Sucker born every day

troyt · 10-30-2011, 08:35 PM

Okay there is a sucker born every day and I’m at the front of the line. This past summer I sold my 2002 20’ popup. It was great to have but we were in need of something bigger for our family and the DW wanted a toilet and shower.

So we went to several dealers in the area. We ended back to the dealer we purchased our popup because I felt they treated us right and was fare with their prices. Long story short I let them talk me into something that is pushing the max of my 07 Dodge 1500 Crew Cab 4x4 5.7L. I was ignorant to the tow capacity and the dealer saw me coming a mile away. I asked several time would my truck handle it and he said he wouldn’t sell me something that would cause me a problem.

I don’t travel more than more than an hour or two away from home. However if I wanted to go further than that I wouldn’t feel comfortable that I would make it without having problems. I’m not in a position right now to purchase a ¾ ton yet. I wish I would have known about this forum before I put the cart be for the horse

troyt · 10-30-2011, 08:59 PM

I now have a 2010 Forest River Flagstaff 831QBSS 33'(Bunkhouse) According to Forest River and my dealer it's rated for a 1/2 ton because it's super lite. GVWR 8273, Dry 5872. I don't travel with water and I'm very weight conscious as to what get loaded in TT & TV.

My TV

With 3.92 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 8450 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 6700 lbs
Payload [i] = 1288 lbs
Curb Weight [i] = 5412 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 3152 lbs/3152 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear [i] = 3900 lbs/3900 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 14000 lbs

chadster1 · 10-30-2011, 09:11 PM

I have an '08 Dodge Ram 2wd truck with the 5.7L and same gear ratio. I changed the tires to an LT and added Helwig helper springs. My truck pulls my toyhauler just fine. I have made several 500 mile round trips with no issues and am planning a 2500 mile round trip for July of next year.

Our trucks are pretty similar. I keep up with the preventative maintenance and run Amsoil full synthetic motor oil and transmission fluid. Other than upgrading the tires and springs, I feel it is very capable of pulling an 8500lb trailer.

Emptypockets · 10-30-2011, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troyt

I now have a 2010 Forest River Flagstaff 831QBSS 33'(Bunkhouse) According to Forest River and my dealer it's rated for a 1/2 ton because it's super lite. GVWR 8273, Dry 5872. I don't travel with water and I'm very weight conscious as to what get loaded in TT & TV.

My TV

With 3.92 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 8450 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 6700 lbs
Payload [i] = 1288 lbs
Curb Weight [i] = 5412 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 3152 lbs/3152 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear [i] = 3900 lbs/3900 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 14000 lbs

Relax & enjoy your setup!

david-o · 10-30-2011, 09:21 PM

Troyt,

What model trailer did you buy? (From my iPhone the model in your signature is different than the model in your profile.)

Is your Dodge 1500 struggling with the tongue weight and/or trailer weight? Or does it tow fine but you're just concerned about potential problems down the road because you're exceeding the 1500's GVWR?

What size WDH bars are you using? Do you know the exact tongue and trailer weights?

david-o · 10-30-2011, 09:36 PM

Troyt,
I see you answered my first question in your second post. I look forward to reading your answers to my other questions.

troyt · 10-30-2011, 09:41 PM

david-o,

What model trailer did you buy? (From my iPhone the model in your signature is different than the model in your profile.)

--2010 Forest River Flagstaff 831QBSS 33'(Bunkhouse)

Is your Dodge 1500 struggling with the tongue weight and/or trailer weight? Or does it tow fine but you're just concerned about potential problems down the road because you're exceeding the 1500's GVWR?

--It pulls fine, I can keep hwy speeds and handles well, just concerned about the tranny. It does dog on the hills though. Thinking about getting a temp gauge.

What size WDH bars are you using? Do you know the exact tongue and trailer weights?

--Equal-i-zer Hitch 1,000/10,000 -Planning to get weighed.

david-o · 10-30-2011, 10:17 PM

Thanks for the info Troyt. Please post your tongue and trailer weights when you get them.

The reason I'm interested is because I'm a few short weeks away from taking delivery on a brand new 34' V-Lite that will likely weigh approx 8200 lbs loaded with 1100 lb tongue. After WD hitch I'll probably still be towing approx 500 lbs over my TV's 6800 lb GVWR, but I'll be ok on the other specs (GAWRs, GCWR, etc).

I suspect that your weights will be close to mine. I'm glad that your towing experience is good, as it appears to be the case with many others on this forum pulling similar size/weight trailers with 1/2 ton pick ups. I only wish I could shake off the "fear of the unknown", but i guess I'll have to wrestle with it for a few more weeks.

troyt · 10-30-2011, 10:29 PM

I'm getting the impression that I'll be okay as long as I watch my weight. I'm just concerned about the tranny. Dodge is known to have problems. I've got a few places in south western Missouri I would like to go next season and there a couple of good sized grades. I don't want to smoke my tranny.

Fourn3833 · 10-31-2011, 04:44 AM

You guys with the Dodge is known for tranny problems. That was long ago, they've come a long way. I had Fords and GMCs that I couldn't keep trannys in. GMC bought one truck back because I had so many problems. Take care of it and it will take care of you. Fluids, cooler and filters, keep them fresh, especially if you travel in high heat areas and or do a bunch of moutain climbing. When you install a tranny cooler get the one with the temp gauge so you can watch it.

Glenn5995 · 10-31-2011, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troyt

...

--It pulls fine, I can keep hwy speeds and handles well, just concerned about the tranny. It does dog on the hills though. Thinking about getting a temp gauge...

My Power Wagon with the 5.7L Hemi utilizes the same 545RFE transmission that you have and mine has been towing more weight than you for almost 6 years now and over 60,000 miles without incident. Are you using the "Tow/Haul" and "Overdrive Off" features? Don't be afraid to lock out 4th and 5th gears and let the Hemi perform at the RPMs it was designed to when needed. The 545RFE has a temperature sensor and a warning light in the instrument panel to warn you if it gets too hot. Unless you just want to actually know the temperature, a gauge is not necessary, it will advise you if it is getting too hot. I have never had a transmission temperature warning, even towing on 100+ degree Arizona days on 6% grades for miles.

Relax and enjoy!

MtnGuy · 10-31-2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troyt

With 3.92 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 8450 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 6700 lbs
Payload [i] = 1288 lbs
Curb Weight [i] = 5412 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 3152 lbs/3152 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear [i] = 3900 lbs/3900 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 14000 lbs

Where did the curb weights Front/rear = 3152 lbs. each come from ??? I presume the the other weights are from your door sticker/manual/Dodge website ???

As with many 1/2 ton trucks, keeping the GVWR under control is going to be the main problem......I am approaching my limit with a much smaller trailer. With a listed dry tongue weight of 948 lbs. on that trailer, 1200 lbs. is going to be a more realistic number camping ready. That is almost the entire "listed?" payload of the truck. Add some people and gear to the truck, and my guess you are going to be way over the GVWR. You may be able to shift 200 lbs. or so of that tongue weight back to the trailer axles by using a WDH, but you are still looking at ~1000 lbs. added to your truck before adding anything else, including passengers.

If the 1288 lbs. is listed payload, then that is probably not the actual. I had a listed payload of about 1700 lbs. on my truck, but 1200 lbs. is the real number, with me sitting in the drivers seat......and no I don't weigh 500 lbs.....more like 190 lbs.

You will have to do some careful weigh-ins with the camper attached and loaded for camping to see if you that combo will work.

MtnGuy · 10-31-2011, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troyt

--It pulls fine, I can keep hwy speeds and handles well, just concerned about the tranny. It does dog on the hills though. Thinking about getting a temp gauge.

If your truck already has the tranny temperature in the the OBD system, then you may be able to add a auxiliary device such as the Aeroforce or ScanGauge to your truck. I use the ScanGauge in my 2006 F150 to monitor my tranny temperature along with a bunch of other stuff.

ng2951 · 10-31-2011, 09:45 AM

Besides what you can tow, the GCWR is extremely important. That number has a lot to do with handling and stopping. Also remember that number includes what the TV weighs with all its cargo.

I don't carry much water when I am towing. I carry just enough for washing, toilet, and drinking for the trip. If I am dry camping, I top off when I get there.

I agree with the other poster about the ScanGauge. If you are going to add a a transmission temp gauge, I would buy the ScanGauge.

Finally, if you do not have a transmission cooler I would get one.

acadianbob · 10-31-2011, 09:50 AM

ScanGaugeII X3! Extremely useful tool; and fun too!

lbrjet · 10-31-2011, 01:23 PM

Make sure the Scangauge will work for your dodge before you buy it. I think they are beginning to support dodge but not sure if they do yet. I believe they are in beta testing right now. Worth a phone call to be sure since they aren't cheap.

Glenn5995 · 10-31-2011, 02:17 PM

If it doesn't, the Aeroforce Interceptor will and it will fit into a SRT A-pillar pod.

Aeroforce Technology Inc | Products - Interceptor

troyt · 10-31-2011, 03:22 PM

Thanks for all the tips and recommendations! I can breath a bit easier. I know that a 3/4 ton is in our future. I'm putting two boys through collage right now and it maybe a couple of years down the road. So until then, I'll take these tips and suggestions and keep it close to home. Would like to go to Yellowstone. I've not been there since I was a kid.

Timex · 10-31-2011, 03:48 PM

I pull my 2012 Flagstaff 30WRLTS with a 2005 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab, 3:72 transaxle, all the coolers and such and I won't lie to you, I feel that trailer behind me. I take it slow and easy when I can, try not to go over 60 MPH(for better fuel mpg) and have the trailer brakes set pretty firm. My truck is rated for 9200lbs and that Vlite takes every bit of it. If you are having to drop it down into 2nd or 1st gear alot to take off/slow down, a new/larger truck is in your near future!

trudinator · 10-31-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troyt

Thanks for all the tips and recommendations! I can breath a bit easier. I know that a 3/4 ton is in our future. I'm putting two boys through collage right now and it maybe a couple of years down the road. So until then, I'll take these tips and suggestions and keep it close to home. Would like to go to Yellowstone. I've not been there since I was a kid.

We have a 2012 8293RKSS, 32'2' overall which we pull with a 2006 Dodge Cummins Turbodiesel 2500 Quad Cab. My DH says he doesn't even know the TT is behind him. We weren't going to buy a truck, as DH said he could pull the TT with a 2002 Dodge Durango. This DW wasn't so sure and was shaking in her boots just thinking about it. Well, long story short, DH was at the dealer for an unrelated matter, 6 days before we picked up our TT, and he saw "the" truck - everything we wanted. It was karma. We picked up the "new to us" 2006 Dodge Ram on Friday night and 16 hours later we were at the dealer picking up the new TT. We're now broke, but we're living our dream after tenting it for 20+ years. No kids in college, thank goodness, or we'd be tenting it for another 20 years or so! We have friends that pull a similar TT with their 2004 Dodge 1500 and other than it bogging down on some hills, it pulls fine. My DH is going to help him install helper springs over the winter. Good luck with your TT and happy camping!!

You may also like: