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Old 10-12-2018, 07:35 PM   #1
Hankster
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Ram 1500

The Wife and I picked up out Bullet 261RBSWE this evening from the dealership. They installed a Husky 1200# round bar WD hitch system thrown in at no extra. I was really impressed as to how well it worked, and how easily it was set up.
The Hemi handled the load well also , and the 3.21 gears were fine, I used tow haul, and locked out 8th gear. It handled the trailer well, and did not lack for power. Pretty much stayed at about 60-70MPH the whole 60 mile trip back from Boise.
The only weak link I see in my rig is the P-rated tires, and possible some heavier springs./air bags. I really think with just upgrading the tires it would be fine.
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Old 10-12-2018, 08:26 PM   #2
sourdough
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Just thinking out loud....

A 3.21 axle is good for towing a small trailer...been there, done that. Your trailer is 7600 lbs. gvw., so, no, the truck wasn't pulling it "just fine". It was pulling it, but not "fine". Now, I have to say that a few years ago I said the same thing but at least I was running 3.55/3.92 gears and a 10k trailer.

JMO but with a 5.7 and a 3.21 axle I would not have towed my 5k deckboat, at least not me, but that's just me.

You need to go to LT tires on the truck and some AirLift 1000 bags and hope for the best....everything will not be "fine", as in a great towing experience, but hopefully keep you out of danger.
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Old 10-12-2018, 08:33 PM   #3
Hankster
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What trans were you running with your 5.7 ?
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Old 10-12-2018, 08:47 PM   #4
sourdough
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I've had 4; 2003 3.92, 2004 ?, 2012 3.55, 2013 3.92 and the 2014 2500 3.73. I also had a 2001 5.9 4.10 and 2002 4.7 along with others. None of that will make much difference; an 8 speed, or 12 speed transmission, is not going to make a 3.21 a towing truck....IMO Trannys were what ever they were and current is 6 speed in the 2500.
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Old 10-12-2018, 09:04 PM   #5
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Congratulations Hankster!
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Old 10-12-2018, 09:35 PM   #6
sourdough
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hankster View Post
The Wife and I picked up out Bullet 261RBSWE this evening from the dealership. They installed a Husky 1200# round bar WD hitch system thrown in at no extra. I was really impressed as to how well it worked, and how easily it was set up.
The Hemi handled the load well also , and the 3.21 gears were fine, I used tow haul, and locked out 8th gear. It handled the trailer well, and did not lack for power. Pretty much stayed at about 60-70MPH the whole 60 mile trip back from Boise.
The only weak link I see in my rig is the P-rated tires, and possible some heavier springs./air bags. I really think with just upgrading the tires it would be fine.
Hankster; I'm sorry I came off a little gruff..I kind of do that simply because I worry about stuff for others and I shouldn't. I'm glad you had a good trip. Heed the thoughts about replacing the P tires and adding air bags. I love the Ram 1500 but it is sprung kind of light (nowadays) if you're not careful. IMO don't pull that kind of load with the 1500 at 70 mph. Glad you had a good trip. Longer ones in more varying terrain will tell you more.
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Old 10-12-2018, 09:52 PM   #7
Hankster
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I think you need to look at the final drive ratios. If I put it into 6 or 7 manually locking out top gear it's going to have nearly the same ratios as the 3.92 only a gear lower than it will. The first gear ratio is much lower than the 5 and 6 speed trans ever had.
I'll agree the tires are the weakest link, they're P-rated, and barely adequate. I'm sure they only use them to meet mileage requirements mandated by the fed gov.

8HP70 gear ratios
1st-4.714:1
2nd-3.143:1
3rd-2.106:1
4th-1.667:1
5th-1.285:1
6th-1.000:1
7th-0.839:1
8th-0.667:1
R-3.300:1

6 speed ratios
66RFE / 68RFE 3.23 1.84 1.41 1.00 0.816 0.625

Sourdough, Hah it's all good, I've been driving truck for over 25 years, I know, and I won't be taking Cabbage, or Meacham pass at 70mph. The road between here and Boise is mostly smooth and Flat otherwise id've been going a lot slower.
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Old 10-13-2018, 04:42 AM   #8
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Hankster. I don’t remember what ratio my 2012 Ram Longhorn Edition 4x4 has, but I love the way it pulls our Outback 250urs. I also have the round-bar WDH and it handles and controls it just great. My truck only has the 6 speed and I use the tow/haul and it also has the factory trailer brake controller built in.
My trailer is a couple of thousand pounds lighter than yours, but I’m completely satisfied with the combo. I did install the Air Lift 1000 air bags. They are fantastic. I only run 15# of pressure, just to help the sag a little but not enough to decrease the efficiency of the hitch. It took all of the “porpoising” out. It rides like the trailer ain’t back there.
I you’re happy with your rig, you have no problems with control and it has all the power you need, then go have fun.
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Old 10-13-2018, 05:02 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hankster View Post
The Wife and I picked up out Bullet 261RBSWE this evening from the dealership. They installed a Husky 1200# round bar WD hitch system thrown in at no extra. I was really impressed as to how well it worked, and how easily it was set up.
The Hemi handled the load well also , and the 3.21 gears were fine, I used tow haul, and locked out 8th gear. It handled the trailer well, and did not lack for power. Pretty much stayed at about 60-70MPH the whole 60 mile trip back from Boise.
The only weak link I see in my rig is the P-rated tires, and possible some heavier springs./air bags. I really think with just upgrading the tires it would be fine.
Had the same truck with the TT in my sig. Loaded was 6500# and found that porpoising effect. Solved it with LT tires, Timbrens and E4 Equal-i-zer hitch.
What made me trade was the puny payload of the Ram. YMMV
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Old 10-13-2018, 05:42 AM   #10
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Thanks all, time will tell, we are going to be in it stationery for a while8 months at a local RV park then will be going East to Florida to see my sister next summer.
The rig did do a little porpoising which I think might be due to the set up of the hitch. It wasn't as detailed as I thought they were going to be, but All is well, and tires/springs/ air bags are definitely in our future. Since it's going to pretty much be stationary I don't have to worry too much about all of the upgrades until spring. Until then we will be enjoying our new "home".
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Old 10-13-2018, 01:03 PM   #11
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Just curious as to the gas mileage at 60-70 with your rig?
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Old 10-13-2018, 04:41 PM   #12
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It was probably averaging around 9-10. I noticed about 13-14 in dead flat areas down to 5 on the small uphills. Like I said the tow haul activated pretty much kept it in a good RPM range where it makes power.
Not being very happy with the lack of attention to ddetailthat the technician displayed, I readjusted the hitch after I got home from work today, and I think I got it better adjusted.
I went accross the scales afterwards at a local fruit packing shed.
My front axel weight was 3390 #
Rear axle weight bwas 3270 #(total truck weight was 6660 #
Trailer axles combined was 5070 #
I know with the wife and I in, and a about a half tank of gas it its usually about 6000-6100 pounds
Empty.
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Old 10-16-2018, 02:25 PM   #13
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Congrats on the new rig. FYI Your OEM Trailer Tire’s are probably only rated to 65mph.
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Old 10-16-2018, 04:31 PM   #14
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I would go with E rated tires
I had to change my tires as well. They were E rated 10 ply but they can only hold 2300lb at 60psi
Got new tires and they do hold 3700 a tire. Feel much better
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Old 10-16-2018, 07:54 PM   #15
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Prior to upgrading to a 3/4 ton diesel, we towed a 25 ft fifth wheel on a short trip with a 2005 GMC 1500 with a 5.3 gas engine and I am not real sure what the rear end ratio was, but it towed OK, but all we got was about the 9/10 mph, and that varied on hills or flats. Later on, was talking to a cousin who was an automotive instructor at a local college and he advised me that the rear ends on half ton trucks can not handle excessive towing with large loads like these trailers. He said the gears are not designed to handle the heat, and that extra attention to maintenance of the rear ends is needed, like much more frequent lube changes. He also said the bearings on the axles are very small compared to heavier trucks, so be prepared to check them often too. I would also think brakes and everything else needs to be maintained more frequently on the lighter trucks when used for towing larger trailers on a regular basis. Just because the numbers may just make it work, it still is a lot of load for a half ton truck.
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Old 10-16-2018, 08:03 PM   #16
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8000 not too much for half ton. You can do little early maintenance that's all. With diesel dont tell me you getting 15mpg when pulling 10k trailer.
Spending 200$ more on fluid change a year way better then put your self in a deep hole payment for new one tone or 3/4 diesel. My Silverado was rated at 10k half ton. I pulled 8k trailer bo problem. Never single problem or over heat. If you step to a bigger unit like 14k toyhauler then yes you need diesel. There is people out there that will tell.you that you need diesel to pull pop up camper. What a joke. They feel safer pulling that trailer with diesel. If you scared to tow or dont feel safe just get 4500 dodge or Ford dually you be ok lol. Just keep on towing with your dodge 1500 just change your tires and put air bags and some sway controls. Good to go
Your money you decide
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Old 10-16-2018, 08:08 PM   #17
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Now I have one ton single wheel dodge ram and I am pulling 37ft bumper pull toyhauler. Wd hitch 2 sway bars and air bags and 3700lb tires on my truck. No sway, no sag, no luck of power, 14k loaded and I dont even considering that I am close to hit my limit. Long as you have your set up right you be good.
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Old 10-17-2018, 04:09 PM   #18
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When I was a kid in the early 80's my uncle pulled a 28?ft Palomino with a Buick station wagon. Grant d it had a 455 in it, but I'm sure the suspension was probably on par or less than today's 1/2 ton chassis. I survived many a ride in the back of that wagon with my cousins. I'm sure I'll be fine in my 1500, if not you all will be the first to read about me in the papers.
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Old 10-17-2018, 04:10 PM   #19
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SVT you in Meridian Idaho?
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Old 10-17-2018, 04:12 PM   #20
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You will be good. Just take it easy.
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