Looking at A new TV, these are the specs, anyone see a issue?

[stevensmith2859]

My wife and I are looking at a 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 Express, Quad cab. Has the 5.7L hemi in it, 24,000 miles. 3.55 Rear, can tow 8500. Our TT is a 2015 Wildwood 28DBUD.

29'10" Length

Dry Weight is 5900 lbs, tongue weight is 805 lbs. We have Reese load bars that are rated for 1250 lbs.

Our 2004 Avalanche with 3.73 a 5.3L gears and a max tow rating of 7200 lbs. This engine only had 295HP New

The 2013 Hemi has about 100 more hp and around 400 lbs of torque. Does anyone see any issues with that dodge pulling our TT?

Most trips are under 30 miles one way.

[aceinspp]

Sounds good and more stable. Better than using the Avalanche. Later RJD

[Mountndream]

you need to look at your Payload. Rams are notorious for having low payload.

You won't max your ability to pull before you run out of payload

[stevensmith2859]

The max payload is 1700 LBS. I never really have much to put in the bed, but just want to be more confident on the road.....The avalanche makes my booty hole pucker at times, but it was also the "oh yeah, your Avalanche will have NO problem pulling this new camper that weighs 1000 more lbs dry than your trade in."

[Mountndream]

What does the sticker on the drivers door say?

IMHO, i doubt that you will find much difference between the pucker factor of these two trucks. Do you have passenger tires or 10ply on the Avalanche? what kind of tires does the truck have? that may make a big difference

[aceinspp]

Avalanche is shorter wheel base compared to the Ram. Pickup will definitely give you better handling. Later RJD

[CWSWine]

Here is a website that will give you a estimate of what your truck can handle. Just enter the payload off you yellow sticker on your truck and take guess at the other weights.

Towing Calculator based on Truck's Payload/CCC - Towing Planner

[stevensmith2859]

The main thing is having the umph...the hemi has about 100 more HP and ft lbs of torque than the Avalanche.

[davel1971]

don't forget, people are payload too. You might be closer than you think to limit

[jking46]

I think you will be fairly close on specs but ok. I pull a 23ikss hybrid with a 2013 Ram 5.7 hemi. Hybrid is 700 lbs dry lessthan yours with about 100 lbs less tongue weight. Pulls great. You should be fine.

[D. J. Schuler]

As mentioned, Max Payload sticker is usually somewhere on the driver's door frame. It refers to Max Payload as occupants, whats in the bed and tongue weight. Many F150, 1500, F250 and 2500 trucks can pull, but don't have much tongue weight left after loading their quad cabs and beds. Remember to read the manual - most Max Tow weights require TT brakes. Load equalizers/levelers do not reduce the tongue weight.

[Steeljag]

As others have written, check the CCC on the yellow sticker on drivers door frame. Dodges are most times very low on this!

[jking46]

The rear coil springs are responsible for the lower payload. They are also responsible for the much smoother ride during the 75 to 90 percent of the time while you are not towing. If you don't exceed your vehicle's ratings, they are great. If you need to pull a much heavier load, step up to a 2500.

[hankpac]

Originally Posted by stevensmith2859

The max payload is 1700 LBS. I never really have much to put in the bed, but just want to be more confident on the road.....The avalanche makes my booty hole pucker at times, but it was also the "oh yeah, your Avalanche will have NO problem pulling this new camper that weighs 1000 more lbs dry than your trade in."

Why does ANYONE still believe the salesman when he says that?
Surely, by now even the most rank beginner, the most naive buy has learned to read a data plate, and know what his tow vehicle capacities are?
By now, haven't most of us bought enough automobiles to realize those lot guys as blowing smoke the vast majority of the time?
I trust VERY few of them and NEVER rely on them for opinions on my tow vehicle/load.

[stevensmith2859]

Either way, I think it will be a huge upgrade over the Avalanche. With 100 more hp and ft lbs of torque it will give me the hill climb ability that the avalanche is lacking. Thats what makes me a little nervous. Its my own fault, i knew the trailer was close to the max of the truck when I bought it, but not seeing the forest for the trees because it was so much nicer than what we traded in, so i bit hook, line, and sinker.

[HONDAMAN174]

I think you will be just fine. Just make sure that you have LT tires.


2014 Evo 2850 "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra "Clifford"

[Old codger]

Sounds like you already have your mind made up on the 2013 Ram. I do love the Rams, but I did pull a 26.5', 8000 pound travel trailer with an identical truck as you refer to and was not happy with the experience at all. You, like all people will learn through your own experience, but in my own hindsight, I'd not consider anything besides 3/4 ton for the job you refer too. I learned my own lesson as everyone has to.

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by Old codger

I learned my own lesson as everyone has to.

you nailed it right there I have had 4 trucks in last 6 years. Should have bought the last one first. I'm sure many others have similar stories. As you want or need a bigger trailer, your truck needs grow also.