Dodge Ram & Roo 233S

stephs2125 · 01-09-2012, 05:49 PM

OK - I've been trying like heck to understand all these weights and towing guides and I think I have it OK, but honestly solving the quadratic equation in Alegbra II was easier than this stuff

I have an 04 Dodge Ram 1500, 5.7L V8 Hemi, with 3.92 Axel Ratio. It came equipped with a trailer tow group which included a 700 amp maintenance free battery, Class IV Receiver and a 7pin wiring harness.

If I am doing my math right I am OK with the combination, the GVWR of the trailer is 5764 and I can tow up to 7000 with my truck (I subtracted passenger weight and tonnau cover addition from tow capacity) leaving me a little over 1,000 lbs for safety net.
However if anyone would care to check my calculations I offer the following info.

According to my towing guide which I got from mfg web site the following is relating to my vehicle:
Tow capacity 7550
GVWR 6550
Payload 1353
Curb Weight 5297
Curb Weight Front/Rear 3051/3051
GAWR Front/Rear 3900/3900
GCWR 13,000 (only addition since delivery is soft tonnau cover and me, DD & DH weigh approx. 400 lbs)

I am looking at the Roo 233S and here is where I stuggle a little because from what I've read I cannot trust the mfg weight ratings but since I don't have the unit what else can I use?

The Roo, according to FR has:
GVWR 5764 (this if I understand right is the most I can load the trailer with stuff - the most it should ever weigh)
Base / Dry unit 4351
Base / Dry hitch 647
Base / Dry axle 3704
Cargo capacity 1833

You all have been amazing in answering all my questions thus far and I thank you kindly for all your support

Steph

flyrotor · 01-09-2012, 05:52 PM

You should be fine, and you are correct, the only weight to trust from the manufacturer is the GVWR and not to exceed.

Have fun

MtnGuy · 01-09-2012, 06:09 PM

Wow, you have done your homework.

If only everyone took the time to check out their stats before they bought.

If the empty weight and payload weights are correct, then the 3550 GVWR is not....that should be 3650 lbs. (the empty and payload weights combined). There should be a sticker on the drivers door stating the GVWR, as well as the GAWR for both axles. You are correct that the tonneau cover will add to the empty weight of the truck, as well as the passengers in the truck.

You should be good to go on the listed towing capacity. My big concern with all of your numbers is the GVWR of the Ram once you hang the trailer tongue on the hitch. That Roo lists a 647 lb. tongue weight, and that probably equates to a 800 lb. or so actual tongue weight ready to camp. A 50 lb. tonneau cover, 400 lbs. of passengers, a full tank of gas, and 800 lbs. of tongue weight pretty much take care of the 1353 payload.....and that is if your truck truly weighs in at 5297 lbs. A properly set up WDH will shift maybe 120 to 150 lbs. of weight back to the trailer axles, which will help. You may need to keep the bed of the truck fairly empty when towing. A trip across the scales when you get your trailer will be good.

I don't understand the 3051 each axle when empty.....that adds up to 6102 lbs.

The Roo and the Ram are probably doable. You can figure out how to tweak your loads and the WDH once you go across the scales, ready to camp.

MtnGuy · 01-09-2012, 06:16 PM

Hmmm, looks like most of the GVWRs are 6550 lbs. Wondering if the curb weight or payload weight is incorrect.

Here is a pretty good chart: 2004 RAM Pickup Payload and Towing Charts

What is the cab/bed configuration ?? 4x4 or 4x2 ??

stephs2125 · 01-09-2012, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnguy

Hmmm, looks like most of the GVWRs are 6550 lbs. Wondering if the curb weight or payload weight is incorrect.

Here is a pretty good chart: 2004 RAM Pickup Payload and Towing Charts

What is the cab/bed configuration ?? 4x4 or 4x2 ??

You are correct and the GVWR is 6550, not 3550. The truck is a 4x4 quad cab.

MtnGuy · 01-09-2012, 06:30 PM

You had 6550 lbs in the post. But usually the listed empty weight and payload weight add up to the GVWR. That is what I was trying to figure out.

According to the chart I posted earlier, if you have a short bed, the GVWR may be 6650......but to gotta go by what is on the door sticker.

sherdep · 01-09-2012, 07:04 PM

you should be golden with that camper and truck

you are running the same truck I am except I am lifted with 35" tires but same gears
I have a few upgrades to the truck since the stock hitch was flexing when I was taking the pressure off of the bars so I bought a 15,000 lb hitch from JC Whitney and it allows you to retain the stock hitch (I can post pictures of it if you need to see what I am talking about).

A Hellwig Rear sway bar will help the truck handle - just one thing if you do add one try not to crush the metal brake line on the passenger side - dont ask me how I know this LOL - Lets just say I had to replace the metal line when I noticed the line was crushed by the clamp.

I am running a Mini Lite 2306
you will need to add a weight distribution hitch - I have no complaints with my Equalizer (4 point) 1,000 - 10,000
You will also need a Brake Controller - I am running the Prodigy and have had no issue's with it and if you would like help or suggestions on mounting places or just installs feel free to ask.

stephs2125 · 01-09-2012, 07:04 PM

Sorry typing on an iPad and making some keying mistakes. The sticker on my door does read 6650 GVWR , not 6550.
I tried to upload pic of my sticker but not sure if it's gonna work with iPad.

sherdep · 01-09-2012, 07:13 PM

it's there
may want to scratch out the VIN and repost the picture

My truck came factory with the 20's also but had the sticker for 17" wheels

stephs2125 · 01-09-2012, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherdep

it's there
may want to scratch out the VIN and repost the picture

My truck came factory with the 20's also but had the sticker for 17" wheels

Didn't think about that, oops!
Can't figure out how to delete it from this iPad app. If a moderator see this please delete the image.
Tks!

Danimal · 01-09-2012, 07:22 PM

i have the same truck but a 2005 and it tows my 30' 5th wheel just fine
you should have no problem towing your rig, get a Hensley Arrow hitch if you can
they sell them in Davison Michigan ( local for you ) i have owned one and they are the best

dan

leschilli · 01-09-2012, 07:25 PM

I have a 2005 dodge ram 1500, quad cab, 4x4 with the 5.7 hemi. We bought a wildwood backpack, 26 ft this spring. While it sucks the gas when I am towing the camper, it will go anywhere. I live in Ohio and we have had it to Gatlinburg. I think you will be fine.

stephs2125 · 01-09-2012, 07:34 PM

Got it fixed, thanks for that reminder.

sherdep · 01-09-2012, 07:34 PM

change your image on your Ipad and then do a edit and re upload the new picture over the old one - you will see edit under your post

Hit go advanced
go to manage attachments and remove the first pic and re upload the new one or just upload the new one

**bikendan** · 01-10-2012, 12:54 AM

you'll have no problems towing the 233S with your Ram Hemi.

plenty of towing power that you won't even feel it, as long as you have a good WDH with sway control.

Triguy · 01-10-2012, 07:25 AM

Agree with all of the above. You are doing a great job in understanding the numbers and I congratulate you for doing that.

I won't bother going through the math for you but you are good to go with your setup.

My rig is in my sig and works well. Your biggest concern is to make sure that you do not overload your truck bed to a point where your truck's payload capacity is exceeded.

You have slightly more payload than I do and I'm right at the limits with my SUV, family of 5 and the 233S. Its would be tempting to carry more in the bed if I had a pickup; that's why I mention it.

Again, you are asking all of the right questions in all of your threads before you buy. Your next post needs to be a hitch question

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