So you want to tow a camper! Discussion thread.

[Trooper4]

No kidding. I’ve already made a few 2022 reservations.

Come to Washington. We have space

 

[GTLimited]

Just bought one yesterday as it's just the Mrs. and I these days and it looks like a really great "couples coach". Sadly, I won't be able to pick it up until mid-May as the RV dealers are overwhelmed with demand and that was the first available window for dealer prep, adding an exterior coating, etc.. Looking forward to the ownership experience and to SAFELY towing it based on insight I've learned here on the forums (e.g. how to install the trailer brake, load capacity, etc.).

Soon to be Ram owner here, but it's always interesting how 'relative' everything is. That 22MLE would be a downright mansion relative to my current 16ft rig that me, my wife, and 3 year old have a blast in! =)

 

[Big Dave TX]

I think I've posted this pic before but in the thick of the towing, arriving, unhooking battle I don't remember to take a pic (usually 95+ and a long day). After about a year, over 4K miles, my towing comments are:

Even with my 3.21, e2-Fastway WDH (which is GREAT) I tow at 60-65 and get 8-10 (depending on wind) running up and down the third coast (beaches and casinos).

I take to heart the engineer's comments at the beginning of this thread which is something like "let the engineering do it's work".

My numbers stay in the good range and mileage is as noted above.

Of course, no serious mountains (just the "Oklahoma hills where I was born"), mostly pretty flat.

Overall, a very satisfactory experience with lots of creature comforts in my Laramie.

 

[LoudHogRider]

Soon to be Ram owner here, but it's always interesting how 'relative' everything is. That 22MLE would be a downright mansion relative to my current 16ft rig that me, my wife, and 3 year old have a blast in! =)

Looks like you put your truck in the dryer, too!

Seriously, those tear-drop campers are great little units. But by the time I was done trying to incorporate Mrs. LHR's must have and wish list items, there's no way we would have been able to get by with that kind of a unit. It's a trade-off on creature comforts and where you can go with a great boondocking unit like you've got there. We're in our 60's, so creature comforts FTW!

It will be nice to get out and see some of our magnificent country again. Can't wait to hit the road. Enjoy (in moderation, of course)!

 

[BalckBear91]

Does anyone know the spring rate of the Non ORP rear coil springs?

 

[abody711]

Made first trip with my Grand Design Reflection 260rd. The tongue weight is 1373. So I am pushing the payload capacity with me and the wife plus gas. I didn’t monitor transmission temp but the engine temp never moved from normal reading. I towed into the foothills of Smoky Mountains. I did add Timbren extended bump stops for the rear axle. The rear of the truck was only a couple of inches lower than the front. Mpg was 9.6 And engine never struggled with the weight.

 

[Oldphart]

Question regarding towing capacity....3.31 - 3.92 axle = 18% difference. 8,100 - 11,720 tow limit = 45% difference. The tow package, according to the build app does not include an additional oil or transmission cooler. Does not compute in my mind unless I missed something. I had a GMC Canyon with a 3.42 axle ration that had a 7,000 tow limit. Could RAM be underestimating the tow capacity for the 3.31 ratio trucks?

 

[IvoryHemi]

Question regarding towing capacity....3.31 - 3.92 axle = 18% difference. 8,100 - 11,720 tow limit = 45% difference. The tow package, according to the build app does not include an additional oil or transmission cooler. Does not compute in my mind unless I missed something. I had a GMC Canyon with a 3.42 axle ration that had a 7,000 tow limit. Could RAM be underestimating the tow capacity for the 3.31 ratio trucks?

It’s 3.21 not 3.31 ( so 22% difference).

The 11,000 lbs+ tow ratings are mostly for marketing.

I wouldn’t want to tow 11k with the 1500 the same as I wouldn’t want to tow 7k with the Canyon

 

[devildodge]

All HEMI trucks come built to tow.

The oil and transmission cooler are standard.

The towing package is just mirrors hitch and brake controller. Only a bargain on tradesman and Bighorn...as the other 3 trims come standard with the hitch

 

[devildodge]

The towing numbers are bogus

3.21 is 13900 GCWR

3.92 is 17000 GCWR

So 3100lbs difference


Look at the GCWR and GVWR of your Canyon...you will see the RAM is higher

 

[IvoryHemi]

The towing numbers are bogus

3.21 is 13900 GCWR

3.92 is 17000 GCWR

So 3100lbs difference


Look at the GCWR and GVWR of your Canyon...you will see the RAM is higher

Yep, Ram’s GCWR has a 22% difference , same as the axle ratio spread.

Canyon CC 4x4 looks like 6,000 lbs GVWR and 12,000 lbs GCWR for reference

 

[WXman]

So I moved up to a 8.5x24' enclosed trailer with twin 5,200 lb. axles under it. I converted the front of it into a very simple place for primitive camping with a microwave, table top for making sandwiches, cabinet for silverware and dishes, power outlet to run outside to a generator, etc. I put some e-track in the floor. Typically we haul a UTV and ATV and camping gear, or, we use it to haul our New Holland Workmaster 40 with loader attached.

Total weight on the trailer ranges from around 6,300 lbs on camping trips to close to 8,000 lbs when hauling the tractor.

Truck will cruise in overdrive @ 65-70 MPH. It'll use 8th gear but downshifts to 7th on inclines or in windy conditions. It's quiet inside the truck with the engine loafing along at 2,000 RPM dragging that mass down the road. The brakes are so huge that 17" wheels won't even fit this truck and stopping power isn't an issue, especially with the trailer having its own brakes. I have the Timbren SES kit so the truck rides like a dream while towing and doesn't sag.

The one big issue is curb weight. At 5,400 lbs. this truck just doesn't have enough *** to drag this trailer down the road on a windy day without being blown around in the lane. It's a two handed tight gripped affair the entire way, which wears me out. Last week on a 500 mile round trip I literally got a cramp in my right forearm from fighting the steering wheel. This is where a 1/2 ton truck just doesn't cut it. The additional ton of weight in the HD trucks would REALLY make towing this a lot safer and comfortable.

With the Gen 3 EcoDiesel/8HP/3.92 combo Ram has actually put more powertrain in these trucks than the chassis can handle.

 

[silver billet]

I think we've been saying that all over this forum for years now; don't tow a TT >= 8000 pounds. Doesn't matter if you have the ED or not. The hemi has no issue towing the weight, though it will obviously rev higher to do the same amount of work.

 

[devildodge]

Yep, Ram’s GCWR has a 22% difference , same as the axle ratio spread.

Canyon CC 4x4 looks like 6,000 lbs GVWR and 12,000 lbs GCWR for reference

I hate looking up specs of other trucks.

So thanks...and it looks like the RAM HAS 1100 MORE GVWR and 1900 to 5000 more GCWR

Edit: fixed it . I am so used to saying there is 3000lbs difference in the HD Hemi

 

[IvoryHemi]

I hate looking up specs of other trucks.

So thanks...and it looks like the RAM HAS 1100 MORE GVWR and 1900 to 3000 more GCWR

5,000 more GCWR

 

[Rebelguy2020]

So I moved up to a 8.5x24' enclosed trailer with twin 5,200 lb. axles under it. I converted the front of it into a very simple place for primitive camping with a microwave, table top for making sandwiches, cabinet for silverware and dishes, power outlet to run outside to a generator, etc. I put some e-track in the floor. Typically we haul a UTV and ATV and camping gear, or, we use it to haul our New Holland Workmaster 40 with loader attached.

Total weight on the trailer ranges from around 6,300 lbs on camping trips to close to 8,000 lbs when hauling the tractor.

Truck will cruise in overdrive @ 65-70 MPH. It'll use 8th gear but downshifts to 7th on inclines or in windy conditions. It's quiet inside the truck with the engine loafing along at 2,000 RPM dragging that mass down the road. The brakes are so huge that 17" wheels won't even fit this truck and stopping power isn't an issue, especially with the trailer having its own brakes. I have the Timbren SES kit so the truck rides like a dream while towing and doesn't sag.

The one big issue is curb weight. At 5,400 lbs. this truck just doesn't have enough *** to drag this trailer down the road on a windy day without being blown around in the lane. It's a two handed tight gripped affair the entire way, which wears me out. Last week on a 500 mile round trip I literally got a cramp in my right forearm from fighting the steering wheel. This is where a 1/2 ton truck just doesn't cut it. The additional ton of weight in the HD trucks would REALLY make towing this a lot safer and comfortable.

With the Gen 3 EcoDiesel/8HP/3.92 combo Ram has actually put more powertrain in these trucks than the chassis can handle.

The 8.5 foot width of the trailer is what is causing the white knuckle driving, gets worst with high wind/cross wind. You are brave to make long trips, you should reduce your speed with all that weight.
I did tow my flatbed trailer @ around 7,000lbs with no issues, sure is nice to have a diesel, efficient and effortless!

 

[silver billet]

The 8.5 foot width of the trailer is what is causing the white knuckle driving, gets worst with high wind/cross wind. You are brave to make long trips, you should reduce your speed with all that weight.
I did tow my flatbed trailer @ around 7,000lbs with no issues, sure is nice to have a diesel, efficient and effortless!

Yes absolutely, there is a big difference between a flatbed @ 7000 vs TT @ 7000. That's why the ratings are so high, because (theoretically) the 1500 could control a flatbed at much higher weights than a giant box.

Some people drop a 5w on the back, shrug and say "ram won't lie by saying I can pull this weight". But Ram doesn't know what shape the weight is, or how much is transferred to the truck, so you have to use your head too.

 

[Uga40]

I agree. I tow a 26Ft (hitch to spare) travel trailer with an r3 recurve WDH around 6K lbs. If it is windy, the sway is noticable. Not sure if a different hitch would make a difference or not.

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[brian42]

I think we've been saying that all over this forum for years now; don't tow a TT >= 8000 pounds. Doesn't matter if you have the ED or not. The hemi has no issue towing the weight, though it will obviously rev higher to do the same amount of work.

I completely agree. There's more to towing that just doing the math.

A post I made in another thread:

The manufacturer has built some conservatism into their numbers as they have tested to make sure that you can operate within those limits safely for the life of the vehicle.

I see people exceeding limits all the time and it is something that I am not willing to do. Not only for legal reasons but my personal comfort level too. I grew up traveling where getting there was half the fun (we drove places on vacation instead of flying) and it is no fun to haul at the limits of the equipment.

I'm coming from a 3/4 ton diesel for 11 years prior to this and one of my decisions to "drop down" to a 1/2 ton was that I was not going to be towing much any more.

For me there's more that goes into a towing decision besides just the numbers, wind sail being a big one.

My personal (overly) conservative limits:

1. Anything that is over 30' is a 3/4 ton. Sway and wind sail are much better controlled with a heavier truck and longer tow rig wheelbase.
2. 5th wheel is a 3/4 ton. Heavier pin weight would probably max out payload and will put a larger strain on the rear axle. The 3/4 ton has a full-floating rear axle to better support that load in addition to beefier suspension.
3. Anything under 25' and no more than 8000 lbs GVWR can be a 1/2 ton. Small enough to stay within limits and less chance of the "tail wagging the dog".
4. 25' - 30' - by default I would use a 3/4 ton but could be a 1/2 ton. Judgement call based on GVWR and side profile.

These are just my personal comfort levels after owning 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks (Ford F-150, Ford F-250, and now a RAM 1500). I'm sure others are willing to go a lot further but, as I said before, getting there is half the fun in my family.

 

[Uga40]

I completely agree. There's more to towing that just doing the math.

A post I made in another thread:

The manufacturer has built some conservatism into their numbers as they have tested to make sure that you can operate within those limits safely for the life of the vehicle.

I see people exceeding limits all the time and it is something that I am not willing to do. Not only for legal reasons but my personal comfort level too. I grew up traveling where getting there was half the fun (we drove places on vacation instead of flying) and it is no fun to haul at the limits of the equipment.

I'm coming from a 3/4 ton diesel for 11 years prior to this and one of my decisions to "drop down" to a 1/2 ton was that I was not going to be towing much any more.

For me there's more that goes into a towing decision besides just the numbers, wind sail being a big one.

My personal (overly) conservative limits:

1. Anything that is over 30' is a 3/4 ton. Sway and wind sail are much better controlled with a heavier truck and longer tow rig wheelbase.
2. 5th wheel is a 3/4 ton. Heavier pin weight would probably max out payload and will put a larger strain on the rear axle. The 3/4 ton has a full-floating rear axle to better support that load in addition to beefier suspension.
3. Anything under 25' and no more than 8000 lbs GVWR can be a 1/2 ton. Small enough to stay within limits and less chance of the "tail wagging the dog".
4. 25' - 30' - by default I would use a 3/4 ton but could be a 1/2 ton. Judgement call based on GVWR and side profile.

These are just my personal comfort levels after owning 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks (Ford F-150, Ford F-250, and now a RAM 1500). I'm sure others are willing to go a lot further but, as I said before, getting there is half the fun in my family.

Totally agree with this. My TT is 22ft living and 26 ft hitch to spare and it is the limit of my comfort level.

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