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Old 02-23-2017, 06:57 PM   #1
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2011 Dodge Ram 1500 and pulling a 5th wheel

I have a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie, short bed, with 3:55 gears and it's rated for 8550. I'm trying to find out if anyone is towing a 5th wheel and if so how do you do? Other then getting a bigger truck, what would I need to do to my 1500?
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Old 02-23-2017, 08:19 PM   #2
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Welcome to JOF! To answer your question I wouldn't do it. I had a 2011 1500 dodge ram with the same gears and I know that my payload was about 1350 lbs and my towing was 8500 lbs, so you will be way over. I know that other will chime in and say the same, no matter what you do to the engines, gears, suspensions it want change what's on your door.


I would get a bigger truck or get a smaller TT, your payload will run out before you reach your towing ability.
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Old 02-23-2017, 08:24 PM   #3
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Oh boy.....
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Old 02-23-2017, 08:53 PM   #4
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There are a xouple that you could tow. Casita I know used to build about an 18 foot fiver. People used to tow them with small trucks.
But to be honest you just dont have a vehicle suitable for towing a fifth wheel.
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Old 02-23-2017, 09:06 PM   #5
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You need to post the truck's payload capacity from the driver's door yellow sticker.
Ram 1500s generally don't have enough for 5th wheel pin weights. Except for a handful of super light 5th wheels.

And there's nothing you can do to increase payload except getting a different truck.
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Old 02-23-2017, 09:10 PM   #6
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most 1/2 ton Ram trucks have embarrassing low payload ratings. Don't stand a chance with a 5th wheel.
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Old 02-24-2017, 02:30 AM   #7
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And he have the Laramie which will eat up some of your payload.
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Old 02-24-2017, 03:49 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by Jdawson4141 View Post
Other then getting a bigger truck, what would I need to do to my 1500?
Nothing, get a bumper pull. Your Dodge will easily handle a nice 25+ ft TT.
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Old 02-24-2017, 02:31 PM   #9
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If you want a 5th wheel you need a bigger truck!!!
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Old 02-24-2017, 02:38 PM   #10
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Yes you need a bigger truck for that 5er
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Old 02-24-2017, 02:42 PM   #11
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You can pull anything with anything but longevity and safety comes into play pretty quick.
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Old 02-24-2017, 05:05 PM   #12
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most 1/2 ton Ram trucks have embarrassing low payload ratings. Don't stand a chance with a 5th wheel.
You got that right. Mine is a pitiful 1289lbs. Partly due to the stupid 20 inch wheels no doubt.
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Old 02-24-2017, 05:27 PM   #13
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Here's payload sticker for our Ram 1500. Yours should be close to this. Considering majority of 5ers have a pin weight 2200lbs or more you're about 1000lbs over payload now add wife, kids and the dog the back end is screaming bloody murder. Remember payload then tow capacity. And don't settle for a 2500 because on average it's only 800lbs more in payload. Check pin weight and GVW.
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Old 02-24-2017, 07:39 PM   #14
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You got that right. Mine is a pitiful 1289lbs. Partly due to the stupid 20 inch wheels no doubt.

I'd be embarassed to admit to that. A couple fat girls and a case of beer and you'd be overweight with nothing on / in the back.
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Old 02-24-2017, 07:46 PM   #15
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I'd be embarassed to admit to that. A couple fat girls and a case of beer and you'd be overweight with nothing on / in the back.
I like fat girls. The only thing a skinny girl could do for me is tell me which way a big one went.


To the OP:
Subtract 300 to 500 pounds out of your payload weight for the 5er hitch...
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Old 02-24-2017, 08:10 PM   #16
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What did Ram do differant in 3 years? My 14 ram 1500 was rated for 10,500 pounds and pulled my double slide 8k pound 5th wheel all day long. It also pulled a 7k toy hauler tt with ease.
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Old 02-24-2017, 08:20 PM   #17
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Pretty easy answers really...

Wheels got taller 16" to 20" with lower aspect ratio tires, look cool, load capacity went down..

Softer suspension for a better ride, less capacity suspension, better overall ride

Underbody components got lighter to lessen overall weight and up fuel efficiency... capacity goes down...

How it works.

New trucks are built lighter for better mileage... capacity goes down.
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Old 02-24-2017, 08:43 PM   #18
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It has become obvious many newbies don't or can't read about how tow and hitch weights determine the tow vehicle. Seriously if you have to read the owners manual and look at the drivers door and post stickers for what your truck has to offer. Even 2500 and F250 diesels can tow more than 1500 and F150 but pay load can be less than a gas heavy duty tow and pay load 1500 and F150 again look at the door and post. Hope you get the picture.
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Old 02-24-2017, 08:50 PM   #19
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It has become obvious many newbies don't or can't read about how tow and hitch weights determine the tow vehicle. Seriously if you have to read the owners manual and look at the drivers door and post stickers for what your truck has to offer. Even 2500 and F250 diesels can tow more than 1500 and F150 but pay load can be less than a gas heavy duty tow and pay load 1500 and F150 again look at the door and post. Hope you get the picture.
That seems a little harsh to me.

Many factors determine the load capacity of any truck, like i mentioned in my previous post plus other factors like is it 4 wheel drive? A 4 wheel drive pickup will always have a lower payload capacity than a comparable 2 wheel drive unit and likewise a truck with steel wheels versus alloy wheels will have a lower capacity.

Pretty easy to determine actually and why I always match the RV to the truck not the other way around.
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Old 02-24-2017, 08:56 PM   #20
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2011 Dodge Ram 1500 and pulling a 5th wheel

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kimber45 View Post
What did Ram do differant in 3 years? My 14 ram 1500 was rated for 10,500 pounds and pulled by double slide 8k pound 5th wheel all day long. It also pulled a 7k toy hauler tt with ease.


What was the pin weight of the 5er? Have you taken it to the scales?
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