Need to know max trailer size to tow w/Ram Truck

[jack65]

Need expert advice again. We sold our Keystone Outback trailer due to the bad delamination on it. This time we're getting a new trailer and want to know the maximum weight/size we can safely tow with our Ram Truck. Specs on truck is below.

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Towing truck specs before upgrades/options:
Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4
5.7L V8 Hemi MDS VVT 395 HP Engine
6-Spd Auto Transmission
392 Rear gear ratio
VIN: 1C6RR7GTOES367523

From the factory it had 6 speed transmission, 355 gears, no towing package, no receiver,

Addons\Options
8-Spd Auto 8HP70 Transmission
392 Rear gear ratio
Trailer Tow Mirrors and Brake group
Trailer brake control
Trailer Receiver: 10K lbs gross weight / 1,000 lbs tongue weight
12,000 lbs weight "Distribution / 1,200 WD Tongue weight
Heavy Duty transmission & engine cooling system
Flowmaster exhaust system, K&N air filter system.

For towing, the door sticker BEFORE options added says:
GVWR/PMBV 6800 lbs
(Towing receiver on my truck says: 1,200 lbs tongue weight?)

My WDH/sway control system
Equal-i-zer 4-point Sway Control Hitch,
90-00-0600, 6,000 Lbs Trailer Weight Rating,
600 Lbs Tongue Weight Rating, Weight Distribution Kit

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[Logan X]

I think the two numbers you would need to start with is your trucks gross combined weight rating (from the manufacturer) and the payload capacity which is located inside the drivers door. If you post those numbers you should be able to get a good idea of what you can tow.

[busterbrown]

What's the payload capacity on the truck? You have the better rear axle ratio so that helps.

Personally, I would suggest looking at coaches that have gross trailer weights less than 7000# and total lengths of less than 30 feet.

Otherwise, the numbers get dicey and your 1/2 ton will lose much of its margins.

[jack65]

Originally Posted by Logan X

I think the two numbers you would need to start with is your trucks gross combined weight rating (from the manufacturer) and the payload capacity which is located inside the drivers door. If you post those numbers you should be able to get a good idea of what you can tow.

Go look at the Addons\Options paragraph in my first post.

[busterbrown]

Originally Posted by jack65

Go look at the Addons\Options paragraph in my first post.

Your original post does not list "payload capacity" or GVCWR of your specific truck. The weights listed are capacities of your hitch. Unfortunately, the truck itself is the "weak" link. If your unable to locate the payload capacity, take a ride over to a CAT scale and get the truck weighed without any other passengers, cargo, tonneau cover, tools, etc in the truck. Take that empty "dry" weight of the truck and subtract it from the 6800 lb GVWR, the maximum allowed gross vehicle weight when loaded up to gills.

Also to note, if transmission and rear ends were changed , the placard sticker on the drivers side pillar will not be accurate. More than likely, the additions and mods to truck took away from both the factory available payload and gross combined weight ratio specs.

Let us know what you find.

[notanlines]

Jack, both Logan and Chris have outlined what we need. I'm afraid you aren't going to care for the final answer with a GVWR of 6800 pounds, but your payload capacity will end up being about half what you are expecting. On the good side, you do seem to be taking the correct path in choosing your next RV. I would start by filling the fuel tank and take a drive over your friendly CAT scale. Both the numbers you get are always interesting. And it is always worth the $10-12 cost. Get back with us.

[ctbruce]

Just going to post this again because it is so relevant and so important.

https://rvsafety.com/rv-education/ma...ks-to-trailers

[Hankster]

I have basically the same truck, only mine has 3.21 gears. You will hit your payload a long time before you reach your max towing. Its just the wife and I and our Lab retriever and we have a keystone Bullet 261RBSWE with a GVW of 7600#.
There are times I wish for a smaller lighter trailer, but most of the time it does well. You will get pushed around by.pasding semi trucks, and wind. Uneven construction lane changes can be a white knuckle experience.
I would keep it at a Max of 26 ft box7600#, less if there's more passengers. When I throw the generator in the back and some cargo, I'm a couple hundred pounds over max payload.
I would highly recommend better D range tires, and some air bags that go inside the springs. We run ours about 13-15psi. If you run higher psi it feels like a small boat running towards shore over the waves.

[Pull Toy]

I think the problem you have is "not enough truck" to SAFELY do what you want to do. The only numbers that matter, as already mentioned, are on the yellow door sticker. That's the one LEO is going to use, if and when there is a problem, regardless of any aftermarket up-fitting. The usual consequence of heavier duty components is to raise your curb weight. This actually reduces your payload.

There's an old saying that if you gear it right, you can pull a freight train with a washing machine motor, but it won't wash your clothes any better.

Good Luck,

[linux3]

I think a major problem is all the ads by manufacturers about how big and powerful their 1500 trucks are. They are not!. A 1500 / 150 is a light duty truck.

We were looking to upgrade to something, I forget which, but it had a bump-out and bigger bath and yada, yada. I think it was 26' and around 6800# dry.
The dealer assured me I had plenty of truck but my calculations, desire to enjoy the trip and seat of the pants feel said yes I could but no I shouldn't.
OK, new TT and a new 2500HD and all will be good.
Result? Boy, we really like our current trailer!

[Wyldfire]

Post a photo of your door sticker the payload will be your limiting factor. Mine;

[Northofu1]

Finally got to pull the trailer out of the snow bank yesterday, Cover off (held up well),
minor mouse activity, no leaks, happy happy. Towed it for first time with the Bilstein's, very smooth, no squat at all. Had 5 tires changed to Carlisle LRD from LRC. Very happy, just got it parked in driveway started to snow. LOL Let the work begin.

P.S. Very windy drive, lots of uneven pavement on 400 Hiway, no white knuckling at all.

[jack65]

Here are some more specs on my truck. Attached pics of window sticker etc.
2014 Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4 5.7L V8 Hemi 395 HP
410 TQ 8 speed w/292 axle ratio

I will go weigh the fully gassed up truck sometime this week.
I want to know all the facts before looking for a trailer.
And no, I don't want to buy a bigger truck as I just got this one last year at this time. It towed my 20' 6,000 lb 18RS Outback trailer with ease in the mountains.
I don't want to tow the absolute max, just within reason.

[MarkEHansen]

Originally Posted by Wyldfire

Post a photo of your door sticker the payload will be your limiting factor. Mine;

Did you notice all the aftermarket equipment added to the truck in the first post? The max payload on the payload sticker doesn't apply any longer.

To determine the correct payload capacity, the truck will have to be weighed and that weight subtracted from the GVWR, as was mentioned earlier.

[Logan X]

The pictures you posted were specs for a std cab. You said you have a quad cab. I think I found the specs for your truck. Payload 1480, GVWR 6800 lbs, GCWR 13500.

GCWR 13500-GVWR 6800= 5450 lbs max towing capacity
EDIT-my math was off here, 13500-6800= 6700lbs max towing

You also cannot exceed your payload number of 1480 lbs. the trailer hitch weight on a 5000lb GVWR trailer 600lbs, hitch 100 lbs, tools and misc upgrades 300 lbs, passengers 400 lbs. With those estimates you would be at your payload capacity.

Using the above numbers I would say the maximum trailer you could tow would have a GVWR of 5000 lbs, or 5000 when it is fully loaded.

Edit-Of course, the payload numbers are estimates and would need to be verified at a scale. The max numbers I listed above do not leave any margin for error, most people like to have a 10-20% cushion of towing and payload capacity.

http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2014/d...ammlup1500.pdf

[rjrelander]

Originally Posted by MarkEHansen

Did you notice all the aftermarket equipment added to the truck in the first post? The max payload on the payload sticker doesn't apply any longer.

Yeah, after re-reading original post, I agree. Trip to the scales to check remaining payload after the addition of all that aftermarket equipment is in order.

[EDIT] Also, from what I understood after looking into it for my truck, changing to a higher gear ratio helps but it doesn't guarantee same towing capacity increase as getting package with those gears installed at the factory. Although ... looks like the tranny was upgraded as well. Wow, that is a LOT of aftermarket work!

[Wyldfire]

Originally Posted by MarkEHansen

Did you notice all the aftermarket equipment added to the truck in the first post? The max payload on the payload sticker doesn't apply any longer.

To determine the correct payload capacity, the truck will have to be weighed and that weight subtracted from the GVWR, as was mentioned earlier.

Yes he certainly will have less payload now, but at least the sticker gives him an idea of the absolute max he could have before all the heavy upgrades were done. It is far more information then factory charts of a stripped down version of his truck.

[jack65]

And here is the door Sticker attached.
I think with the upgrades in the window sticker should change that?

[MarkEHansen]

If the upgrades were added by the factory and noted on the window sticker, then they should be reflected in the payload sticker on the door.

Stuff that would not be reflected would be things added after the factory, like dealer-installed options, and stuff installed by the customer, etc.

[jack65]

Originally Posted by Logan X

The pictures you posted were specs for a std cab. You said you have a quad cab. I think I found the specs for your truck. Payload 1480, GVWR 6800 lbs, GCWR 13500.

GCWR 13500-GVWR 6800= 5450 lbs max towing capacity

You also cannot exceed your payload number of 1480 lbs. the trailer hitch weight on a 5000lb GVWR trailer 600lbs, hitch 100 lbs, tools and misc upgrades 300 lbs, passengers 400 lbs. With those estimates you would be at your payload capacity.

Using the above numbers I would say the maximum trailer you could tow would have a GVWR of 5000 lbs, or 5000 when it is fully loaded.

Edit-Of course, the payload numbers are estimates and would need to be verified at a scale. The max numbers I listed above do not leave any margin for error, most people like to have a 10-20% cushion of towing and payload capacity.

http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2014/d...ammlup1500.pdf

How come the chart shows Maximum Trailer weight of between 9-10K lbs?
I would think that the truck with the upgrades should tow more weight.
Why was my Dad when I was a kid pull a big trailer with a six banger toyota cruiser? What's changed? The automatic? I manually shift when towing, keeping my RPMs between 3-4K.
5.7L V8 Hemi 395 HP, 410 TQ
8-speed auto, w/3.92 rear ratio
Heavy Duty Trans cooling & Engine cooling
K&N 71-1561 Air Intake w/FlowMaster Exhaust system
Equal-i-zer 4-point Sway Control Hitch