Thinking about buying a 5.7 Dodge half ton truck.

[Spade_Cooley]

I have 80,000 miles on my truck and I'm getting ready to buy a new one. I have a Crossroads 27RB pull trailer that is light in weight. Loaded it most likely tops out around 6,000 pounds. That's just a guess. I pull it with a Toyota Tundra with the 5.7 engine, Crew cab and 4 wheel drive. It does a lot of shifting but gets the job done. I'm getting on in years and do not picture myself moving into a large 5th wheel trailer and will stick with pull trailers. I might buy a new one. I was looking into buying a diesel Ford 3/4 ton but a couple of friends have 5.7 Dodge Hemis ( half ton) and love them. The new version, 2017, comes with an 8 speed trans and a towing capacity just over 10000 lbs. Anyone have anything to say about this vehicle? Since most of my driving is around town and only 10% or less is towing the trailer, this might be a better option for me.

[otrfun]

As has been said over and over again, 1/2-ton trucks run out of payload way before they run out of tow capacity. The OP is contemplating a $40k-$50k purchase based on a single assumption (or "guess" as the OP put it) . . . that his trailer "tops out around 6,000 pounds".

It wouldn't be unheard of for a trailer that "tops out around 6,000 pounds" to have a 1,000 lbs. or more of hitch weight. A 1,000 lbs. of hitch weight, 200-300 lbs. of passengers, and 150 lbs. of gear can put many 1/2-ton trucks right at or over their limit---especially Ram 1500's which are notorious for low payload ratings in the higher trim levels.

The 10 - 15 percent tongue weight rule gets mentioned a lot. It's great for determining the ideal hitch weight, but it's worthless for determining a trailer's realworld hitch weight.

If I was spending $40k-$50k to match up a truck to a trailer, I would want to know how much the trailer really weighed. Secondly, and more importantly--especially if one is considering the purchase of a 1/2-ton truck, I'd certainly want to know the realworld tongue weight of the trailer. A few minutes and $10-$20 at a CAT scale can easily be the difference between a high-drama, unsafe tow experience . . . . and a low-drama, safe, tow experience.

[Ron3rd]

The Dodge hemi you're looking at is a nice truck but I don't think you'll notice much of a difference in towing as the power in both is similar, thought the Hemi is slightly more powerful. Not really a big upgrade IMO, but both would be fine if you don't plan on going to a bigger trailer, so pick the one you like best.

BTW, if you go with a 2500 series truck you will have more option in the future.

[IdaD]

RinconVTR wrote:
Tundra to 1/2 Ram? Pretty darn similar.

I agree. I think OP would be much happier with a heavier duty truck when towing. It isn't necessary at that trailer weight, but the cost is similar so why not opt for a more enjoyable tow and larger performance and safety margins?

[RinconVTR]

Tundra to 1/2 Ram? Pretty darn similar.

That's until you ignore the Tundra's bulletproof legacy compared to the others.

If that doesn't mean anything...just go drive each of them. One is bound to stand out.

FYI - My 5.7L Toyota has 140k. Runs, drives, tows like new.

[camp-n-family]

A Tundra with 80k is just getting broken in. Why get rid of it? If you don't like how the Tundra pulls, you won't like how the Ram does. First off, Rams have even lower payload ratings than Tundras. An 8 speed sounds great but you'll lose out with the rear gearing. The 4.30s in the Tundra are awesome for towing.

My '07 Tundra towed better than my current Ram 2500 Hemi. I'm going back before the warranty runs out.

[kw_00]

Pretty good engine for sure, but let me ask you about the ecodiesel, is that an option? Not against gas trucks, trust me I own and like them. But with that weight either engine should drag that camper around with ease. BTW my Aunt has the 5.7 HEMI in her 2500HD and she likes it. Pulls 10K all around when she needs it. Don't mean to throw off the thread by posting another option, if you already thought of that, sorry just another option.

[bailer6334]

I tow a Grand Design 2150RL 27ft TT with a GVWR maximum of 6700lbs with my Dodge Durango 5.7L Hemi. The door sticker spec is 7100lbs tow capacity and a 1340lb payload with a GCWR of 13100lbs. The DD tows fine. No problems what so ever.

Just make sure the RAM 1500 has enough GVWR and Payload to cover your requirements as some RAM 1500's do not.

[goducks10]

You will have zero issues towing that 6000lb TT. Just keep an eye on what you load in the truck. JMO but I think I'd take a new F150 3.5 EB over the Ram. More payload, power and better empty mpg.

[jerem0621]

Thanks for the feedback BillyW and OP for posting. I was looking for some feedback on this truck too.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[TurnThePage]

I tow a 6000+ lb trailer with my 2015 Ram 1500 Quadcab (5.7L, 8 speed, 3.92 gears). It is an absolute pleasure. Night and day difference from my old '97 F150. Towing in the northwest is a liberal mix of flats, hills, and mountains. It handles all of it with complete control. The integrated brake controller is the smoothest I've ever used. In the past, my trailer brakes always tended to be a little jerky, not anymore. I have power to spare, and am even easily able to pass a line of vehicles while climbing a mountainside with power to spare. The vehicle is very quiet during normal driving, but sounds nice and throaty when you get on it. There is no annoying drone while towing. Truly an absolute pleasure. My available payload is around 1400, though I don't remember exactly. With the GAWR of 3900 lbs, I have a huge cushion if I choose to exceed my GVWR a little. Even the OEM P rated tires, when aired up to max, perform excellently. The only possible drawback in my view, is the soft suspension. I recently upgraded the rear springs with progressives, which still feel the same unloaded but stiffen up quickly as a load is applied. In case you couldn't tell, I am very pleased with my Ram.

[braindead0]

Towing capacity is just that, you can put a 4 down 10,000# vehicle connected to the rear of the truck and tow it. The number isn't a fallacy, it's simply misunderstood.

A travel trailer or fifth wheel is towed AND carried, so both towing capacity and payload have to be considered.

If someone would make TT's that are on 4 wheels, 1/2ton trucks would be able to tow a whole lotta living space.

[JIMNLIN]

All 1/2 Rams come with small 3900 rawr that will be carrying all the load in the bed and on the rear bumper. Rawr = P tires/wheels and rear spring pack
These trucks can weigh in the 2400-2500 lb range on the rear axles leaving around 1400-1500 lb payload in the bed. This will be fine for a 6k TT or 5k-6k 5th wheel trailer.
The wifes test drove a 1500 Ram 4x4 5.7 hemi 3.92 axle 8 speed tranny. WOW.
The truck won't have any issues pulling a 10k trailer but will not be able to carry the 2000 lb pin weight from a 10k GN/5th wheel trailer.

[GordonThree]

Towing capacity is a fallacy. Whatever truck you're buying, look at the axle capacity, and the payload rating. Typically the 8 speed is coming in a more upscale optioned truck, and more options means less payload.

My half ton 5.7 was rated at 11000 lbs towing (that's based on rear axle ratio) but could only carry 1200 lbs. Take away 400 lbs for passengers, 500 lbs for hitch weight and that didn't leave much for luggage / cargo. Oh it carried more than it's rating, and did so without complaint other than scrubbing the rear tires, but it was an unrealistic expectation to continue down that road.

The new 3/4 ton has 3300 lbs payload rating, it doesn't move more than an inch when I drop my trailer on the ball, even with the bed loaded with all sorts of cargo.

If you haven't bought the truck yet, beat your dealer up a little, they can get you a 3/4 ton for the same price as a 1/2 ton, you just have to give up some bells and whistles... more truck, less glitter.

[jerem0621]

I test drove a Used 2014 Hemi Ram 1500 with the 8 speed and it was fantastic. Very powerful and fast. I think it would be great match for your trailer. Just watch how you load the truck as it can run out of payload pretty quick like most Half tons do.

The only thing that kinda concerns me about towing a TT with a Hemi Ram Half ton is the exhaust comes straight out the back of the truck. I'm not sure if that exhaust resonance reflects off the front of the trailer back towards the cab. I just don't know. Maybe someone with experience can let us know if that's actually a problem.

Thanks!

Jeremiah