Ram 1500 towing...

[davisenvy]

I have a 2017 Ram 1500 CC with a 3.21 rear end and 8 speed trans. I am looking at a Toy Hauler with a dry weight of 4,700 lbs and a hitch weight of 670 lbs. I know my truck isn't a tow monster, but how bad will my truck struggle?

I bought this truck because I thought I was done with the whole RV scene, but I came across this little toy hauler and it looks like fun.

[ksss]

Once you get the "toy" in the trailer, and depending on how the trailer is laid out with the location and amount of fresh water and so forth it, the hitch weight may be reduced somewhat depending also on how heavy the toy is. With a WDH, I dont see it being overly painful. Probably the biggest issue is you relating to how your previous trucks pulled compared to the 1500. My guess is you will, without even realizing it start pursing lots for a bigger truck. Had this been your first encounter with a TV, you wouldnt know what you were missing.

[MFL]

It is due to the vehicle weight. The payload is the wt of the vehicle, as it left the factory, subtracted from that vehicles GVWR.

Example: Ram weighed 8k as built. The GVWR is 10K, making the payload sticker number 2K

Axle/tire ratings much more important!

Jerry

[davisenvy]

jerem0621 wrote:

MFL wrote:
I'm not familiar with Ram 1/2 tons, but even with the taller gearing, I'd expect more than 7,800 lbs towing, from a 5.7 hemi with 8-speed?? Payload 1200 lbs???...think my wife's little SUV (Escape) has a similar payload, and is the loaded Limited Edition.

If Grit says it will work, I'd go for it!!

Jerry

Yea, I balk at that all day long.

1200 lbs in that Ram and you will hardly notice the load. 1200 lbs in the escape and you will know you are loaded heavy.

My lightbulb moment came when I commented on here about a 3/4 ton MegaCab 4x4 Cummins only having 1800 lbs of payload. Someone commented that 1800 lbs in the bed wouldn’t even make it squat, despite what the silly sticker says.

Just my opinion based on experience.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

This might be for another thread, but here it goes. I went from an '06 Duramax with a payload of 2200 lbs to a 2016 Cummins with a 2000 lb payload. I towed the same fifth wheel with both and the Ram (with the lower payload) towed much more stable than the Duramax. I know the numbers are given for a reason, but why are Rams numbers so low?

[BenK]

Maybe RAM does it differently, but are Tow-Haul button, IBC, software (mainly duty cycle, anti-hunting algorithms, etc) there ?

[TurnThePage]

I think all the Rams have the basic towing components (cooling, etc.) installed. I played on the "build your Ram" site, and the only extra towing stuff is the mirrors, cameras and brake controller.

[ib516]

davisenvy wrote:
I pulled the plastic cover off the engine to verify that there is a transmission cooler and I am wired for OEM brake controller. I know the engine will pull it, I know the trans will hunt, but I wasn't sure about the coil vs leaf springs.

The rear coil spring makes for the best unloaded ride in a 150/1500 series truck, but they do tend to sag when trailering. There are companies that make stiffer replacement springs (TufTruckSprings.com) that slip right in, and of course there are Timbrens and air bag kits are available among many other options.

Basically, if you hauling near max payload in a Ram 1500 newer than 2009 (when they introduced the rear coils), you are likely to need some rear suspension add-ons.

I had a 2500 with the rear coils and found them to be very robust and not prone to sagging like the 1500s. The 2014 2500 I had with rear coils sagged less than the 2007 3500 SRW I had owned previously - and I tested and measured it with the same RV.

[Grit_dog]

I didn’t mean hunt like hunt for gears. Yes it will do a bunch more shifting than running bobtail, but the 8hp70 is about the best slushbox out there.

[davisenvy]

I pulled the plastic cover off the engine to verify that there is a transmission cooler and I am wired for OEM brake controller. I know the engine will pull it, I know the trans will hunt, but I wasn't sure about the coil vs leaf springs.

[Grit_dog]

ScottG wrote:
Try to find your actual tow rating because I *think* your 3.21 diff is very telling and indicates you don't have any tow package. So no extra trans or PS coolers, etc.

1500 Hemi CC 3.21 geared truck is rated between 7800-8000lb towing.
So, dog will hunt. No problem.

[Grit_dog]

^ Yup, you're right jerem! You get it. Others.....not so much.

Well I was wrong about this being a runaway thread. Weight cops are either sleeping or pontificating more than driveling.

[Lwiddis]

No need for name calling, Grit dog. I don’t call you “a foolish overloader” do I? We just disagree.

[jerem0621]

MFL wrote:
I'm not familiar with Ram 1/2 tons, but even with the taller gearing, I'd expect more than 7,800 lbs towing, from a 5.7 hemi with 8-speed?? Payload 1200 lbs???...think my wife's little SUV (Escape) has a similar payload, and is the loaded Limited Edition.

If Grit says it will work, I'd go for it!!

Jerry

Yea, I balk at that all day long.

1200 lbs in that Ram and you will hardly notice the load. 1200 lbs in the escape and you will know you are loaded heavy.

My lightbulb moment came when I commented on here about a 3/4 ton MegaCab 4x4 Cummins only having 1800 lbs of payload. Someone commented that 1800 lbs in the bed wouldn’t even make it squat, despite what the silly sticker says.

Just my opinion based on experience.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[ScottG]

Try to find your actual tow rating because I *think* your 3.21 diff is very telling and indicates you don't have any tow package. So no extra trans or PS coolers, etc.

[Mickeyfan0805]

As mentioned - a lot of opinions will come flooding along on both sides. Since you don't own the trailer, the best thing you can do is calculate with as true a sense of numbers as you can. As others have said, your major limitation is payload. In addition to considering the question of who/what else will be in the truck, the nature of the TH is key. The dry hitch weight is at about 14%. Where is the cargo area? If it's in front of the axles, your proportional TW will spike when loaded. If it's behind the axles, the TW ratio will actually drop (note that I said TW ratio, not the actual TW!).

All in all, without a lot more info, it's hard to judge. At first glance, my sense would be that, if the cargo is behind the axles, you MIGHT be able to swing it if you are generally driving with a pretty empty truck and what you put in cargo is pretty light. If the cargo is over or in front of the axles, it is likely a non-starter!