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Old 10-16-2016, 04:18 PM   #1
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Towing Mallard M28 With 2014 RAM 1500 Hemi 4x4

Hello all,

I'm a new member, and about to become the proud owner of only my 2nd TT (the first being a '97 19' Nomad). I need help cutting through different dealer feedback about what I can tow and how much to "err on the side of caution".

It's just me and my wife and our two Aussie Shepherds, and we expect to do mostly long weekends in and around Colorado, and the occasional week-long trip. I'd also love to take whatever we buy to Yellowstone for two weeks.

We're considering a Mallard M28, which is rated at 6,125 lbs dry, 6,900 GVWR and with a tongue weight of 574 lbs. We would love to get the M302, which is rated 6,795 lbs dry and 8,600 GVWR, with a tongue weight of 788 lbs. But I think the M302 is too much for my truck, though Camping World says my truck can handle it.

We have a 2014 RAM 1500 Big Horn 4x4 (short box) with the 5.7L Hemi that, according to RAM's website using the VIN search, is rated to tow 7,900 lbs max. It has a class IV hitch, factory trailer brake and tow-haul mode option, as well as a transmission cooler.

I don't trust dealers to be completely honest--I believe the M302 would squat the rear of the our RAM (possibly when unloaded even) and would only allow us a little over 1,000 pounds of cargo in the trailer, AND we'd be at max towing capacity. I'd rather be able to max the M28 (which I doubt just the two of us would need to do) and still be 1,000 lbs shy of the TV's max capacity.

Am I in the right ballpark with the M28? Will my truck handle the weights I noted for the M28? I've read a lot of discussions on this site about how tow ratings, tongue weights and such can be misleading, so I'm not sure what info to trust. Do I need a weight distributing hitch and/or anti-sway gear?

I also plan to put something similar to Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor or Michellin LTX tires on it to have a stiffer sidewall and still have decent off-road traction when needed.

Thanks in advance for the feedback.
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Old 10-16-2016, 08:13 PM   #2
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Towing Mallard M28 With 2014 RAM 1500 Hemi 4x4

That seems awfully low for tow rating for your Ram. I have a 2016 Ram Big Horn, 5.7L Hemi, with 3.92 gear ratio. My tow rating is 10,300. My limiting factor is Payload, which is around 1500 to 1600 pounds. What gear ratio is your rear end? I think the M28 would be no big deal, but the M302 might be to much. Always go by GVWR for the Trailer, and at 8600 you would be over. The tongue weight might get you too. If you can find out your gear ratio and payload (should be a sticker inside the door), then post that up.
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Old 10-16-2016, 08:55 PM   #3
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I was told the gear ratio is 3.21, and RAM's website says its max tow rating is 7,900 with 1,417 payload. The sticker just says 6,900 GVWR and 3,900 GAWR front and rear.

It's also a 4x4 with the 5'7" bed, which I understand lowers the tow capacity. I'm kicking myself for not asking for verification of the rear axle ratio before buying the truck.
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Old 10-16-2016, 10:59 PM   #4
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My 2016 Ram with 5.7 and 3.21 is rated for 8000lbs and payload is 1300 lbs
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Old 10-18-2016, 01:35 AM   #5
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Oh yeah, didn't think of the 4x4 knocking it down.
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Old 10-18-2016, 06:33 PM   #6
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m28

by looking at those numbers (and the oem website)it seems a bit light on the tongue, which could spell trouble in the handeling department. you want a minimum of 10% of loaded trailer weight on the tongue. it also has a rather small payload capacity (775 lbs) for a 31+ footer, just sayin'.
don't worry about squatting the rear suspension. the truck is designed to ride level front to rear with a significant load in the rear. without the wdh bars attached it will sag beyond level with 700-800 pounds dead weight on the ball. properly adjusted it should return to level but this is another subject
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Old 10-18-2016, 06:38 PM   #7
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Thanks for all the responses, they're much appreciated.
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Old 10-19-2016, 11:58 AM   #8
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Somehow I didn't see the last part of your post about squatting the rear of the truck, ricndot. Are you saying that the unloaded tongue weight is too light (around 8% of unloaded weight), but if fully loaded to GVWR, I will need a properly adjusted WDH?

We did purchase the Mallard M28, so I'd like to be sure I need a WDH before I get one. From what I've read it seems like I'll also want something for sway control with a short wheelbase truck and a 32 ft trailer, but not to the degree someone towing with an SUV might need.
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Old 10-19-2016, 01:10 PM   #9
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pics

here are a couple pics for reference.
the tongue weight on this tt is around 1040lbs as you see it. plus there is 2-300 lbs of stuff in the bed. if i were to disconnect the wdh bars she sinks a lot further.
your tongue weight will be around 150 lbs more than the specs if they gave you 2 batteries and filled your bottles. you will definitely need a good wdh. even empty, that m28 is too much for your receiver w/o one. don't cheap out on a harbor freight special. get a good one. i prefer one w/o the necessity for an add on sway control. thats just more junk you gotta mess with when hitching/unhitching.
once you get her and load her up, take her to the scales. there's lots of info here to help you through the process. dealers rarely set up the wdh correctly.
enjoy your new setup.



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Old 10-19-2016, 04:31 PM   #10
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Thanks for the details ricndot, much appreciated.
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Old 10-24-2016, 03:03 PM   #11
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Just an update... We brought the new Mallard M28 home last weekend and I decided not to cheap out and went with the Equalizer WDH with sway control (same as in the pics ricndot posted).

Wow, what a noisy SOB it is, but my RAM and the Equalizer handled that trailer so well. I'm really impressed with the Equalizer so far. Good thing too, because the Mallard brochure lists the M28 at 6900 GVWR, but the sticker on the rig says 7400. Still don't plan to load it to the max, but I'll breathe easier knowing the Equalizer is there to handle it.

Thanks everyone.
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Old 10-24-2016, 04:01 PM   #12
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Pick up some of these. Seem pricey for what they are but they eliminated almost all the groaning and probably 70% of the popping for me (still get some popping in really tight turns).

Equal-i-zer 95015150 Spring Arm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007HRJNIE..._wrOdybWEHYM51
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Old 10-24-2016, 04:04 PM   #13
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I really dont know why they don't just include them with the hitch, seems like a cheap investment on their part for a much better customer experience up front.
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Old 10-24-2016, 07:12 PM   #14
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Good to know, I'll definitely have to look into these. I'd hate to wake up half the campground if I can avoid it (and probably prolong the life of my Equal-i-zer).
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