2014 Ram 1500 hemi towing

[Jackcat2]

Another neighbor is seriously considering the purchase of a 2014 Ram 1500 hemi, 3.91 gearing, possibly the 8 spd automatic. The truck has a payload of 1700 lbs, and he is ok with that. His trailer weighs in at just under 8k loaded, a 27 ft. classic. Thought I would ask forum members for their advice on this truck.

[Jfuller678]

I have that exact truck (it's a 4 wheel drive) and I am very happy with the way it tows my 27' Safari that weighs about 7,000 lbs fully loaded. I recently drove it from San Diego to Denver crossing several 10,000 ft mountain passes and averaged 11 MPG. Going up the passes I cruised comfortably at 50 MPH at 3,500 RPM.

Obviously you will get more towing capacity with a Diesel engine, but since this is my primary vehicle I wanted a vehicle that cost less to purchase and, hopefully, to maintain.

[BoldAdventure]

I have an earlier version, my numbers are similar to stated above. Very capable, very comfortable truck. I pull a 27ft International Signature FB.

[paiceman]

jackcat:

I realize there will be posts refuting my input, there is each time this subject comes up. That said it is my opinion that 1,700# is on the light side - people, "stuff" and hitch weight of the trailer all are considered payload. Yes it will tow the trailer, no question and do a good job as well. But, that is not the only factor to consider - the total combined weight of the truck and trailer plus ALL contents should also be considered. As well as the tire ratings on the half ton pick up. I realize this is a Ram, but the info below applies and is off of Toyotas website. Keep in mind that the published payload etc is based on a stock, stripped truck. Any extras are considered payload.

UNDERSTANDING PAYLOAD* (See chart on page 3)
A truck’s published payload capacity or rating is the starting guideline for
carrying cargo. Payload is the weight of everything that a truck can carry
and includes vehicle occupants, optional equipment, contents in the
pickup bed or cabin and the tongue weight of a trailer. Many consumers
believe that only cargo placed in the pickup bed is counted as payload
and mistakenly do not consider passengers or other factors that add
weight to a vehicle, such as options or additional equipment.
The maximum payload capacity is determined by subtracting the
vehicle curb weight from the manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR). It’s easy to see that different cab/bed configurations will have
different maximum payload ratings if the trucks have the same GVWR.
A regular cab truck weighs less than a crew cab, so the payload
capacity is usually higher for the regular cab, providing the GVWR is the
same for both vehicles. When calculating maximum payload capacity,
it’s important to note that the manufacturer’s published curb weight may
differ from the actual vehicle weight due to factory or dealer options.
And remember that the shipping weight listed with the vehicle
documents does not allow for a full tank of fuel. Owners expecting to
haul loads approaching the published payload rating for a particular
truck configuration should weigh the vehicle at a commercial scale with
a full tank of gas to ensure that the GVWR is not exceeded when the
expected passengers and cargo are loaded.

I considered this info when we bought our first Diesel and now our second. I also use the truck as a daily driver, but wanted to be comfortable and safe while towing.

Safe Travels.

[Rawn77]

PLEASE

Do not let people sway you into thinking the RAM can't do it's job with that Classic.
I've owned 3 RAM 1500's; two of them with the Hemi and 3.92 rear diff. I tow a 30' FC with NO problem.
I'll be receiving next week my '15 30' Classic and will be towing with my 1500 RAM.

Tow vehichles and hitches are the most hotly contested issue on this forum so instead of listening to everyone; it's easier to just listen to me.

The RAM is awesome and can pull ANY Airstream!

[Sodbust]

My 1500 (2012) Ram plays with our Overlander fully loaded along with our 1200 lbs. Yamaha Rhino in the box.. Right at the payload,, hitch limit..

The only time I miss my 98 2500 Ram with the Cummins is anything over 7000 feet agl.. Then I notice a little lack of the raw power it has otherwise..

Dont miss the added $12,000 cost for the diesel,, along with the 50 to 70 cent extra price per gallon cost for #2 diesel since I moved back to a gasser..

Our Ram running around hauling postholes (empty) always touches the 20mpg mark on trips and thats a tad better than my diesel did empty,, Yes I miss the diesel but I am enjoying running a gasser again..

Sodbust

[Akronguy]

I have a 2014 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi 4x4 Tradesman. MPG is 14-16 w/o a trailer and 10 with my 25 foot Excella.
No problem towing anything. Your 1500 should have no issues with what you will tow.

[m.hony]

If my Tundra can do it, then why not?
Trailer, me and my wife, and fuel maxes out the payload. Bicycles and firewood make us overloaded by the numbers. The truck doesn't seem to know or care.

[Jackcat2]

Thanks for the replies. Always good info. With the capabilities of today's "half ton" gassers, those of us who also use our TV for a daily driver have more options than ever. We are also considering one, having recently sold our '12 Ram 3500. Great truck when towing, but...

[dkottum]

Manage your payload and axle weights and I don't see the problem.

[interstateflyer]

I was surprised when I saw the payload numbers on the door jamb of my 2013 RAM 1500 Crew Cap 2wd.

The 2013 RAM 1500 Pickup Towing Chart listed payload for the exact model is 1620. The door jamb says "the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 1483". So it's probably a good idea to look at the actual truck's weight sticker before you buy.

I added a bed cap and after market air bags and replaced the OEM Goodyears with Michelin LTXs. It easily tows my 23D.

[westernjeep401]

Originally Posted by jackcat

Thanks for the replies. Always good info. With the capabilities of today's "half ton" gassers, those of us who also use our TV for a daily driver have more options than ever. We are also considering one, having recently sold our '12 Ram 3500. Great truck when towing, but...

I towed this with mine.

No, not really. However it's a great puller for our coach.

[interstateflyer]

What Hitch System (weight distribution/sway control) is everyone using with their RAM 1500?

[dkottum]

We use a ProPride hitch. Wouldn't recommend anything less for this truck.

[switz]

Note that a 27FB Flying Cloud or International have a GVW of 7,600 pounds (average factory empty weight 5,846 pounds between the two trim lines) while the 2014 Classic 27FB has a GVW of 9,000 pounds (factory empty weight of 6,672 pounds). Part of that weight increase is the larger (54 gallon) fresh water tank, 800 pounds of hickory cabinets. larger capacity propane tanks and group 27 versus group 24 batteries.

Thus the gross combination towing weight must also be considered as well as the maximum trailer weight. Many ½ tons are rated for a 7,500 pound trailer or less.

Inquire if your insurance carrier will cover a 7,500 pound trailer rated truck towing a 9,000 pound trailer in the event of an accident. They often look for a way to deny a claim....

From the Dodge build sheets, the standard cab 1500 Ram 5.7 liter gas series are rated for a 9,250 pound trailer with no accessories while the diesel engine models are rated 7,300 pounds. The payload with no accessories drops from a high of 1,635 pounds. Selecting a 4x4 option drops payload by 200 pounds.

While the quad cab models get an increase in trailer weight it comes with a significant decrease in payload capacity before options. A fully loaded 1500 diesel 4x2 Laramie Ltd is rated for a 8,600 pound trailer and has 1,115 pounds of payload while the 4x4 model is rated for a 8,400 pound trailer and only 881 pounds of payload.

There is more to the decision than starting forward motion.

[interstateflyer]

Originally Posted by dkottum

We use a ProPride hitch. Wouldn't recommend anything less for this truck.

Doug,

What is it about the RAM 1500 that makes ProPrides a necessity?

[slowmover]

Trucks by design have worst handling and braking of any vehicle. Rollover prone. This hitch type is as much needed by TV as by TT


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[Castaway]

Originally Posted by interstateflyer

What Hitch System (weight distribution/sway control) is everyone using with their RAM 1500?

Between our 2010 Ram with 4.7 and 2014 Ram Hemi we have over 10,000 miles using a Reese and have no problems with sway. Our normal speed is around 60 mph, maybe traveling faster would cause problems but what is the hurry.


Gary

[interstateflyer]

Gary....which Reese hitch do you use on your 1500?


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[Castaway]

Reese High Performance Trunion Weight Distribution Hitch with Trunion Bars

Reese PN 66021



Gary