towing capacity

You may also find brand specific information on dodge forum.com. You can find the section dedicated to your vehicle and get some information on towing capacity based on your VIN. I did for my Dakota. They "used to" build the towing capacity into the VIN , I believe it is the 4th digit (or letter) in my case. And if you didn't get your truck new it will help with the questions of exactly what the vehicle was actually built with on the assembly line. When I had bought my truck 15 years ago trailering wasn't on my mind. Now it is and I found out that I do have a HD alternator and battery, although I will need to install the extra cooling systems for the tranny, PS and coolant.

Theoretically the max towing capacity is applicable to boats and flat trailers for things like cars.

A friend of mine used to tow a 28" boat with an Astro van. He had no problems.

BillyW wrote:
It seems so simple, if you just say, "Don't forget! Any weight on the hitch must be considered part of the tow vehicle's payload."

And someone else will refute that.

BenK wrote:

BillyW wrote:
snip...

If Ram rated the truck to tow that weight, I'm of the opinion that it will tow that weight. Nothing wrong with adding additional cooling, but I wouldn't let it stop me from towing with it now. My trailer is only 24 feet long (and around 6500 lbs), and my truck truly handles it with ease.

I say go for it!

First, I only provide info for the OP's to make up their own minds, as
there is only on person responsible for the setup and that is the driver
If the OP is looking for consensus of what they wish...they will get
tons of it on these freebie forums

Many either ignore or don't understand how all OEM specifications work.
There are fine print legalize that modifies

Take the above quote and is correct...but...not totally true, as there
is fine print modifying that MTWR (Max Tow Weigh Rating) and again ALL OEMs do this

Here is a link to a 2016 RAM 1500 and note the fine print below the
ratings chart
2016 Ram Trailer Towing Chart-SAE J2807 Compliant

#8 of the first chart says:
"Payload and Trailer Weight Rating are mutually exclusive"

Meaning both 'payload' and 'MTRW" are derived from the 'base weight'
TV (AKA...curb)...

Meaning you can NOT load up the TV to the 'payload' and tow MTWR, as
the ratings are consumed by a full payload...

It seems so simple, if you just say, "Don't forget! Any weight on the hitch must be considered part of the tow vehicle's payload."

And BTW, I would also do as APT recommended. You will not be thrown all over the road! Setup properly you'll be just as stable and safe as some of the 3/4 and 1 ton setups ive seen on the road!

Just my $0.02, I tow a 3500lb trailer with 3 dirt bikes (750lbs) and tons of heavy gear packed in with my 2014 Ram 1500 with 3:21 and 8 speed and it is AMAZING. That 8 speed is the best thing since sliced bread. The truck is always in a perfect gear and rarely screams unless going up a very steep grade and I am on the gas hard to keep speed. I regularly out accelerate cars and other vehicles from stop light without trying. I also have an intake and exhaust though, which made a big difference. That HEMI is so strong.

tinner12002 wrote:

nickthehunter wrote:
With a payload of 1520 lbs. you can easily go with a TT with a GVWR of 7,000 lbs. And I have never heard of a TT with a empty weight of 5,700 lbs having a GVWR of 8,700 lbs. You will never put 3,000 lbs of stuff in a TT. Even 1,500 lbs is a lot unless that sucker is 30-foot long.

It could be with a toy hauler!

My TT, has a 4100lb CCC. 7100 dry with a 11,200 GVWR. I only use 2k lbs of that!

BillyW wrote:
snip...

If Ram rated the truck to tow that weight, I'm of the opinion that it will tow that weight. Nothing wrong with adding additional cooling, but I wouldn't let it stop me from towing with it now. My trailer is only 24 feet long (and around 6500 lbs), and my truck truly handles it with ease.

I say go for it!

First, I only provide info for the OP's to make up their own minds, as
there is only on person responsible for the setup and that is the driver
If the OP is looking for consensus of what they wish...they will get
tons of it on these freebie forums

Many either ignore or don't understand how all OEM specifications work.
There are fine print legalize that modifies

Take the above quote and is correct...but...not totally true, as there
is fine print modifying that MTWR (Max Tow Weigh Rating) and again ALL OEMs do this

Here is a link to a 2016 RAM 1500 and note the fine print below the
ratings chart
2016 Ram Trailer Towing Chart-SAE J2807 Compliant

#8 of the first chart says:
"Payload and Trailer Weight Rating are mutually exclusive"

Meaning both 'payload' and 'MTRW" are derived from the 'base weight'
TV (AKA...curb)...

Meaning you can NOT load up the TV to the 'payload' and tow MTWR, as
the ratings are consumed by a full payload...

BillyW wrote:
I often wonder if, in your kind of situation, it's a characteristic of the particular trailer. Would other brands and designs of 30' trailers behave the same?

I have wondered that as well. Maybe the best people to ask would be the people who haul trailers to dealers for a living.

I often wonder if, in your kind of situation, it's a characteristic of the particular trailer. Would other brands and designs of 30' trailers behave the same?