Consumer's Report on Recreational Vehicles

Jaimie60 wrote:
To answere your questions ...

Truck - Dodge Ram, 1500 SLT 5.7L Hemi engine , with tow package

I'm looking at this Trailer ..

http://www.cruiserrv.com/products/shadow-cruiser/floorplans/item/s-260bhs

The Dodge dealership tells me not to exceed 7000 lbs on this truck Dry weight.
Weight for me is an issue because the wife and I would like to travel with the truck & trailer and taking into consideration the geographic terrain of British Columbia & Northern US States

The very first thing you need to check BEFORE purchasing a trailer is the payload rating of YOUR truck. There is a sticker inside the drivers side door or pillar that will state...

All occupants and cargo must not exceed XXXX lbs

That translates to Driver, passenger(s), cargo inside the truck, inside the bed of the truck, hitch components, and tongue weight.

My father-in-law has a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 with 5.7 Hemi, tow package, 4x4, and 20" rims. His maximum payload as per door sticker is 1080 lbs. My 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3 Litre, 4x4, 20" rims, tow package has a maximum payload of 1420 lbs. Big difference for two nearly identical spec'd trucks in all other ratings.

Check your maximum payload first, then come back for some great advice. When checking your payload, also check the sticker on the hitch of your truck. That sticker will tell you maximum tongue weight without a WDH (weight distributing hitch) and maximum tongue weight with a WDH