Forum Discussion

tscholz1's avatar
tscholz1
Explorer
Jan 31, 2014

Tow Vehicle Feedback Appreciated

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. 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? The backend does sag some. Should I put air bags on to help the suspension? 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. I am getting mixed reviews from various people about this. The rv dealer sold us the camper without really verifying that it is doable. 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. Some people tell me to refer to the owners manual. Some people tell me to beef up the suspension. What should I be concerned about? The axle? If i put airbags on will that take the concern off the axle? 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.
Tow Vehicles
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2014
    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. 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?


    Not a good match for your truck. I expect you will be something around 8500-9000 pounds loaded for an 800-mile/week+ long trip. That's 1100-1300 pounds of TW. And the bed will be full of travel and camping gear, plus people. Do you have 2000 pounds of payload? I doubt it. Is your receiver capable of handling 1100 pounds? Better check.

    $14 at a CAT scale with 3 passes should tell you exactly where you stand with respect to all your truck's ratings. From that you can determine how comfortable you are with the combo.

    Since your truck is only used for work, the compromised benefits of a half ton are none. Your truck has value, $10-15k maybe. There are plenty of similar vintage more capable trucks out there in similar condition. Find a Ford V10 or GM 8.1L. You'll be a lot happier.
  • bmanning's avatar
    bmanning
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2014
    pitch wrote:
    You have the truck, you have the trailer. Use it for a season and then decide.


    A wise person has spoken.

    You can live in the theoretical world, or you can choose to check out the real one.

    You may not even need a season; you may decide after a tow or 2 that your truck is or isn't up to the task. Get a larger sample size than the tow from the dealer to your house; seek out some climbs, take it out on a windy day, make a mock "panic stop," etc.

    And you'll know you made the right decision afterward, because you will have actually conducted research rather than relying on others' opinions.

    Don't forget to update us on your decision once you make it.
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Jan 31, 2014
    Les Balty wrote:
    ....than strictly relying on numbers that are guidelines.


    Oh boy here we go again.
  • Les_Balty's avatar
    Les_Balty
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2014
    I'd invest in a good equalizer hitch, load light and drive conservatively. The Hemi is a beast and if your rear end is right - you'll be good-to-go. I think that RV'ers of all types will usually be better served to do good pre and post-trip inspections and use safe driving principles and techniques than strictly relying on numbers that are guidelines. Close is probably OK if you handle it right, but with insufficient care to operator issues, weight safety margins are meaningless.
  • therink's avatar
    therink
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2014
    I am sure you will be exceeding the payload capacity. Most Ram 1500s have about 1200 payload. You will likely use that up in tounge weight alone. I would consider a 3/4 ton or trailer with gvwr of less than 7k.
  • pitch's avatar
    pitch
    Explorer II
    Jan 31, 2014
    You have the truck, you have the trailer. Use it for a season and then decide.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2014
    Air bags are not going to increase your payload. Your new camper (according to your numbers) only has a 526 lb cargo capacity which really seems low to me...???

    You are really going to have to load light. Since it's a bunk house, I assume you have kids to bring along...usually means more gear/stuff and thus more weight.

    Rear end, as previously posted, is a factor. What tires are on the truck? LT's or P's?

    I'd give it a couple of test camping trips...loaded the way you are going to do on you long upcoming trip. See how it goes.

    You are really going to be close..
    Congrats on the new trailer and good luck with it all.
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Jan 31, 2014
    tscholz1 wrote:
    Base Weight is 7,374 and the sticker on the camper says GVWR is 7,900.


    If these numbers are right you only have 526 lbs of carrying capacity in the trailer...the Coachmen site says the GVWR is "TBA" (to be announced).

    That trailer will be a handful for the truck, but if tows fine thats a good start. I would pack the trailer like you are ready to go camping and then get the truck and trailer weighed. That will give you an idea of whether you are overweight and if so by how much, and then you can make the decision about upgrading the truck based on facts.
  • jbres's avatar
    jbres
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2014
    Do you know which rear end ratio you have? According to Dodge towing guide website, if you have the 3.92 rear end your towing capacity increases to 8,500 pounds. If you have the 3.55 your correct about the 7,500 pounds. If you don't know which rear end ratio you have, call your local dodge dealer and provide them your vin number, and they can give you a print out on all your specs including your ratio.
  • wski's avatar
    wski
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2014
    I think you answered your own question. If your truck is rated to safely tow 7500 lbs, you are going to exceed that once you start putting gear in your camper.

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