I own an '06 Dodge RAM 1500 SLT 5.7L Hemi and currently tow an '07 Rvision MaxLite 26RK that has a dry weight of about 4800lbs. I'm planning on upgrading the trailer and am wondering what I can pull. The plan is to buy a 3/4 ton in a year or two. I get different numbers everywhere I look. The Dodge website has numbers for a 2012 but not for an '06. I get numbers of 7400 lbs, 8200 lbs and 9100 lbs, depending on where I look. The 2012 numbers are 8500 lbs with the 3.92 rear end and 9500 lbs with a 4.11 rear end, but it has about 50 more HP than my '06. Does anyone have an accurate answer?
Did you look at your door sticker? The weights should be there. You also need to check the build sheet and VIN. Engine, transmission, axle ratio, and tire size all relate to your weight rating.
Water-Bug wrote: Door sticker doesn't show max tow weight. VIN doesn't show rear end ratio, but I'm pretty sure that it is 3.92. Body is quad cab.
Sticker should show GCVWR? I can't remember. It should show the max payload and or GVWR though. That can help you figure out which trailers to look at.
2008 Keystone Sprinter 299BHSS
2003 Ram 3500 CC DRW 4x4
I highly recommend upgrading the TV first. That way you will open up your options for RV much more. My guess is that you are close to exceeding the GVWR of your current RAM with your current trailer, loaded up with camping gear, family in the cab, and bed full of stuff.
How much weight does your Tire and Loading sticker say you have for max weight of occupants and cargo? Check your driver's door.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009 2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS 2012 VW Passat TDI
2 or 4WD? Standard or automatic transmission? 3.92's and 4X4 gets you 8250# by the towing guide if you have an automatic. You still have to find the axle weight ratings, on a crew cab it's easy to get overloaded with tongue weight, passengers, and gear.
2013 North Trail 21FBS
2012 F-150 XLT Ecoboost ("EcoBeast") scab
APT wrote: I highly recommend upgrading the TV first. That way you will open up your options for RV much more. My guess is that you are close to exceeding the GVWR of your current RAM with your current trailer, loaded up with camping gear, family in the cab, and bed full of stuff.
How much weight does your Tire and Loading sticker say you have for max weight of occupants and cargo? Check your driver's door.
I agree. You need more truck first.
It's all about your available payload not the towing capacity with a 1/2 ton truck.
Find you payload sticker and let us know what the numbers are. I'm guessing 1300-1500 lbs. You can go much bigger than 6500 loaded trailer with less than 1500 lbs of payload.
I placed the question below with a friend somewhere else in the internet, and got the answer below. It might help you.
I am looking around to buy my first TT. I have been told I can pull a Keystone Passport 3180 RE, which I like, with my 1/2 ton truck. Is this correct? Or should I stay away from it? Both the Rv dealer and Keystone webpage people claim it would be ok.
Truck is 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad with Hemi V8 engine, GVWR 6,800, Towing capacity 8,500
Passport 3180 RE Dry weight is about 6,000.
That trailer has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 7500 lbs according to its mfr's spec sheet. (GVWR = unladen weight + max. carrying capacity). Use GVWR instead of the rather meaningless dry weight number, after all you are never going tow the thing "dry".
We like to discount the truck tow ratings 10% to allow for truck loads beyond the standard 154-lb driver plus full fuel. That puts the tow rating at 7650 lbs and you should be OK with that Passport 3180.
However, if you want to tow in the mountain or Pacific west, that normally-aspirated* gasoline engine is going to lose power at the rate of 3% of rated HP per 1000 feet of altitude. There I recommend bumping that 10% discount to 20%. That would reduce the tow rating to 6800 lbs.
In short, that Keystone should be fine, east of the Rockies. Out in the west, you may find it a bit strained pulling the passes and fighting headwinds.I am looking around to buy my first TT. I have been told I can pull a Keystone Passport 3180 RE, which I like, with my 1/2 ton truck. Is this correct? Or should I stay away from it? Both the Rv dealer and Keystone webpage people claim it would be ok.
Truck is 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad with Hemi V8 engine, GVWR 6,800, Towing capacity 8,500
Passport 3180 RE Dry weight is about 6,000.
That trailer has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 7500 lbs according to its mfr's spec sheet. (GVWR = unladen weight + max. carrying capacity). Use GVWR instead of the rather meaningless dry weight number, after all you are never going tow the thing "dry".
We like to discount the truck tow ratings 10% to allow for truck loads beyond the standard 154-lb driver plus full fuel. That puts the tow rating at 7650 lbs and you should be OK with that Passport 3180.
However, if you want to tow in the mountain or Pacific west, that normally-aspirated* gasoline engine is going to lose power at the rate of 3% of rated HP per 1000 feet of altitude. There I recommend bumping that 10% discount to 20%. That would reduce the tow rating to 6800 lbs.
In short, that Keystone should be fine, east of the Rockies. Out in the west, you may find it a bit strained pulling the passes and fighting headwinds.
I have a 2006 Sport with 5.7, 3.92 and 17" tires. GCWR for my similar vehicle is 14,000#. I tow right at gross by actual scale all over the western mountains. For information on your exact truck go to Here
The only modification I have is a superchips which I have for it's ability to change the shift pattern. The stock shift pattern wants to downshift too early and you end up with a screaming engine at half throttle. I have no problem running the Hemi at 4500 to 5000, but there is no need to do so and it affects gas mileage. The Hemi has enough torque to pull most hills without shifting. I have never lacked for power including one campground that has 12 to 16% grades for a couple of miles. Yeah, those sections are low gear only.
Would I like a 3/4 ton? Of course, but my current vehicle does what it was designed for.
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