2004 Ram 1500 Towing Questions..

Hmm, if you'd been running the 4.7L I'd say forget it. But the 5.7, well, at least you have the ponies if not the suspension. You probably could slap some overload springs or air bags on there and get away with it... but the handling might not feel pleasant. You'd want to use a WD-anti-sway hitch, and that would add to the hitch weight.

We own a 2016 Jayco 27BHS and pull it with a 2007 F150 in my sig. The trailer weighs 6800 loaded for a 3 day trip. The GVW on the trailer is 8200 lbs. The tongue weight is 760lbs., which I think is a bit light. We have an Eaz E Lift WD setup with a sway control bar. The tow rating on the truck is 7800 lbs., with a payload of 1648 lbs.

I weighed the entire rig and we are under on our max ratings on all measures. The rear axle is close to max (170 lbs.) under.

The old school 5.4L pulls it just fine. I have added a 2nd sway bar as I get a little more wiggle (not sway) out of the trailer on windy days.

Keep in mind we are towing this trailer on the Texas Gulf Coast. If we were towing in the mountains on a regular basis i would want more truck....

Hope this helps...

I think that TT is pushing the comfortable capability of your truck when it was new, let alone a 14 years of use.

One of the reasons i traded to up to a 2500hd truck recently is that my wife and I are looking at New campers in the 7500lb GVWR range..

Would my 15 Chevy Silverado 1500 have pulled it ok? I think it could have, but i know i Would have been right up against it's limits.

It towed the rig in my signature very well, but when loaded heavy for a week camping trip, with my family of 4 in the truck, it felt heavy and based on the way it felt, I'm sure i was close to my payload limit.

Just not enough margin for me personally. Now that i have this 2500hd, unless i can't afford it, i will always have a 2500hd truck. Trading up to this truck was the best thing i could have done
It's great.