Ram 1500 can it tow Keystone 280BH??

Desert Captain wrote:
The big issue for the OP is what payload does your truck have. As noted earlier Ram 1500's are notorious for limited payload. Crew Cabs and 4 X 4's are heavy options that subtract from the original factory payload numbers.

"The tow vehicle is a 2016 Ram 1500 that has upgraded shocks, springs(TufTruck XHD), sway bars, Helper airbags and E-Rated tires. I will be using a weight distributing hitch just like I do with my current 26Ft Shadow Cruiser and my vehicle does have a brake controller/tow package."

None of the above will change the trucks payload.

Shortly after buying my 2019 Honda Ridgeline a guy I know tried to take me to task... "Why didn't you buy a real truck?" he asked. When I asked for his definition of a "Real Truck" he proudly pointed to his Ram 1500. When asked what his payload was he got kind of sheepish and said he wasn't sure.

I had him open the drivers door and there on the sticker it showed his payload to be 977#. My Honda is 1,477#. Almost made him cry. The OP is going to run out of payload with this trailer before he loads any gear or passengers. The other concern IMHO is that much trailer will be a textbook example of the tail wagging the dog... and not in a good way.

As always... Opinions and YMMV. Good luck.

:C

Not once did I state or even hint that the changes I made would up my payload or towing. As for Ram payloads its all in the options. You have a LOADED limited with 3.21 gears and your payload will be ****. The thing I will give you that Ram messes up concerning payload is you can have identical vehicles with the same exact options and changing the gear ratio ALONE can drop the payload significantly. Sure a lower gearing will FEEL better, but after all the front and rear ends I have serviced and rebuilt as a mechanic or shade tree there is no discernable difference to warrant the change other than speed of acceleration. But Im sure someone will disagree with that.

As far as numbers go I have NOT weighed my truck with camper, but I have weighed my truck alone with a load in the bed and "empty" at the dump so I know given the numbers I have on hand that my truck will be within those limits. The one change to my current way of loading for a trip to make it work numbers wise is to hitch my bikes to the camper rear and keep the bed empty. But as I stated above the more I contemplate the more I become uneasy about it all despite the numbers lining up.

Thank you for your post.

MFL wrote:
"None of the above will change the trucks payload."

^^This is true, will not change the payload sticker.

The improvements made to OPs truck will improve handling and capability, of his truck, compared to stock setup.

Jerry

This is why I did them. Plain and simple I have 115k HARD miles and my suspension was worn out and now Ill have less sag allowing better front end dynamics when towing and hauling. Nothing more nothing less.