2004 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 hemi question on towing

[coupe1942]

My pickup is new to me and low mileage, two previous owners. I do not have any info on it as to a manual that actually tells me the gear ratio of my transmission. I have the tow/haul transmission mode on the shift lever. I am wanting to purchase a Wolf Pup or similar camper, but I am not for sure if I would need a transmission cooler or not and just how much this pickup can actually handle safely. Anyone have a similar Dodge Ram and have any thoughts about this issue? I don't want to buy a big camper, but one that is enough for my wife and I. We have looked at some small Runaway Camper camper trailers, but my wife's idea of camping is a night at the Holiday Inn, so "minimalist" is not in her vocabulary. Also, our knees just would not hold up to always being on them in a small Runaway. We are looking towards going out to view Wolf Pups to see what is out there.

[bikendan]

You need to determine if the truck has the factory tow package.

Type III/IV receiver
Pre-wiring for braking controller
Aux trans cooler
7-pin trailer umbilical cord connector
Towing rear end ratio

Tow/Haul button may be standard, with or without the factory tow package.
And post pics of the driver's door stickers, especially the Tires and Loading yellow sticker.

[HemiHemi19]

I had a 2004 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 a few years back. It did have the reese hitch but I had to have an aftermarket brake controller installed. I towed a starcraft 29 ft travel trailer that was 6500 dry. I definently knew the camper was there but never had any issues even towed in the mountains when I was doing harescrambles with my bike in the back. You should be fine as long as you stay within your tow rating.

[Lins]

Originally Posted by HemiHemi19

I had a 2004 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 a few years back. It did have the reese hitch but I had to have an aftermarket brake controller installed. I towed a starcraft 29 ft travel trailer that was 6500 dry. I definently knew the camper was there but never had any issues even towed in the mountains when I was doing harescrambles with my bike in the back. You should be fine as long as you stay within your tow rating.

Similar to above, our previous truck was a 2002 1500 with the 4.7 and a good amount of power adders. We towed our 2701 with it but not sure how it would have handled the mountains. I also added a brake controller. Ours had a trans cooler but larger ones are easily available and installed. Your tow rating is likely around the 7k range. Check your door sticker for payload. Rear end gears are what make or break the 4.7/5.7s as they like to rev. 3.92 is the factory ratio you want for best towing, ours had 3.55s. Manuals are easily found online to know exactly what you can tow.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by bikendan

You need to determine if the truck has the factory tow package.

Type III/IV receiver
Pre-wiring for braking controller
Aux trans cooler
7-pin trailer umbilical cord connector
Towing rear end ratio

Tow/Haul button may be standard, with or without the factory tow package.
And post pics of the driver's door stickers, especially the Tires and Loading yellow sticker.

The key to figuring this out is the Vehicle Identification Number, also called the VIN. This long number is on your title and registration papers as well as on the dashboard of the car, viewable from outside the driver's door.

Type that number into a "VIN decoder" which you find on an internet search. The decoder will tell you

• The engine displacement (bigger is better for towing)
• The rear axle ratio (higher number=lower gear ratio is better for towing)
• Other towing features like engine oil cooler, transmission cooler, tow/haul transmission feature, etc.

[FORKLIFMAN]

If the tow haul is part of a tow package then you already have Trany Fluid cooler. My 07 Durango with the Hemi , does, I bought it new. I will keep it till I die, life time oil and service, AND a life time warranty. Bumper to bumper! Dealer hates seeing it pull in.... lol...

Cheers David

[revoff1]

Go to https://www.ramtrucks.com/ and register as an owner, you'll add in your VIN number and get all the info you need.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by FORKLIFMAN

If the tow haul is part of a tow package then you already have Trany Fluid cooler. My 07 Durango with the Hemi , does, I bought it new. I will keep it till I die, life time oil and service, AND a life time warranty. Bumper to bumper! Dealer hates seeing it pull in.... lol...

Cheers David

Great deal! Do the heirs inherit the warranty? Can I be in your will?

[pureheart]

Same scenario, a year ago reinstalled a brake controller from mopar https://www.ramsareus.com/sku/82215040ac-fs.html. I second the motion to check your VIN for your capacity. I did actually exceeded the weight and had un uphill and downhill route but thankfully no damage from any parts.