Community Forums

simsy56 · 12-21-2012, 01:08 PM

Hi, I have a Dodge Ram 1500, 2007, and i have a Holiday Rambler 29rks Fifth Wheel with a pin weight of 1550 pounds.
I need suspension upgrades for the truck, do you know which would be the best? Air suspension, or other, simpler methods.

I only tow the trailer maybe 4 times a year.

Many Thanks.

Craig (UK)

amxpress · 12-21-2012, 03:40 PM

First, have you actually weighed your trailer, or are you going by what Holiday Rambler is telling you? If you haven't weighed it, you should. The pin weight and the trailer loaded for travel should be weighed.
Second, your pin weight exceeds the payload of your truck. Add the weight of the hitch and the passengers and you're really overloaded.
Adding air bags to your truck does not increase the payload capacity, it only allows you to level the truck when your trailer is hooked up.
Good luck.

TXiceman · 12-21-2012, 03:56 PM

Weigh the trailer first. Suspension upgrades will not increase the towing or load rating of the truck. I suspect you actually need a 3/4 ton truck for that trailer.

Ken

JIMNLIN · 12-21-2012, 08:10 PM

Much depends on the '07 1500 trucks specs. If its the 1500 Mega Cab it sits on a 2500 chassis with all the correct axle/tire load capacities numbers for that size 5er.

The other cab selections has payloads ranging from 1400 to 1800 lbs depending on the trucks configuration but they all have those small 3900 RAWR and P tire capacities.

The 1550 lb pin weight may be a dry weight. Actual pin weight may be in the 2000 lb range after loading the trailer.
That means higher rated wheels and LT D or E tires. You also will have to go with air bags or Supersprings or both with those small 3900 lb rated spring sets. Many folks go to a spring shop and have them add additional leafs to the main spring pack for more load capacity.

Many 1500 Dodge trucks may have a 2200-2300 lb unladen rear axle weight which leaves approx 1600 lbs for a payload. Now subtract 150 lb for a hitch and 200-300 lbs for folks and another 100 for stuff you carry in the truck. Now your left with approx 1000-1200 lbs for a wet pin weight.

IMO your looking at 800-1000 lbs over the trucks 3900 RAWR. The truck will need some big time help in carrying more weight. I'm not a member of any RV forums weight police but IMO your truck will be severally overloaded on the trucks rear axles. Remember that 3900 RAWR includes the trucks rear brake capacities.

caissiel · 12-21-2012, 09:02 PM

I see a lot of 1/2t truck towing these 5th wheel models. It does not make right but I am told they do fine. Personally I feel that 1200lbs is the limit for pin weight. Above that the tires and rims are over loaded and load range E are required for proper handling.

simsy56 · 12-22-2012, 01:56 AM

Well thank you all for the replies and information. It's maybe that I have a too smaller truck for the carrying.
It is new to me, but the deal I got was too good to miss. I bought the truck from an elderly guy who had sold his trailer (a lightweight), and the trailer from an elderly guy who had sold his truck.
The guy with the trailer towed it with a similar Dodge Ram 1500, and had no problems, he said. Hence that is why I bought the Ram.
When I drove them home, the outfit towed very nicely and was not a cause for concern, but it did sit down a little on the rear of the truck.
The Ram does have almost new truck tyres fitted, and are of a heavy duty rating in the UK.
I will have it checked out and see if uprating the suspension is feasible. If not, I will have to swap the truck.
Thank you all for your replies and information. And Happy Holidays!

Craig (UK)