Forum Discussion
- APTExplorerThe 5.7L has plenty of power as it is used in the 1-tons. Your RV limit will likely be payload. If you have a 2006+, check the driver's door for the Tire and Loading sticker for as equipped. That has to support your family, a bed full of camping gear, and trailer tongue weight.
Example:
7000 pound loaded TT
900 pounds of TW
500 pounds of people
That's already 1400 pounds with an empty truck bed.
Fuel usage is the same for most gas engines, 7-10mpg. - parkersdadExplorerI just traded my 5.7 1500 Hemi. I have a trailer with a max weight of 6800 pounds. Last time I weighed it I was at 5200 pounds. I just bought a 2500 Hemi for this reason. We were over payload on almost every trip we made. I will probably never own another half ton truck as long as we are pulling a camper. As far as the hemi motor, it pulls the wheels off of the camper.
- BumpyroadExplorerseems to me that the most important factor you did not list. what is the actual weight of the trailer. the GVWR is meaningless unless it is filled up to the brim.
bumpy - gclossExplorer2007 Ram 1500 Hemi, 4x4, 3.92 rear 20" tires pulling a Jayco Eagle at 7,000 pounds. The power train was more than capable, but I never felt that the 1/2 ton was a stable enough towing platform for my trailer. As others said, payload is another issue.
Traded my Ram 1500 4 months ago for a left over 2012 Ram 2500. I will never go back to a 1/2 ton unless I got back to a pop-up. - axle ratio
4x4 or 4x2
trailer type
dry weight
trailer gvwr
trailer tongue weight
us mpg when towing
2005 1500 Dodge Quad Cab 5.7 4X2 with 20" wheels and 3.92 axle ratio. I tow a 2012 Surveyor SV264. Dry weight is 4850lbs but my guess is the trailer weights approximately 6500lbs when loaded. Truck pulls the trailer great, but as others have said, the payload of the truck is the limiting factor. It's just me and my wife and I try not to put too much stuff in the truck when towing.
I actually have had my truck weighed with myself and a friend in the truck with a full tank of gas. I ended up having 980lbs payload after subtracting the actual truck weight from the GVWR. 15% of 6500lbs is 975lbs of tongue weight so I am cutting it close. My friend weights more than my wife but by the time I put the dogs in the truck it's probably a wash.
Burch
Burch - boosTTExplorer
AlbertaNewbie wrote:
post truck year
axle ratio
4x4 or 4x2
trailer type
dry weight
trailer gvwr
trailer tongue weight
us mpg when towing
what's in your truck
trying to make a decision on a trailer. I know the weights work, trying to convince dw. the more info the better
2011
3.92
Quad Cab
4x4
TT
3350 dry, 5200 GVWR. Actual is around 4000.
Not sure on tounge weight. I do often tow the trailer with an 750lb atv in the truck bed though. Estimate I am around 1400 lbs payload on a given trip.
16.5 MPG not towing, but I do a lot of short city driving and it idles a lot (boat launches, dump stations, hitching up, etc). "Normal person" MPG would be around 17.5 combined. Hwy is 19 MPG.
It tows my TT better with the ATV in the bed actually. I'm right at my payload or even slightly over. I have air bags and an standard WD hitch. Its an awesome truck for what I use it for. - jj141979Explorer2003 Ram QC 1500 Hemi 4x4 4.56 rear. Tow a Coachman Santara 271bh at 6000lbs. Had 6 people in the truck packed like sardines that totaled 1000lbs. Plus the weight of the hitch with is probably 700lbs. So I am over my payload!(look out weight police!!) Just took a trip from Western Pa to Mrytle Beach to The Smokey MTN National Park to Home and it pulled and handled better than I could have imagined!! Truck perfomed flawlessly!!
- bimbert84ExplorerI traded mine in earlier this year. Here's what I know:
2003 Ram 1500
5.7L
3.92 axle
4x2
Springdale 295
Loaded weight 7500#
8 mpg towing - Hemi_PowerExplorerI had
2003 Quad CAb
5.7
3:92, 4x4
Puma 249RBSS loaded 7500
8-10 towing
Traded 3 yrs ago for a 2008 1500 MegaCab with a 5.7 and 3:73 gears
Night and day difference in towing, more stable and no problem now with being over weight
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