Would like some information

dankent · 09-27-2012, 09:42 AM

Currently my truck is a

2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Bighorn 4wd QC (5300lbs Curb weight)
(max1550 lbs payload including passengers)
5.7 with 3.92 gears

Dodge Site tells me my max towing is 10500 lbs and GCVW is 15500

My trailer is:

2012 Keystone Sprinter 255RKS 6300 lbs dry.

Say i have about 1500 lbs worth of stuff i pile on the trailer putting it at 7800 lbs. Including the propane tanks up front.

How do i figure out what my tongue weight should be at ?

I am running a Husky Centerline WD and sway control hitch that was setup by my dealer.

Most this summer i have had no problems driving and have not experienced any sway. However on one day we experienced pretty high wind and even though i didnt get pushed off the road or into the other lane .. i really had to pay attention while driving as i was feeling alot of wind due to the apartment building i was towing. It made me pretty nervous and second guessing my truck. My parents have a fifth wheel and say thats why they went to a fifth wheel and i shoulda bought this .... blah ...blah ... hehe. I love the trailer and if i change out anything it will be the truck and hitch. Anyway sorry this goes all over the place, any help would be apprieciated.

Thanks.

Javi · 09-27-2012, 10:18 AM

If you plan on keeping the TT then I'd start looking for a 3/4 ton at the minimum and if you plan on upgrading to a larger TT or 5'er then I'd look for a 1 ton DRW

SAABDOCTOR · 09-27-2012, 12:34 PM

x2 with javi. I towed both tt and a 5er with a long bed 3/4 ton the tt swayed a bit in high wind. the 5er towed much better but moved up to a 1 ton dually all

and no

's

LittleJoe · 09-30-2012, 05:42 AM

Your tonque weight should be 10-15% of your trailer weight. Make sure your rig is not tongue hi even a little. Make sure your rear truck tires are up to max pressure (when towing) and trailer tires are to spec.

Keep in my you have coil spring rear suspension which IMO is not a stable as leaf springs as far as towing is concerned.

Check out Hensley hitches..........if you want the altimate in TT towing.

Your truck is geared well and has the power to pull your trailer although it is getting on the high end or even max of things.

Slow down in high winds and it is prudent to not exceed 105kmph at any rate as your trailer tire max design speed it same.

AlCorr · 09-30-2012, 11:45 AM

Be sure that your trailer is level when towing, maybe a little lower in the front.

dankent · 09-30-2012, 03:07 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I do plan to upgrade the truck, will be next year though.

I also have a total load control air suspension in the back that helps to stiffen it up, but I think my tongue may be sitting high when I air it up. I will drop my hitch down one more hole. And air up , this should make sure my tongue is lower.

x96mnn · 10-02-2012, 03:52 AM

I am not sure if you will find a difference towing with a 2500 other then power depending on the engine and the truck sits more level.

With the right wind and the right speed your going to have some sway. I just got back from a trip where a bunch of rvs landed on a day with wind and we all reported sway. I can't tell you a 2500 is a bad idea as it is a more capable truck but you may be better with a Hensley hitch. You have airbags to help level your ride, I tow a 266 with a 1500 and have to have a bit a drop in the back for the most comfortable tow. Make sure you got enough weight on the hitch.

KJcachers · 10-02-2012, 05:10 AM

A 2500 will have leaf springs as opposed to the 1500 coil spring suspension. Should handle a bit more tongue weight and payload along with not as much porpoising if you any issues with that now.

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fla-gypsy · 10-02-2012, 06:59 AM

You will be looking at 800-1200lbs of tongue weight, not good with a 1/2 ton truck IMO. A bigger truck is imperative to doing it "right".

Beerfix · 10-11-2012, 06:14 PM

I tow the same trailer, and I couldn't imagine trying to tow it with a half ton. There are inherent issues trying to tow with a half ton, suspension, brakes, sheer weight of the vehicle, it all makes a HUGE difference. If you get the weight distributed right, and make sure the front and rear suspension of your TV are loaded correctly, you shouldn't have a problem towing, but I suspect that if you get the load distributed as it should be for maximum towing stability, you will be exceeding the tongue weight of the pickup. However, with all that said.... I know plenty of people that tow heavier trailers with half ton trucks successfully.

cjm · 10-11-2012, 07:19 PM

I have the same truck except in crew cab, and timbrens on the back as opposed to the air. My TT is a couple of feet bigger, and correspondingly a little heavier.

Set up properly, I have no issues towing, power or control wise. I use dual friction anti sway, and have put 18.000 km on since may, 90 percent of that towing.

Enjoy the Hemi.

dankent · 10-12-2012, 08:57 AM

My last trip of the year was last weekend. was a 5 hour drive each way on the 401 and i experienced no problems this time. I did have about 800-850 lbs on the tongue. I also stopped and got my truck / trailer weighed at a scale and i was just under 13500 with full tank of gas and propane.

dakingsella · 10-12-2012, 09:49 AM

I'm pulling a 5er, but when I was pulling a TT wind and sway were an issue. On one trip I hit some very high and gusty winds that made the TT almost uncontrollable. I pulled off the road and tightened down the sway bar and that made all the difference. Though I still felt the gusts and had to pay attention it became much more controllable.

Happy Camping!

fla-gypsy · 10-13-2012, 10:19 AM

No one will tell you that it cannot be done, but many of us will tell you it cannot be done without exceeding at least one if not more of the makers established maximum ratings which by my definition makes it unsafe

Murray0512 · 10-13-2012, 02:10 PM

When it is windy it's doesn't matter what you tow or what with you will get some way. I pull 53 ft for a living and I get the same thing . Just have to use a little more care

dankent · 05-06-2013, 03:12 AM

Quick update.

Upgraded my tow vehicle this last week .. I got a 12 Ram 2500 Laramie Limited CTD 6.7 and 3.73 gears. Should be good now

thanks all.

Javi · 05-06-2013, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dankent

Quick update.

Upgraded my tow vehicle this last week .. I got a 12 Ram 2500 Laramie Limited CTD 6.7 and 3.73 gears. Should be good now

thanks all.

Congrats on the new truck... you will really notice a difference...

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