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Old 12-07-2017, 08:38 PM   #1
Number 4
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Red face Does This Combo Look Solid

Here is another "will this work fine" question because I can't seem to plug the right numbers into those calculators.

We recently purchased a Hideout 19FLB which has a GVWR of 6,800 and cargo capacity of 2,182 with a 425 hitch weight.

"Big Red", my 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 definitely isn't up to the task so we are considering a 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie which has a stated towing capacity of 2000/10300 (by the way, what does the 2000 refer to?) Curb weight is 5,389 and GVWR is 6,350. 395hp and 407 ft-lb torque sounds like plenty for getting up into the Sierra Nevada hills.

My Draw-Tite WDH with 750 bars says it can tow 10,000 lbs with a hitch weight of 750 lbs so I'm fine there.

A friend with a Dodge 1500 Hemi and trailer says no problem, but I'd like to confirm with the-guys-who-really-know if I'm looking at a good combo.
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Old 12-08-2017, 01:54 AM   #2
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I am not sure but the payload of truck looks pretty close when you add People and toung weight .I could be reading it wrong though.
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Old 12-08-2017, 02:17 AM   #3
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What Eastham said^^^^. Your payload is probably in 1400 to 1600 pound range and you will max that out immediately. How about a nice late model 3/4 ton?
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Old 12-08-2017, 02:42 AM   #4
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As a long time Dodge / Ram owner Il chime in! Welcome and I just have to ask,
Where in the world did you find an almost 7000, lb 19 ft trailer?

That is 1500lbs more than my 28ft.
Anyhow, You are fine with your 99 but will have no problems at all with the 15 Ram. The 15 will be more ready and designed for the tow. With anti sway bar standard and make sure it has the OEM trailer brake installed. If not have it done upon purchase. (If at a dealer). The Ram is plenty capable. Just be certain based on the weights you describe that the Ram at the very least has the 3.92 rear. I have the 3.21 and it does the job just fine. But your talking about more weight so I throwing your a heads up to check for the 3.92 rear. Good luck. Post pics. We like that too! lol.
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Old 12-08-2017, 03:24 AM   #5
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Sorry my mistake .I was figuring curb wt.of 5389 lb and gvwr of 6350 lbs leaves a carry cap.of 961 lbs minus 450 hitch wt. And 300lbs for people that's 750 about 211 lbs for everything extra.
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Old 12-08-2017, 07:05 AM   #6
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Some of what has been posted above is factual, some is not much more than "Hey, hold my beer and watch this" so, let's lay out some hard numbers, compare the truck as listed by the OP and see what "stacks up"....

The Hideout 19FLB specs are:

EMPTY WEIGHT: 4102
CARGO CAPACITY: 2698
GVW: 6800
EMPTY TONGUE WEIGHT: 425
LENGTH: 23' 0"
FRESH WATER: 60 (8.3X60=498 pounds)
BLACK TANK: 40 (8.3X40=332 pounds)
GRAY TANK: 40 (8.3X40=332 pounds)
PROPANE: 60 pounds

Now, the empty tongue weight is only a "number" as you'll NEVER see that light of a tongue. Just adding a single GP27 deep cycle battery and propane will increase the tongue weight by around 100 pounds and any cargo you put in the trailer, that is forward of the axles, will also increase the tongue weight. Most trailers tow best with a tongue that weighs between 10-15 percent of the total trailer weight. So the tongue weight you'll see will be, at the trailer GVW is 680-1020 pounds. Now, to that, add the weight of your hitch (around 100 pounds) and you'll be adding about 750-1150 pounds of "trailer weight" to your truck's payload.

The information you posted about the new truck you're considering:
CURB WEIGHT: 5,389
GVWR: 6,350
PAYLOAD: 961 pounds.

That PAYLOAD is extremely small when you consider that you're going to be using a minimum of 750 pounds of it for the trailer tongue and hitch. Now add passengers, truck bed cargo and anything else you might add (bed cap, bed mat, tonneau cover, tool box, running boards, brake controller, TPMS system, generator, firewood, or other "stuff" in the truck bed.

I'd suspect that you'll be over the truck's GVW with little to no cargo or passengers in the truck.

As for the truck's "pulling capacity" chances are you'll have no problems "pulling" the trailer, but that truck is essentially "outclassed" by the trailer tongue weight.

So, if you're concerned with "staying below the numbers" you'll need a bigger truck. If, however, you're sure your insurance company won't be upset, you're not considering ever stopping by the RAM dealer with the trailer hitched to the truck (if they weigh it, your warranty is in jeopardy) and you're not concerned with being stopped by law enforcement for a weight check, then you'll probably not have any problems "pulling" the trailer.

If you do decide to buy it anyway, I'd urge you to make your first stop at a CAT scale to be sure you're rear axle, tires and truck aren't overloaded. You're going to be "worrying about weight" on every trip you make with the rig.
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Old 12-08-2017, 07:51 AM   #7
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I have an excel spreadsheet I use to calculate the numbers it does not form opinions just gives the numbers. If you want a copy message me privately and I will email to you. I cannot upload excel files here.
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Old 12-08-2017, 08:25 AM   #8
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With a 961 lb payload I think no matter how you crunch the numbers you will still be over the limit on pay load.with the figures he gave.
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Old 12-08-2017, 08:32 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by Eastham View Post
With a 961 lb payload I think no matter how you crunch the numbers you will still be over the limit on pay load.with the figures he gave.
The "typical" (average) payload for half ton trucks ranges from around 1400 pounds to 1700 pounds. Some range as high as 2600 and there are a couple that are below 1000. The RAM that the OP listed is one of those "extremely low payload" half ton trucks. There are a number of other RAM 1500 models that would be much more suitable to tow that trailer, just not that particular model.

I'd consider it more a "soccer mom" kind of vehicle than something to do "serious hauling". There are a number of "mid size SUV's" (Explorer, Trail Blazer, Journey) that have significantly bigger payloads than that example of a RAM truck.
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Old 12-08-2017, 09:06 AM   #10
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I agree, 961 lbs is not enough to pull any full size trailer. The spreadsheet really will show what the minimum payload needed to be within the numbers. Or if you are stuck with your TV how much weight must be removed to be within your numbers. Certainly not trying to justify the truck and trailer combo. Funny thing is my wife's Nissan Armada has a higher cargo capacity than my F150 that we use to pull our trailer.
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Old 12-08-2017, 09:41 AM   #11
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Thanks everyone, time to continue the search for an appropriate tow vehicle. If you're willing, I'll take suggestions on RAM 1500 models with bigger payload. It's been 18 years since I bought my truck!
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Old 12-08-2017, 10:55 AM   #12
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Thanks everyone, time to continue the search for an appropriate tow vehicle. If you're willing, I'll take suggestions on RAM 1500 models with bigger payload. It's been 18 years since I bought my truck!
The newer Ram 1500 trucks will have significantly higher payloads than your 99. That said, you need to look for one with a payload of 2200 lbs. or more. You don't say how many folks etc. are going to be in the vehicle but depending on how you load the trailer the 2200 could give you barely over 1000 lbs. for people and stuff which will disappear quickly.

Get at least the 3.92 rear end, towing package, Class IV hitch (I think that comes with the tow pkg.), brake controller. If it were me I would upgrade to LT tires. Get the 5.7 and 8 speed. Make sure you have a quality WDH with good 4 point sway control built in.
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Old 12-08-2017, 10:56 AM   #13
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A fine breakdown analysis JRTJH, thank you. I mis-stated the GVWR so the Laramie should be 5,389 curb weight + 1,410 payload bringing the GVWR to 6,800 lbs. That may still be close to the max with 350 pounds of me and the wife, 425 empty hitch weight, propane, two 6V batteries and a partially full fresh water tank. The Big Horn model is only a bit more with a claimed payload of 1,685
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Old 12-08-2017, 12:36 PM   #14
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Your revised information on the Laramie puts it in the "lower end of normal" for half ton pickups. 1410 is about where most payloads start. That said, you can go to the RAM towing guide at https://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_...efore_you_buy/ and according to that site, the maximum payload that you can order for current model RAM 1500's is 1900 pounds and the max trailer weight is 10,640. Keep in mind that's the "base model Laramie crew cab" so adding running boards, bed liner, optional "stuff" will all be deducted from those figures.

There are RAM 1500's out there that will be a good match for your trailer, but you're probably going to need to be "aware of" (not afraid of) how you pack your truck and trailer for travel. It's "do-able" and you can find trucks that are a good match, so don't despair, just be aware of your limitations and don't settle for the first truck that's the color you like. Keep looking until you find the options that make it work for the intended purpose (towing a 7,000 pound trailer). Once you find the right truck, you'll enjoy towing much more than you will (or would have) with an underpowered and overloaded "make do" tow vehicle....

GOOD LUCK !!!!!
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Old 12-08-2017, 01:53 PM   #15
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Seems to me a lot of this and that's going into a 19FT TT. I cant help but think this would be with out a doubt a 1500 towable even with some v6 options. Just my non over thinking 2 cents.
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Old 12-08-2017, 02:01 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by earlzach View Post
Seems to me a lot of this and that's going into a 19FT TT. I cant help but think this would be with out a doubt a 1500 towable even with some v6 options. Just my non over thinking 2 cents.
You might want to verify your information, earlzach. According to the Keystone website, you're about 4 feet short on your speculation that it's a 19 FT TT. It is a 23' "non-lightweight" travel trailer. in other words, the other type of construction, when compared to your Passport......
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Old 12-08-2017, 02:10 PM   #17
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Four years with a forest river 26 tbud, TV Ram crew 1500 4x4 3.21 rear says I'm sure he's fine. Again, just my 2 cents.
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Old 12-08-2017, 03:24 PM   #18
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Earl, we wouldn't have to go much further than the 3:21 gears to delete this from towing anywhere other than Delaware or Florida. It simply isn't a good match.
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Old 12-09-2017, 10:55 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
The "typical" (average) payload for half ton trucks ranges from around 1400 pounds to 1700 pounds. Some range as high as 2600 and there are a couple that are below 1000. The RAM that the OP listed is one of those "extremely low payload" half ton trucks. There are a number of other RAM 1500 models that would be much more suitable to tow that trailer, just not that particular model.

I'd consider it more a "soccer mom" kind of vehicle than something to do "serious hauling". There are a number of "mid size SUV's" (Explorer, Trail Blazer, Journey) that have significantly bigger payloads than that example of a RAM truck.
Gotta call you on this one.... You saying Sam Elliot don't know what he is talking about? Guts, Glory, RAM! (specially modified by the looks of it) Look at this Ram 1500 dually video:

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Old 12-09-2017, 11:50 AM   #20
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That is a "Dakota" Even smaller than a 1500.
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