear axles. This truck isn't the average 1500 truck.
With tow ratings from 7800 with the 3.73 up to 8800 with 4.10 it will have no issues carrying hitch weight from a 5er that size.

The low tow numbers is from the smallblock Hemi and the 545RFE auto tranny.

Now if you just want a 3500 DRW then by all means you should have one but first find out what real world numbers your giving up.

With a sliding hitch or the Reese Sidewinder you won't have any issues with the short bed. I have the same bed on a 2500 with a manual slider and no issues.

robsouth wrote:

Yamaki wrote:
Well, my half ton may go away then. I found a very clean Ram 3500 dually with the Cummins locally I should go check out.

Thanks for the help, everyone!

Wise move.:)

Yes a very wise move! We just got rid of a very small 24.5 ft 5er because our 1/2 didn't do well. wentback to a lite TT.

It's always..

Q: "What can I tow?"

A: "Not enough"

Yamaki wrote:
I have a 2007 Dodge Ram MegaCab 1500 with the 5.7L HEMI.

I'm seem to get lost doing the math on what I can actually tow for a 5'VR. And since it's a shortbox, am I gonna have issues towing a 5'VR?

I am soooo confused. Guess that's why I'm a newbie, huh? ;)

Yes, more math. If you're going to stay within specs- here's how you calculate what you can tow:
What Can I Tow?