Forum Discussion

BiggD's avatar
BiggD
Explorer
May 30, 2014

Thoughts on setup

TV:
2012 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman Crew Cab with the 5.7L in it. It has the towing package and 3.92 gears and 20" wheels. I have added the Equalizer WD and Timbrens.

GVWR: 6800
Payload: 1455
Front: 3108
Rear: 2237
Base Weight: 5345

GAWR
Front: 3900
Rear: 3900

GCWR: 15,500

Max Trailer: 10,000

TT:
2013 Forest River Salem 26TBud. According to the site it has 815 lbs of tongue weight and dry weighs in at 5730 lbs.

The only items I put in the back of the truck when we go camping are 3 bikes. There are 2 adults and 3 children (14,12,7). I am guessing our total weight to be around 800 lbs.

The TT probably has about 500 lbs extra in it with clothes, food and misc stuff. I don't tow with any tanks full.

I will be taking the truck to get it weighed. Once with just the truck, once with truck and WD and once with truck and no WD. This will give me all the numbers to figure it out.

With just passenger weight and hitch weight I am over the payload. The truck pulls the TT absolutely fine, plenty of power, no sway and passing other trucks or getting passed seems to be no issue. It will kick down into 4th up hills but has no issues keeping its speed.

Does the Equalizer and Timbrens do anything to compensate for the payload? Does the setup seem to be pushing it too far?
  • johnrbd's avatar
    johnrbd
    Explorer
    May 30, 2014
    "With just passenger weight and hitch weight I am over the payload."

    I think you've answered your own question.

    You're only carrying your entire family. Is your concern for their safety a problem?:?

    It would be for me. Why not dial it back a notch or two?
  • the_bear_II's avatar
    the_bear_II
    Explorer
    May 30, 2014
    Manufacturers set the capacities based upon stress for all components. When you add aftermarket items you aren't affecting all of the components, just suspension. So the payload capabilities of the truck will not change. In order to change the payload capabilities you would have to make changes to all of the components the manufacturer looks at when they set the payload rating.

    Two of the main items the manufacturer consider is brakes and tires. Most RVers fail to realize braking and tire life are greatly affected when towing over capacity.

    For your safety you should have a tow vehicle with capacity beyond what you need instead of "at" or over maximum capacity.

    That being said, I have towed for many years with a truck that was 3000lbs over capacity. I knew it was a risk and could come back to bite me, but I did it anyway. Now that I have a truck that has way more capacity than I need (26,000lbs vs my 15,000lb trailer). I will never tow above capacity again.
  • BiggD's avatar
    BiggD
    Explorer
    May 30, 2014
    johnrbd wrote:
    "With just passenger weight and hitch weight I am over the payload."

    I think you've answered your own question.

    You're only carrying your entire family. Is your concern for their safety a problem?:?

    It would be for me. Why not dial it back a notch or two?


    This is the reason I am asking.. Their safety IS my biggest concern. I am new to this as this is our first TT. I am not up to speed on all the numbers and what is affected or not so hence why I am posting here for recommendations and information. I am not posting here to be ridiculed about my lack for my family's safety.
  • camp-n-family's avatar
    camp-n-family
    Explorer
    May 30, 2014
    2012 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman Crew Cab with the 5.7L in it. It has the towing package and 3.92 gears and 20" wheels. I have added the Equalizer WD and Timbrens.

    GVWR: 6800
    Payload: 1455
    Front: 3108
    Rear: 2237
    Base Weight: 5345


    Are those numbers from the brochure or actual on the trucks sticker? Only reason I ask is the payload seems a little high. My co-worker has the exact same truck (except for the 20s)and his payload is only 1065lbs. Tows his 26' 6K loaded bunkhouse fine, but he has a smaller family and carries nothing in the bed. Still a little over GVWR though.

    What you are looking at seems to be pretty heavy for its size. There are plenty of other trailers out there with similar layouts and features that come in much lighter. This for example. Only thing missing is the 3rd bunk, but it's 900lbs lighter and 300lbs less on the tongue (dry of course)Don't have time to search for others, about to hit the road for first trip of the season :)
  • BiggD's avatar
    BiggD
    Explorer
    May 30, 2014
    camp-n-family wrote:
    2012 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman Crew Cab with the 5.7L in it. It has the towing package and 3.92 gears and 20" wheels. I have added the Equalizer WD and Timbrens.

    GVWR: 6800
    Payload: 1455
    Front: 3108
    Rear: 2237
    Base Weight: 5345


    Are those numbers from the brochure or actual on the trucks sticker? Only reason I ask is the payload seems a little high. My co-worker has the exact same truck (except for the 20s)and his payload is only 1065lbs. Tows his 26' 6K loaded bunkhouse fine, but he has a smaller family and carries nothing in the bed. Still a little over GVWR though.

    What you are looking at seems to be pretty heavy for its size. There are plenty of other trailers out there with similar layouts and features that come in much lighter. This for example. Only thing missing is the 3rd bunk, but it's 900lbs lighter and 300lbs less on the tongue (dry of course)Don't have time to search for others, about to hit the road for first trip of the season :)


    The info I posted was from here Ram Towing Specs. I will check the sticker when I get home tonight but I vaguely remember it being around 1450.

    Thanks for the info and have fun on your trip!
  • mikeh449's avatar
    mikeh449
    Explorer
    May 30, 2014
    first thing get rid of p rated tires they are for cars not trucks get some got e rated tires all around
  • ChooChooMan74's avatar
    ChooChooMan74
    Explorer
    May 31, 2014
    Do you feel comfortable doing this?

    I am in the market for a Ram 1500 Diesel myself. I know, if I upgrade, I may be slightly over on GVW and under and Front and Rear GAWR. But, towing a few times a year, I won't sweat it. If I was towing all year in difficult terrain, I would get something bigger.
  • handye9's avatar
    handye9
    Explorer II
    May 31, 2014
    Does the Equalizer and Timbrens do anything to compensate for the payload?

    Yes, they make the towing feel a little more stable, but, they actually reduce your payload, by the exact amount of their weight. Everything and everybody, you put in or on the truck (since it left the factory), reduces your payload, pound for pound.

    Do check your loading sticker, and get your scale weights. Do to variations in cab configurations, drivetrains, powertrains, suspensions, tires, and factory tow packages, your Ram could have payload as low as 1000 lbs, or high as 2000 lbs. Scale weight will give you a much more accurate picture of your available payload.

    It's possible, you're not overweight, it's also possible, you're farther over than you think.

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