towing

[alcaidinho]

can a dodge ram 1500 with a 5.7 hemi tow a 2012 sv305 surveyor

[davel1971]

Need more specs on truck and trailer but probably over payload and possibly over towing capacity

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[fonzie]

How long have you been pulling your trailer with your Ram?

[ChooChooMan74]

I am in the Market for a new Ram Truck 1500, and this looks like a lot of trailer. More than I would tow with a 1500. Of course, people say that I tow more than they would with a Liberty. Yes, I am just over max per the CAT scales(100lbs), but I am working to cure that, and the little diesel does fine pulling it at 60 up or down hill.

Here are the specs on the trailer:
https://www.nadaguides.com/RVs/2012/...t/SV-305/Specs

I would begin here, and read about what you can really tow.
http://www.learntorv.com

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[jwedell]

If you already own it the point is moot. If you do not I would think twice. It's almost twice as long as the truck and will almost immediately overload the trucks carrying capacity. If you do tow it I would suggest the best WD anti sway hitch you can afford. Good Luck.

[Old Bones]

We have a 2013 Surveyor SP-296 that is about 700 or 800 lbs less in weight and about a 1' less in length than SV-305, that we are towing with a 2010 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 with 3.92 gears.

We are probably at the max for that truck. I have Firestone air bags installed.

It currently has 20" wheels with a P rated tire. It's time to change out the tires now anyway, so going with an E rated sidewall.

The biggest problem I have is sway. Hoping changing out the tires and dialling in the WDH better or changing out to one with sway control will help.

We currently don't haul any great distances to go camping, but if we were going to start touring I'd definitely be changing out to a bigger truck.

So having said that, it will depend on your specific truck specs and how much you plan on loading up the trailer and truck and how far you plan on pulling it, if it will haul it or not.

[alcaidinho]

right now I have a 2012 dodge ram 2500 diesel that pulls it no problem. the issue I have is that it is killing me in fuel costs. sure its awesome when I am camping but when not im burning through lots of fuel. that's why im thinking about downgrading to the new 2014 1500 ram with a hemi 5.7 liter. the spec sheet says it will tow no problem, I just want other opinions.

[davel1971]

what kind of mileage are you getting while towing? Expect to get 7-9 while towing with gas. Your fuel costs will be more, not less, and you will miss the power.

[fonzie]

Originally Posted by fonzie

How long have you been pulling your trailer with your Ram?

I was asking the question as that's what is in your profile....with 2500 diesel no issues except as you say fuel cost...


About alcaidinho
City
strathroy
State/Province
Ontario
RV Brand
forest river
RV Year and Model
10th ann. surveyor sv305
My Tow Vehicle
2010 dodge ram hemi 5.7
Gender
Male
Occupation
automotive mechanic
Interests
camping

[Ford Idaho]

If you have not bought the half ton forget about it.

Go buy a 3500 of your flavor.

[MikeInRaleigh]

I pull an 8500 lb fifth wheel around 6-7k miles a year and recently upgraded from a Silverado 6.0 liter 1500 to a Ford F350 diesel. Being an engineer, after accumulating enough data, I did a spreadsheet on fuel cost. I get around 20% better fuel mileage on my everyday running around, about 15% better on interstate mileage, and about 40% better when towing. With about a 1/3 mix of each type, and about 20% higher price per gallon for the diesel and even figuring in the extra cost of oil changes for the diesel, overall it was about break even to slightly lower cost for the diesel. I also did a run assuming a gas powered heavy duty truck, which would have significantly worse gas mileage than my 1500, and the cost advantage for the diesel was significant. However, it would take a lot of years to recoup the extra $10K purchase price for the diesel. Also, I had a few stressful times when getting low on gas, trying to find a station where I could access the pumps, whereas with the diesel, I can always pull into a truck stop. Also, there is no comparison of the comfort/confidence pulling down I95 or in the North Carolina mountains with the heavier truck. Although I don't pull a tow behind, I suspect this effect would be even more pronounced for it with the sway and other challenges you don't have with a 5th wheel.

[alcaidinho]

sorry profile hasn't been updated in a while. that was my old truck when I had a 22 ft coyote hybrid. I bought diesel when I bought the trailer

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by alcaidinho

right now i have a 2012 dodge ram 2500 diesel that pulls it no problem. The issue i have is that it is killing me in fuel costs. Sure its awesome when i am camping but when not im burning through lots of fuel. That's why im thinking about downgrading to the new 2014 1500 ram with a hemi 5.7 liter. The spec sheet says it will tow no problem, i just want other opinions.

keep the diesel :d

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by Cajun Po-Boy

keep the diesel :d

Yes.

Buy one of these or a cheap jeep use the truck to haul bigger stuff.

https://www.google.com/#q=Honda+Acty+Mini+

[Brother Les]

Originally Posted by alcaidinho

right now I have a 2012 dodge ram 2500 diesel that pulls it no problem. the issue I have is that it is killing me in fuel costs. sure its awesome when I am camping but when not im burning through lots of fuel. that's why im thinking about downgrading to the new 2014 1500 ram with a hemi 5.7 liter. the spec sheet says it will tow no problem, I just want other opinions.

Safety first and always. Keep your 2500 for this camper and get a small old beater daily driver that will give you the high mileage that you want. You have invested a lot on equipment and family, keep your investment safe. Keep the 2500 or something in the same size range.

[PrairieBoy]

I tow my SV305 with my Ram 1500 but my trailer is in a seasonal site, 20 miles from where I live. I have a bit of trouble with sway on this truck and never exceed 60 MPH. I have 1 sway bar hooked up with my WDH and I am considering hooking up the second sway bar to help. I get in the area of 11 MPG. When I tow the trailer, the truck is empty except for me. If I had the family with me, we would be over weight. I would have no problem towing close to home but I would borrow my Dad's Duramax to tow any further than this. My truck is rated at 10,200Lbs but I am over on the payload if I have the family with me. The hemi is more than enough motor to tow this but the truck is a bit on the short side. If I had to do it again, I would really consider the hemi in a Ram 2500. My truck came with the tow package which includes the towing mirrors, large fuel tank, HD tranny cooler, HD shocks, and a 10,200 towing rating. I think I have 3.93 rear end but 20 inch tires.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by PrairieBoy

I tow my SV305 with my Ram 1500 but my trailer is in a seasonal site, 20 miles from where I live. I have a bit of trouble with sway on this truck and never exceed 60 MPH. I have 1 sway bar hooked up with my WDH and I am considering hooking up the second sway bar to help. I get in the area of 11 MPG. When I tow the trailer, the truck is empty except for me. If I had the family with me, we would be over weight. I would have no problem towing close to home but I would borrow my Dad's Duramax to tow any further than this. My truck is rated at 10,200Lbs but I am over on the payload if I have the family with me. The hemi is more than enough motor to tow this but the truck is a bit on the short side. If I had to do it again, I would really consider the hemi in a Ram 2500. My truck came with the tow package which includes the towing mirrors, large fuel tank, HD tranny cooler, HD shocks, and a 10,200 towing rating. I think I have 3.93 rear end but 20 inch tires.

P or LT rated tires.

If P try a good set of LT rated E or F.

Might make a little difference in the sway and always hook the second bar up.

[PrairieBoy]

Tires are passenger and you are right. Next set will be LT for sure. The tires are part of the reason for the sway I have.