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Lori Meyer · 12-26-2013, 06:35 AM

We're considering the following set up but I want to get your opinions on whether these two will be happy with each other.

2014 Keystone Outback 316RL - 7,640 lbs.

Used Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab - 5.7L V8 Hemi Magnum with tow package

We'll be using a weight distribution hitch and a brake controller.

According to the specs, the Ram 4x2 will pull 10,350 lbs. I haven't considered anything else regarding tongue, etc.

Thanks for your input.

Dog Folks · 12-26-2013, 07:24 AM

It will pull it although you are close to the limit.

Get some good way control just is case.

The other issue is not pulling it, but stopping it. Drive with caution.

jesilvas · 12-26-2013, 07:47 AM

It is NOT 7640 first off, it's 9000lbs GVWR. You're quoting dry.
Also, what year "used" truck? Older ones have a lower GVWR and all that.

If you're saying the "towing capacity" is 10,350lbs, then you're gonna probably max it out and overload the rear axle and not be safe. Once you load all the stuff in the truck too, it'll be real heavy.

TXiceman · 12-26-2013, 08:29 AM

The tow rating published by Ram is a MAXIMUM and is based on a stripped base model truck....no options, no accessories, no cargo, no passengers other than a 150# driver, and no hitch. For every pound you add above this base curb weight, you reduce the towing capacity by the same amount. In the real world, you will probably be closer to a tow capacity of about 8000#.

Next thing is the payload or cargo capacity of the truck. The trailer will place a load of about 10% to 15% of the trailer GVWR on the hitch. The hitch weight plus cargo plus passengers plus full fuel, has to be below the trucks GVWR. A 1/2 ton truck will typically reach the trucks GVWR long before the GCWR is reached.

Ken

SmokeyWren · 12-26-2013, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lori Meyer

2014 Keystone Outback 316RL - 7,640 lbs.

Used Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab - 5.7L V8 Hemi Magnum with tow package

What they said. That pickup will probably have enough power to pull that trailer, but not a strong enough suspension to haul the hitch weight of a 9,000 pound TT plus passengers and stuff in the truck without exceeding the GVWR of the pickup. Expect the wet and loaded TT to have a hitch weight of 1,250 to 1,350 pounds. If you exceed the GVWR of the pickup, you're overloaded. Overloaded is not safe.

Roosters 67 · 12-26-2013, 09:44 AM

What year ram, what length bed, what added accessories (topper,big tool box, bed full of bikes and bar-b-q)? and have you weighed the ram on a truck scale? there is more to the question than the info you supplied.

To have an accurate idea, you need to load the truck as you will be hauling. IE; all people, full tank of gas, any added "luggage" or toys, and then weigh the truck on a big scale that will tell you the weight of front ,rear,and total weight.

Then the information from the door sticker is required, IE; FAWR,RAWR,GVWR, and GCWR

The info I found on the trailer you picked showed to have a GVWR of 9,00lbs shipping of 7560lbs. that is "dry"weight you still have to calculate all the stuff you are going to put in it. That weight is also not neccessarily the weight of that trailer at the dealer, may have had more accessories added.

If you could supply the truck info we can guesstimate the ability of towing that trailer.

However sounds as though you may be close to the capacity of this particular truck.

Spence

tuffr2 · 12-26-2013, 10:31 AM

Your combo of the big heavy trailer and small 1/2 ton truck would be better with that trailer and 3/4 ton truck.

I towed a 5,500 lb. trailer with a 2011 1/2 ton truck. The truck knew the trailer was back there. MPG dropped from 18 to 10. My trailer was much shorter than what you are looking at. I did not get pushed around too much by passing semi's but your longer trailer might.

You can try it with a 1/2 ton truck but I can see a bigger 3/4 ton truck in your future.

Good luck

Cumminsfan · 12-26-2013, 10:35 AM

NO. You need a 3/4 ton min for that TT.

rewindguy · 12-26-2013, 02:26 PM

I drag a 7000 lb max trailer with my 2010 Ram 1500. I am at max with truck and all the gear if I actually ran trailer at max load. Only good news is I never go over 6500 on trailer - @ yes I weighed it. But I still have rear 1000 lb air bags and a 12000 lb Reese Dual Cam wdh. Never have a problem, but with your trailer, I would be a lookin for a 2500 3/4 ton!

terryallan · 12-26-2013, 08:07 PM

I'm ging with no.

JIMNLIN · 12-26-2013, 08:46 PM

The Ram with the Hemi sure won't have any issues with the engine or drive train pulling its rated tow rating ...... however.
The problem is the 1500 Rams very small 3900 RAWR which equate to the 1500-1600 lb payload. The '14 316 RL Outback specs show a 9000 GVWR which may mean a 900-1000 lb loaded hitch weight.
That leaves 500-600 lbs for the trailer hitch/occupants and other gear in the truck.

IMO the truck will need higher rated LT tires/wheels and rear suspension for that particular trailer. Or a same GVWR trailer with a lighter hitch weight.

Lori Meyer · 12-27-2013, 06:18 AM

Thanks everyone, I learned alot from your replies.

I was crunching numbers and here is what I came up with:

2004 Ram 1500 5.7L V8 Hemi Magnum:

Curb weight - 6,650
GVWR - 4,877
1,773 left for payload
Hitch wt. -880
893
Full tank gas - 156 lbs.
737
2 people - 275

462 lbs. of payload remaining for the truck

We generally put everything in the RV.

The TT weighs 7,640 and the GVWR is 9,000 leaving 1,360 for payload.

1,360
- 60 lbs. (2 full 20 lb. propane tanks)
- 500 lbs Food and clothing

800 lbs. TT payload remaining

With our last RV, we packed very lightly with the grey/black/fresh water tanks empty.

I still haven't figured the RAWR but we will have a WDH also.

Thanks for your input guys!

jesilvas · 12-27-2013, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lori Meyer

Thanks everyone, I learned alot from your replies.

I was crunching numbers and here is what I came up with:

2004 Ram 1500 5.7L V8 Hemi Magnum:

Curb weight - 6,650
GVWR - 4,877 Wrong. Your GVWR should be higher than empty weight of the truck. Unless you swapped your empty and GVWR numbers.
1,773 left for payload
Hitch wt. -880 Hitch weight should be figured off of a full GVWR loaded trailer. So roughly 15% of 9k lbs is 1350, more than 880.
893
Full tank gas - 156 lbs.
737
2 people - 275

462 lbs. of payload remaining for the truck

We generally put everything in the RV.

The TT weighs 7,640 and the GVWR is 9,000 leaving 1,360 for payload.

1,360
- 60 lbs. (2 full 20 lb. propane tanks) This will be more like 72. Empty 20lb cylinders are 16ish lbs.
- 500 lbs Food and clothing

800 lbs. TT payload remaining

With our last RV, we packed very lightly with the grey/black/fresh water tanks empty. Still need to figure a water heater full of water. Than can be UP TO 128lbs. Yours would probably be 48 or 80 lbs.

I still haven't figured the RAWR but we will have a WDH also. That will be on the door sticker of the truck, along with GVWR and GAWR for front and rear axle.

Thanks for your input guys!

In red.

Cumminsfan · 12-27-2013, 07:22 AM

You will hate towing that TT. It's 35'-6" long and will weigh over 8000lbs when loaded. Also the dry TW is according to the brochure 980lbs. Add 100 for WD hitch and another 100 for gear in the front of the TT. Could easily be more, and you have 1180lbs on the receiver. I bet your receiver isn't rated that high. You will have the tail wagging the dog syndrome. Either get a smaller TT or a bigger truck.
FWIW though, that's a nice TT inside. Great layout.