New Member - Looking for help to buy right unit

[Burch]

Hi to All,
My wife and I are looking seriously at the Rockwood Ultralites. We are total newbies to trailering and wish to spend some retirement years and see this great continent.But I am having a great deal of trouble trying to figure out what I can safely tow behind my Truck (2012 Ram 1500 Crewcab 4X4, 5.7 Hemi, 3.55 gear ratio). We really would like an FW to tow but have a stong suspicion that we are out of luck with the rig I have and that we will be into a Rockwood ultralite trailer. Can anyone shed some light to help our decision process?. From What I can figure I maybe limited to about 5200 lbs of trailer weight?

[Terier]

to the FR Forums! You are ahead of the game with checking to see what you are able to tow prior to buying a RV. You should be receiving feedback from other members shortly.

[Dave_Monica]

Welcome to the Forum!

According the the Trailer Life Towing Guide, your truck is rated to tow a maximum of 8550 lbs. Study the specs for Rockwood Ultralite...don't think you'd be happy towing a loaded weight TT over 7500 lbs.

Dave

[ng2951]

The other task is to know whether your TV (tow vehicle) is set up for towing. That is to say does it have a factory installed towing package?

Among the many things a towing package does, it usually includes a transmission cooler. That is pretty essential since heat is one of the big killers of transmissions.

[TURBS]

All trucks have a transmission cooler period. Unless it's a manual gear box.
It's whether or not it's heavy duty enough to withstand the high temperatures of towing.
Some or all towing packages use the factory in radiator cooler as well as a external mounted cooler.

I added a 16" Hayden thermostaticly controlled electric fan to aid in even more cooling .

Match the camper to the truck and you'll be fine.

And welcome to the forum.

Turbs

[ng2951]

...trucks have a transmission cooler...It's whether or not it's heavy duty enough to withstand the high temperatures of towing....

Yes that is the big question because the standard transmission coolers are probably not sufficient.

The factory or aftermarket coolers are usually much beefier items.

...
Match the camper to the truck and you'll be fine...

Good advice, but I also add select the truck for the RV you will get. I swapped out two trucks before I got the right one (mostly because I replaced the trailer) but if I had bought a more stout TV I might not had to replace the second TV.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by ng2951

Yes that is the big question because the standard transmission coolers are probably not sufficient.

The factory or aftermarket coolers are usually much beefier items.Good advice, but I also add select the truck for the RV you will get. I swapped out two trucks before I got the right one (mostly because I replaced the trailer) but if I had bought a more stout TV I might not had to replace the second TV.

[Derick441]

I have a 2012 dodge ram also and mine is rated at 10500 I have a 2012 flagstaff 831rblss and the dry weight is 7500 lbs and mine pulls it fine but be on the safe side and check with the dodge dealer

[Derick441]

Oh and I forgot to mention as I'm sure you're aware of but make sure you use the tow haul button on the dash when pulling heavy load this will keep the truck from going into overdrive

[Derick441]

You should get about 200 miles on a tank of gas depending on the roads flat or hilly-mountains