Can I tow this much?

[mgrwc14]

First time finding this site and first time posting.
New to Towing and am trying to learn all I can. Here is my worry:

Truck: 2024 Ram 1500 V6 e-torque Big Horn\Lonestar 4x4 (3.21 Gear) 5'7" Bed Crew Cab
Class IV Hitch (Has the Tow/Haul mode but no break, but I will add the breaking later).
I googled and found the max towing for my truck is 7,730 pounds.

Trailer I am really wanting to get for the family but am worried about the truck not handling it:
2024 Grey Wolf DBH 29' 5"
UVW 5,581 lbs.
GVWR 7,621 lbs.
Cargo Capacity 2,040 lbs.
Most of the time will not be dry camping so would most likely not drive with the tanks full, but I plan to dry camp as well when the time calls.

I have been researching travel trailers and found that this grey wolf fits my family of 7 perfect and has everything we want. Now I am worried that the RAM will not be able to tow or handle it.
With everything that I have given above, what are your guys opinions on this?
Will my truck be able to handle and tow? Granted I live in CA and if you know about the grapevine in southern CA I will be going up that a few times a year. Is there anything I need to add to the truck to make it safer. Please let me know. Thanks!

 

[Eighty]

First time finding this site and first time posting.
New to Towing and am trying to learn all I can. Here is my worry:

Truck: 2024 Ram 1500 V6 e-torque Big Horn\Lonestar 4x4 (3.21 Gear) 5'7" Bed Crew Cab
Class IV Hitch (Has the Tow/Haul mode but no break, but I will add the breaking later).
I googled and found the max towing for my truck is 7,730 pounds.

Trailer I am really wanting to get for the family but am worried about the truck not handling it:
2024 Grey Wolf DBH 29' 5"
UVW 5,581 lbs.
GVWR 7,621 lbs.
Cargo Capacity 2,040 lbs.
Most of the time will not be dry camping so would most likely not drive with the tanks full, but I plan to dry camp as well when the time calls.

I have been researching travel trailers and found that this grey wolf fits my family of 7 perfect and has everything we want. Now I am worried that the RAM will not be able to tow or handle it.
With everything that I have given above, what are your guys opinions on this?
Will my truck be able to handle and tow? Granted I live in CA and if you know about the grapevine in southern CA I will be going up that a few times a year. Is there anything I need to add to the truck to make it safer. Please let me know. Thanks!

Forget anything you found online about max towing. The determining factor won't be pulling capacity, it will be payload.

Look at the sticker on your driver's side door jamb. It will list your maximum payload. This is for a fully-fueled truck, but no occupants or cargo. Now, from the value that's listed, subtract the weight of all the people and gear that you'll have in your truck (cab and bed). Whatever is left - that's your available tongue load. A properly-loaded trailer will put somewhere around 12% of its total weight onto the tongue.

As an example, let's say you have 1400 lbs of payload on your door sticker. And let's say it will be you (200 lbs), your wife (150 lbs), and another 300 lbs of kids and gear. You mentioned a family of 7, so your total number is probably higher.
1400 - 200 - 150 - 300 = 750 lbs of available tongue load.

Your trailer has a GVWR of 7621 lbs, which means your tongue load is somewhere around 915 lbs. That's overloaded. So you'll either need to lighten the trailer, or lighten the occupants and cargo in the truck.
Even the empty weight of the trailer (5581 lbs) will put your tongue load at 670 lbs. That's pretty close to your available tongue load. Not counting a weight-distribution hitch (if you plan on adding one).

So, the things you need to look at are:

• What does your door sticker say?
• How much weight do you realistically envision having in your truck cab and bed (occupants and cargo)?

 

[Bubba67]

Definitely get a wt. distribution hitch and trailer brakes. I love my equalizer, but get it installed by a reputable dealer and let them dial it in, it will help. Also you may need air bags in the coils. My one concern is how the v6 will perform, it may get over worked, as well as the tranny with the 3:21's. This website has a cool program for finding your specific tow rating. You may only have 8500 or so tow capacity.

You are doing great on the payload!

 

[mgrwc14]

Forget anything you found online about max towing. The determining factor won't be pulling capacity, it will be payload.

Look at the sticker on your driver's side door jamb. It will list your maximum payload. This is for a fully-fueled truck, but no occupants or cargo. Now, from the value that's listed, subtract the weight of all the people and gear that you'll have in your truck (cab and bed). Whatever is left - that's your available tongue load. A properly-loaded trailer will put somewhere around 12% of its total weight onto the tongue.

As an example, let's say you have 1400 lbs of payload on your door sticker. And let's say it will be you (200 lbs), your wife (150 lbs), and another 300 lbs of kids and gear. You mentioned a family of 7, so your total number is probably higher.
1400 - 200 - 150 - 300 = 750 lbs of available tongue load.

Your trailer has a GVWR of 7621 lbs, which means your tongue load is somewhere around 915 lbs. That's overloaded. So you'll either need to lighten the trailer, or lighten the occupants and cargo in the truck.
Even the empty weight of the trailer (5581 lbs) will put your tongue load at 670 lbs. That's pretty close to your available tongue load. Not counting a weight-distribution hitch (if you plan on adding one).

So, the things you need to look at are:

• What does your door sticker say?
• How much weight do you realistically envision having in your truck cab and bed (occupants and cargo)?

This was very helpful! I should have mentioned that this truck will just have me and my wife.
Kids will always be in a different car with my parents which is included in the 7.
So just me (200lbs) and Wife (150lbs)

So I took a look at the sticker and it says:
"The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 816 KG or 1799 LB. So I assume that is what I am looking for?

We have two trucks so realistically everything will be packed in the second truck. This one will just tow the trailer.

 

[mgrwc14]

Definitely get a wt. distribution hitch and trailer brakes. I love my equalizer, but get it installed by a reputable dealer and let them dial it in, it will help. Also you may need air bags in the coils. My one concern is how the v6 will perform, it may get over worked, as well as the tranny with the 3:21's. This website has a cool program for finding your specific tow rating. You may only have 8500 or so tow capacity.

You are doing great on the payload!

Yeah I talked to RV Coach and they said they can install a Weight Distribution hitch for about $900.
I will have to get the trailer breaks which they quoted me one for $300 and has Bluetooth (or something like that).
I was actually just looking into air bags for the coils! Not sure on those but will do my research.

I am just trying to make sure I can tow it safely and my engine is able to do so. I know it will struggle a bit but I am hoping it's a good struggle overall (if that is a thing lol).
Thanks!

 

[Eighty]

This was very helpful! I should have mentioned that this truck will just have me and my wife.
Kids will always be in a different car with my parents which is included in the 7.
So just me (200lbs) and Wife (150lbs)

So I took a look at the sticker and it says:
"The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 816 KG or 1799 LB. So I assume that is what I am looking for?

We have two trucks so realistically everything will be packed in the second truck. This one will just tow the trailer.

Ok, that’s good.

So you’re looking at an available tongue load of 1450 lbs. If you add a weight distribution hitch, that is 100% on the tongue. But even after deducting the weight of that, you could pretty easily haul the trailer you’re talking about…even with the trailer at fully loaded weight.

My truck, on the other hand, has an allowable payload of 1108 lbs. So I’m pretty screwed for hauling anything meaningful.

 

[mgrwc14]

Ok, that’s good.

So you’re looking at an available tongue load of 1450 lbs. If you add a weight distribution hitch, that is 100% on the tongue. But even after deducting the weight of that, you could pretty easily haul the trailer you’re talking about…even with the trailer at fully loaded weight.

My truck, on the other hand, has an allowable payload of 1108 lbs. So I’m pretty screwed for hauling anything meaningful.

That makes me feel so much better to hear...

So I the V6 engine is powerful enough to pull the trailer up hill as well? I know it will struggle but i figured it would. I had the 2018 Eco diesel before and that thing towed no problem. I was a bit worried about the standard v6 with e-torque.

I changed trucks because the 2018 was not a 4x4 and this new truck is but I could not find another eco diesel anywhere near me.

 

[Eighty]

That makes me feel so much better to hear...

So I the V6 engine is powerful enough to pull the trailer up hill as well? I know it will struggle but i figured it would. I had the 2018 Eco diesel before and that thing towed no problem. I was a bit worried about the standard v6 with e-torque.

I changed trucks because the 2018 was not a 4x4 and this new truck is but I could not find another eco diesel anywhere near me.

The EcoDiesel was discontinued in early MY 2023, if I recall correctly.
Can’t speak for your engine, as I have no experience with the 3.6L V6 Pentastar (or the 5.7L V8 Hemi for that matter).

 

[mgrwc14]

The EcoDiesel was discontinued in early MY 2023, if I recall correctly.
Can’t speak for your engine, as I have no experience with the 3.6L V6 Pentastar (or the 5.7L V8 Hemi for that matter).

Thank you though, you put my mind at ease. I appreciate everyone's input!

 

[irishwake63]

That makes me feel so much better to hear...

So I the V6 engine is powerful enough to pull the trailer up hill as well? I know it will struggle but i figured it would. I had the 2018 Eco diesel before and that thing towed no problem. I was a bit worried about the standard v6 with e-torque.

I changed trucks because the 2018 was not a 4x4 and this new truck is but I could not find another eco diesel anywhere near me.

I had an F150 with the 2.7 and it actually pulled my camper better than my Ram 1500 with the 5.7 just didnt sound as cool doing it

 

[mgrwc14]

I had an F150 with the 2.7 and it actually pulled my camper better than my Ram 1500 with the 5.7 just didnt sound as cool doing it

Wow haha. ok so I should be able to then. The RV place told me that the new Tacoma's can pull this 29' trailer and I was like no freaking way. But then again what do I know.

 

[Rickyrocket]

I would have the factory trailer brake installed, I have the curt version that plugs in between trailer and truck.It works bt is easily pulled out enough to make the lights quit working, don't get me wrong it works but can be a pain in the ***.

 

[mikeru82]

I had an F150 with the 2.7 and it actually pulled my camper better than my Ram 1500 with the 5.7 just didnt sound as cool doing it

Wow haha. ok so I should be able to then. The RV place told me that the new Tacoma's can pull this 29' trailer and I was like no freaking way. But then again what do I know.

Keep in mind the 2.7 EcoBoost is a twin turbocharged engine with basically the same torque rating as the 5.7 Hemi, but available at lower RPM than with the Hemi. The Pentastar engine is naturally aspirated, and has nowhere near the same torque as the 2.7 EB engine. The towing experience on hills will be much different than with the EB engine.

 

[Bubba1120]

Wow haha. ok so I should be able to then. The RV place told me that the new Tacoma's can pull this 29' trailer and I was like no freaking way. But then again what do I know.

Its one thing to tow a trailer, quite another to stop it, or even control it while your on the interstate, at 60 mph being passed by a semi. That can be a dangerous white knuckle experience if you have an undersized tow vehicle. I was not in an accident , but quickly learned that my dodge Durango could not safely tow my 29 foot travel trailer.

 

[Quint]

Its one thing to tow a trailer, quite another to stop it, or even control it while your on the interstate, at 60 mph being passed by a semi. That can be a dangerous white knuckle experience if you have an undersized tow vehicle. I was not in an accident , but quickly learned that my dodge Durango could not safely tow my 29 foot travel trailer.

I was going to make a similar point. The OP should absolutely make sure that trailer brakes are installed as I think that control and braking are bigger issues going downhill rather than getting up the hill.

 

[Bubba1120]

Agreed, get the OEM brake controller installed by the dealer. I have had aftermarket ones installed by the RV dealers when I didn’t know better, and they did the job, but some had to be level in order to work, or you banged your knee on them. Ram did a great job with designing it seamlessly into the middle dash.

 

[scj]

You mentioned blue tooth trailer brakes; I wouldn’t use that setup. Get the factory trailer brake kit installed in your dash by your dealer. Do not even think about pulling that trailer without trailer brakes. A 29.5’ trailer can apply some serious pressure to the back of your truck in an emergency situation as leverage is against you going into corners, etc. Air bags springs or helper springs should be installed to keep your truck level.
The way your truck is configured with the V6 and 3.21 gears is your biggest limiting factor on your towing capacity. Same truck with a V8 and 3.92 gears and tow package will tow 10,000 pounds. You really need to look at your door sticker to see towing capacity as your truck may have a receiver installed but without the towing package, you may be limited to 5,000 - 5,500 pounds of towing. Towing package includes brake controller, 3.92 gears, towing mirrors and additional coolers for transmission and engine. Don’t assume, make sure of the truck’s capabilities before you start spending money.

 

[Casull]

You mentioned blue tooth trailer brakes; I wouldn’t use that setup. Get the factory trailer brake kit installed in your dash by your dealer. Do not even think about pulling that trailer without trailer brakes. A 29.5’ trailer can apply some serious pressure to the back of your truck in an emergency situation as leverage is against you going into corners, etc. Air bags springs or helper springs should be installed to keep your truck level.
The way your truck is configured with the V6 and 3.21 gears is your biggest limiting factor on your towing capacity. Same truck with a V8 and 3.92 gears and tow package will tow 10,000 pounds. You really need to look at your door sticker to see towing capacity as your truck may have a receiver installed but without the towing package, you may be limited to 5,000 - 5,500 pounds of towing. Towing package includes brake controller, 3.92 gears, towing mirrors and additional coolers for transmission and engine. Don’t assume, make sure of the truck’s capabilities before you start spending money.

Towing package does not include 3.92 gears. That is separate. I have the towing package and 3.21 gears.

 

[scj]

Towing package does not include 3.92 gears. That is separate. I have the towing package and 3.21 gears.

You’re correct, I was confusing the Wagoneer tow package.

 

[Bubba1120]

You mentioned blue tooth trailer brakes; I wouldn’t use that setup. Get the factory trailer brake kit installed in your dash by your dealer. Do not even think about pulling that trailer without trailer brakes. A 29.5’ trailer can apply some serious pressure to the back of your truck in an emergency situation as leverage is against you going into corners, etc. Air bags springs or helper springs should be installed to keep your truck level.
The way your truck is configured with the V6 and 3.21 gears is your biggest limiting factor on your towing capacity. Same truck with a V8 and 3.92 gears and tow package will tow 10,000 pounds. You really need to look at your door sticker to see towing capacity as your truck may have a receiver installed but without the towing package, you may be limited to 5,000 - 5,500 pounds of towing. Towing package includes brake controller, 3.92 gears, towing mirrors and additional coolers for transmission and engine. Don’t assume, make sure of the truck’s capabilities before you start spending money.

I agree. OP will be limited in both payload and tow capacity due to the V-6 and and 3:21 gears. My previous truck had the hemi and 3:21 gears, towing a heavy bumper pull at around 7k. Once I got the truck and rig to 60-65 mph, it was fine, but getting there was sometimes an issue. I felt I over worked the tranny at times, even when i was in tow/haul.