2021 Ram Tow question

[RV Camper]

Good afternoon,

Let me first start by stating I respect the heck out of some of the answers I have read when it comes to this topic, as i have been that guy trying to tow a 28 foot "sail" trailer with a dodge durango, and been white knuckled with the wind on I80 in Iowa.

That being said, I'd really like the opinion of this forums subject matter experts.

I am looking at two trailers - a 2021 Keystone passport 240 BH and a 2021 passport 268bh

My TV is a 21 Ram, 5.7 liter hemi, 3.92 gear, crew-cab. with a 10,000/1000 lb equalizer WDH

according to my VIN and the Ram website - 1751 max pay load and 11651 max towing

I don't have the door sticker to share, but can post it later.

Thank you in advance!

[JDDilly]

The 240BH has a gross weight of 7000 lbs, yielding an estimated hitch weight around 900 lbs. The 268BH has a gross weight of 6200 lbs, yielding an estimated hitch weight around 800 lbs. (using 13 of gross weight) Add that estimated weight to the weight of passengers, gas, tools, hitch and anything else added to your truck. That amount needs to be less then the cargo capacity on the door sticker. Keep in mind, these are only estimates and the only way to know for sure is to hit the scale loaded for a trip.

I hope I got the correct numbers on the trailer gross weight. Good luck!! If you can, I would recommend having some reserve capacity. That way if you have an extra passenger, cooler, wood or whatever, you are still okay. White knuckle driving is stressful, been there done that!

[flybouy]

21 Ram what? 1500? 2500? 3500? Post the payload sticker if you want educated guessing. IMHO if you have 1500 anything over 25' is pushing it yor handling due to sail area. Weight? Jobody knows until uou share your truck's payload znd not a number from a website or magazine.

[RV Camper]

sorry about that, 21 ram 1500
ill post a copy of the doorsticker

thanks

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by JDDilly

The 240BH has a gross weight of 7000 lbs, yielding an estimated hitch weight around 900 lbs. The 268BH has a gross weight of 6200 lbs, yielding an estimated hitch weight around 800 lbs. (using 13 of gross weight) Add that estimated weight to the weight of passengers, gas, tools, hitch and anything else added to your truck. That amount needs to be less then the cargo capacity on the door sticker. Keep in mind, these are only estimates and the only way to know for sure is to hit the scale loaded for a trip.

I hope I got the correct numbers on the trailer gross weight. Good luck!! If you can, I would recommend having some reserve capacity. That way if you have an extra passenger, cooler, wood or whatever, you are still okay. White knuckle driving is stressful, been there done that!

I think you're fingers "did some walking" . That gvw on the 268bh would be 7200lbs. per the Keystone website = 936lbs. tongue weight at 13%.

First thing I would ask about the 1500 from the OP; does it have a tow package and does it have tow mirrors? Those make a lot of difference towing with a 1/2 ton and the regular mirrors are not only useless for towing but downright dangerous IMO (btdt).

The 268 is almost 31' overall and the 240 about 27 1/2'. Payload should be inside the truck door as has been mentioned. Let's just figure 936 for tongue weight and 1750 payload which leaves you 814lbs. payload in the truck. Since they are bunkhouses I assume kids. From that 814 you would need to deduct the weight of all passengers (4?) and include weight for the kids growing. Then add the toys the kids will want to take, your bbq pit, wood, jack(s), ice chest, tables, bicycles, toys, etc. I figure you will be very close to maxing out the payload or over it. And then....

You will have passenger rated tires (virtually certain) which will give you some "white knuckles" all by themselves with that much trailer on them. The coil springs on the Rams are wonderful but like any other 1/2 ton not really meant to be used for heavy towing much.

More info such as the payload sticker would be beneficial and get more accurate assessments. Since you've previously camped how much/what kind of gear do you take or wish to take?

[RV Camper]

Hi
Here is the truck info, thanks for all the help.
Yes I have the tow package and tow mirrors.

Also, from what I found the RV Gross weights are:

268BH - 7795 lbs

240BH -7000 lbs

[wiredgeorge]

Well you don't have truck tires so new LT tires are a must with a trailer. Second, that is not the payload... You need to identify the SPECIFIC TO YOUR TRUCK payload, not some number from some other source.... here is a PAYLOAD sticker and it likely will be on your driver door frame somewhere:

[markcee]

I think RAM allows the VIN to be entered on their website to get actual truck specific numbers....same as the door sticker - as it rolled off the line. If OP did this, that 1751 is his truck's CCC.

[sourdough]

Yes, the Ram VIN tool gives you numbers specific to your truck. It's not entirely accurate though....the lookup by VIN gives me .04 lbs. more payload than my sticker says!

If that is what OP used then I would feel confident it is correct. As far as the tires, those need to go before towing a trailer of any size. With a recommended pressure of 36psi they are low profile car tires made to "look pretty", not work. Heck, my Ram 1500 had recommended pressures of 44psi and that was like riding on a road covered in wet snot and will certainly give you some "white knuckle" rides.

On my 1500 I replaced the tires with LTs, installed Bilstein shocks all around, added air bags (Air Lift 1000) and even installed a heavy duty Hellwig sway bar. If you can make the weights work (which will be close with the bigger trailer) you need to install LT tires at a minimum and I would suggest going with the air bags to control some of the softness of the springs. The shocks and anti sway can be installed if the above doesn't stiffen it up enough.

[RV Camper]

Here is the sticker…

[NH_Bulldog]

I tow a 240BH with my F150 crew cab. My weighed tongue is 980 lbs with two Interstate group 27 batteries, two full 20 lb propane tanks, and 10 gallons of water in the fresh water tank. I have a heavy duty tow package so my cargo capacity is 2,300 lbs. I have no issue with weight, power or tail wagging (but only after installing Timbrens to stiffen the loaded ride, and Bilstein shocks to keep it smooth). Personally, I am not comfortable with any more trailer than the 240BH with a half ton.

[JDDilly]

I never thought about the tires, that is a great point. Not sure where I got that number for the 268. Must have looked at something else on the page. Sorry if I confused the OP.

[RV Camper]

Thank you all for the great advice, I will stick with the 240BH. we like everything about it, but wish it had a couch, plus the dinette is a little small.

Have a safe weekend!