Is it too much for my truck...?

[dubojr10]

Let me first say that I LOVE my truck and I have zero intentions of selling this truck. Worst case I may need to look for another truck.

I purchased a TT after RV camping recently with family in the TN mountains. After a horrible experience with our local dealer we decided to search the private market. Having some understanding of tow capacities and such from towing for years I thought I knew everything I needed to pick a TT. I now know I needed to know more....

Tow Vehicle:

2004 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT "Rumble Bee" Edition 5.7L w/ 3.92 Gear
GVWR: 6,350
GAWR Front: 3,650
GAWR Rear: 3,900
GCWR: 13,000
Payload: 1,630
Tow Limit: 8,150 (Some sources say up to 9,150)
Receiver Rating: 6,000/600 on Bumper, 10,000/1,000 with WDH


Some additional factors to consider:

1. Truck has had 2"/4.5" Lowering Kit installed
2. Added Air bags for Suspension Assist
3. Changed factory 20" wheels to SRT10 22" wheels and Tires (Max. Load 2,910 lbs.)
4. Electric Brake Controller installed

I am researching all the tow/axle numbers now

Travel Trailer:

2014 Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf Limited
Dry weight: 5,173
Tongue weight: ~775

TT came with a 1,000/10,000 WDH with Sway Control by EAZ Lift

[Flybob]

A few pointers.
Ignore Dry weight no one camps at dry weight, Use TT Gross Wgt.
Use TT Gross weight times 0.13 for tongue weight.
Check drivers door jamb on Truck for cargo capacity or load capacity.
From Cargo capacity subtract 100 for hitch, the calculated hitch weight, weight of passengers and cargo in truck. This is your safety margin. if this number is negative, you are overweight.


Can you tow over weight; Yes. Should you tow over weight: no. You will most likely not enjoy the trip towing over weight not to mention stress on the truck.

[PodGeek]

Originally Posted by Flybob

...Use TT Gross weight times 1.13 for tongue weight....

Maybe Gross Weight * 0.13 (13%)?

[Greywater]

Run your numbers through this:


Travel Trailer Weight Calculator

[dubojr10]

Originally Posted by Flybob

A few pointers.
Ignore Dry weight no one camps at dry weight, Use TT Gross Wgt.
Use TT Gross weight times 1.13 for tongue weight.
Check drivers door jamb on Truck for cargo capacity or load capacity.
From Cargo capacity subtract 100 for hitch, the calculated hitch weight, weight of passengers and cargo in truck. This is your safety margin. if this number is negative, you are overweight.


Can you tow over weight; Yes. Should you tow over weight: no. You will most likely not enjoy the trip towing over weight not to mention stress on the truck.

Thanks for the pointers! What I'm doing right now is trying to determine if this is all possible with the truck, the hitch that came with the TT, and the TT. I don't want to buy all things necessary (including a new hitch if needed) to camp as of yet until I can confirm it's possible. I have little choice but to work with hypothetical numbers at this point.

I continue to add info in the OP so please continue to reference the info there. Thanks in advance for your help!

[dubojr10]

Originally Posted by Greywater

Run your numbers through this:


Travel Trailer Weight Calculator

Thanks. Looks like I still need some of the requested information there. Working on that now.

[Greywater]

Some trailers will have additional weight stickers on them in various places. Mine has all kinds of info on it:
GVWR
Dry Weight
Max cargo weight
weight of individual tanks when full

[Flybob]

Originally Posted by PodGeek

Maybe Gross Weight * 0.13 (13%)?

You are are correct.

[dubojr10]

Originally Posted by Flybob

A few pointers.
Ignore Dry weight no one camps at dry weight, Use TT Gross Wgt.
Use TT Gross weight times 0.13 for tongue weight.
Check drivers door jamb on Truck for cargo capacity or load capacity.
From Cargo capacity subtract 100 for hitch, the calculated hitch weight, weight of passengers and cargo in truck. This is your safety margin. if this number is negative, you are overweight.


Can you tow over weight; Yes. Should you tow over weight: no. You will most likely not enjoy the trip towing over weight not to mention stress on the truck.

Looks like my sticker could have been a little more informative and accurate. It doesn't even include the correct wheel size that came from the factory.

[Lins]

Originally Posted by Flybob

Your are correct.

"You are" or "You're"

[Thomas ho]

if it is lowered it wont be what you want. my son lowered my f150 , now it cant haul even a med. load of anything. ride is horrible , my son has lowered 5 cars and they are terrible.

[Flybob]

Originally Posted by dubojr10

Looks like my sticker could have been a little more informative and accurate. It doesn't even include the correct wheel size that came from the factory.

There should be another sticker ( yellow).

[dubojr10]

Originally Posted by Thomas ho

if it is loeered it wont be what you want. my son lowered my f150 , now it cant haul even a med. load of anything. ridw is horrible , my son has lowered 5 cars and they are terrible.

I tow around 5,000 lbs. often only after adding the air bag system. Without it I couldn't tow much at all without bottoming out. The air bags will improve the ride quality as well. I would suggest you add them to your pickup as well.

[dubojr10]

Originally Posted by Flybob

There should be another sticker ( yellow).

I thought so as well. I've looked 3 times. It's just not there. Could it be in another location? I checked the glove compartment as well.

[PodGeek]

Originally Posted by Lins

"You are" or "You're"

Rough crowd

[Lins]

Originally Posted by dubojr10

I thought so as well. I've looked 3 times. It's just not there. Could it be in another location? I checked the glove compartment as well.

If you can get to a scale to weigh the truck and subtract that from your GVWR that'll provide your payload as the truck sits currently.

[dubojr10]

Originally Posted by Lins

If you can get to a scale to weigh the truck and subtract that from your GVWR that'll provide your payload as the truck sits currently.

Yea I plan to get to the scales soon. Referencing this website, it claims the payload is 1,630. I have added it to the original post.

2004 Dodge Ram 1500 - Trailer Towing Specs

[Lins]

Originally Posted by dubojr10

Yea I plan to get to the scales soon. Referencing this website, it claims the payload is 1,630. I have added it to the original post.

2004 Dodge Ram 1500 - Trailer Towing Specs

I saw that, but your specific truck can be different. All payload is, is how much weight you can carry till you reach your GVWR. People read into payload way too much sometimes.

[dubojr10]

Originally Posted by Lins

I saw that, but your specific truck can be different. All payload is, is how much weight you can carry till you reach your GVWR. People read into payload way too much sometimes.

I agree. Being the wheels have been changed, exhaust has been changed, Tonneau has been added, air bags added, etc.... I NEED to go weigh the truck.

[Greywater]

It might be a good idea to weigh the truck in the state it would be in during travel (luggage, stuff, passengers, etc).



Many people will get set up for travel and weigh both the trailer and tow vehicle to get an accurate GCWR.