My head is spinning.....

And remember steve, there are at least 4 or 5 “half’s” to this equation.

Trucks factory specs
Trucks real world capability
Your experience
Your comfort level
Your opinion
Duty cycle
Typical use

I could go on. But everyone of the considerations is subjective. Even the very first one, factory specs, although some believe them like the Gospel. But if you stay within the first one in general, the rest will sort itself out and you’ll soon develop your own preferences.

My trailer is 5200 as shipped, 6500 gross.

I tow it with a 96 Suburban. It towed it fine before the changes in my signature, but I was looking for more on the hills. 255hp/335 tq, 4 speed transmission.

I don't think you will have an trouble pulling that similar weight trailer with a nearly new 2016 Ram with 395hp/410tq, and a 6 or 8 speed transmission.

To say it will only pull a 5K trailer max seems silly.

Grit dog wrote:
Short answer, yes, it's fine.
Longer answer, you "could" get a bigger, higher towing capacity truck and it would be more effortless for the truck and a HD truck would be more effortless for you, given your inexperience towing, but you're ok with what you got.

X2.

Big_steve wrote:

GeoBoy wrote:
Too much trailer for your truck, look for a trailer with a max weight of 5K.

Can I ask how you figured 5k max? Not looking to argue. Would just like to know.

Thanks

Steve, I had a 2005 Silverado 3500 with a 6 liter gas engine and 4:10 gearing. I was pulling a TT that had a 10k gross weight, 1,000 tongue weight, and it struggled on eastern mountains. I traded for a smaller TT with a 7,500 gross weight and had no problems in the Rockies. Get that lighter TT and enjoy your trips.

GeoBoy wrote:
Too much trailer for your truck, look for a trailer with a max weight of 5K.

Can I ask how you figured 5k max? Not looking to argue. Would just like to know.

Thanks

Go for it. I would.

Too much trailer for your truck, look for a trailer with a max weight of 5K.

Big_steve wrote:

Part of this was my confusion. I was counting hitch and tongue weight together. I didn't understand why I was flying by the payload limit. Yes, I'm aware of those things. I was looking for a starting point. Empty truck and loaded trailer. Later I input passengers and gear to see where I think I would be. Looks like I'll be at or slightly below the capacity of my truck. Have to decide if I like that, or opt for a smaller trailer.

No one tows empty, so it doesn't make a good starting point.

Also it's common for newbies to not realize how many things eat up payload, so when you say only 400lb...that's the first assumption people will make is that you don't understand.

Half ton, even heavy half (HD, what I call fake half tons) normally will have plenty of 'tow cap' (MTWR, max tow weight rating), but run out of ratings with the TV's rear GAWR (Gross axle weight rating)

Higher class TV's has RGAWR in the +6,000 lb range...vs...half ton's RGAWR in the 3,xxx to 4,xxx range. The rear axle is where most of the towing and hauling weight goes. The center of the wheel base is normally at the driver's door rear edge. Just take a side view look and it will telly you where the weight is going to be

That 'tow cap' rating goes out the window if the TV is loaded up to it's GVWR

Of course, being over the ratings won't have the wheels instantly fall off...they will just fall off sooner...

On the good days, just about anything will 'do it', or 'can do it'

All things engineered/designed has ratings and fine print (written and filtered by lawyers) to CYA the OEM...for the day Mr Murphy crosses your path.

Either you have the properly sized everything and adjusted correctly spot on or not. NO time to go back to the store...nor time to readjust...

Just decide if you believe in them or not. If not, then this is purely an academic discussion. If yes, continue on your research and learning

Big_steve wrote:
2016 ram 1500 5.7 hemi, 3.21 rear reg cab, 8 ft box. 1670 is off the door sticker. Tow cap confirmed with vin on Dodge website, and dodge tow charts. Thanks

id say marginal but ok. go for it. pack light. next time buy a ford.