TV and weights

**Herk7769** · 04-17-2011, 08:16 AM

Reinreb, I noticed your new truck is a 1500. How did you order it?
Properly configured, your 1500 can tow up to 10,000 pounds safely but with the wrong options (engine and rear) the limit is 5,000 pounds.

Did the dealer know what you planned to tow?
(You listed an 8600 pound camper)

reinreb · 04-17-2011, 01:17 PM

Herk, Your scaring the begeebers out of me. On consulting with my RAM dealer he assured me that the truck would handle the TT. I have a 5.7 liter hemi with a tow package, that also includes (TSC) Trailer Sway Control. So I am thinking I am OK

reinreb · 04-17-2011, 03:18 PM

Ok it’s time to get down to definitions again. Help me understand where I am missing the meanings.

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes driver, passengers, cargo and tongue weight. The total load must be limited so that you do not exceed the GVWR.
So is the Gross Trailer Weight GTW being the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or temporary) loaded not to exceed the GVWR?? Is this right?
Is the Dry Shipping Weight the weight of the trailer before anything is loaded? If my Dry Shipping Weight is 6476 lbs. and my GVWR is 8814 lbs. Then would I then have 8814 - 6476 = 2338 lbs to play with for loading?
I bought the RAM because the Caravan did a poopy job of hauling my 22ft Gulf Breeze, it sounds like I'm back to square one with the same problem.

scubieman · 04-17-2011, 03:24 PM

It will pull it fine as long as you don't go on long trips. Depending on the rear end gear you will probably be fine.

the 2338 pounds is probably less than that. The factory dry weight on my is 4800 pounds. True dry weight is 5200 pounds(with options)(filled propane tanks) No cargo loaded at this point.

My dad pulls more then 8814 with his 5.7 truck, but he has a 2500 dodge ram 5.7.

The difference is you can have a 1500 or a 1500 HD. The HD should be fine the. The 1500 would be a stretch.

**bikendan** · 04-17-2011, 03:49 PM

So is the Gross Trailer Weight GTW being the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or temporary) loaded not to exceed the GVWR?? Is this right?

YES.

Is the Dry Shipping Weight the weight of the trailer before anything is loaded?

NO, it's the stripped down weight without "options", such as: spare tire, a/c, oven, awning, tv, and so on.

my smaller 23' HTT weighed 400lbs. over its fictional "dry" weight, as it arrived from the factory.

you need to look at the trailer's actual UVW, from the factory. it's listed on a sticker, usually inside one of the cabinet doors. mine is under the sinks.
that will include the added "options" weights. the only thing not included will be the weights of the battery, propane, water and cargo.

backin15 · 04-17-2011, 05:32 PM

If you are concerned about you truck take a look at the payload capacity. Usually this figures in a couple hundred pounds for the driver so add the weight of your passengers. Add the estimated weight of all the fun stuff in the box. Add for a topper if equipped. Don't forget to add for Fido. Then add the tongue weight. Figure some reserve for more fun stuff in the camper. In my case I discovered the 1500 had enough tow capacity but came up short in payload so I went with a 2500. My new Flagstaff is considerably lighter than my old beast and the 2500 really enjoys pulling it.

**Herk7769** · 04-17-2011, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reinreb

Herk, Your scaring the begeebers out of me. On consulting with my RAM dealer he assured me that the truck would handle the TT. I have a 5.7 liter hemi with a tow package, that also includes (TSC) Trailer Sway Control. So I am thinking I am OK

Sorry, but I have found that dealers lie (or are just uninformed). The Hemi with tow package should have included the correct rear for a camper that big. Check your delivery slip to see which one they installed. The Standard Towing Package with Hemi engine comes with the 3.55 rear standard and the max towing capacity is 5000 pounds.

With the 3.92 rear you can tow up to 10,250 pounds. It was a $375 option over and above the towing package.

Ram Trucks - Towing & Payload

Towing Capacity and Payload of Dodge Vehicles

**Herk7769** · 04-18-2011, 06:40 AM

Not sure why this is a new thread as it is a continuation of your previous thread. However, The Hemi engine is not where you are having your issue.

Your RAM has a "Standard Curb Weight" of 5048 (That is YOU - on average -; a tank of gas and a basic two wheel drive truck). It does NOT include options like the towing package, 4x4, big wheels, and Hemi engine. So you need to weigh your truck NOW with a full tank and just you to find out what that number is for real. Most likely 5700 pounds or so.

Add 100 pounds for your WD hitch and 900 pounds tongue weight and you are done. No family, generator, etc. Since the maximum your truck can weight is 6700 pounds.

The 2011 Dodge RAM 1500 has all the towing capacity you need (not carrying capacity - see above) PROVIDED you have the optional 3.92 rear set ($375 option and 10,200 pound towing capacity) like I mentioned in the previous post.

Your Hemi comes STANDARD with 3.55 gears (towing capacity 5000 pounds). Good MPG on the highway, if you NEVER tow. If you tow, you will be getting 5 or 6 MPG tops with 3.55 gears. You will most likely hate it every time you start up from a light or try to get on the highway at an on ramp.

Additionally, 1500 series trucks are equipped like CARS. They come with passenger car tires. Your truck comes standard with P275/60/20 tires. Even the optional tire is a P275/60/20 just with white lettering. Looks cool can't tow crap. You will need to replace all 4 tires with LT tires.

Asking your question in a new post won't get you a new answer.
Your dealer did NOT help you. He most likely just wanted to move something he had parked on the lot.

reinreb · 04-18-2011, 07:55 PM

I guess I haven’t been around long enough to understand the topic thread stuff. My thought was that the thread would be better seen in the “General Tech and Repair” section as “TV and Weight” as opposed to my original post called “Generators and Boondocking”. Somehow it went out into left field with a new topic on hauling and integrity of a vehicles capabilities. Anyway, my sincere apologies if I caused problems or any confusion, and yes, at my age I learned a long long time ago that asking a question in an other language or another post will get you the same answer no matter what. Thanks for your help.

**Herk7769** · 04-18-2011, 08:26 PM

Peter,
No apology is necessary (except by me; and I am sorry if I implied otherwise). Another Moderator set me straight that the tow vehicle posts were an "off topic" diversion.

It is in a seperate thread now as it should be and all is right with the world. I hope I was able to get my concern across.

Labzy · 04-18-2011, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubieman

It will pull it fine as long as you don't go on long trips. Depending on the rear end gear you will probably be fine.

the 2338 pounds is probably less than that. The factory dry weight on my is 4800 pounds. True dry weight is 5200 pounds(with options)(filled propane tanks) No cargo loaded at this point.

My dad pulls more then 8814 with his 5.7 truck, but he has a 2500 dodge ram 5.7.

The difference is you can have a 1500 or a 1500 HD. The HD should be fine the. The 1500 would be a stretch.

All new Rams come equipped with the HD.
=]

**Herk7769** · 04-19-2011, 05:41 AM

So, Peter, did you check which rear end gears you have?

dretired · 04-19-2011, 06:50 AM

Could a gear change from a 3.55 to a 3.73 or 4.10 be possible to help with towing ??

MtnGuy · 04-19-2011, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dretired

Could a gear change from a 3.55 to a 3.73 or 4.10 be possible to help with towing ??

Yes, the lower gears (higher numeric) would help with power on take-off, hills, and other situations. But, the different gears would not affect the manufacturers towing rate, which is set by the company with that particular engine and final drive ratio at the time of building the vehicle.

**Herk7769** · 04-19-2011, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dretired

Could a gear change from a 3.55 to a 3.73 or 4.10 be possible to help with towing ??

3.92 locked rear is the best gear set (highest tow rating) available for his year truck. It is an entire new axle and pumpkin, so I don't think it will be an option for him.

SaskCampers · 04-19-2011, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

3.92 locked rear is the best gear set (highest tow rating) available for his year truck. It is an entire new axle and pumpkin, so I don't think it will be an option for him.

3rd and 4th Gen Dodge 1/2 tons use the AAM 9.25 rear axle housing regardless of gears set and or limited slip. A set of 3.92's and limited slip or any of the aftermarket units will fit. It is when you get into 4.56 etc that there may be clearance issues inside the rearend. Also pumpkins went the way of the Doodoo along with the 9" Ford rear end, they are pretty much all integral carrier diffs today.

BTW to end all discussions here is the bodybuilder for the 2010 ram (I do not believe there is any diff in the 11) All the spec you need for every possible combination of truck are there.
Knowing the specs of your trailer and a little math is all you need.
http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/201...ammlup1500.pdf

**Herk7769** · 04-19-2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSasks

BTW to end all discussions here is the bodybuilder for the 2010 ram (I do not believe there is any diff in the 11) All the spec you need for every possible combination of truck are there.
Knowing the specs of your trailer and a little math is all you need.
http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/201...ammlup1500.pdf

Nice job! Thanks John, I stand corrected (not being a Dodge guy - or a mechanic for that matter). Any idea what a swapout might cost him?

WAIT! I checked the specs on the 3.55 gears. The way I read the build sheet, as long as he replaces his tires with LT275/70R17C and does not exceed 6700 pounds for the Truck when hooked up he can go to 8450 pounds. Not all his camper can weigh (8814), but a LOT closer than 5000 and no gear change.

Did I read that right?

Glenn5995 · 04-19-2011, 08:34 AM

About $700 to $800 per axle. You only need the rear if it is two wheel drive, front and rear if four wheel drive. 4.56s will fit in the 9.25 AAM rear axle of 1500s. The problem is they will not fit in the front of 1500 4x4s.

Glenn5995 · 04-19-2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

...
WAIT! I checked the specs on the 3.55 gears. The way I read the build sheet, as long as he replaces his tires with LT275/70R17C and does not exceed 6700 pounds for the Truck when hooked up he can go to 8450 pounds. Not all his camper can weigh (8814), but a LOT closer than 5000 and no gear change.

Did I read that right?

I'm not sure what you are looking at. Most of the 5.7L Hemi 1500s with 3.55s are in the 8500 lb towing capacity range. The 3.21 geared 5.7L 1500s are in the 5000 range. With 3.92s it goes up to the 10,000 range.

**Herk7769** · 04-19-2011, 10:57 AM

LT275/70R17C 5.7L V8 (EZH) A5 545RFE (DGQ) 3.55 6,700 1,310 5,362 3,101 2,261 3,900 3,900 14,000 N/A 8,450 N/A

LT275/70R17C 5.7L V8 (EZH) A5 545RFE (DGQ) 3.92 6,700 1,310 5,362 3,101 2,261 3,900 3,900 15,500 N/A 9,950 N/A

He did say he had a quad cab 4x4 Hemi with towing package (3.55 rear standard) right?

I initially was looking at the 5000 pound limit, but have since noticed that was without a WD hitch. With a WD hitch and the LT tires he can go to 8450 pounds.

See Note 4
4. The maximum trailer weight is 5,000 pounds for a weight-carrying hitch. A weight distributing system is recommended for trailers over 5,000 pounds.

You may also like: