Towing feasibility

[perigaut]

We have a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L hemi pickup with an advertised towing capability of 8,250 lbs. The travel trailer we are interested in is a Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf 29bh, that weighs 5,961 lbs, and a GVWR of 7,650 lbs. Does this seem doable with the towing vehicle that we have? Or it would it be cutting it too close?

We will soon be a family of 7, so need the space of a larger trailer. We are hoping to get a larger towing vehicle in the next few years but would like to get into camping now. We would be travelling in 2 vehicles for the time being, and able to fill up our non towing vehicle if need be.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

[APT]

I would spend the money on a 3/4+ ton TV, maybe a 1-ton passenger van. Then you'll be able to tow almost any TT, and not limit yourself to even that Grey Wolf in size.

I'm certain you can find a used late model van that is worth about the same as your current Ram.

[perigaut]

Thank you for all the input. We will keep all of this in consideration.

[Chuck_thehammer]

I know mine is the exception..

but the advertised weight is not LAW or FACT..

my Coachmen is stated at 7,500 pounds on 2 different tags.. but the trailer weights EMPTY at 8,300 pounds...

have trailer weight before buying it...

and yes ..People, animals, toys, stuff... add up FAST..

carry weight and towing weight are different things.
sounds like you are running out of carry weight.

[TomG2]

Spend a few bucks and get some scale weights in order to make a better assessment. You will probably discover that you will be overloading your tow vehicle.

Unfortunately, that "Advertised tow rating" is all about advertising and not much about real world travel trailer towing. All the manufacturers do it.

[MFL]

Yes, you will be closing in on your trucks capacity. You will need a WDH, for the approximate 900 lbs of loaded trailer tongue weight. You are wise to use two vehicles with the large family, as that all takes away from the TV capacity.

I think this truck and trailer will work for now, but as you already stated, a heavier duty truck should be in your future plans.

Jerry

[bikendan]

perigaut wrote:
We have a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L hemi pickup with an advertised towing capability of 8,250 lbs. The travel trailer we are interested in is a Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf 29bh, that weighs 5,961 lbs, and a GVWR of 7,650 lbs. Does this seem doable with the towing vehicle that we have? Or it would it be cutting it too close?

We will soon be a family of 7, so need the space of a larger trailer. We are hoping to get a larger towing vehicle in the next few years but would like to get into camping now. We would be travelling in 2 vehicles for the time being, and able to fill up our non towing vehicle if need be.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

the important spec is the truck's PAYLOAD CAPACITY.
what does the yellow driver's door sticker say it is?
what's the tongue weight of the Gray Wolf?

[donn0128]

By the time you subtract passanger weight your available payload will drop below the tongue weight of that trailer. While it might work with everything empty, your not likey to tow that way.

[Hideout17]

perigaut wrote:
We have a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L hemi pickup with an advertised towing capability of 8,250 lbs. The travel trailer we are interested in is a Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf 29bh, that weighs 5,961 lbs, and a GVWR of 7,650 lbs. Does this seem doable with the towing vehicle that we have? Or it would it be cutting it too close?

We will soon be a family of 7, so need the space of a larger trailer. We are hoping to get a larger towing vehicle in the next few years but would like to get into camping now. We would be travelling in 2 vehicles for the time being, and able to fill up our non towing vehicle if need be.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

Get a good wdh hitch and you should be fine. Only thing imho I would change is the P series tires. I went to E rated on my tundra and made a big difference.