Towing with 2009 Dodge Ram

[Pandoras]

Need info from 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 owners or experienced towers. We have traded our 2011 Rockwood 2608S (long story -LEMON!!) on a 2012 Rockwood Windjammer 3065W. We had no tow problems with our first TT and are wondering if we need to consider a different truck for towing this new trailer. The truck is a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 5.7 liter hemi, 3.92 axle ratio, towing package. We are using a class 4 hitch and sway bars. New to RV's and don't know whether to believe the TT dealer and the auto dealer who both say it is fine. We've had the TT for only 4 months and been out on only a few short, weekend trips and all "seems" fine. Thanks for any senior members suggestions or info.

[cebaker]

I tow with a 07 dodge ram 1500 5.7 hemi. Vcross32vbhs. I've been towing with it for about a year. I live in NC. And I've been to the mountains and to the beach several times. I haven't had any trouble yet. Tows very well.you shouldn't have any problems. Sometimes I will catch myself running 65 mph on the highway.

[Rugged Brown]

I tow a fifth wheel, 7800lbs dry weight with a 2010 Dodge 1500 configured the same as yours. I'm pushing the limits but so far, no issues. Pulls fiver great, no sway, minimal chocking, decent mileage. I could use a bigger truck, but the 1/2 ton fits my lifestyle fine.

[dretired]

How much more..if any( weight) is this newer Trailer ? Are you going to be loading more in this one ?? What does Dodge say your towing capacities / capabilities are ??

[Stevea1956]

Pandoras, As dretired stated, check your truck's capacities to verify it will handle the load.
That being said, I have the same model trailer as you and tow it with a 2010 Ram 1500 with pretty much the same setup as you. So far so good.
We are currently traveling full time and have pulled the 3065W over 2000 miles since September 1st without a problem.
We weren't planning on getting a travel trailer when I bought the truck but if I had, I'd have gone with a 3/4 or 1 ton Dodge.
I did order a set of Air-Lift air bags to add a little extra support to the rear. Mostly a peace of mind move on my part.
I think they rated my truck's towing capacity a little higher than yours but it's just a numbers game. They didn't change anything mechanical on the 2010 over 2009 model.

[Pandoras]

If I understood all that numbers game, it would probably make more sense. From what I have been able to determine from the Dodge Ram Owners Manual, on line Dodge sites, Forest River sites, and the info in the forest River book and on the TT itself the #'s are:

2009 Dodge Ram 1500

GVWR 6700 LBS.
Payload 1,570
GAWR 13,000
Max Trailer 7,100


TT

Dry Weight 6,744
GVWR 8,760


Traveling with myself (165 lbs) partner (190 lbs) 2 dogs (25 and 45) and our "stuff"......I couldn't even guess ( but we don't travel with any fresh water, grey water or black.

???

[dretired]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

I tow a fifth wheel, 7800lbs dry weight with a 2010 Dodge 1500 configured the same as yours. I'm pushing the limits but so far, no issues. Pulls fiver great, no sway, minimal chocking, decent mileage. I could use a bigger truck, but the 1/2 ton fits my lifestyle fine.

Hi.. Just curious .. Have you towed your 5ver over BIG hills or Mountains ?

[Pandoras]

No, not really - mostly interstate driving.

[Pandoras]

We as Stevea1956 didn't plan to buy an RV AT ALL when we bought the truck. We hadn't had the Rockwood 2608S even a year and had lots of problems beginning immediately after delivery. We nearly quit then, but love the outdoors, being able to travel with our dogs, hiking, biking, etc. We had a Harley Davidson prior to the RV, btu too many people that we knew were getting injured or killed on bikes, so we sold it and decided to take up RVing. Both of us our within 7/8 years of retirement and would really like to take some 8 to 10 week trips at that point. My partner drives a big truck (not 18 wheeler) and has her CDL now, so is used to driving trucks. I'm the accounting/business/fianance person so I guess you could say I am the worry wart that wants everything to be CORRECT and as it should be.

[Rugged Brown]

Originally Posted by dretired

Hi.. Just curious .. Have you towed your 5ver over BIG hills or Mountains ?

They're big to me.