Tow Vehicle Feedback Appreciated

tscholz1 wrote:
We just bought the Coachmen Freedom Express Liberty Edition 320BHDS in October. Base Weight is 7,374 and the sticker on the camper says GVWR is 7,900. Wow.. 526 lbs of cargo carrying capacity sure isn't very much. You can put that much in without even trying. Plus, most mfg ratings for dry weight are notoriously under the actual weight due to additions/accessories.

I have a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 4WD 5.7l Hemi Quad Cab that is paid off. I would like to not have to buy a different truck if I don't have to. I only use the truck for camping or hauling other things. Can this truck do the job? Engine wise, shouldn't be a problem. Weight wise, I think you need to find out what your payload rating and rear axle ratings are. An 8000 lbs trailer (which you will easily be once loaded) will have a tongue weight of approximately 12 to 15 percent of the total trailer weight. So you can figure on close to 950 lbs for just the tongue weight.

The backend does sag some. You will need to invest in a good set of weight distribution bars with at least 1000 lb bars.

Should I put air bags on to help the suspension? Air bags will only help in leveling out the truck once it is loaded....but weight distribution bars will do it too. No need to invest in both.

I hauled it to and from the dealer and I thought it pulled fine all things considered. It is heavier than our last travel trailer. I am concerned about breaking something. I did a lookup on towing on dodge trucks and came up with 7,500 for the truck. You need to weigh your truck and subtract that weight from the GVWR. That will be the total weight you can add to the truck (includes ANYTHING you put in/on the truck).

I am getting mixed reviews from various people about this. The rv dealer sold us the camper without really verifying that it is doable. It's not the dealer's responsibility to insure you have a sufficient towing vehicle....it's yours.

We did do a test pull without using the sway bars and it pulled fine. I thought the backend would have sagged more. The backend still sags some with the sway bars on. I think you're confused. Sway bars do absolutely nothing for weight distribution...they only help in controlling sway. However, if you really mean weight distribution bars (WD) then that will help immensely.

Some people tell me to refer to the owners manual. Good advice, but the owner's manual doesn't always provide all the answers.

Some people tell me to beef up the suspension. You can do that, but you will still be limited by the rear axle rating (unless you change out the entire rear end) and the tires.

What should I be concerned about? The axle? You should be concerned with the payload rating, rear axle rating, tire rating.

If i put airbags on will that take the concern off the axle? No!

Is there something else I should be concerned about? We have a 800 mile trip planned for June and I would like to have all my ducks in a row and feel confident about being safe on this trip. Thanks for your feedback on this matter.