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Old 10-21-2016, 08:04 AM   #1
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Do I need to upgrade to a bigger truck

Can someone answer this for me before I do something dumb. I currently have a 2015 ram 1500 with a max tow weight of 9180lbs. my wife and I want to upgrade our trailer to a Rockwood 2902ws (GVWR of 8140). Will my current truck be sufficient to tow this or do I need a new tow vehicle. I am currently towing a hybrid with a GVWR of 4702, but wanted to know what everyone thought before I buy something that is going to cost me more money upfront than I want to spend at this time. Thanks all.
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Old 10-21-2016, 08:08 AM   #2
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You are going to need to check your payload rating and the tongue weight on the TT to answer that question I think.
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Old 10-21-2016, 08:13 AM   #3
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Without Modifying your 1500 Rams rear Coil Springs,you will NOT be happy! Youroo!!
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Old 10-21-2016, 08:17 AM   #4
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Thanks

Youroo, Thanks for the input. So I guess I am good to go with my truck being stock? I have the tow package, six speed 3:92 rear, and transmission cooler...etc.. Are you saying I should modify the rear coil springs? Do you think I will need airbags?
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Old 10-21-2016, 09:03 AM   #5
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I am saying what Many 1500 Ram owners have Posted/Installed to Coil Spring rears! I have seen "Before/After" bag installs on some Members 1500 Ram trucks,They made the Choice not Me! Did it "add" to the Towing capacity? NO,but their Rear Bumper was off the ground and their Headlights came back on the road! Youroo!! They also found out the "Flashy Cool looking O-Ring tires" that come on Most 1500 trucks are NOT made for HD Towing!
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Old 10-21-2016, 09:27 AM   #6
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The easy answer to anyone wanting to know if they should upgrade is - Of Course!

You should be fine, though. Super Springs at least on the back should improve things. They are polyurethane suspension helpers, which replace your bump stops. They are fairly cheap, easy to install, and unlike airbags are pretty much maintenance free. They provide a lot of support and improve handling, body roll, etc. I have put them on each of my trucks and they help a lot.
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Old 10-21-2016, 11:21 AM   #7
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Thanks

I appreciate all of your help. Glad I asked. I guess will be doing some suspension work before we do anything else, so I know my wife and I are safe, and I am not placing anyone else in danger by doing something dumb. I do not want to be "that guy."
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Old 10-21-2016, 12:04 PM   #8
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You can make these changes to your truck but you may not like the way it handles. A 3/4 ton truck is much more suitable to the type of tt you are considering. Later RJD
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Old 10-21-2016, 12:16 PM   #9
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have had 1500 ram now 2500

on my 1500 rams and i have had a few i put air lift bags on them running two lines and my camper is 33 ft long and weighs dry 8000 lbs 8 speed hemi towed to ct good but gas sucked
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Old 10-21-2016, 12:26 PM   #10
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Do I need to upgrade to a bigger truck.

Short answer....yes. My own experience is I have two PUTrucks. An older but like new Ram 1500 with tow package, and 2015 Chev Silverado 2500 HD gasser with tow package. I previously towed a FR Flagstaff max weight TT 6000 without too much trouble using the Dodge. I recently upgraded my TT to 8200 MGW. I tried the Dodge and not only did it squat dramatically (I also have a good WDH Equalizer Hitch 10k pounds) it was underpowered, being 5.3 engine. Just last week I tried towing using the Dodge after ten miles from home, I made a u turn, came back and hooked it to the Chev HD, and continued my 250 miles to my destination without a care or a worry. Great peace of mind, and drove with confidence and I felt a lot safer.
I will use the Dodge only to move the TT around my property. Just my 2cents, hope this helps
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Old 10-21-2016, 12:34 PM   #11
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I was pulling a Rockwood 8312ss with a 2011 1500 with air bags... trailer had a dry weight of about 7900 lbs. It pulled OK on the flat but when it came to hilly country it worked pretty hard. I have updated to a 2016 Ram 2500 Laramie with the Cummins and I am getting 2x the mpg and I don't feel bad if I load the box completely full!

Much nicer on the nerves but a lot of $$ to upgrade.
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Old 10-21-2016, 12:37 PM   #12
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After towing a Rockwood Mini Light with half ton gas I upgraded to a 3/4 diesel. Then I upgraded my trailer to a 10000 lb 5er. After just returning from a 3800 mile trip to the East Coast I will say I will never pull a trailer or 5er with a half ton or gasser. Averaged 13.1 mph, went up all grades at 65 mph and nothing over 1750 RPM'S, came down grades at 65 mph with cruise set and exhaust brake on. Never felt 28 wheelers passing or thunderstorm winds on I 40.
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Old 10-21-2016, 12:53 PM   #13
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towing with 1500 ram

I tow a 27RKSS Wildwood with a 2016 Ram 1500 Eco Diesel 3.92 rear end and every towing feature I could order on it. I still added air bags and am changing to LT tires as soon as I can afford them. Our Trailer weights in around 7000# empty and 8000 max loaded, we tow it with no trouble at 60mph/max 65mph. The only problems we have is in high winds or passing trucks then it sways. If you can handle that then all is good , if not get a larger truck.
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Old 10-21-2016, 12:55 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by bkc19922 View Post
I appreciate all of your help. Glad I asked. I guess will be doing some suspension work before we do anything else, so I know my wife and I are safe, and I am not placing anyone else in danger by doing something dumb. I do not want to be "that guy."
Fully loaded I'm towing about 7100 with. Ram 1500. I put bags in the rear springs and they function nicely to aid in leveling. Capacity is not going to change but we know that already. They bags also eliminated and porpoising that was occurring pre install. An Airlift kit was 99 bucks and an hour install but saved a lot of stress on the road.

You are going to be closer to the limit so tongue weight and payload will be crucial but the 1500 is a pretty capable truck.
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Old 10-21-2016, 01:00 PM   #15
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to add loved my 1500 rams but mpg was bad i have up graded to a 2016 ram 2500 diesel and i have never looked back
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Old 10-21-2016, 01:02 PM   #16
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I get about 12 mpg average with trailer attached and family in cab. All in all not bad.
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Old 10-21-2016, 01:31 PM   #17
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upgrade tv

The uvw for that tt is 6596 lbs. How much stuff/weight do you carry and where do you plan to go with it.
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Old 10-21-2016, 01:41 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkc19922 View Post
Can someone answer this for me before I do something dumb. I currently have a 2015 ram 1500 with a max tow weight of 9180lbs. my wife and I want to upgrade our trailer to a Rockwood 2902ws (GVWR of 8140). Will my current truck be sufficient to tow this or do I need a new tow vehicle. I am currently towing a hybrid with a GVWR of 4702, but wanted to know what everyone thought before I buy something that is going to cost me more money upfront than I want to spend at this time. Thanks all.
I don't think there is a quick and simple answer to this. You will have to consider that a tongue weight from 10 to 15 percent of the trailer gross @8140 will range from 814 to 1227 lbs. What does this do to your allowable payload? Also consider the GCVWR from your owner's manual.

In my case, I have a 2011 F150 w/5l V8, factory tow package and factory rated payload of 1964 Lb. My 5th wheel is 7000 empty (and 8140 loaded ). My pin weights with empty trailer at 15 and 25 percent are 1050 and 1750 respectively. At 8140 all up, they are 1220 and 2035. That's also not taking into account the 125 lbs or so for a 5th wheel hitch.

I do not consider it prudent to intentionally push any mechanical apparatus to 100% of its design capacity on a routine basis. I have seen many people on this forum suggest that a sensible limit is a maximum of 80% of rated capacity. I would agree with that. In my case, that would be a payload of 1571 lbs. I could only do that if and only if my trailer came out to 15% of gross on the pin.

So, to conclude, my 5th wheel trailer is on a seasonal site, and we are fortunate enough to be able also to afford a 19' travel trailer which tows like a dream and doesn't cut the gas mileage too much (worst case into a strong headwind was 16.8 MPG Imperial, or 20.21 in US measure). We like to take a few trips in the summer with the little unit.

Cheers to all.
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Old 10-21-2016, 01:45 PM   #19
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I tow that same TT with 2015 2wd Crew Cab Eco Diesel 3:55 gears I averaged 14.5 MPG to Portland & back to Santa Rosa, I have added air lift 1000 bags to the springs, it tows fine. I have the E2 WDH I do experience some sway on the down hills (Drive slower no problem). That being said, if I could afford to buy a bigger truck I probably would. Though I would miss the Gas mileage I get from the Eco Diesel 22 city 28 Hwy.
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Old 10-21-2016, 01:52 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ben31 View Post
The easy answer to anyone wanting to know if they should upgrade is - Of Course!

You should be fine, though. Super Springs at least on the back should improve things. They are polyurethane suspension helpers, which replace your bump stops. They are fairly cheap, easy to install, and unlike airbags are pretty much maintenance free. They provide a lot of support and improve handling, body roll, etc. I have put them on each of my trucks and they help a lot.
Do the Super Bumpers change your ride when you are not pulling you trailer??
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