Tow vehicles

[DKan6058]

So I think I know the answer but, if I'm looking at an 8k or less for a trailer. Is it better to tow with a 25/3500 or is a 1500 ok??

[Javi]

I've heard someone say many times.. " I wish I'd have gotten a BIGGER truck"

I have never heard any one say " I wish I'd have gotten a SMALLER truck to pull this trailer with"

[sourdough]

8k a 1500 will be maxed out generally unless you have that "special" truck manufacturers advertise but no one can find. You could probably do it but you will always be worrying about what you put in or take out when you go anywhere.

Obviously a 2500 will tow it much better, handle better and have higher weight limits ie; safety cushion. Plus, it would give you a bit of room if you happen to come upon a trailer a little larger.

No need for a 3500 for an 8k trailer....except - If you were serious about a 2500 and don't know what your future is with an RV (possible upgrading/larger) the 3500 doesn't cost much more and opens an even larger window into how big/heavy you can tow.

Folks talk about the degraded ride of an HD truck; it's my daily driver etc. I was THE worlds biggest proponent of a 1/2 ton truck. My thoughts of HD trucks was based on driving them all the time 2 decades ago. Wow! Got my first HD truck in 2014 (2500) and absolutely loved it. Went with a 3500 at the end of last year. Air down those back tires and it rides, as my neighbor noted, "like a Cadillac".

[DKan6058]

Yeah this was my bigger fears. Just got an eco diesel 1500 couple yrs back. Was not really looking to buy again

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by DKan6058

Yeah this was my bigger fears. Just got an eco diesel 1500 couple yrs back. Was not really looking to buy again

There are some white and yellow stickers inside the driver door of your truck. Can you post those; payload (maximum occupant load), gawr etc. That will go a LONG way in telling you where you're at with your truck.

Don't know your truck configuration but quickly pulled this truck up. As you can see an 8k trailer is beyond its spec;

https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/da...Ram%201500.pdf

[DKan6058]

Hope this works. Lol

[travelin texans]

And pay absolutely no attention to your trucks max tow rating, any RV dry weight, any brochures/literature on truck/rv & positively NOTHING the truck/rv salespeople may have said about towing.
The sticker numbers from the truck door & the GVWR from the tag on the rv will what you do your calculations from & then a trip to the scales.
Most 1/2 tons aren't equipped to handle much of a TT & definitely NO 5th wheels of any size due to low payload numbers.
Yes you can tow with a 1/2 ton, unfortunately there are 1000s that are totally clueless of their trucks limits on the highway doing so, but it will typically not be within the limits of the trucks posted numbers.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by DKan6058

Hope this works. Lol

That sticker very closely resembles the numbers on the link I sent you. Is there a yellow sticker on the door with the max occupant load you could attach?

[sourdough]

Is your truck a 4x4?

[DKan6058]

Did not see a yellow sticker, but was looking at door not frame will look when I get a chance and post.

[DKan6058]

Here is the yellow occupant sticker.

[sourdough]

Let's look at it this way;

https://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/tow...ing_charts.pdf

This is a link to the Ram tow chart for 2016 trucks. I believe your truck will fall on the bottom of page 3 (quad cab/4x4/6.4 bed). If so your numbers are there at least very close.

Note the max weight of your truck (gvwr) is 6950 as your sticker states. It states the dry weight as 5560 which is how they derive your payload. All the base weights are the same for that vehicle in the chart - not so in real life. Options the factory added, you add etc. will add to that. If your truck has 500 lbs of options, say bed liner, running boards, upscale trim package etc. that dry weight of 5560 goes to 6060 and that gvwr stays the same. What you can safely add and stay below the MAXIMUM load rating for that truck is then approx. 900 lbs. (6950 minus 6060) and that includes family, gear etc. Combine that with the fact the tongue weight on a fully loaded 8k trailer will be around 1040 lbs. figured at 13% and you are overweight before the family gets in the truck. But worse, look at the max trailer weight allowed; 7750. All of that just points out the truck isn't cut out for an 8k trailer. Since it is relatively new and you don't want to replace it I would look at something considerably smaller.

Edit: Saw the yellow sticker after I posted. It reflects very closely what I was guestimating. With a 1054 payload you won't be able to tow a very large trailer. That is one of the problems with that ecodiesel. Good for economy but not so much for towing capacity.

[DKan6058]

Thanks sourdough, did I mention that I'm going to look at a 3500 on Tuesday??? Argh. Lol

[tech740]

Originally Posted by DKan6058

Thanks sourdough, did I mention that I'm going to look at a 3500 on Tuesday??? Argh. Lol

Smart man. Honestly dont look at 2500 if you are looking to upgrade. For almost the same cost you get alot more capacity and the same ride on a 3500.

[DKan6058]

Yes but as you bigger so does the price!! And I'm talking trailer now. Lol. Im not looking for something hugh. Just a nice midsize with bunks. Any suggestions???? Lol

[sourdough]

DK mid sized trailers with bunks run the gamut and for us 3rd parties to guess would be impossible without a little help.

How many folks? How long do you intend to stay in it? How far do you want to travel for a trip? How long do you think you might keep it (things change with time)? What kind of camping? Do you like to cook outside (outside kitchen - which you can do without one as I do)? SO many things to consider and many only you know.

Another is cost/weight. How much do you want to spend? Entry level trailers are cheaper but made with cheaper products and finishes. Are the kids (if any) hard on things? Used to be that the further up the "level" scale you went the appliances, finishes and appointments increased noticeably. Not so much anymore but it is noticeable and the things you can't see; frame etc. are there as you move up the ladder.

Lots of things to consider as I've said. Just guessing; you have kids, you're ready to start out camping, looking for a comfortable RV for you and x number of kids (for us 25' was an issue with 2 kids), want to get it right as much as possible he first shot and willing to buy a 3500?? If so, you've got the an empty pot and you can make the soup like you want. Fill in with specifics, desires and hopes and see if we can help you get on the road!!

[DKan6058]

Lol Well not close sourdough. But then you didn't have much to go on. I currently have a Class C Freedom elite 31' looking to sell/trade. Im ready to retire in a couple of yrs. We're wanting to be snow birds and travel the south while its cold up here. So we're looking to spend considerable time in it. I have a granddaughter we're raising so I'm kind of looking for some space for here too. Home schooling ect. I know there's many options out there and will take my time and do my homework and hopefully get it right the first time. Unlike my truck.

[sourdough]

Ha! Learned long ago that I do well with known facts. Guessing and crystal balls just aren't my thing. Should have skipped my effort at "guessing". The rest will be accurate. Good luck and hope you find what you need for your family.

[DKan6058]

Thanks and thanks for all your inputs. It really helps to bounce things off those who know! I really do appreciate all the helps guys! Happy trails an safe travels!!

[DKan6058]

Sourdough, would you be kind enough to explain the GVWR to me and exactly what that means. The truck I'm looking at has a GVWR of 11800. Some 5th wheel out there weigh more that that??