Towing with my Ram 1500

[Hatterasman]

Hello, I recently bought a 2020 Flagstaff 25bds. Dry weight is 5400 lbs. I will be towing it with my 2015 Ram 1500 4x4 with a 5.7 Hemi with a 3.21 gear ratio. I have electric trailer breaks with controller, a EZ hitch weight distribution and anti sway system, and an Air Lift air bag rear coil spring helper system. I have weighed every item that I have put in the trailer and will be at about 5800 lbs. My truck is rated at about 8060 lbs towing. Does anyone see a problem with this set up? Thanks

[lancslad]

Might be a bit slow over the new Oregon Inlet bridge!!!!

[tuffr2]

I think you will be good. The 3:21 gears might be a problem but you might also have an 8 speed transmission which is a good thing.

I towed a 5,500lb trailer with a F-150 with 3:55 gears and a 8,500tow capability. I used just a Drawtite WD hitch and that rig went down the highway great. I am thinking that truck could tow a 6,500lb trailer if needed.

Again, you should be good.

[Highway 4x4]

The big issue is the 3.21 diff gears. But the 8 speed trans has a 1st that is close to 5:1. Safe to say you will never see 7 or 8th when towing. If you had the 3.92's you would have no problem. Just watch the trans temps and keep the RPM's up. Be kind to it when taking off.

[ttavasc]

My '14 RAM 1500 had the 5.7 Hemi, 8-speed and the 3.21 gears. Was rated at 7900 tow capacity but no way I'd get anywhere close to that in a travel trailer due to the low payload. Check your door sticker for actual payload of the RAM. It pulled great just couldn't carry much. If you have a higher trim level you may be surprised at how little payload is available.

Also, is the 5400 dry weight of the trailer the stickered "as delivered" empty weight or the brochure dry weight? If the brochure dry weight check the yellow sticker on the trailer for the "as delivered" dry weight - it will certainly be higher than the brochure.

[csuder99]

One mistake here is that 5800 lbs is way off from what the trailer is really going to weigh. It has a 58 gallon fresh water tank, that's over 450 lbs by itself when full. Gross vehicle weight rating is close to 6900 lbs which also brings the tongue weight close to 1000 lbs. The good news is that these numbers are still pretty manageable with the truck.

[Hatterasman]

My water tank will be dry including the hot water tank. Thanks

[billyw]

If you have the 8 speed, which means it has the dial shifter vs the column shifter, you will be good to go.

Ram left a lot of play area in their GVWR/Payload ratings. Their axles are rated at 3900 lbs each, which really means the platform will be forgiving if you're a little over your payload.

If you're not an experienced tower, make sure the tires are aired to their max (assuming you have OEM equivalent), and that is for both the truck and the trailer.

I think you're good to go. Have fun!

[Chowboy]

Hook up, go and be careful. I have a greater load with my older trailer but the Ram 1500 is a 2011 2 wheel drive. I have converted to an Anderson hitch and find it really improves the ride as well as ease of hitching.

[Persistent]

I see a lot of great advice above. I can add a little.

Weight everything you are going to put in your tow vehicle. The max tow capability specification includes only a 150# driver. Everything else subtracts from that capability. 100# added to tow vehicle reduces max tow capability by 1000# to 1500#.

Better yet, load the tow vehicle for travel without the TT. Add all gear, passengers, and fuel. You can put the WDH in the back if you have it.
Weigh the truck at a truck scale.
Subtract that weight from the truck MGVW.
The difference is what is available for TT tongue weight. don't forget the WDH weight.
Tongue weight of TT should be between 10% and 15% of TT actual weight.

Individual axle weight maximums and hitch weight maximum must also not be exceeded. Get all the specs from the stickers on the tow vehicle driver's door frame.

[runamuck]

I tow my 28' freedom express with my 2019 ram 1500 4x4 ccsb with 5.7 and 3.92 gears. it weighs close to 6000# when we travel. the ram 8 sp. has 4.56 1st gear and will pull great. like someone said, out on the highway you may mostly see 6th gear but the 5.7 has plenty of power and will pull fine. the shortcoming of the ram 1500 is lack of cargo capacity. dont go by the ram website or the promotional ads with their glowing reviews about cargo, look on the doorjamb for the sticker. mine only has 1324# and with a hitch wt. of 560# and 33 gal. fuel tank, I have to pack light. put more stuff in your trailer. there will be a sticker on it showing cargo capacity. I too air up my rear tires a little more when towing and have a good WDH. my dad would say " steady eddie gets you there"

[Jay D.]

does the Ram have a tow/ haul mode in the trans?
Jay D.

[ricndot]

Originally Posted by runamuck

I tow my 28' freedom express with my 2019 ram 1500 4x4 ccsb with 5.7 and 3.92 gears. it weighs close to 6000# when we travel. the ram 8 sp. has 4.56 1st gear and will pull great. like someone said, out on the highway you may mostly see 6th gear but the 5.7 has plenty of power and will pull fine. the shortcoming of the ram 1500 is lack of cargo capacity. dont go by the ram website or the promotional ads with their glowing reviews about cargo, look on the doorjamb for the sticker. mine only has 1324# and with a hitch wt. of 560# and 33 gal. fuel tank, I have to pack light. put more stuff in your trailer. there will be a sticker on it showing cargo capacity. I too air up my rear tires a little more when towing and have a good WDH. my dad would say " steady eddie gets you there"

cargo capacity is figured with a full fuel tank and a 150lb driver. if in doubt, hit up a CAT scale.

Originally Posted by Jay D.

does the Ram have a tow/ haul mode in the trans?
Jay D.

yes it does

[Hatterasman]

I took the bridge in stride.