Newbie Pre Purchase Questions
Hi all, new to the forum (and the world of camping)! My wife and I got the camping bug and we want to get a TT. I've read a lot of conflicting info and have some questions before we pull the trigger...
Forum Discussion
pasta4lnch wrote:
Thanks again for all the replys!! This is really helping me...
I have considered smaller layouts. Though every time I do I feel like I'm not really gaining too much (or rather shaving off that much weight or size). They're (bunk houses) mostly a 25/26' interior without a couch or a 27/28' with a couch. Weights on these are nominally different. In fact some of the "smaller" ones are actually heavier.
Sticker on my truck reads 1788lbs cargo. 13% of the larger Jayco we were looking at is 975lbs. That leaves just over 800lbs for us. I guess the question is, will I damage my truck by running at the max cargo weight?
Also, is the GVWR the dry weight + carrying capacity?
The succinct and accurate answers to your questions are no to the first and yes to the second.
The tow rating is limited simply by the 3.21 gears. Ram, IMO does it right. They offer a conservative set of "highway" gears (which really isn't a thing now that transmissions have more than 4 speeds) and a monster set of 3.92 gears.
Not a huge deal, the rest of the truck is the same.
Good wdh to deal with the (in my opinion) lightly sprung rear axle and or a set of airbags for the back and let'er rip.
You will not hurt that truck taking the kids camping at the lake, or pulling the trailer x country and back.
Heck, with Etorque (which you may have), your truck has more hp AND torque than a LB7 Duramax, 24V Cummins and 7.3 Powerstroke. If not, it's still on par with some of the HD truck gas engines of just a couple years ago. And the trans is the same that backs up the SRT8 models. Standard rear axle is still basically the venerable 9.25 Chrysler axle that has been in use since the 70s? Why? Because its tough and reliable. And the chassis/brakes are the same on your truck as the max tow models with the 11klb+ tow rating (except Ram does offer a heavier rear axle on the max tow models, but also has much higher tow rating with the standard axle if geared down.)
Bottom line, you dont have "too much" truck, but you certainly have plenty of truck for your intended purpose.
