Hey Guys, I'm trying to determine if my math is correct, hoping some of you that understand this better than me can assist. I have a Dodge ram 1500 ( 2016 ), with a 6" pro-comp lift. It's just spacers, but I do have proper control arms, sway bars, pretty much everything to make it not a budget lift, the only thing still stock is the springs. With that said, my GVWR is 6900 on my truck, with me, my wife, the lift ( heavy ), and two children, the truck comes in at 6400 pounds, that leaves me with 500 for payload ? meaning i'd have to get a TT in the 5k range, is that correct ? I've added airbags, it gives me 500lbs on each side, effectively, 1k additional payload capacity. I'm trying to tow a TT between 6500, and 7500LBS, the truck itself is rated for 10500, However, due to GVRW i'm concerned i might be over doing it. I had everything professionally installed by a place that sells RV's ( just a coincadence ), so I understand the sales aspect, versus the actual utility aspect of what i'm trying to do. I found a very nice 28foot TT i'd really like to bring home, I'd like to ( using my basic math here ), be sure that i'm in a safe range here. My tires are rated just fine, and my sag will be minimal with the bags in. Any insight would greatly be appreciated.

Your math looks closeHowever the airbags do not add to GVWR or CGVWGWith that much lift, you might have to lift the trailer also, either that or use a drop hitch (which usually means no sway or equilizer bars)The trailer needs to be level while towing.

n7bsn wrote:Your math looks closeHowever the airbags do not add to GVWR or CGVWGWith that much lift, you might have to lift the trailer also, either that or use a drop hitch (which usually means no sway or equilizer bars)The trailer needs to be level while towing.Hmm, if you don't mind me asking, why? I assumed it was due to suspension, but because my lift is UNDER my suspension, i can't imagine that really affecting the actual payload, or, is my logic flawed here?

The trucks components are still only rated for your GVWR i.e. your axle and brakes. The air bags reduce sag but won't increase your GVWR because of this. Hope this helps.

You didn't say one way or the other if you also got taller tires with the lift.. (I can't imagine anyone getting a 6" lift and not also getting taller tires)If you did, did you also get new axle gearing to compensate for the taller tires? Taller tires will affect your final drive ratio and basically bog your engine down if you didn't change gears.Not sure what you are trying to justify here? You already weighed your rig with the lift and all, and you came up with your actual payload left.. #500.That does sound about right for what you have done.Only you can determine what ratings you want to go with..I've towed over GVWR on trucks before and the world did not end.. :)But, that was my choice and it's what I did. But, that's just it.. It was my choice.Good luck!Mitch

I`m assuming you have larger tires. Have you changed the axle gears to bring the gearing back to factory specs? have you done anything with the brakes to help with stopping the larger tires? towing with a lifted truck brings up its own set of problems.The trailer weights you are mentioning, are those dry weight or GVWR? A 7k lb TT will end up with an 875lb tongue weight (12.5% properly loaded). and don't forget the weight of the WD hitch (approx. 125lbs). that's 1000 lbs.

Lifted truck towing :( | Good Sam Community

yillb
Explorer
Feb 09, 2017
proxim2020 wrote:
I had a big long explanation prepared about the physics and whatnot, but none of it matters. You're 305 lbs over GVWR before you even load any gear, water, or fill the waste tanks in the trailer! Then you're going to do it with a truck that's been lifted by 6" and on 35" tires. Dude, that's heading towards insane. I would seriously take a look at removing the lift, looking at another truck, or much smaller trailers.

Ever watch one of those horror movies, someone goes to open up a door, and you're yelling at the screen, "DON'T DO IT! DON'T DO IT!" That's me right now. 305 lbs over in a half ton is seriously overweight. I had to read that like six times to make sure I was reading it correctly. That's something you can get away with in a 3/4 ton or 1 ton because the components are completely overbuilt. That's not what you get in 1/2 tons, especially in late model Rams. That's not a dig at your truck or Rams, but the trucks have payloads on the lower end of the scale for a reason. They can haul some weight, but the components aren't built as they are in true haulers. MPG and comfort take priority.

If you're hooked on this trailer then do your wife and kids a favor by fixing the truck or upgrading. I'm all for getting to most out of your vehicle and have done plenty of combos over GVWR, but in this situation it's really pushing it.

I appreciate the nice way you worded I'm an idiot, I spoke with my local dealer today, and was able to get 40k for my truck, turned around and purchased a let over 2016 2500 with a cummins, I've also decided if I'm going to get something for me and the family, it miss well be exactly what we want, so I've moved over to fifth wheels.

I appreciate everyone in helping me decide. I understand that common sense should have been the deciding factor, but when you're in an area you don't know, I find it's always good to get input from others that do. While I take most of what people online say with a grain of salt, most of you did it respectfully, you didn't call me names, and you took what I said and provided actual information that was informative.

I stil lion't get the logic of it, but that's neither here nor there, whomever said the engineers as dodge don't know what their doing, albeit sarcastically, I agree, I would say the same thing to someone else who was thinking of doing something with a tool in a field I work in.

Once again fellas, appreciated! Look forward to sharing my new trailer!
MFL
Nomad II
Feb 09, 2017
Congrats on the new truck!! Those new 2500s sit tall, no lift needed.:) If a FW is what you prefer, now is certainly the time to do it.

Post truck pics, and 5th wheel, when you find what you want.

Jerry
hbrady
Explorer
Feb 09, 2017
Bravo, unlike 90% of the people who ask 'should I?' on here and then proceed to ignore the 'No!' you made the right move! Now let's see a picture of the new tow beast.
FLY_4_FUN
Explorer
Feb 09, 2017
good call...
krobbe
Explorer
Feb 09, 2017
Fifth Wheel? Shoulda got a 1TON!
The fun never ends... :W
Congrats on the new truck!
yillb
Explorer
Feb 10, 2017
krobbe wrote:
Fifth Wheel? Shoulda got a 1TON!
The fun never ends... :W
Congrats on the new truck!

I purchased the truck first again, I actually somewhat agree, i should have found the trailer, THEN got the truck, but the deal on this 2500 cummins was just to good to pass up, considering my 1500 was literally 2 months old, lol.
MFL
Nomad II
Feb 10, 2017
yillb wrote:
krobbe wrote:
Fifth Wheel? Shoulda got a 1TON!
The fun never ends... :W
Congrats on the new truck!

I purchased the truck first again, I actually somewhat agree, i should have found the trailer, THEN got the truck, but the deal on this 2500 cummins was just to good to pass up, considering my 1500 was literally 2 months old, lol.

While most would agree on 3500 purchase for unknown FW size/weight, you can't pass up a good deal on the 2500. Most say the coil springs ride nice, and if need be the 2500 can easily be brought up to near 3500 SRW standards. No it won't change the sticker limits of a class 2, just the capability.

Jerry
rbpru
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2017
As you probably figure out by now. If you think half ton also think about 6500 lbs. loaded for the road TT weight and about 750 lbs. on the tongue.

That will be at or maybe even a bit over your Max Cargo rating, depending on the rest of your camping load.

That is what my 5004 lb. dry weight TT came too when I took it across the CAT scales.
chiefcamper
Explorer
Feb 11, 2017
Congrats on the new truck! Enjoy the coming camping season.

Forum Discussion

Lifted truck towing :(

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Lifted truck towing 5er

Stable-lift ?

Stable Lift for dually trucks

Tow Truck discussion

Electric truck - tow vehicle of future ?