As a CDL driver, I'm happy to see someone trying to explain this to the masses that try to commit suicide by hauling stuff that's too heavy for the tow vehicle.
Not a CDL driver, I am a trucker and will also say good info for people to know and that they should not listen to the 3/4 ton and 1 ton snobs. If you are smart it is possible.
Great info!!! I have a 2007 Dodge ram 1500 Hemi with a tow package, 20" wheels, and a 3:92 Gear ratio. My trailer fully loaded only hits 5500 lbs. It's a 2018 starcraft autumn ridge 26 ft BH and it handled beautifully. Did 4000 miles round trip with no issues
Finally, someone on RU-vid that understands the numbers when it comes to towing. Do your own math, don't trust the RV salesman. They never consider payload capacity, only towing capacity and they want to sell units. Excellent info. Only note I would add would be to make sure you have a brake controller for your trailer. Your truck seams to have a trailer towing package so the brake controller is integrated but for those who don't, get one! Excellent video, congrats
Correct! The RV sales rep will say anything to sell you a travel trailer. They will tell you a 6 cylinder crossover with a tow rating of 5k lbs will be able to tow a dry weight 5k lbs 26ft. travel trailer. They wont even talk about a trailer brake controller until you have bought the trailer then if you don't have one they will try to sell you one of those as well... People must do there own thorough home work.
@@78ginop Yes, they do. Your trucks brakes are designed just for their own weight (and maybe a small trailer), but all that additional weight is going to need that extra stopping power.
my truck a ram bighorn 1500 5.7 hemi has a tow package and the wiring for the brake controller but no controller. it has a cubby pocket in its place. i can get the ram oem brake controller plug and play because its already wired. and a set of tow mirrors plus the airbags.
Gosh! It's about time I found a video with pertinent information on this subject from start to finish. 12 minutes of actual useful info. FANTASTIC job on this video.
What a great, sensible, no BS video, I've just ordered RAM 1500 in Australia & can't wait to tow my van with it. Safe travels to you & your family mate, well done. Cheers.
Yes, finally, someone on RU-vid that understands the numbers when it comes to towing. Outstanding video and explanation. Thanks so much for this video!!
Cool, glad to hear you upgraded, I'm sure you can feel the difference. I once towed with a 1/2 ton myself upgrades galore to tow a 31ft. fifth wheel. Although I knew my limits and stayed on somewhat flat ground and after awhile I upgraded to a Ford f-350 with a 460 cu. in. And it struggled a little bit with those hills I mentioned. Now I've had nine Rams, three being diesels, towed only with the diesels. My truck now a 21' Ram 2500 diesel and I tow a 34ft Imagine, and of course I have to look behind to make sure it's still there, no really I can always see it, but you know what I mean. have fun with yours and be safe.......
I have a 2013 F150 Fx4 Ecoboost. Traded in my 2002 F250 Lariat. Cargo weight in the truck and tongue weight of the trailer is the most important factors when pulling. Very nice the way you explained clearly about that.! 👌 with my F250 I had a big aluminum toolbox in the back completely full of tools and all kinds of fluids and different things that I might need. Big spare tire with my ATV loading ramps and some other miscellaneous type things. The F250 handled it with no problem because of course it has a much stiffer spring setup and cargo capacity is much higher on the 250 as well. When I got the F-150 I took everything out of the back of the truck and I keep the back of the truck pretty much completely empty. One thing to pay attention to whenever you're traveling in the pull-behind travel trailers is also the distribution of the Cargo inside the trailer. Try to have the heaviest and most of all the cargo positioned above the axles during travel. Especially if you have things that you're bringing with you that are quite heavy a lot of luggage or camping equipment hunting equipment Etc. 👍👍 Thanks for the Upload. Great stuff. 👈
Thank you! Good point about loading the trailer. Some people think it's good to load the back to take the weight off the hitch... but that's the WORST thing you can do! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Great video. I watched for confirmation purposes. You checked off all my questions and confirmed what I thought was true. I also drive up hills at 2000rpm vs 60 mph.
Lots of good info clearly explained, good video. I have essentially the same truck as you and tow a equipment trailer with a 4x4, a utility trailer, and flat tow a Jeep. Truck handles it all well. I think the biggest thing when towing in general but especially with a 1/2 ton truck people need to to is change their mindset. Just chill out, accept it’s going to take longer to get wherever you are going, relax and enjoy the trip. No need to run a truck into the ground because you want to haul ass.
I have a 2020 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab 6.4 bed.hemi 4x4 with the tow package...open 18ft car trailer...hauling foxbody mustangs or a 2000 xj jeep...I can not really tell there is nothing back there. Pulls like a dream. Air bags are on the list. Keep up the great content..
Sandra Westley from the UK that’s a bit late only understanding it after you have the trailer, we take the tow vehicles weight, work out 80% of it and then look for the trailer that’s within those limits. Also the gear torque of the engine is also helpful if the torque is too high in the gears.
Finally! Someone who knows what they are doing. They do exist! For the sake of my family and your family, thank you for being responsible when towing. Very well explained on the numbers and the most important thing you said is drive by the rpms and not the speedometer. If 55 mph is the safest for your family and the truck then 55 mph it is. Your destination will still be there even if you are 30 minutes or an hour later.
I got the exact same trailer. Have the air bags, good weight distribution hitch and after market tires. Drives pretty good with my 5.7l Tundra. Also want to upgrade to a diesel one day but for now this will have to do. I just drove it up in Rockie mountain in western Canada and I was surprised how well it did. Great video.
Just getting into the world of pickups and fairly large rvs . I’m 61 years old and don’t know crap. Your excellent video has me questioning all my towing friends and getting them mad at me!
Living a Life Fulfilled my experienced trailer buddies are all exceeding their payloads and telling me it’s all good. I’m going with your video and the numbers on my truck and trailer.( when I get them). Thanks again!
Thank you for emphasizing the importance of a weight distribution hitch. I watched another video just the other day where the guys did a full comparison, with scales and everything, to show the difference between using only airbags and using a WD hitch. I was like so many others, not really knowing the difference, other than anecdotal information from people over the years. Also thanks for pointing out the difference between the two! Great video, man!
Good video showing half-ton trucks can pull travel trailers. Noticed you have a Hemi. Wow. Powerful. We just got back from 4500 mi trip with no issues. We have a '15 Ram Quad-cab, 3.6 V6, with trailer sway bar hitch and electric brake in cab, and a 3900 lb dry weight 18' BH Forest River Catalina travel trailer.
Excellent video! I clicked on this because I'm always looking to improve, and you gave me some thoughts to ponder. I'm towing with a Dodge 1500 with the 5.7 hemi and a 4.10 rear end, and have no problem towing our 5000lb dry weight (tongue 400) trailer. I also have just my wife and I, so besides bikes and generator in the bed, I'm good on weight. When I got this, my hope was to be able to tow at interstate speeds, and the Dodge definitely had no problem, but I forgot one thing. The tires on most trailers are not rated for 70 (maybe 75) mph. Always make sure the tires on your trailer are heavy enough to handle what you plan to do. After a couple of close calls, I was lucky enough to run into an experienced tire person who filled me in one this. It was something I hadn't considered.
I agree, tires are one of the most important things to take care of. I've never had a blowout, and that's probably because I'm always checking my tire pressure, inspecting them, and driving at acceptable speeds. You just need to get used to being passed when pulling a trailer! Thanks for commenting!
Great video, I have a 2014 ram 1500 rambox with 3.92 gears max tow 12,500 pounds with 8 speed 5.7 5,7 bed. I pull a 20 ft 4500 pound camper. I am getting a weight distribution hitch since my last 1000 mile trip from florida to up in the mountains of North Carolina I learned allot. Truck did well but up and down the those mountains I did 55mph as I did not want to strain the truck. Thanks, great video. I'm new to camping and these videos help. Keep it up
Thanks, glad this helped you! Weight distribution hitch with sway control is essential when towing with a half ton in my opinion, even with smaller trailers. Makes a big difference!
I have the same RV you do and a Ram 1500 Sport. I have a good WDH, I also upgraded the brakes for more stopping power, I also added the airlift 5000 with compressor. Tows great. I don’t have the tow mirrors, but added the slide on and an observation camera that is always on while driving, and a TPMS to monitor the trailer tires.
I upgraded from a 2004 Ram 1500 towing a 23' TT to a 2011 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman towing a 32' TT. Same setup as you with the airbags and weight distribution hitch 3.92 gearing tows like a dream.
Thanks for making this video, it gave some great tips. I've got a Ram 1500, GVW 8700 lbs. I'm planning to get a travel trailer that's about 4000 dry, I need to look at that cargo capacity, great tip.
Bought the trailer a 2020 Ketstone at 5600 dry then upgraded the truck to a 2014 Ram Outdoorsman crew cab and it tows the camper like a dream. It just turned 65,000 miles
2:23 Yep. The steering is definitely affected but possibly more importantly, the braking is _dramatically_ reduced. The front brakes of any vehicle is responsible for most of the braking power (most estimates are around 80% front, 20% rear) and this situation impacts stopping distance to a dangerous level.
I was amazed my 2015 F150 tow capacity is 13,400 and bed capacity of 3300lbs. I thought those numbers were wrong, but they are telling me that's the numbers. Thanks for the video, didnt think about checking cargo weight.
Glad to help! Those are very high numbers for a 1/2 ton. Impressive if that's correct... it's higher cargo capacity than a lot of 3/4 ton's! My brother's F150 is cargo capacity of about 2,000.
I don't know where you live but if you live in a cold winter climate, like I do, NE Ohio, those Airlift 1000 air bags are not going to last long. I have a 2015 Ram 1500 ecodiesel which is basically like yours including the rear coil suspension. I have done much research on enhancements for towing and hauling and I learned that The Airlift 1000 are made of a plastic material and just like all plastic, they will succumb to the weather more readily and begin to crack and leak air. That comes straight from an Airlift rep that I talked to. However, if you do want an expensive air bag like the A-1000 they now have made a similar one called the Airlift 1000HD that is made out of rubber and is better in cold climates. It looks the same except the bag is black...here is a link on Etrailer for you to consider. This newer model will fit your truck. www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Air-Lift/AL60818HD.html. I did not opt for them though I did consider them. What I did opt for is a product called Timbren's. They replace the bump stop over the rear axle. They are easy to install, I did it in a half hour, but they do cost a little more than the Airlifts. Here is link for those. www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Timbren/TDR1500DQ.html .... I bought mine actually from Summit Racing in Ohio because they had them in stock and I picked them up the same day instead of ordering them from Etrailer. I am quite delighted with the Timbren's because they do actually help with a little more cargo capacity. I'm 65 and I do know a few things about truck capacities and their failures so these Timbren's, for me was a great choice. However, if you want, as I said earlier a less expensive bag for your truck, just upgrade to the Airlift 1000HD. And no I don't work for either of these companies I mentioned..Happy Trails...
@@dannyixoye262 Thanks for the input! Sorry RU-vid blocked your comment for some reason. I also live in Ohio, and weather is always a concern! Thanks for the heads up, and it was a concern of mine as well, but the HD version wasn't out yet when I purchased them (at least I couldn't find them!). It is definitely an inexpensive upgrade and not one you should expect to last forever.
How do your rams do with the side to side wiggle? Did or do the airbags help with that? Or is that mostly just taken care of by a add on sway control with the equalizer set up?
Great information I have a 2016 ram crew cab with a hemi and I just purchased a 26 foot RV total is like 28 five I got a drive to Colorado to pick it up and I was getting a little nervous but you put my mind at ease. Thank you.
I've got a similar truck. Been wanting to get something to help support while towing. I always thought air suspension was a lot more expensive. I use WD hitch for our 7,000 trailer, but still get a fair amount of sway & bounce.Those airbags look like a good option. Going to try them out. Great video!
You can tow with a 1/2 ton like I did. It will pull it if you have a V8 . I pulled a 28 ft Travel Trailer with a Ford 5.4 with a 3:55 rear end . It did alright until I got in the rolling hills and valleys and it did alright there . But it was prone to sway from tractor trailers and cross winds . My Trailer was about 6500#. Little did I know that heavy duty tires would help but axle flex from the weight of the trailer tongue weight and load caused the Emergency Brakes to contact and create a lot of heat. That heat was enough to heat my aluminum wheels up and actually felt the heat when I walked by. I deflated the tire to keep it from exploding . Now that brings me to the difference in the 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton axle . The thick steel axle on the 1/2 ton flexed with the load and work hardens/ breaks the axle . The 3/4 ton axle is a 3 inch axle tube that the rear drum assy mounts on. It will carry twice the weight plus the extra weight of the truck. A 1/2 ton is about 4500 pounds the 3/4 ton is 7000 pounds. Then the Class E tires dont sway as easy.
Great information man! Makes me feel better about moving forward with a slightly larger trailer. I just got a Silverado 1500 crew with the I6 diesel. All the numbers spec out well. Nice info on the airbags as well!
Nice video. I’m brand new to rving, wanted to get started for so long and I always assumed I needed at least a 2500 truck. I found out my 2015 Silverado 1500 has 9,000 towing capacity. So we ended up getting a 26 ft. Jayco. It’s 6000 dry weight. We took our first trip and I drove by rpms not mph. It went smooth and learned a lot my first trip. The hardest part was the grape vine, it’s in California. The truck did great! I really want to invest in those air bags. I’ve got the sway bars and weight distribution hitch as well as the brake controller. So far so good. Videos like these helped me get started! Thanks!
Glad you liked it! You're the perfect example of why so many tow with a 1/2 ton... sometimes you've got to go with what you have! Stay safe and have fun!
You are the best ! My truck is pretty much identical with yours.I got the same set up as you. About to tow 7500lbs loaded trailer . 700 lbs toung weight. I'm planning not put anything in the bed just my wife and two kids in the truck. Just to be safe
I have that brand air bags and noticed the mounting hardware they supplied you for the valve is also rusted like mine! One would think these are going to be mounted on the exterior and subject to weather.....should be stainless. It isn’t rocket science people!
Great video. My latest truck is a RAM 2500 Hemi 4x4 (not a diesel) with a GVWR of 3100 pounds as a daily driver. We do not own a travel trailer and there are just two of us. As a HD truck, the fuel economy is about 12-13 mpg. There is factory air suspension that came with the vehicle. Passenger capacity of 5 adults with a 6'4" bed for all the luggage, no problem.
You got lucky when you bought the truck. With that towing capacity you have the 3.92 gears which most dealers and users do not seem to order the trucks with those gears. I bought mine and got lucky to get those gears in mine too. They make that truck really nice when towing things like this. When I tow our camper i never even hit the tow button because of how well it tows. Good video on the basic things people need to pay attention to.
You're right I got lucky since I wasn't planning on towing when I first bought the truck. Once I found out what it was capable of I was thrilled. Even though I don't "need" the tow/haul mode, it does smooth out the shifting and can help reduce wear and tear on the transmission (that's what I've been told anyway). I'd recommend using it! Thanks for watching and happy camping!
RAM has basically turned the 1500 into a car on steroids . 90% of Rams sold today are not set up for towing or payloads . Today's pickups seem to be more about image rather then what they was originally designed for .
@@zaneshovar6518 yup. Dealer quoted me parts and labor at $450 before tax. I bought the OEM integrated brake controller kit on ebay for $150 and installed it myself. Paid the deal $50 to program the computer but still came in way under $450.
Thanx. Your advice makes sence. Somethings you mentioned I never knew. I've been rving for 20 yrs. Never had an issue but now that I have a truck like yours I'm going to take it more seriously and consider the things you mentioned. Yes safety is my biggest concern. Thanx
Good video. Good explanation. So many people ignore cargo capacity. I have towed a 9200 pound trailer with a half ton but I was the only person in the truck so I was still within all the limits. Definitely not as stable as towing the same trailer with a 3/4 ton though. I have towed with an F150 gas V8, an F250 gas V8, and a Ram 2500 with the 5.9 Cummins. The only one I had any concern with was the F150, it was not as stable as the other two particularly in side winds. Had plenty of power just not as stable.
Thank you for sharing. I recently purchased a 2018 Ram Rebel half ton. I wish I could have gotten a bigger truck however don’t have the money to splurge. My family and I would love to go camping in a camper trailer. So now I’m looking for something nice that my truck would be able to handle. I appreciate the information you shared, now I have a better understanding of towing capacity. 👍🏼
There are definitely trailers out there, but be careful... Rebels tend to have lower towing capacity because they're built for off road. But still very capable trucks!
E.A.R. Same here. Got the 3.21 gears on mine. Called the dealership and told them I wanted to upgrade to the 3.92s ASAP. Supposedly it’s going to cost like 5k because of the 4x4. Pretty disappointed in this because I literally just traded in a Nissan Titan with 9,500 pounds toe cap. I sat right there and told them “I need more towing capacity than what I have”. They put me in this truck saying it was 11k pounds. Did my research and found out differently. Not very happy about this but what can I do, papers have been signed. So I guess once the availability is there to gear swap, that’s what I’ll be doing.
@@justintroy9827 Well that's a bummer! Salesmen should be held more accountable. I know there are some good ones out there, but seems like the majority just want to make the sale.
Living a Life Fulfilled He 100% just wanted to push a sale. I already tried to return the truck and swap it for one with 3.92. But basically it’s come down to my word versus his. I’ve already put 1k miles on the truck. So they won’t do it. I guess I’ll run it into the dirt and learn from my mistakes.
Just bought a Ram 1500 and same boat as you once were with now looking at a camper for next year. Great advice and thanks for putting this video together!
mrmotofy like all of us here I bought the horse before the carriage but the horse is 11 months from being paid off so next year I’ll have a stallion an a clydesdale in my stable
Absolutely incredible video I just bought a camper recently and we have a Chevy Silverado. I look forward to your next video and many more to come you did an amazing job I will listen to it and listen to it until it sinks into my head. I wish you would do a video on pulling a camper backing up with a camper I’ve never pulled one before and I sure don’t want to have an accident
It's 3.92, which is why the towing number is the highest possible on a Ram 1500 for that year. Still need to be careful with payload though! Thanks for watching!
Awesome video! I am currently shopping for a travel trailer to tow with my 18 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman and your video was an absolute goldmine of information for me. Gonna smash that subscribe button! Thanks again!
I have the 2017 ram 1500 outdoorsman as well with the 3.92 axle bought a 2019 trailer 35' 4" total length my truck came with the full tow package with brake controller and i have no problems pulling that size of trailer but do your home work
Living a Life Fulfilled I really hate when manufacturers advertise half ton trucks being able to tow 12,000 lbs but never mention anything about truck configuration and payload. Some nicely equipped F150 and Ram Chevy 1500 only have about 1200-1400 lbs payload and I’m surprised people hook up a 8000 lbs travel trailer or even a fifth wheel to that then put their entire family in the cab. It’s just mind blowing.
Nicholas Thon , I’m just getting into the world of pickups and larger than tent trailer RVs. From what I’ve discovered so far, payload is the most disregarded item concerning half tons and big trailers. Ha, I never understood all the pick up lingo and RV jargon. I now discover talking to a few people who have hauled trailers for many years that they nothing about it either. With the little knowledge I’ve gained I’m now spotting setups going down the highway that I can easily spot as overloaded.
I have a 2004 GMC 1500 2 wheel drive. I added helper springs upgraded shock absorbers, bigger tow mirrors an brake controller. I'm not hauling up and down mountains. I just go to the coast from Palm Springs. I have not yet purchased my travel trailer but have determined that the overall gross weight is under 7,500lbs and tongue weight lower than 500lbs.
Sounds like you've made some good upgrades! I noticed you didn't mention the trucks load capacities though... don't forget not all half tons are created equal and you should always look up your trucks tow and cargo capacities. I'm assuming you've done that though if you already know what to stay within when trailer shopping. Good luck!
Thanks! My 2012 RAM Crew Cab 2wd has the weight distribution hitch, air bags, upgraded shocks, and the HEMI. Got stuck with 3.55 gears so my total tow capacity dropped. Once I get the new trailer picked up we will be rolling. Thanks!
Great video mate! I just watched a far 'deeper' video on this subject, but your video is to the point, very simple to grasp and I was impressed your first advice was to employ a Weight Distribution Hitch. So did the previous video. Thanks. Thumbs up from me.
Excellent and informative video. I’ve seen other videos of 1/2 ton trucks that claim to pull a 37 to a 40ft travel trailer safely and I call it “bull***). Those trailers must weigh close to 10,000lbs. As you mentioned that’s already 1000lbs of tongue weight you must account for and with even a load capacity of 1500lbs that doesn’t even leave much for gasoline, occupants, and cargo. They’re just begging for trouble for themselves and others.
This is a coincidence, I'm driving a 2014 Ram 1500, and am planning on purchasing a 24' Forest River. Did you need to install airbags to level the ride?
A lot of people I’ve come across are over towing. I tow an 11,000lb (loaded) 5th wheel with a 2018 Ram 2500 Cummins. She sits level with no air in the bags. I put a little air in them to help with ride on rough highways.
Thanks for this video. I have a 2018 Ram Night Edition that already has air ride suspension and 3.92 gears with a hemi. We are looking to get a Coleman around 4k dry weight. I probably have similar cargo capacity as you. I’m stoked for spring!
Well done & said. I've towed Rv's for over 40+ years. Currently 30' tt @7200#'s with an F150 w/ heavy tow pkg. Rated for 10k tow & 2400# weight carrying capacity; but I feel it's (me) limit with my current setup. Maybe a flatbed trailer and your load was low profiled you'd safe with higher #'s. TT's have a lot of real estate to catch wind & high center of gravity. I too installed air bags. Not for capacity but ride quality. They DO NOT increase capacity ! Takes the proposing out when driving on wavy roads or train tracks & "squat".
When we were shopping for a trailer my "self imposed" limit was around 7,500lbs fully loaded (even though salesmen will say you can pull more!). One of the things I love about my Vibe trailer is the shape of the front. One of the most "aerodynamic" models out there. Thanks for watching!
If your using an air bag it's true that you won't increase your payload capacity but if you use a Timbren which activates if there's heavy load & it will be sitting on your axle, that will increase your payload capacity & will prevent your truck from squating.
Yes, they are much stronger, but also much more expensive and harder to install! You would still be limited by axle weight limits, but it would definitely help with cargo capacity.
Another tip if your buying a small lite weight trailer duel axels have less sway and try to get a configuration with the weight ahead of the axel especially if you opt for a single axel. You will have a lot less sway. Ask if the fresh water tank is forward of the axel. That will be nasty pulling all that water behind the axel. You’ll likely be all over the road especially with a single axel. One of my friends had that problem.
I completely agree! My parents recently bought a trailer and I convinced them 2 axles would be better (safer in case of a blowout too!). Thanks for adding that!
This is a good video. Payload is overlooked by a lot of people. The only other thing I did not like with a half ton was the trailer definitely tended to be effected by crosswinds more and it was more difficult to control. I always had a Ram 2500 diesel anyway but I did pull my 8700 pound (loaded) trailer a couple of times with an F150. The F150 had plenty of power and I was within towing and payload but it was not as stable as towing with a 3/4 ton.
Thanks for the kind words, and I agree 100%. I never worried about power, but sway was our biggest issue with a half ton. The heavier trucks with longer wheel bases are MUCH better at handling it.
I got my ram 1500 with the v6 gas engine paid off so I don't wanna go trade it in... I'm going to do some heavy mods to be able to pull a nice 25ft trailer...looking at re gear, tune, air bag and heavy duty coil ! With those mods it is guaranteed to tow and haul like a dream
@@LivingaLifeFulfilled not only that but if i have to start over, mind as well buy a different one and keep mine but at that point I won't have spare money to buy the travel trailer Lol...my little pentastar has the 3.55 i want to re gear to 3.92 with a custom engine tune and some heavy duty coils and air bags it will be fine...at that point will tow better than most v8 Lol and it only gonna cost me around 6k mods
great information! i have done a lot of this to my 1500 Ecodiesel, lift kit and airbags and upgraded tires to a higher load capacity. also upgraded to the tow mirrors and bought a LDH when we bought our 28' travel trailer. before the airbags i had some squat that i could feel the lift on the front of the truck. post airbag with 25 lbs of pressure it drives like a dream like i'm not even towing a trailer. we do have plans to upgrade to a 2500 in the future but will have a lot of the same upgrades if they will be needed. thanks for the info and great video!!
I have a 2014 Dodge Ram Outdoorsman that is the same color. I have been thinking about getting a toy hauler. This is a very good well done video . Thank you and I'm looking forward to seeing more from you.
No one that ever post these tow with a half ton truck videos ever shows their vehicles actual weight ratings and compares them to a scale weight ticket. Don't tow like this! There is no way he is not over payload. Hence, the airbags to offset squat. I tow an Open Range Light 280 RKS with a half ton Tundra and use an E2 equalizer hitch.The Tundra is rated to tow 10,000 lbs., has a gvwr of 7200 lbs, gawr front of 4000 lbs. 4150 rear, and a gcwr of 16,000 lbs. The camper is 6000 lbs. dry, and I travel light as we are close to home weekend campers. My wife always drives her car to the campsite as well. So, just me in the truck with a few things and I cut it close on payload. I have a CAT Scale 15 minutes from the house and I use it to verify I am within the numbers. I am well within my tow weight limit of 10,000 lbs. and gross combined tow weight of 16,000 lbs. but add anything like firewood or bikes to the truck and I am over payload. Watch some videos or ask someone for help to understand these numbers and go to the scales to know where you fall within them.
Did you even watch the video? You literally said the exact same thing I did. Go to 8:20 mark in the video to hear me talk about my cargo capacity. I'm sorry I didn't produce an actual CAT scale printout, or tell people to get weighed (oversight on my part making a quick video). That doesn't mean I never weigh my vehicles. Our trailer had a lighter tongue weight than most due to the location of the axles... they are slightly further apart with the front further forward just a hair. This lowers the tongue weight slightly without unbalancing the trailer to cause more sway. Cargo capacity (rear axle and overall) was always a concern for me... I almost obsessed about it. I even mention in the video the air bags are for ride quality and that they don't allow you to carry more weight. A little squat on a truck is normal, even if you're below your capacity (even on an HD truck), so that was just an added bonus of the bags. At the time of this video we were within our capacity, but as my boys grew (and grow they did!), I knew we had to change something to stay within a safe range, and I was tired of not being able to use the bed for cargo. That's when we upgraded to a one ton truck. I appreciate your info, and I agree with you 100% to get weighed and know your limits... that's why I made this video. But you probably shouldn't assume that everyone on RU-vid is the same and doesn't know what they are talking about.
Good info. I have a Dodge Ram 1500 as well and two a 34’ camper. I added active suspension kit to my truck and it has also made it a smoother ride. Good info on the tow mirrors I have been looking at adding those to my truck. Nice to hear the insights on them.
I gave up with my Ram 1500 as it seemed 50% truck and 50% car. It was good on pavement but not sure what to do off road or even gravel roads. It really did not like my 5000 pound camper and seemed very strained. Now that I have a 8 foot 1000 pound ATV to take camping i went o 2019 Ram 2500 6.4 hemi with long bed crew cab. It is perfect and handles both the atv and camper like butter. The rear end suspension on the Ram 1500 is really weak. I only like my payload and towing at about 50% to capacity for wear and tear.
Bigger trucks are hands down better for towing and hauling. But for those "stuck" with it, or can't afford anything else, I think RAM makes an excellent 1/2 ton truck, and the newer ones are more capable than ever... but still no replacement for a 3/4 or 1 ton truck!
So i have a similar setup and it works great on the flats and even the small hills but up here at altitude in the colorado mountains that truck really struggles. Always something to keep in mind! it will make it up the mountains but its not a fun time! I will be buying a diesel before i do it again.
Totally! You definitely have to think about how you'll be using your setup before you buy. We now have a diesel, and driving through the mountains is so much less stressful!
Nice truck. I have the exact truck except long bed and ramboxes. Love the truck and have towed quite a few trailers and it handles a lot better than I thought it would
It was a great truck that took us many places! We've since upgraded to a 3500 diesel, but the Outdoorsman did an awesome job for us. I even loved the two tone paint!
Some addtional things folks really need to consider. Axle weights - even though cargo capacity isn't exceeded your rear axle weight may be over loaded. MFG tongue weight doesn't include the weight of your hitch, the battery/batteries, the propane in the tanks or any cargo added inside the trailer forward of the trailer axles. Those weights can add 300+ pounds to the listed TW. Unless you load your trailer as you would for a trip you intend to take and have it properly weighed at a certified scale station you really don't know whether you are within the limits of your truck or not (especially with a half ton pick up).
Love your common sense to this issue I have f150 5.0, 3.31 gears , 2065lbs payload towing air steam 16rb single axle 3500 lbs loaded out do not use weight distribution hitch tongue weight 410 lbs max I'm under the specs for hitch caring weight 5000 lbs towing 500 tongue rating on their hitch . Never any swaying issue's under any circumstances . I'm over tucked love the ability descend 6% plus grade and emergency stops in total control . I keep ST on the trailer and LT tires that are specifically for towing on the truck only addition to truck airbags to firm up the rear end and eliminate any squat average over 15mpg in all types of towing . I never tow over 60mph I do not dog down going up any grades at all, only issue is staying awake on long straight freeways stretches .
Thank you! I guess being bored and fighting sleep is better than stressful white knuckle driving due to being overloaded. Thanks for commenting and adding your experience!
I did the same thing with my 2015 big horn 1500. We have a 26 foot grand design. Air bags help with squat and ride. We only run 20 psi on it and have a weight distribution hitch and adjustable sway control. Running e rated tires. We have no issues and love our set up!
Great video! I have a similar truck and this info saved me a lot of time. Also, thank you for the air bag tip. I added that last minute before my trip. Makes a huge difference.
Thank you for the informative information on towing. I do appreciate your great information. My concern would be the Ram's reliability issues. Towing through remote areas, I would be concerned about those Ram issues I have read about. I do wish you luck with that, and hope for the best in your travels. Thank you again!
Glad you liked the info! As far as reliability... I have no concerns. Ram has come a long way. I try not to get into "fanboy" stuff, which unfortunately a lot of reviews are based on. From my knowledge Ram has had no more issues than any other brand. Any truck could have issues at any given time, which is why good routine maintenance and roadside assistance plans are important.
I agree, also: 1. I see some bozos driving around - just a truck - with reverse rake, front high - thinking it is cool. 2. Cargo capacity is the payload. Also the same as vehicle weight less GVWR (loaded weight). 3. Tongue weight usually 10% of the total but I've seen 15%. 4. Depending on where the tanks are they will affect the balance if near full and if you front-load the trailer the dynamics will change.
I agree with everything you just said! I tried not to get too technical in this video with GVWR, GCWR and all... it can get overwhelming. Maybe I'll cover everything in another video! Future rig perhaps? 😂
Good for you to point out that the airbags should ONLY be used to stabilize your towing and should NOT be used to lift the vehicle or to increase GVWR (it doesn't)
Great video. I have a 2010 Ram 1500 and we are looking in to buying a travel trailer. I was looking for some options on upgrades to the truck and your video basically confirmed what I was thinking of doing.
So glad we could help! Good luck with the search and remember... don't take the rv salemsmans word for it... look up those trailer numbers for yourself! 😂
Sound advice! Excellent share, mate! As long as the truck capacities are within those of the RV; and the truck is properly equipped (e.g.: Weight distribution hitch; air suspension; proper brakes; etc...), things should go well.
@@LivingaLifeFulfilled Like anything else in life, there's more to it than meets the eyes. Whether it's a home service job on your car, renovating a bathroom, deer hunting, or Barbecuing the perfect rack of ribs... there's a right way... and everything else is just a mess. 🤣 Corrected typo 😁
Sound advice and explanation for any towing. I have an in-line stock trailer which allows me to haul livestock with my 1500... basically it has a fixed axle on the back and a pivoting one on the front... the effect is that the weight on the hitch is under 100 lbs... this style pulls easy but is much more difficult to reverse.
I have 2017 GMC Sierra1500 6.2 L with Weight distribution bars and airlift 5000 air bags with compressor under the hood and it rides great ! No sag and a perfect ride. With my truck they don’t have it on the door anymore it tells us to look in our owners manual . I bought my truck new in 2017 and I have $60k in mine lol. I see ppl towing and I’m like omg I’d be scared to be in that vehicle lol.
this is an excellent video, very informative. I also have Ram with the tow package and have been looking at trailers but I have only been looking in the 20 foot range and wondering how the truck will pull it and when you said you were pulling 35 foot WOWW!!!. I also have a neighbor with the same truck as mine and he pulls a long trailer that he said was 6900 lbs. He originally pulled it with a GMC and traded to the Ram because it pulled better. thanks for this video.
Glad you enjoyed it! It is impressive what these trucks can handle, but you still have to be very careful not to "max out" your numbers. And if you go as long as we are, make sure its a lightweight model, and not too tall. Remember you'll have wind to deal with! Be safe, and feel comfortable with what you're pulling.
I have a 2019 ram bighorn 4x4 1500 and a 2020 avenger 28qbsle tt. Weight is 6200 empty 34.5 ft. Just pulled it from myrtle bch. S.C. to the OREGON coast loaded for move. Used husky wdh. And load lift 1000 Air bags.It pulled flawlessly . Ran 65 to 70 seemed to get best mpg. my truck has 323 rear gear. Average mpg was 8.4.
These new boxed frame trucks or pick ups. They reinforce them around load points. (axles, etc) the center is the fuse point. If you get into a accident, the frame is made to bend down in the center to absorb shock. But once that happens your truck is totalled. Same now on the boxed 3/4 ton frames. If you go with a 3500 0r 4500 then your back to a C frame. Which means your the test dummy then.
For those that 1) tow a travel trailer under 8000lbs a few times a year for camping, and 2) use their truck as a daily driver, a 3/4 ton would be a pain in the ass to live with when not towing. The way to go is with an F-150 optioned with the HEAVY DUTY PAYLOAD PACKAGE. Forget the max trailer package. That won't cut it. The HDPP comes with a heavier frame than regular F-150s and will give you a payload rating between 2500 and 2700 pounds on a crew cab. You can only get them with 6.5ft beds on XL and XLT trims. These trucks will rival the payload ratings on a fully optioned F-250 diesel. If you want the 3.5 EcoBoost, you can get the HDPP and the max tow package. A truck like that would be a beast towing, but the main thing allowing you to tow heavier loads is the HDPP. No half-ton from GM or Ram can come close to an F-150 optioned in this manner. The closest thing would be a Titan XD.
You're absolutely correct with "properly equipped", which makes these much harder to find! A lot of people tow with a half ton because it's what they have already. But if you're buying a new truck with the intent of towing, then by all means... you should shop around for the best thing out there!
Towed our 22 ft. 5k, North Trail with a 2022 Ram 1500 1/2 ton and 5.7 Hemi. The Ram did OK, but drank gas like crazy averaging between 7.5 and 8 mpg on fairly flat roads, driving conservatively. Had to add air bags due to the severe squat as well. Decided to upgrade to a 2022 F250 6.2 gasser. The difference is night and day! Ram did OK, but you just don't feel the confidence like with the 3/4 ton. Wind buffeting is almost nil, and the ride is much less stressful. With the F250. I average between 10.5 and 12 MPG towing. With the Ram, my gas mileage was cut in half when towing. Yes, you can tow a fairly heavy travel trailer with a half ton, but it's a much less stressful and more enjoyable experience with a vehicle that is built for hauling, and towing. Just my opinion.
I agree 100%... when we upgraded to our Ram 3500 it was like the trailer wasn't even back there! The point of this video though is to show that it's at least possible to tow with a half ton. Ideal? No. And there is a lot to consider, but it's also not possible for some people to upgrade to a heavy duty truck right away (myself included). Thanks for your input and safe travels!
@@LivingaLifeFulfilled Thanks for the reply, and actually I learned how to set up my Ram for towing watching similar videos. There's so much more to towing a camper than simply hooking up a trailer and go. Safely anyway. Great! Folks like you are how people can learn to do things correctly/safely. Keep it up.
