kcstrom wrote:
Thanks for the responses and thoughts folks; sounds like I should probably look at a smaller trailer (don't really want to buy new trailer and new truck at the same time).
I realized I left some info out of the OP:
* GCWR is 12,100 from the 2013 Ram 1500 Towing chart (my links are removed from some reason, guess I'm too new)
* 6'4" bed
* Rear axle ration: 3.21
I wasn't using the GVWR of the trailer since I would make sure not to put 2300lbs on it. If I have a smaller trailer with a lower CCC, I would be limited by how much I could put on there.
GCW left from truck itself for trailer would be 12100 - 6060 = 6040. Add 350lb for family to truck = 5690. Hmm, I guess I didn't do this arithmetic before convincing myself I really wanted this trailer. Dang it. This math would work out a lot better if I didn't have 8-speed transmission with the lowest axle ratio. 6-speed transmission with its lowest axle ration would have increased GCWR and towing capacity by 2000lb.
So you do have the 8HP.
You are backwards on your understanding of what is the better setup for these trucks.
Look up the trans ratios for yours vs the lesser 5 speed (not 6). The other trans is a 65rfe.
Your truck has 4.69 first gear. Eeven with the 3.21 gears has a lower overall first gear than the 65rfe even if it came with 3.92 gears. Your truck has 2 more gears between first gear and direct 1:1.
You have an anomaly of a truck if you look at the towing rating charts. Idk why Ram saddled some of the first year 8 speeds with such a low gvw.
And know the 65rfe is a veritable piece of _____compared to the 8HPs. So bonus you got a way better towing setup than you even knew about.
You can spend more money due to lack of understanding and believing those who can’t tell you anything other than “read the numbers”.
Or you can be knowledgeable enough to make an educated decision based on the details and not just the gcvw “rating.”
And all of this relates to power for pulling. Which is nice. I wouldn’t hesitate to pull that trailer anywhere. I was only ishy at first because I thought you had the chitty transmission being it was the low gvw model.
Back to the chassis. Every 2013 Ram half ton is effectively the same. Same frame same suspension (maybe different rear spring rates), same axles. Everything that matters is the same.
But car dealers LOVE people who don’t make informed decisions. I swear most of the members must be used car salesmen as the upsell from the peanut gallery is strong.
You can decide whether you want to make an informed decision or just spend your way into better or perceived better performance, depending on what you would “upgrade” to.
