First time TT

[SabaiGuy]

Hello everyone!

I have never owned or even pulled a TT before, and have a half ton RAM with max tow rating of 12,775. I was pretty squeamish about going over a DW of 4500# but we have recently started looking at heavier, in the 6000# DW range.

I know the specs are all there, but I’d appreciate hearing from some people with actual experience.

Thank you

[coglesby]

Originally Posted by SabaiGuy

Hello everyone!

I have never owned or even pulled a TT before, and have a half ton RAM with max tow rating of 12,775. I was pretty squeamish about going over a DW of 4500# but we have recently started looking at heavier, in the 6000# DW range.

I know the specs are all there, but I’d appreciate hearing from some people with actual experience.

Thank you

Payload capacity will be the limiting factor, not tow rating

[MFL]

Without knowing your actual payload, or RAWR, I would recommend not getting trailer over 7K GVWR. Ram trucks normally are softer suspended, compared to Ford or GM. Most half tons any brand are maxed out around 7,500 gross wt, unless a limited special design.

[Dave Pelletier]

Our Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi CC 4x4 Tow package truck has a payload of 1,392 lbs.

As mentioned above, payload/GVWR (and related GAWR) are the numbers to check, NOT maximum advertised payload capacity. You will run out of payload long before you'd ever reach that max tow number.

Weigh your truck loaded to camp and compare that to your GVWR and GAWR-Rear to see how much real payload you have left. Then use the GVWR of the trailer (never the dry weight) and figure on 12 - 15% of that for trailer tongue weight and see what you have left (if anything). Don't forget to allow 100lbs or so for a WD hitch too.

6,000 lbs dry is likely too much for most half tons; my personal line-in the sand is around 6,500 lbs or so loaded. People always say that they don't carry much stuff but it adds up and (for eg.) my fresh water tanks, batteries and full propane tanks are over 1,000 lbs alone without a single beer, fork or pair of underwear on board....

For example, the 25RDSWE Cougar "half ton" you are looking at is 29'10" OAL and 8,800 lbs GVWR I think you will be at or above the capacity of your Ram 1500. Wet tongue weight will be well over 1,000 lbs. Dry TW is 820lbs/13% and that percentage and weight will get higher as the trailer is loaded. The batteries and propane are on the tongue and the outside storage is at the front of the trailer.


Cheers,
Dave

[SabaiGuy]

I appreciate it! The payload for my particular model appears to be 2,015.

[SabaiGuy]

Thank you so much for taking the time to break that down for me. I really appreciate it. I looked up my truck’s payload online, and the 2022 5.7 V8 quad cab apparently has a payload of 2,015. What weight range would you recommend for that? Also considering that I’m in the PNW, and will be going over mountain passes with it.

[oldenavy]

Originally Posted by SabaiGuy

Thank you so much for taking the time to break that down for me. I really appreciate it. I looked up my truck’s payload online, and the 2022 5.7 V8 quad cab apparently has a payload of 2,015. What weight range would you recommend for that? Also considering that I’m in the PNW, and will be going over mountain passes with it.

If you looked it up online, that’s likely not your truck’s payload. The door sticker is the final authority on that payload for your individual truck.

As previously mentioned payload and RAWR will control how much you can tow, not the advertised towing rating.

[mistercee]

Originally Posted by SabaiGuy

Thank you so much for taking the time to break that down for me. I really appreciate it. I looked up my truck’s payload online, and the 2022 5.7 V8 quad cab apparently has a payload of 2,015. What weight range would you recommend for that? Also considering that I’m in the PNW, and will be going over mountain passes with it.

When you say you 'looked it up online', do you mean you entered your actual VIN number and it provided you with this info, or did you look at a chart or something similar to arrive at 2,015 lbs?

If you did not get VIN specific info, go look at the driver's side door pillar of your truck. There is a yellow/white/black 'Tire and Loading Information' sticker there. Among other info, this sticker will list the specific cargo carrying (payload) capacity of your vehicle. This sticker was applied at the factory after subtracting your truck's weight from it GVWR. Depending on option level, there can be a wild swing in the weight of a truck. A Ford F150 XL with basic options can weigh hundreds of pounds less than a highly optioned Platinum....but have the same GVWR.

Payload capacity is simply the truck's GVWR (how much it iis rated to weigh when maxed out) minus it's weight at any point in time. It is a fluid number. If your truck weighs 5200 lbs with you in it and its GVWR is 7100. Your remaining payload capacity is 1900 lbs. If you then add 3 more occupants at 450 lbs, and 200 lbs of gear in the bed, your remaining payload capacity is down to 1,250 lbs.

Every occupant in the truck, any gear, the weight of the hitch itself and trailer tongue weight, all count as 'payload'.

A good rule of thumb when window shopping for a trailer is to calculate 13% of its GVWR as tongue weight and then add 100 lbs for the hitch.

Example: 8000 lb GVWR trailer @ 13% = 1,040. 100 for hitch = 1,140 of tongue weight.

To get a better idea of how much tongue weight your truck can handle. Load up the truck fully for camping - all people, pets, coolers, gear etc. and go weigh it at a CAT scale. Subtract this from the truck's GVWR (on a second sticker on the driver's side pillar). This remainder is what you have to support the trailer's guesstimated tongue weight (don't forget to add 100 for the hitch).

.....and then there's the length considerations when towing with a 1/2 ton....

[DR60]

Originally Posted by SabaiGuy

Thank you so much for taking the time to break that down for me. I really appreciate it. I looked up my truck’s payload online, and the 2022 5.7 V8 quad cab apparently has a payload of 2,015. What weight range would you recommend for that? Also considering that I’m in the PNW, and will be going over mountain passes with it.

Part of the question is going to be is the truck 4X4? long bed or short? Aftermarket wheels and tires? gear ratio etc...
Also the weight, height, and length of the trailer.

The longer wheel base trucks are going to give a better ride while towing, lower gears are going to make towing in the mountains easier.
A shorter or more streamlined trailer will cut through the wind better, and a shorter length will not push the truck as much.

I would be looking to not exceed 5500 to 6000 lbs Gross weight. and 24 to 26 feet of trailer max. DR

[Blazing zipp]

Also, the tires, brakes, and suspension can be "squishy" when towing a long trailer.

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by mistercee

When you say you 'looked it up online', do you mean you entered your actual VIN number and it provided you with this info, or did you look at a chart or something similar to arrive at 2,015 lbs?

If you did not get VIN specific info, go look at the driver's side door pillar of your truck. There is a yellow/white/black 'Tire and Loading Information' sticker there. Among other info, this sticker will list the specific cargo carrying (payload) capacity of your vehicle. This sticker was applied at the factory after subtracting your truck's weight from it GVWR. Depending on option level, there can be a wild swing in the weight of a truck. A Ford F150 XL with basic options can weigh hundreds of pounds less than a highly optioned Platinum....but have the same GVWR.

Payload capacity is simply the truck's GVWR (how much it iis rated to weigh when maxed out) minus it's weight at any point in time. It is a fluid number. If your truck weighs 5200 lbs with you in it and its GVWR is 7100. Your remaining payload capacity is 1900 lbs. If you then add 3 more occupants at 450 lbs, and 200 lbs of gear in the bed, your remaining payload capacity is down to 1,250 lbs.

Every occupant in the truck, any gear, the weight of the hitch itself and trailer tongue weight, all count as 'payload'.

A good rule of thumb when window shopping for a trailer is to calculate 13% of its GVWR as tongue weight and then add 100 lbs for the hitch.

Example: 8000 lb GVWR trailer @ 13% = 1,040. 100 for hitch = 1,140 of tongue weight.

To get a better idea of how much tongue weight your truck can handle. Load up the truck fully for camping - all people, pets, coolers, gear etc. and go weigh it at a CAT scale. Subtract this from the truck's GVWR (on a second sticker on the driver's side pillar). This remainder is what you have to support the trailer's guesstimated tongue weight (don't forget to add 100 for the hitch).

.....and then there's the length considerations when towing with a 1/2 ton....

Well said; saved me some typing!

Dave

[SabaiGuy]

So this newy got some more information!

For some reason the curb weight is not stamped on the door sticker. So I called the dealer and he stated that my payload in 2030lbs, but when I do the math 7100lb GVWR minus the Curb weight 4792lbs, it comes out to 2308.

The gearing ratio is 3.21

I need to go back through the thread to see what other information I need to pull up, and calculate it.

Thanks to everyone again for the information, and help. What an awesome group of folks on here!

[JIMNLIN]

open your trucks drivers side door to find the trucks certification sticker with the trucks gvwr/fawr/rawr.....and a yellow tire placard with the trucks tire size/psi recommendations and payload sticker number.
With todays newer gen trucks some have a high gvwr number . Here you have to be careful as some high gvwr payload sticker numbers when used as hitch weight/other stuff in the bed can and has overloaded the trucks rawr numbers. Your Ram may have a 3800-4000 rawr for carrying all the load in the bed.
Thats why its important to weigh any size trucks front and rear axles separately.

Our LDT tow ratings are for all types of trailers from flatbeds/stock trailers/etc where that 2xxx lb payload can be spread over the trailers axles for a lighter hitch weight. RV trailers have fixed hitch weights so depending on size of the truck it may not carry a 12xxx lb rv trailer hitch weight.

Our newer 1500 Rams have soft coil springs but can carry its rawr ratings.

Which engine does your 1500 ram have ? The 5.7 hemi won't have any issue pulling a 12k lb trailer but the trucks suspension may not be up to carrying loads over gawr numbers.

[MooseCountry]

Our 2016 Ram 2500 Tradesman Crew Cab standard bed has really no options (floor mats and the carpet?). The off-road package (Power Wagon) was what we selected of which is quite beneficial for our rural living. Payload capacity is much less than every other 2500 due to this option at 1,446 lbs on the door sticker . Rear axle gear ratio is 4.10-1. No problems in handling our 9,995 ORV Backcountry TT with the 6.4L and 35 inch tires with the 4 Point Equal-i-zer WDH. Loaded gear under a fiberglass topper it tows quite well. The problem was with the Chrysler 66RFE transmission would destoy itself revving up on our steep grades. Just replaced it in October with a new transmission after 5 high Rocky Mountain pass transmission rebuild failures. We live within the mountains, so this wasn't good. The 6.4L was flawless in performance towing it with more than enough power.

Without any adjustments to the 4 Point E-qual-izer the ORV TT rides right at the same tongue height on our 2024 Ram 3500 4x4 Crew Cab long bed. For our Rocky Mountain high altitude living the 6.7 HO Cummins diesel with 3.73-1 rear axle gear ratio and Aisin transmission and 33 inch tires is a rocket over our mountain passes. 4,074 lb payload is much higher too. It handles the trailer with a much more firmer stiff like ride versus the softer ride with the Power Wagon. Given a choice for long distance towing, I like the softer ride of the 2500 Power Wagon. Handling the trailer is excellent on both trucks. Both trucks ride on Toyo Open Country C/T 3PMSF rated Load Range E LT tires.

We have a 1/2 ton Chevrolet K1500 Extended Cab with a V8 and 3.73-1 rear axle ratio. It doesn't compare in towing capabilities of our 2500 and 3500. Going up is one thing, but going down our 21.4 mile long steep grade is where the heavier trucks handle the trailer weight much better in braking.