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WTW's avatar
WTW
Explorer
Mar 30, 2019

2016 crew1500 Ram 5,7... what ya towing/TT weight, MPG

Just getting educated. Looking to tow with my wife’s Ram. We are looking at TT weighing 5000 to 7000 loaded. What do you pull with your Ram 5.7 and MPG. I know MPG is not going to be good towing but a Ram mpg isicks with out towing. I’m wishing to get the shock prior to seeing/expierencing it in real life. Thanks
  • What year Ram? Newer with the 8 speed auto might make a difference.
  • My '15 1500 with 5.7, 3.92 gears, 8 speed, is pulling a 24' trailer that weighs in the neighborhood of 6000 - 6500 lbs, depending on how long we'll be gone. It's running with 13% tongue weight, and using the Equal-I-zer brand hitch. It tows like a dream. The OEM rear springs on the Ram tend to sag more than I liked, so I've upgraded mine. However, even with that sag, the truck was rock solid under all conditions. Most of my towing is in the mountains of the northwest. I could and in fact did on several occasions make passes on two lane highways while climbing those mountains. Plenty of power available.

    I have no experience with longer trailers, but would be willing to get close to 30' and 7500 lbs.

    Many will point out the typically low payload on these Rams. It seems to me that this is the direct result of those soft rear springs. The axles themselves are rated to 3900 lbs each. I'm always butting right up against that payload or perhaps a couple hundred pounds over. I have no problem with that either.

    Edit: I forgot to add mileage. It's usually right around 9 - 10. Sometimes better, sometimes a little worse. It's consistently 2 mpg better than the '97 F150 it replaced. I tend to tow faster than I should for economy too. I hate being that guy slowing everybody else.
  • Thanks, great info. Same Ram as my wife’s 3.92 rear end. Any info on mpg towing? Thanks
  • What rear end springs did your replace OEM with? And typical cost? Thanks !!
  • Mine are from a local spring company. However, I have experience with TTC-1223v springs, which are stiffer than stock, and progressive, which means they get stiffer as weight is added, but still very nice ride. The same company makes a model called TTC-1211 that I think would be the cat's meow for most people wanting more carrying capacity, while retaining stock ride height, etc. Stiffer ride, but still nice.

    Springs are actually pretty reasonably priced. I paid around $400 for the springs and install. One time deal. There are cheaper options too. There's a product called Sumo Springs that goes in place of the bump stops that would likely work pretty nicely. If I didn't go the route I did, they would have been my next choice. Last but not least are various air bag options. You can install bags that fit inside the current coils for under $100 plus the price of support hardware. Lots of fun options.