Would you tow a Laredo with a 09 Ram 1500?

[cjyj85]

Hi everyone! We are in the market to upgrade from our pop-up to a trailer. We found a 2010 Laredo 291TG with a UVW of 6,480lbs and a GVWR of 8,200lbs. I have a 09 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 with 3.55 gears. I found the following table from the Dodge site itself, but have been told by several RV dealerships different numbers. So, I just wanted to come here and see what the experts have to say! Would you tow this trailer with my truck? Maybe a WDH and airbags? I would like to know your opinions. Thanks!

Also, if not, what would be your maximum UVW trailer weight you would tow?

With 3.55 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 7300 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 6800 lbs
Payload [i] = 1248 lbs
Curb Weight [i] = 5552 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 3183 lbs/3183 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear [i] = 3900 lbs/3900 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 13000 lbs

Source: http://www.dodge.com/towing/D/vehicle_2_weight_results.jsp?franchise=D&year=9&familyMarket=U&familyDivision=T&vehicleFamily=RAM_1500&model=1500+CREW+LARAMIE&bdy_style=U%255ET%255ERAM_1500%255E9%255E1500+CREW +LARAMIE%255ECREW+CAB%255E4WD&bed_wheel=U%255ET%255ERAM_1500%255E9%255E1500+CREW +LARAMIE%255ECREW+CAB%255E4WD%5E&engine_trans=U%255ET%255ERAM_1500%255E9%255E1500+C REW+LARAMIE%255ECREW+CAB%255E4WD%255E%255E5.7L+V8+ HEMI+MDS+VVT+Engine%255E5-Spd+Automatic+545RFE+Transmission

[f6bits]

Nope. Real world weight of that trailer is going to be over 7000 lbs. Battery, propane, supplies, and margin of error on the spec will be at least 500 lbs.

With an empty truck, it looks like you can support a tongue weight of 700 lbs. That’s the minimum 10% of your trailer weight, and it needs to be a bit more. Taking that from the payload leaves you 450 lbs for passengers and fuel.

Doing the weight math tells me that real tow rating is 6200 lbs: GCWR - GVWR.

All of this tells me that you’ll be too close to, or over, your limits.

[SLIMSHADIE]

Sdayman is right, you will be overweight. You could easily put 1000-1500lbs in it before you know it. Nice trailer though, had mine 2 1/2 years and still love it. My buddy had the sister Springdale, and was pulling it with his Chevy 1500. Too much trailer, scared the crap out of him. Upgraded the truck to his Chevy 2500 diesel, he said it was night and day. You probably need to stick to a 5500lb dry weight TT or upgrade the truck.

[SteveC7010]

Speaking from our own experience, we had a '98 Ram 1500 5.2 L, 3.53 gears pulling a 5,500# GVWR TT. It was OK on the flats, but a dog in the hills and steeper. The tow rating on that truck was 7,800#. If it had had the 5.7 L engine and taller gears, it would have been a great tow vehicle.

You would be very unhappy with that combination as you present it. Bottom line recommendation is a lighter trailer or step up to a 3/4 ton truck.

[cjyj85]

Thanks guys, that's what I was thinking also. Do love the trailer though and upgrading to a bigger truck isn't gonna happen. What if we went with something like a Keystone Bullet 286QBS?? Thanks again for your help

286QBS Specifications:
Shipping Weight 5230
Carrying Capacity 2355
Hitch 585
Length 32' 10
Width 8'
Height 10' 3
Fresh Water 41
Waste Water 30
Gray Water 30

http://www.keystonerv-bullet.com/index.php?page=floorplans&coast=east&model=286QBS

[Charli]

We had the same truck except, I think, with a higher gear ratio which would have provided a higher tow rating. We were pulling a 291RKS Springdale trailer and the weights were similar to yours,perhaps a bit lighter. Everyone assured me I had lots of truck to pull the trailer. While the truck pulled ok I only use it on the prairies and in a strong headwind it sucked gas big time. If you were going to the mouintains it would be a long slow haul up the mountain inclines. I found the suspension too soft and cross-winds or semi`s passing us was a white knuckle experience, being pushed and pulled all over the road. and we had an equalizer hitch with a sway control bar added on. Not a lot of fun. Top speed I was comfortable with was 50-55 MPH.
I traded for the truck shown below and pulled the trailer on one trip before trading for the 5er. Big difference in the pulling experience, very stable and of course the diesel provided lots of power. The switch to the 5er provided an even better towing experience.
I loved the truck, great ride with the coil rear suspension but just not enough truck to pull the trailer we had. I`d suggest downsizing the trailer or getting a 34 T with the Hemi if your towing shorter distances on flat roads or a diesel for longer distances or hilly terrain.