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05-07-2022, 11:15 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Northern
Posts: 8
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Thoughts about RAM 1500 for Towing
Downsizing from a 32' Class A gasser towing a Jeep Wrangler 4 door and looking at a tow vehicle for a smaller travel trailer. I found a 2019 RAM 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 locally that still has about 5 years/50,000 miles of warranty.
5.7l Heni w/8sp auto
GVWR 7100
Payload 1947 (per sticker)
Wheelbase 140"
Trailer Tow Group Option
3.92 Gears
Max Tow 10000+ (don't remember exactly)
I want to be able to tow a 22-24' trailer with a GVWR of around 6500lbs in the western US including up Sierra passes. From what I have been reading this seems like a reasonable match, but also want to get input from those that have experience towing.
TIA
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2005 Southwind 32VS
Northern California
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05-07-2022, 12:20 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 26,643
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6500 trailer GVWR will give you roughly 800# tongue weight
So doable with that 1500
Just will have to let that HEMI SING in the Serria's
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Dodge 3500 w/Tractor Motor
US NAVY---USS Decatur DDG-31
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05-07-2022, 12:53 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,596
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That would be an ideal setup IMO.
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05-07-2022, 01:57 PM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 519
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Yes, you are lucky to have found one with that much payload plus a rational rear gear ratio.
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05-07-2022, 05:04 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Northern Idaho
Posts: 99
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Ram 1500 for towing
We have a 2015 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 with the 3-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine. The truck is equipped with the factory towing package, 3.55 gears, 8-speed automatic trans and air ride suspension. We towed a 32-foot Dutchmen Kodiak Ultimate trailer with a dry weight of 6750 and a GVWR of 7600 lbs.
Had no problems getting up and over the mountain passes on I-90 between Spokane, Wa and Rapid City, SD. We easily maintained speeds around 60-65 MPH and fuel mileage around 14-16 MPG while towing.
We recently sold our travel trailer and bought a class B+ motorhome, so the truck has been retired from towing, but we're going to keep it around just because it's such a comfortable rig to drive... In fact, the wife has already decided that if she has to cut down to just one vehicle, she'll sell her Cadillac and keep the truck!
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Retired US Air Force, aircraft mechanic (A&P), truck driver.
2015 Thor Citation Sprinter.
Dachshund parent.
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05-07-2022, 05:24 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Northern
Posts: 8
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Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll go see if I can work out a deal for the truck.
__________________
2005 Southwind 32VS
Northern California
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05-07-2022, 08:15 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: DFW
Posts: 573
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yes that 1500 should tow ok. I tow a 28' 6000# travel trailer fine with my '19 laramie 4x4 ccsb 5.7 3.92 rear end. I can set cruise for 68-69 and get 8.5-10 mpg. mine only has 1324# cargo cap. so I pack the truck lite. the truck is a great ride when not towing too.
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05-07-2022, 10:51 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 490
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1JetDoc
We have a 2015 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 with the 3-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine. The truck is equipped with the factory towing package, 3.55 gears, 8-speed automatic trans and air ride suspension. We towed a 32-foot Dutchmen Kodiak Ultimate trailer with a dry weight of 6750 and a GVWR of 7600 lbs.
Had no problems getting up and over the mountain passes on I-90 between Spokane, Wa and Rapid City, SD. We easily maintained speeds around 60-65 MPH and fuel mileage around 14-16 MPG while towing.
We recently sold our travel trailer and bought a class B+ motorhome, so the truck has been retired from towing, but we're going to keep it around just because it's such a comfortable rig to drive... In fact, the wife has already decided that if she has to cut down to just one vehicle, she'll sell her Cadillac and keep the truck!
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How is all that relative to the OP's inquiry ? He is looking at the 5.7 V8.
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2021 Rockwood 2614BS
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05-07-2022, 10:56 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 26,643
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CamperLifer
How is all that relative to the OP's inquiry ? He is looking at the 5.7 V8.
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Well now that was helpful.............
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I took my Medication today. HAVE YOU?
Dodge 3500 w/Tractor Motor
US NAVY---USS Decatur DDG-31
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05-07-2022, 11:03 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,269
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Remember ; family, pets and gear in the truck are part of the payload .
Hopefully the truck is equipped with appropriate tires ( LT and not P ) P series tires are not good for a loaded truck .
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99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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05-08-2022, 05:57 AM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 519
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skip426
Hopefully the truck is equipped with appropriate tires ( LT and not P ) P series tires are not good for a loaded truck .
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Good point. Switching to LT tires will make a noticeable improvement. You might not want to ditch good P tires right off but definitely go with LT when it's time to replace or if it feels squirmy when towing.
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05-08-2022, 06:42 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 25
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Ram 1500
I have a 2021 Ram with the same specs as yours. My trailer is about 6000 lbs. with a 600 hitch weight. The truck has a lot of power for towing. The only thing I do not like about it is the rear coil spring suspension. It is not as stable as the GMC I used to have with leaf springs. It took a while to get my equilizer WDH adjusted right and it is better now. I am considering getting air shocks in the future. I tried Timbren suspension enhancements but I didn't care for the rough ride when towing.
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05-08-2022, 07:15 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: DFW
Posts: 573
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on my '19 ram 1500 I added air bags and changed out the rear sway bar to a stiffer one. easy stuff to do and that helped reduce the shimmy from the trailer. I run 20# in the bags when towing and run a few more pounds of air in the tires. I cant bring myself to dump the oem Falken Wildpeak A/T3 tires because the have been great so far but as folks have said, you may want to go to LT's. like you, I came to the Ram from a GM truck ('17 sierra 1500 slt) that was a little more solid for towing but was pretty weak at it compared to the ram. I actually added one helper leaf to that truck at one point.
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05-08-2022, 07:30 AM
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,603
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As for the rear coil springs on the 1500 and 2500, Ram claims that they improve braking performance and that they ride smoother. No mention of side sway but I don't see that as a problem with the proper stabilization linkage.
After hunting around for pickups DW took one look at the Ram interior and her mind was made up. It has more luxury than a luxury car.
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