Towing 7300 pounds with a 1/2 ton Hemi....a-ok??

[zogg]

I am thinking about trading my 3/4 ton "rough rider" for a new 1500 Ram with a 3.93 rear end and towing package. Our trailer weight is 7300 pounds dry, and we pack light, so we are looking around 8000-8500 pounds. The tow rating on the new Ram is 10,100 pounds.

We generally only tow a couple of times a year and we never go more than 400 miles or so...

The 2500 is my daily driver, and I am getting more and more dissatisfied with it due to the crummy ride.

On the other hand, I don't want to become a danger on the hiway. So, I would like any feedback from those folks pulling a lot of weight with a 1/2 ton....thanks in advance.

[wandering1]

1/2 tons are overated, you do not want a soft mushy suspension system for towing trailers.

[lanerd]

zogg wrote:

lanerd wrote:
If you've already made up your mind, why did you ask?

Actually, I have NOT as yet made up my mind. I am just trying to make a rational decision and asked for assistance, which I have received and am very grateful for....thanks

Ok, I guess I misunderstood when you wrote:

I am concerned about the payload but it is just the two of us and all of out stuff is loaded in the trailer. I think the towering weight is ok since the trailer is about 8200 pounds loaded and the half ton rating is just over ten thousand pounds. So, I would be close to the limit on pay load, but as long as I keep things in line I would think it is ok.

In any case, good luck with whatever you decide.

Ron

[pitch]

You will find a base Ram that will handle that load. You will not haul that with a Laramie or longhorn. Look at the Tradesman, Outdoorsman and Express.

[goducks10]

Just because you see people towing big trailers with the 1500 doesn't mean they like it. They may and they may not. And a season latter they may or may not move up a size. Really hard to make a judgment without talking with every 1/2 ton person towing. I towed 7300lbs @31' with a 1/2 ton. Did I like it. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. After 2.5 seasons I traded up. But those same people that saw me the season before still think all is fine.

[zogg]

lanerd wrote:
If you've already made up your mind, why did you ask?

Actually, I have NOT as yet made up my mind. I am just trying to make a rational decision and asked for assistance, which I have received and am very grateful for....thanks

[The_Texan]

Empty Nest, Soon wrote:

zogg wrote:
Thanks for all of the replies.....
I do have the tires set lower...front is 50 and rear is 45 using the low pressure switch on the dash. I do have some back trouble and it still rides prey rough for me. I even tried 35 pounds in all for wheels just to see if that would make a difference, but apparently I am just feeling the suspension, as the ride stayed the same.

Also,I really screwed up by not buying four wheel drive.

I am concerned about the payload but it is just the two of us and all of out stuff is loaded in the trailer. I think the towering weight is ok since the trailer is about 8200 pounds loaded and the half ton rating is just over ten thousand pounds. So, I would be close to the limit on pay load, but as long as I keep things in line I would think it is ok.

I've seen lots of half tons pulling trailers heavier than mine and some even towing fifth wheels....doesn't mean they should, I know.

I'm in a real quandary here and all advice is sure appreciated....thanks

I feel your pain.

I had a 1998 GMC 2500HD as a daily driver until my back started objecting to the rough ride. Carrying capacity was 3600 pounds or more. But with the 6.0 engine, HD 6-speed stick, and 3.73 my towing capacity was only 6500 pounds!

I ordered my present 2011 GMC 1500 with the trailering options. It is rated to tow 10,000 pounds with the engine/transmission/differential combination but the available carrying capacity is only 1440 pounds. 😞

The truck tows our current TT fine, but much of an increase in TT size is a concern. Before I spend money on both a new TT and a new TV that will rough up my back again, I'm thinking that the same money could be better spent on a used Class A and keep my current truck as my daily driver.

Obviously, towing ability doesn't mean much if the truck can't carry the tongue weight.

Wayne

That is the reason we got the "max tow" NHT package on our 2011 1500. It gave us just under 2000# payload, with a 10,700# tow rating. It has a larger rear, HD 4 wheel disc brakes, a built in brake controller with anti-lock feature and a heavier cooling system for both the engine and transmission. We routinely tow 10K± here in the west and I am very satisfied with the setup. Will be towing the trailer loaded with hay from the Boise area to the Reno area next month and it may come close to exceeding the tow rating, but I am very confident in both the truck and the safety of the tow.

[Lspangler]

I have a 2014 ram 1500 and I will be towing a similar weight trailer.

I just finished adding the airlift 1000 bags to the rear coils. That should help with some of the squatting.

I haven't towed yet with the airbags but the truck towed real well before I added them, it just sat a bit low in the rear after bring the front back to the unloaded height.

I am towing with a Propride 3 hitch

The Ram's 3900 lb axle rating front and rear is the limiting aspect for travel trailers.

Linc

[Empty_Nest__Soo]

zogg wrote:
Thanks for all of the replies.....
I do have the tires set lower...front is 50 and rear is 45 using the low pressure switch on the dash. I do have some back trouble and it still rides prey rough for me. I even tried 35 pounds in all for wheels just to see if that would make a difference, but apparently I am just feeling the suspension, as the ride stayed the same.

Also,I really screwed up by not buying four wheel drive.

I am concerned about the payload but it is just the two of us and all of out stuff is loaded in the trailer. I think the towering weight is ok since the trailer is about 8200 pounds loaded and the half ton rating is just over ten thousand pounds. So, I would be close to the limit on pay load, but as long as I keep things in line I would think it is ok.

I've seen lots of half tons pulling trailers heavier than mine and some even towing fifth wheels....doesn't mean they should, I know.

I'm in a real quandary here and all advice is sure appreciated....thanks

I feel your pain.

I had a 1998 GMC 2500HD as a daily driver until my back started objecting to the rough ride. Carrying capacity was 3600 pounds or more. But with the 6.0 engine, HD 6-speed stick, and 3.73 my towing capacity was only 6500 pounds!

I ordered my present 2011 GMC 1500 with the trailering options. It is rated to tow 10,000 pounds with the engine/transmission/differential combination but the available carrying capacity is only 1440 pounds. 😞

The truck tows our current TT fine, but much of an increase in TT size is a concern. Before I spend money on both a new TT and a new TV that will rough up my back again, I'm thinking that the same money could be better spent on a used Class A and keep my current truck as my daily driver.

Obviously, towing ability doesn't mean much if the truck can't carry the tongue weight.

Wayne

[lanerd]

If you've already made up your mind, why did you ask?

[zogg]

Thanks for all of the replies.....
I do have the tires set lower...front is 50 and rear is 45 using the low pressure switch on the dash. I do have some back trouble and it still rides prey rough for me. I even tried 35 pounds in all for wheels just to see if that would make a difference, but apparently I am just feeling the suspension, as the ride stayed the same.

Also,I really screwed up by not buying four wheel drive.

I am concerned about the payload but it is just the two of us and all of out stuff is loaded in the trailer. I think the towering weight is ok since the trailer is about 8200 pounds loaded and the half ton rating is just over ten thousand pounds. So, I would be close to the limit on pay load, but as long as I keep things in line I would think it is ok.

I've seen lots of half tons pulling trailers heavier than mine and some even towing fifth wheels....doesn't mean they should, I know.

I'm in a real quandary here and all advice is sure appreciated....thanks

[hone_eagle]

video

This vid illustrates how much trailers brakes can be improved or how useless the plain jane brakes are that come under our trailers .
They are horse people so the trailers are heavy compared to rv trailers .They changed to a very good controller (one that is anti lock) and changed to disks.
The result was a 87' reduction in stopping distance.
eighty seven feet!
Still think trailers brakes are something you should leave to the manufacturers?
With no regulations we get brakes that are pathetic when perfect and new , and brake controllers not far behind .

[rhagfo]

hone eagle wrote:

ChooChooMan74 wrote:

Led 67 wrote:
Well now this is interesting as everyone is talking about the payload capacity and I have not seen one little word about the Brakes...

Personally I would also consider the braking capacity as well since you will be pulling that much weight.

Trailer barkaes stop the trailer. Truck brakes stop the truck.

Do yourself a favour ,measure your stopping distance without the trailer ,then again hooked up- the distance will be substantially longer.
Trailer brakes are a joke.
Even cold and perfectly adjusted .Size wize they wouldn't be used on a 70's econobox.
Warm them up a bit and all bets are off,I hope you never find out
trailer brakes do little more then keep it in line behind the TV.

Trailer brakes are only as good as they are maintained! Keep them adjusted, and a good controller and they will do a good job.

I would be more concerned about handling, stepping down to to the softer suspension of a 1500, will result in less precise handling.

Lower the air pressure in the tires for the load carried, I keep my rears at 45 to 50 when not towing.

[hone_eagle]

ChooChooMan74 wrote:

Led 67 wrote:
Well now this is interesting as everyone is talking about the payload capacity and I have not seen one little word about the Brakes...

Personally I would also consider the braking capacity as well since you will be pulling that much weight.

Trailer barkaes stop the trailer. Truck brakes stop the truck.

Do yourself a favour ,measure your stopping distance without the trailer ,then again hooked up- the distance will be substantially longer.
Trailer brakes are a joke.
Even cold and perfectly adjusted .Size wize they wouldn't be used on a 70's econobox.
Warm them up a bit and all bets are off,I hope you never find out
trailer brakes do little more then keep it in line behind the TV.

[ChooChooMan74]

Led 67 wrote:
Well now this is interesting as everyone is talking about the payload capacity and I have not seen one little word about the Brakes...

Personally I would also consider the braking capacity as well since you will be pulling that much weight.

Trailer barkaes stop the trailer. Truck brakes stop the truck.

[Led_67]

Well now this is interesting as everyone is talking about the payload capacity and I have not seen one little word about the Brakes...

Personally I would also consider the braking capacity as well since you will be pulling that much weight.