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.

[79time]

There are lots of comments about buying the biggest truck, although I would recommend a few things.

1. Determine what size vehicle will support your towing needs (Purchase trailer first)

2. Buy a good hitch with the trailer, recommend using a equalizer hitch event with a 3/4 ton as your suspension may handle the weight, although the hitch provides some additional benefits.

3. Determine the usage of the vehicles (10% Towing, 90% Other) or 90% Towing and 10% running around. The expense of a F350 diesel may not be the best purchase if most of your driving is to work and back, although if you are driving from Florida to Alaska the extra expense would be worth it.

My current TV is a 2011 Ram 1500 4x4 and the previous was a 2004 Durango. Both had the 5.7 Hemi and I never felt the urge to upgrade to a larger vehicle due to towing issues (Wanted a larger vehicle due to three kids and two dogs).

I don't plan to go to a 3/4 ton diesel 4x4 until we go full time.

[Mote]

Hi Zogg, I can understand the desire for a smoother riding truck. My old truck bounces me all over the place on the country roads I drive. Have you taken a drive in the 2014 2500 Ram with the coil suspension? I haven't but was wondering if the empty ride would be better with the coils. I may have to take one out for a spin in the next few weeks to find out.

[traildog66]

For comparison for the OP. My details:
2012 Nissan Titan CC 4x4
GVWR 7200 lb
FAWR 3849 lb
RAWR 4200 lb
Load Carrying Cap 1598 lb (all occupants & cargo)
Tow Rating 9300 lb

Crossroads Sunset Trail 290QB
32.7 ft overall/29.5 ft box
Dry Weight 5880 (w/out propane & battery)
Loaded 7000-7200 lb
Tongue Weight 850-900 lb
GVWR 7664 lb

Tows great with my 1200/12K Equalizer 4pt WD hitch and Prodigy P2 brake controller, but wouldn't be comfortable going any larger. Two adults, two kids, 2 dogs, firewood in bed. I just installed a Roadmaster Active Suspension, but haven't towed with it yet. I expect it to tow even better though. I currently have P-rated tires, but plan to upgrade to D or E rated tires in the future.

The payload, RAWR, and tongue weight are the limiting factors for any half ton. The Ram Hemi 1500's are nice and powerful, but still susceptible to the above. I don't think you would have too much trouble with your planned TV & TT for the few times a year you tow. Take your time, don't overload, use a good WD hitch, and consider the RAS system, airbags or Timbrens for additional stability in the rear. I've seen others doing much larger & heavier with less. There's even a few doing 5th wheels with the Ram 1500...i wouldn't but it can be done.

[jerem0621]

Sounds like that the OP is talking about the suck and push from passing vehicles and not a "true" sway event.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[Dayle1]

zogg wrote:

Dayle1 wrote:

zogg wrote:
I actually do have the wind issue with my 3/4 ton ram. It says in the wind, and I hate it when big trucks go by on the interstate. First the trailer goes to the right so I have to bear left, then the truck starts to turn into the passing truck so I have to pull it back to the right....
There ha been a couple of times that I was not sure it would come back, especially if being passed by a semi with two trailers....gets scary.

WAIT you have a sway issue with a 3/4 ton and you want to downsize to a lighter truck with softer suspension??? How do you think that will work? You need a better hitch first, either a Hensley or ProPride. Or, switch to a fifth wheel and keep the 3/4 ton. Over 25 years I've towed fivers with 2 different 1/2 ton trucks, a 3/4 ton and now a 1 ton and NEVER felt sway under any road/traffic conditions.

The point I was trying to make is that a 3/4 truck does NOT eliminate the sway from passing trucks....that would not be a reason to upgrade from a half ton. I am definitely not buying a 5th wheel camper as I just sank $40K into my current trailer last summer....and I have owned 5th wheels prior, and they do sway some, but certainly not as much as a TT.

My 3/4 Ram with a hemi is less than 800 pounds heavier than a half ton 4x4, so there is not much more weight stability. The suspension is certainly stiffer in the 3/4 ton, and does offer somewhat more stability. However, the stiffer ride is exactly why I am contemplating a 1/2 ton as a daily driver. If I towed all of the time or went thousands of miles I would certainly keep the 3/4 ton.....but, as I stated, I only tow a few times a year and seldom over 500 miles.

I initially posted the question to see how others are doing with a 1/2 ton and a relatively heavy TT, before I make any switch.

And the 3/4 ton has LT tires vs. P tires on most 1/2 tons. So while the ride might be smoother as a daily driver, the sway issue is a safety and/or towing disincentive that will most likely get worse with the 1/2 ton. What about the hitch setup? You should be able to get some good help on that as well from the forum.

[zogg]

Dayle1 wrote:

zogg wrote:
I actually do have the wind issue with my 3/4 ton ram. It says in the wind, and I hate it when big trucks go by on the interstate. First the trailer goes to the right so I have to bear left, then the truck starts to turn into the passing truck so I have to pull it back to the right....
There ha been a couple of times that I was not sure it would come back, especially if being passed by a semi with two trailers....gets scary.

WAIT you have a sway issue with a 3/4 ton and you want to downsize to a lighter truck with softer suspension??? How do you think that will work? You need a better hitch first, either a Hensley or ProPride. Or, switch to a fifth wheel and keep the 3/4 ton. Over 25 years I've towed fivers with 2 different 1/2 ton trucks, a 3/4 ton and now a 1 ton and NEVER felt sway under any road/traffic conditions.

The point I was trying to make is that a 3/4 truck does NOT eliminate the sway from passing trucks....that would not be a reason to upgrade from a half ton. I am definitely not buying a 5th wheel camper as I just sank $40K into my current trailer last summer....and I have owned 5th wheels prior, and they do sway some, but certainly not as much as a TT.

My 3/4 Ram with a hemi is less than 800 pounds heavier than a half ton 4x4, so there is not much more weight stability. The suspension is certainly stiffer in the 3/4 ton, and does offer somewhat more stability. However, the stiffer ride is exactly why I am contemplating a 1/2 ton as a daily driver. If I towed all of the time or went thousands of miles I would certainly keep the 3/4 ton.....but, as I stated, I only tow a few times a year and seldom over 500 miles.

I initially posted the question to see how others are doing with a 1/2 ton and a relatively heavy TT, before I make any switch.

[Dayle1]

zogg wrote:
I actually do have the wind issue with my 3/4 ton ram. It says in the wind, and I hate it when big trucks go by on the interstate. First the trailer goes to the right so I have to bear left, then the truck starts to turn into the passing truck so I have to pull it back to the right....
There ha been a couple of times that I was not sure it would come back, especially if being passed by a semi with two trailers....gets scary.

WAIT you have a sway issue with a 3/4 ton and you want to downsize to a lighter truck with softer suspension??? How do you think that will work? You need a better hitch first, either a Hensley or ProPride. Or, switch to a fifth wheel and keep the 3/4 ton. Over 25 years I've towed fivers with 2 different 1/2 ton trucks, a 3/4 ton and now a 1 ton and NEVER felt sway under any road/traffic conditions.

[zogg]

I actually do have the wind issue with my 3/4 ton ram. It says in the wind, and I hate it when big trucks go by on the interstate. First the trailer goes to the right so I have to bear left, then the truck starts to turn into the passing truck so I have to pull it back to the right....
There ha been a couple of times that I was not sure it would come back, especially if being passed by a semi with two trailers....gets scary.

[goducks10]

Agree with rangerphil. We also towed 72-7300lbs @31' with a 10 F150 MaxTow, 5.4 3.73 145" WB. Used an EG 1200/12,000. Most of the time it was adequate. But I always had to be aware of everything. Not that that's bad but it wasn't a comfortable tow as they say.
Moved up to a Ram 2500 and 'bingo' it was way nicer. With the F150 any wind or semi would move both the truck and TT. Not with the 2500. I was also maxed out on the RAWR of 4050 with 4000lbs.
IMO anything 6500lbs and up is better suited to a 3/4 ton. Or HD F150.
I wonder how many have towed with 3/4 tons that are towing with 1/2 tons? Until you do you don't know what it's like to have a truck that's in control of the TT as opposed to a truck that is just getting by.
I guess it's all subjective as far as being in control. But I've towed the same TT with both and their is a major difference.

[rangerphil]

Let my add my experience towing a trailer in this weight class with a half-ton truck. Trailer is a 2011 Keystone 298 RE with a loaded weight just over 8,200. Tow vehicle is a 2010 F150 4x4 Super Crew with trailer tow package and a Husky Centerline hitch. I am about 100 pounds over the GVWR.

Power wise, the truck does a good job and braking is acceptable.

BUT.....the softer suspension of the F150 coupled with the weight/length of the camper results in a towing scenario that is marginal, in my opinion. Throw in a windy day, and it just makes me uncomfortable even though the hitch does a good job at handling sway for the most part. In fact, I decided to use the camper at a seasonal lake site rather than tow it with my current F150 after a couple of trips.

Again, this is just my opinion and I realize that other half-ton trucks may be different, but I think a 3/4 ton is called for when loaded trailer weights exceed about 7,000 in a travel trailer. For me, I considered this a safety issue....for both me and the wife along with others who share the road with me.

[Volkov]

Even before the towing test, go to the lot and actually look at the door sticker. The RAM promos are great for telling you the payload specs but neglect to mention that many options drop that number, plus 4x4 will cut a couple hundred pounds too. My 2500 has a sticker weight that is 400lbs less than the "official" specs for an LT 4x4. I have no idea where that weight went.
We run just below max payload when we tow, and keep inching up now my 3 boys are adult sized, but I do not have concerns there and we are well below the tow limit. WE ran our old 1500 at max payload with a smaller trailer. The 1/2 ton felt like it was at it's limit but the 3/4 ton has always felt solid. NO argument with you on the empty ride though, the 1/2 ton was miles better.

[bmanning]

Haven't read all the responses so excuse me if this has come up, but I'd request a towing test-drive of the 1500. At first they may hesitate, but if they want your business bad enough they should agree to a short run.

If you aren't happy with how the 1500 performs hooked up, you can consider a 2014 Ram 2500 with rear air suspension. That may end up being the best of both worlds-- harsh ride issue solved, no loss of capacity/capability.

[gtsum]

My 2013 Laramie 1500 CC has a sticker payload of 1061lbs...no lie...shocking how little payload the 1500 rams have...far lower than ford or chevy 1/2 tons...you will more than likely be over on payload

[Supercharged]

zogg wrote:
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.

Alwaybuy the smallest truck for the job. Thats show you did your math in school. Most 1 ton people think there still playing foot ball in high school.

[handye9]

zogg wrote:
The tow rating on the new Ram is 10,100 pounds.

Due to GVWR and available payload, 10,100 lb tow capacity is an unrealistic number. At that weight, a trailer could reach 1500 lbs tongue weight. You would run out of payload and exceed GVWR, before you got close to tow a 10,000 lb trailer.

Tow capacity is a number that manufacturers say the vehicle can pull behind it. Key word is "behind", like a sled.

With a travel trailer, 10 - 15 percent of your loaded trailer weight, is being carried by the truck, not pulled behind.

Other areas where the 1500 may be lacking, are soft suspension, and passenger "P" rated tires.