Ram 1500 towing

[chadsdad01]

If you tow with a Ram 1500, please tell me how the truck is configured, and what you are towing. Please only reply if you are doing this or have done it personally.

[mfifield01]

I'm towing a Passport 2810BH with my 2013 Ram Hemi. It's an 8-speed with 3.92 gears. It tows great (once the WDH is setup properly). I did put on Load Range D tires. The trailer is around 5600 lbs loaded.

My only complaint is mileage. On two long trips, I got about 9 mpg. It seems to drop into the upper 8's around 65mph. At 55mph, I could probably get 10-12.

[Boxerslave]

2007 1500 laramie full load towing 20ft passport 5000 lbs. Towed fine lots of power 5.7 but with 20 inch wheels payload only 1100 lbs. Truck had lt tires so I was comfortable slightly exceeding payload. Dw fell in love with 2015 Silverado LTZ and payload with 20s is 1635 lbs. with P tires. Added bonuses are better fuel mileage empty and towing and the integrated brake controller is flawless. Do miss the hemi power but the chev 5.3 has enough. Dave

[Jebster]

We had a Jayco 26RLS towed with a Ram 1500. The main problem was payload. Hitch weight was at least 800lbs and payload was only about 1600 lbs. Once loaded up, we pretty much maxed out the payload, so we bought a Ram 2500.

[RamRider]

2015 Ram Hemi Crew cab towing a Bullet 26 foot (217RBS) - Hitch is a Eaz-Lift, Last summer we traded a 2013 Ram Hemi for the 2015 (more creature comforts) Between the two TV we have towed this tt 13,000 over 18 months
The 2015 has the eight speed transmission which seems to be an improvement over the 6 speed. We keep the speed down (60-61) for towing safety. Our down the road weight is around 5500 pounds plus the truck with wife, pooch, and two Honda 2000 generators.
MPG is 9-12 depending on the wind.

[BillB800si]

We have a 2016 Rockwood Windjammer 3029W ( 7400#) with a 1400# Equalizer Hitcher. We pull it with a 2015 Ram 1500 with a V8 Hemi- 8 speed auto trans with standard 3.21 rear end.
It pulls that trailer easily.
But I wouldn't want to go over 60 MPH doing it. Too much trailer for a 1/2 ton truck...

[ttavasc]

We have a 2014 1500 Big Horn CC with the 5.7L Hemi, 3.21 gears, 8-speed and factory air suspension. Towing a 2015 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 195RB Baja. Admittedly it's not much work for the RAM as the trailer only weighs in around 3650 loaded for camping and is a narrower 7-foot width. But we can store it on our lot which was a must, and we like to hit smaller camp grounds, so it's the perfect size for us. Using the Andersen No-Sway hitch which I really like. We put almost 4000 miles on it this season including a ~2400 mile round trip to Southern Utah (Kanab area). It tows very well and for the whole season the overall mpg while towing was about 12.4.

[Kay_and_Gene]

Was glad to see all these posts. I have only towed within 150 miles of home but we are hoping to make a trip to Missouri in the spring. Dread taking I40 but time will be limited. Our unit dry is just over 5000 lb and I have the 5.7 hemi with 3.92 rearend. From all the comments I shouldn't have any problems.

[GordonThree]

Bigbird65 wrote:
Most people probably don't think of a 3.6 V6 when they think of towing with a RAM 1500. We just completed a 3,433 mile camping trip over 21 days with this truck. The photo shows the rig parked at Monarch Crest Colorado on 10/31/15. The elevation is 11,313'. The trailer weighs about 4800 lbs. It pulled just great the entire trip. Very happy with the combo.

The Pentastar V6 is a great engine. I had one in a 2011 Charger and it moved great, despite the beastly curb weight of the Charger.

[Bigbird65]

Most people probably don't think of a 3.6 V6 when they think of towing with a RAM 1500. We just completed a 3,433 mile camping trip over 21 days with this truck. The photo shows the rig parked at Monarch Crest Colorado on 10/31/15. The elevation is 11,313'. The trailer weighs about 4800 lbs. It pulled just great the entire trip. Very happy with the combo.

[wilcamp]

I'm towing with a 2010 Ram 1500 Crew Cab TRX-4 (off-road package). Purchased it "used" in March of 2014, with 36,000 miles. Engine is the 5.7L Hemi, 3.92 rear axle ratio, a 5-speed automatic transmission with the tow/haul function, and 17" tires (yes, tire size can affect towing and handling). Sales staff "assured" me it was rated to tow 10,250#, but Dodge/Ram websites rate it a bit lower. Our TT is a White Hawk Ultra Lite 27DSRB by Jayco, 31' long, with a dry weight listed at 6,080#. Never have put it on the scales, but I'm guessing we're well over 8,000#.

Had to replace the truck's transmission, torque converter and tranny cooler in July of this year, after the transmission overheated and shut down while backing the camper up our driveway. Dodge mechanics found metal shavings in the transmission fluid. My personal opinion is that, while Ram trucks have a reputation for transmission/drive train failures, this damage was probably done prior to my taking ownership, based on clues found by the technicians doing the inspection and work. This replacement drive train has performed well for the rest of the summer and fall. The transmission specialists advised me to always use the tow/haul switch while towing, and not to be shy on the gas pedal, pushing the tachometer into the 3,000 and 4,000 rpm ranges to maintain speed and power torque on the hills. Towing at lower rpms and speeds does not allow the transmission fluid to circulate through the auxiliary cooler enough to adequately protect the system, leading to overheating, shut-down, and/or permanent damage.

[mjbenedict]

Had a 2004 Ram with Hemi and 3:55 gears towing 6500lb hybrid and it did ok once I used a programmer with a towing program. It fixed the shift points and did well. The truck only had a overdrive off switch (not towing mode).
Switched to a 2010 Ram with Hemi and 3:92 gears. Newer transmission had tow mode and that truck towed the same camper easily. Did not get a programmer for that truck. I really liked it so was hard to give it up this year.
I wanted to try out a Ford for no particular reason just a change. So I bought a 2015 F150 with ecoboost 6cyl after test driving both that engine and Ford's 5.0. I really like the torque it puts out. The gearing is 3:55 so I was a little concerned with towing but it tows and shifts great. I would put it on par with the 2010 Ram with 3:92s.
Just upgraded to a Rockwood TT at 7800lbs and the truck does fine with it. I have no doubt that my 2010 Ram would have worked well too.
May go back to a Ram someday, I like both manufacturers. Ram is definitely cost friendly and on par quality wise with the Ford.

[chadsdad01]

Thank you all very much. Please keep your on topic replies coming.

[TheWB]

2008 Ram 1500, 4.7 V8, 3.92 factory tow package. Almost 24 foot Lance Model 1995. 330 lbs at the tongue and ~3700 lbs empty. Max towing for the truck I think is 5000 lbs. Max weight for the trailer is ~5050. No problems towing. From where we live going to camp anywhere requires driving up a mountain.

[icanon]

See my signature I have a 2014 Laramie 5.7 4x4 crew cab with 3.92 hauling a loaded 6943 lbs TT.
When on highway I never drive above 60mph (I stay within my TT tire limits) I always tow in haul mode and use the cruise control. The truck performs excellent whether on a flat road or on a steep grade. Last summer I drove from Quebec to disney florida and back average mpg around 12-13.