okay I'm thinking of buying my first TT I bought my truck without thinking about what it could haul but I have a 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 Express Crew Cab 4X4 6-speed Automatic 5.7L Hemi Tow Package Trailer Brake Package Payload Capacity 1446lbs 8600lb tow capacity i have a class 3 hitch I will not be a full timer but weekend user(i have 2 young daughters), soccer tourneys, camping, maybe a yearly trip within 1000 miles each way things of that nature I dont want a trailer that will wear out my new truck so i didnt want to go too heavy any suggestions on weight limits that won't affect life of truck the heaviest one i was interested in was 2014 Forest River RV Patriot Edition 26BH 29 ft Dry Weight 4541 gross weight 7402 hitch weight 402 Or a 2012 k-z sportsmen 26ft dry weight 4210 gross 6000 we want a bunkhouse style and the more room the better but safe pulling, quality for the money(last for years)not tearing up my truck are the most important things thanks for any advice

To clarify I've looked locally but 2 i have described i found online haven't seen in person 2012 K-Z is about an hour away used just looked like good deal and what I'm looking for wanting to spend 8000-15000 any suggestions appreciated

Fill up with gas, load the family, and weigh the truck. Subtract the weight from GVWR and that's your available payload. Figure you're loaded trailer will be at least 1000 pounds over the dry weight and the tongue weight will be about 13 percent of that. Just keep the tongue weight below your available payload.

KD4UPL wrote:Fill up with gas, load the family, and weigh the truck. Subtract the weight from GVWR and that's your available payload. Figure you're loaded trailer will be at least 1000 pounds over the dry weight and the tongue weight will be about 13 percent of that. Just keep the tongue weight below your available payload.That'll work, and the two trailers you described should fall within this advice. Go have fun and welcome to forum.

trapperbking wrote:okay I'm thinking of buying my first TT I bought my truck without thinking about what it could haul but I have a 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 Express Crew Cab 4X4 6-speed Automatic 5.7L Hemi Tow Package Trailer Brake Package Payload Capacity 1446lbs 8600lb tow capacity i have a class 3 hitch I will not be a full timer but weekend user(i have 2 young daughters), soccer tourneys, camping, maybe a yearly trip within 1000 miles each way things of that nature I dont want a trailer that will wear out my new truck so i didnt want to go too heavy any suggestions on weight limits that won't affect life of truck the heaviest one i was interested in was 2014 Forest River RV Patriot Edition 26BH 29 ft Dry Weight 4541 gross weight 7402 hitch weight 402 Or a 2012 k-z sportsmen 26ft dry weight 4210 gross 6000 we want a bunkhouse style and the more room the better but safe pulling, quality for the money(last for years)not tearing up my truck are the most important things thanks for any adviceTrust me you do not want the Sportsman by KZ. I work at a McClains Rv dealer and on sportsman TT's with roof mounted Air conditioners, The A/C is the lowest spot on the roof and we have done many repairs on those. The seal wont last forever and eventually the pooled up condensation will start to leak inside. Go for the Forestriver or try Keystones, or even Openrange.Good Luck!!!

2014 dodge 1500 newbie | Good Sam Community

29 Replies

scrapnread
Explorer
Jul 09, 2014
We have the same truck except ours is a 2008 and our trailer is a 2014 Forest River Salem 27RKSS. We took it on our first trip to the Grand Canyon and back. The truck towed great. It was 4 adults in the truck and I tend to overpack so I am sure we were heavy. The trip was over 2k miles for us. We bought the truck a week before our trip. The first Dodge we have had and my husband is very impressed. Hope this helps.
3_acat
Explorer
Jul 09, 2014
You will love towing with the RAM.
We have towed twice with our new truck.
Just booked a 2week trip to Bar Harbour with 3 nights in Vermont on the way there. From what I hear we will be on some smaller raods & hills. Our 2003 that was a 2X4 hemi and 3:55 gears in OK going through mountains and into Lake Placid last year. So I'm hopping for good things this trip.
Community Alumni
Jul 09, 2014
Weird. I had a look at the manual, but it only listed a Class III bumper hitch. That hitch has a 500lb/5,000 lb limit. It wouldn't hurt to shoot Ram an email to verify the weight carrying and weight distributing capacities. Nevertheless, you have plenty of truck for the range you're looking in.
trapperbking
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014
Yes there's a reciever I know little but I figured that much out
Community Alumni
Jul 08, 2014
trapperbking wrote:
Yes it says trailer tow package class iv reciever hitch standard then under optional equipment going with preferred package 20 inch rims and such it says delete class iv receiver hitch I also have trailer tow mirror and brake control group upgrade

Do you actually have a receiver down there? I'm wondering if what they're calling a class III is actually the bumper.
APT
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014
trapperbking wrote:
I haven't weighed it yet going by dodge website it says full tank of gas and 150 lb driver I have 1443 left you can add passengers on there but all at 150 I have two small girls and wife but kids will grow but I entered 5 passengers 750 pounds total for passengers to cover 250lbs extra of cargo or kids growing maybe bring the golden retriever along whatever that leaves me 843 lbs of payload left does this sound right

Ignore Dodge website for payload. Look at your truck's as equipped payload by locating this sticker on your truck's driver's door or jam. This number does include all fluids full, but no people, driver, or passengers.
hddecker
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014
trapperbking wrote:
thanks everyone i'm taking my time trying to do this right first time went shopping tonight saw a new Hideout 260LHS and thought nice 14,700 ok then he showed me a new Passport Ultra Lite Grand touring 2810BHS we fell in love 22,000 though a bit more than I wanted to spend but it makes the hideout look kinda small and bland I can afford it but eats into my spending money I told them I would think about it not going to rush into anything this is a huge purchase for my family paying extra now might be better than trying to upgrade a few years down the road planned on going used when I started but I don't know now I will keep you posted and I never can hear too many opinions thanks again

Don't get fooled by the glitz and glamor, the best thing to do is sit down with the family and list the must haves and the nice to haves.

Then go shopping for the rig that meets all the must haves, then if it has some of the nice to haves it's a bonus.

Don't be afraid to do some pulling and prodding, while your shopping. It's better that the stuff fall off when your shopping, than when your camping.
trapperbking
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014
Trailer I like is 5145 dry with hitch weight of 565 7200 gvw this is max weight I have even considered would prefer a little lighter but momma really want the extra space
trapperbking
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014
I haven't weighed it yet going by dodge website it says full tank of gas and 150 lb driver I have 1443 left you can add passengers on there but all at 150 I have two small girls and wife but kids will grow but I entered 5 passengers 750 pounds total for passengers to cover 250lbs extra of cargo or kids growing maybe bring the golden retriever along whatever that leaves me 843 lbs of payload left does this sound right
rbpru
Explorer II
Jul 08, 2014
If you have a truck max payload of 1446 lbs. what is the total load on the truck?

You have the weight of the family, the trailer tongue weight, the truck cap and any toys or other cargo.