Ram 1500 with starcraft 289bhs

[samhain7]

Hi all.
Forgive me, but I have read a lot of threads and I just can't seem yo understand the formulas.
My 2012 1500 has the trailer package and the 3.92back end. It says I can yow 9500 lbs.
The trailer weights, 6300lbs empty.
Everyone I talked to including the dealer says I am fine. But reading threads here, I am not sure.
I haven't picked up the trailer yet and can still opt out of it. Can someone help me out on this one? Once again. I apologize for not being able to figure this out.

[samhain7]

Also. Btw. I don't see us loading more than 500 lbs. does that equat to 50lbs of hitch wieght?
I never travel with water.

[samhain7]

I have a few other questions but for now.
can we can all agree that I am 100% ok and within my specs to bring it home empty and with just me ( 170lbs).

[samhain7]

Jerimiah. Can't thank you enough for the help.
So a hitch wieght of 2500 lbs is 1500 lbs over. How would that even be possible for me to tow?

[ib516]

I also add that RV manufacturers seem to get their weights by throwing darts at a dartboard. I wouldn't take them as 100% accurate.

[ib516]

samhain7 wrote:
So do I understand this correct. The dry hitch wieght of the trailer is 750.
Our payload is 1089. So, with our family weighing 350 approx I am at capacity without loading any gear!

Yes. One of your capacities...that being the truck's GVWR.

I had a 2002 Ram 2500 equipped with the Cummins diesel. It had an 8800# GVWR. I loaded it up to 9200# - 9400# GVW and towed all the way across Canada. I was well under both GAWRs and under the tire ratings by a wide margin even when over GVWR. I had no handling issues, and I certainly didn't feel "unsafe" at any point.

While overloading a vehicle can be dangerous, common sense still applies. If you truck has a 6800# GVWR and you load it to 6805#, that doesn't make it automatically "unsafe".

What you do is up to you. The best idea is to get the set up loaded and hitched up and take it to a scale and weigh it, make your decision based on fact rather than speculation.

[jerem0621]

samhain7 wrote:
So do I understand this correct. The dry hitch wieght of the trailer is 750.
Our payload is 1089. So, with our family weighing 350 approx I am at capacity without loading any gear!

You got it friend.

Nobody pulls an empty camper around for very long. Expect the tongue weight to go 2-500 lbs up as you load it.

Don't forget the kids electronics, snacks, things in the bed, etc etc etc.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[samhain7]

So do I understand this correct. The dry hitch wieght of the trailer is 750.
Our payload is 1089. So, with our family weighing 350 approx I am at capacity without loading any gear!

[APT]

jerem0621 wrote:
These trucks are very capable, changing the tires to LT tires and adding airbags (both are cheap mods) seems to address the issues a half ton has.

...in the short term, yes, rear suspension aids do mask overloaded situations and tend to improve towing comfort.

OP, Ram 1500 diesel has even less payload than the Hemi with the same equipment. If you want to upgrade the truck next year, whenever, make sure the capability is actually upgraded. The 2500 Ram 6.4L is getting very favorable reviews.

[fla-gypsy]

It always comes down to this, you can ignore the ratings and do it anyway if you choose. Good luck getting it like you want it and take any extra precautions you can to keep it safe for others.

[jerem0621]

samhain7 wrote:
I used to drive a single axl dump towing a hydro seeder. And the seeder was full of water.

Ok. I will look at air bags and tires. And also another question. It is a hour half drive from the dealership. I won't have time to get the truck modded before then. Any issues in just getting it home with the current set up you think?

I would have them set up the WD hitch for you (this should already been discussed between you and the dealership I think) and you should be fine.

[pitch]

Worth exactly what you are paying for it. I have a 2013 Ram 1500. I have a sticker payload of 1437#. I tow a 5000# HTT gross weight. According to Ram my Vin# is good to 8500#. I would not want to tow that much. Maybe 6000 or a couple hundred more would be ok,but no more than that. I know that loaded I am over payload by 200# or so,but it does not have any negative affect.in handling.
The only mods I have done is to go with the smaller 17" rims and load range "D" lt tires. Hooked just on the ball I have about 3" of sag which is removed with my wdh.

[samhain7]

I used to drive a single axl dump towing a hydro seeder. And the seeder was full of water.

Ok. I will look at air bags and tires. And also another question. It is a hour half drive from the dealership. I won't have time to get the truck modded before then. Any issues in just getting it home with the current set up you think?

[jerem0621]

ib516 wrote:
My co-worker has a 2014 Ram 1500 Hemi and tows a 7500# 5er that is 28' long. He has AirLift 1000# air bags on the rear he got for $100. Another friend of mine has a 2014 Limited with the 4 corner air suspension (factory) and he tows a 28' TT that weighs about 8000#. Both said their trucks did just fine with those loads.

IB...you are illustrating real world vs RV.net for sure. I saw a Cougar fiver being pulled by a 1500 Ram once. Was level and was operated in a safe manner (the driver was driving sensibly). I have also seen many many half tons towing fivers...with their families in the truck.

The OP will likely have a positive towing experience despite being overloaded. These trucks are very capable, changing the tires to LT tires and adding airbags (both are cheap mods) seems to address the issues a half ton has.

There are many Tundra's pulling fivers that are overloaded on Payload... Yet despite all of the people towing a fiver with a second gen Tundra there has not been a single report of a rear axle or frame failure....nothing but good reviews.

I personally feel that the OP and some slight mods to his half ton Ram will perform quite nicely... However I have zero knowledge about the OP's ability to load a trailer, use a proper WD hitch with sway control. The OP is the only one who knows if he can operate this rig safely or not.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[ib516]

My co-worker has a 2014 Ram 1500 Hemi and tows a 7500# 5er that is 28' long. He has AirLift 1000# air bags on the rear he got for $100. Another friend of mine has a 2014 Limited with the 4 corner air suspension (factory) and he tows a 28' TT that weighs about 8000#. Both said their trucks did just fine with those loads.

[samhain7]

Ib516.
I am curious how you say it will be fine. Have you towed with this setup out of curiosity.