Question about axle Ratios
Looking at two, 2017 RAM 1500 Laramie Trucks. One has a axle ratio of 3.21 and has a lot of options I like. The second one has a ratio of 3.92 but with less options, prices on both are very similar. ...
Forum Discussion
For the weights that you're looking at I wouldn't get anything less than the 3.92. The 3.21 works just fine with lighter weight trailers, but if you're towing decent weights then you want the lower gears (numerically higher).
Forget about the tow capacity. Just toss it straight out the window. With a 1/2 ton you'll run out of payload long before you get to that tow capacity number. The number you're most worried about is the payload of the truck. The payload should be on the sticker on the door jamb. This is the maximum amount of weight that can be loaded into the truck. Chances are that the payload of the two trucks will be somewhere around 1,300.
Let's say you weigh 200 lbs. Once you sit in the driver seat your new available payload is now 1,100. Add a 120 lbs passenger and your new number is 980lbs. If you have any other passengers or gear that's loaded into the truck then you have to deduct that amount from the payload as well. As you can see, you're running out of payload quickly.
Since the tongue weight of the trailer also has to be carried by the truck, the tongue weight must fit within the available payload. Typical tongue weight is 13 percent of the total weight of the trailer. So a 7,500 - 8,000 lbs trailer will have a tongue weight of 975-1,040 lbs. Using the scenario above with just two passengers, you're already maxed out or over.
Chances are you'll have more weight in the truck than just two passengers. You want to get a truck that will give you a good amount of payload. If you're hooked on a 1/2 ton RAM then you could take a less optioned truck and get a couple hundred lbs of payload back. All of those extra doo dads in the Laramie adds weight so you get lower max payload numbers.
Forget about the tow capacity. Just toss it straight out the window. With a 1/2 ton you'll run out of payload long before you get to that tow capacity number. The number you're most worried about is the payload of the truck. The payload should be on the sticker on the door jamb. This is the maximum amount of weight that can be loaded into the truck. Chances are that the payload of the two trucks will be somewhere around 1,300.
Let's say you weigh 200 lbs. Once you sit in the driver seat your new available payload is now 1,100. Add a 120 lbs passenger and your new number is 980lbs. If you have any other passengers or gear that's loaded into the truck then you have to deduct that amount from the payload as well. As you can see, you're running out of payload quickly.
Since the tongue weight of the trailer also has to be carried by the truck, the tongue weight must fit within the available payload. Typical tongue weight is 13 percent of the total weight of the trailer. So a 7,500 - 8,000 lbs trailer will have a tongue weight of 975-1,040 lbs. Using the scenario above with just two passengers, you're already maxed out or over.
Chances are you'll have more weight in the truck than just two passengers. You want to get a truck that will give you a good amount of payload. If you're hooked on a 1/2 ton RAM then you could take a less optioned truck and get a couple hundred lbs of payload back. All of those extra doo dads in the Laramie adds weight so you get lower max payload numbers.
