19 RAM 1500 + AS GT 25ft - Having Payload/Tongue Weight Issues?

[qualitydays]

Hello,

New to this forum, please take it easy on me.

I've got a great problem, My wife is saying "when you gonna get the truck and airstream." She is pushing me because the weather is getting good

I'm about to pull the trigger on :

19 RAM 150 Limited with all the tow related options and 20" tires.
19 Airstream Globetrotter 25

I'm reading about issues with the tongue weight and a low payload specific to this RAM/AS combo.

adult - 200lbs
adult - 130lbs
3 toddlers - 100 lbs

We pack heavy.

I do not want to jump to 2500 due to size and features.

What do you guys think?

[lsbrodsky]

You will get a slew of answers, in every possible configuration. You did not say what kind of hitch, which is also a factor. I have a 25 with a ProPride and I was at my payload limit with my 1500 with two adults, a dog, and not packing heavy, a BAK flip tonneau on the truck bed.
I now have a 2500HD without a worry about payload and a topper that lets me keep things locked in the truck bed. My personal experience is that the 2500 tows a lot better than the 1500 did. This is mostly detectable through hills and mountains, and stopping distance. YMMV
Larry

[Bill M.]

You probably need to look at the door sticker on the actual truck for the payload and try to get a viable tongue weight for the trailer. I pull a 25’ with a 2500 so do not know much about the smaller tow combos. Ford has some 150’s with high payload ratings. I know people that have gone from 250 fords to 150 fords with bigger trailers the one you list and have been pleased with the 150. I do not personally know anybody towing a heavy trailer with a 1500 Dodge.

[out of sight]

Definitely check the payload sticker on the vehicle you want to buy. The brochure and the salesman may tell you it has a 2000 lb payload, but that's for a stripped down truck. Then you have to subtract the weight of all the options: 4wd, crew cab, leather seats, diesel engine, RAM boxes, sun roof, bed liner, bed divider, etc. I have seen a 1500 Limited door sticker showing 960 lbs of payload capacity.

[Countryboy59]

Most 1500s are between 1200 and 1400 lb payload.

[qualitydays]

Ok shucks, sounds like 1500 won't cut it.

I thought the 1500 was big, the 2500 is huge!

Now considering 2500 - I do not want a diesel, does the 6.4 do the job?

I see a big jump in Payload. Are there any concerns the 2500 wouldn't have similar weight issues?

I am carrying 2 yamaha 2000 generators and a trailer mover in the bed amongst other things.

[out of sight]

My 2500 limited with all the options, diesel, 4wd, shortbed has a payload sticker of 1835 lbs.

Note that RA publishes their weights and capacities for each configuration, including axle base weights, in their Trailer Towing Chart, available online. There's a chart for each model (1500, 2500, 3500). You still have to deduct for the additional options you want.

[lsbrodsky]

No issue with the 2500 on payload, it can carry all you want. I have a Chevy gas because I am not a diesel fan and the Chevy 6.0 tied with its 6 speed and towing package has got plenty of umpfh. It is big, but so is any pickup. I was worried about comfort but the dealer let me drive it for a day before I made a decision. No worries, trucks today are as comfortable as most cars; the days of buckboard rides are gone. I will confess that I try to avoid parallel parking, but that was also true in my 1500. I have been driving the 2500 for two years now, no bumps or scratches. Just my opinion and experience, but am much happier with the 2500. Oh, the 36 gallon tank was a big selling point although I understand some trims of FORD half-tons have a big tank.
Larry

[drbrick]

First thing is do not take the word of any dealer about the capability of any truck to tow or payload. Do the research Here is a YouTube video to consider.

https://youtu.be/qwFLOBrADBs

[BillfromWI]

I have a 2014 Flying Cloud 25 Front Bedroom Twin. The Airstream Web site shows only front bedroom floor plans for the Globetrotter; it is identical to mine.

The specified tongue weight is 837 lbs. I had it weighed at Jackson Center loaded for travel with about a half tank of water and probably 75% propane. (I was there for warranty work, returning from two weeks on Louisiana.) Total cargo in the trailer was about 800 lbs. The tongue weight was 1,252 lbs.

When I ordered it I did my home work assuming 837 lbs. and selected a 144" wheel base F-150, max tow, max payload. I was using an Andersen hitch which will not transfer much weight. After the 1,252 lb. surprise I made a number of trips to CAT scales. The drive axle was overloaded by 850 lbs. I switched to a Blue Ox with 1,500 lb. bars and eventually got the steer axle to the unhitched weight and the drive axle to 100 lbs. over is weight rating but the trailer ride was very rough, based the stuff that was on the floor, etc. That concerned me a lot. I traded the Ford for a GMC 2500 Duramax, reinstalled the Andersen, and revisited the scales. All good.

The moral of the story: Be sure you have an accurate assessment of your total cargo weight. Airstream weighs every trailer right, left, and tongue as they come off the line and they will give you that information if you ask. Front bedroom 25s have a reputation for heavy tongue weights.

Good luck. I recommend a "3/4 ton" and I love my diesel.

[Rgentum]

I hear that you want to use a Ram 1500 to tow an AS 25, and that you are getting some feedback suggesting that's not such a great pair, and that you should consider a 2500 instead, which you would not prefer to do.

Alternatively, you could go in the opposite direction and get a smaller AS instead. That doesn't seem to have been considered yet, although that should allow you to use a 1500 probably quite satisfactorily.

I should make my prejudices clear: I bought an AS 27 and towed it with a Ram/Cummins 2500, which, after 30K carefree miles, I traded in for a Ram/Cummins 3500, which I find ideal.

[dgutwein]

I've been pulling a 27' Globetrotter with a 2017 RAM 1500 for 18 months (12,000 miles) and have not had an issue. I have the 4X4 5.7L V8 with a Crew Cab and the 3.92 Axle rating. The max trailer weight on this set up is 10,140 lbs with payload of 1510. I have an equalizer weight distribution and anti sway hitch and it sits well and hasn't had an issue pulling up steep hills or stopping down them. Hope this helps!

[greenflag]

I towed my 25 foot AI for two years with a 1500 GMC. I stepped up to a 2500 and was much happier. The whole tow experience was much more stable. My 1500 handled like it was over payload.
With three toddlers I don't think I would go to a smaller Airstream. I see you got the same pressure from your wife that I got. I took the plunge and have not been sorry.
Welcome to the Forums.

[Robv3]

Originally Posted by qualitydays

Hello,

New to this forum, please take it easy on me.

I've got a great problem, My wife is saying "when you gonna get the truck and airstream." She is pushing me because the weather is getting good

I'm about to pull the trigger on :

19 RAM 150 Limited with all the tow related options and 20" tires.
19 Airstream Globetrotter 25

I'm reading about issues with the tongue weight and a low payload specific to this RAM/AS combo.

adult - 200lbs
adult - 130lbs
3 toddlers - 100 lbs

We pack heavy.

I do not want to jump to 2500 due to size and features.

What do you guys think?

A WD hitch transfers the tongue weight to tow vehicle front axle (30%) rear axle (40%) and trailer axle (30%). I just went through this with my MB GL350 and everything worked out perfectly while I thought originally I would need a bigger vehicle to tow my AS International 27FB Experts on this subject are the folks at Canam RV in London Ontario.

[Starlight Mike]

I’ve had both, go with 2500, consider diesel

[NoResults]

My 2016 Ford F150 has a carrying weight of 1957 lbs and pulls by 27 ft just fine.


Dave

[Life is a Highway]

By your second truck first 3/4 ton Diesel
My wife was so mad she forced us into a1/2 ton

We now smile towing

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by qualitydays

Hello,

New to this forum, please take it easy on me.

I've got a great problem, My wife is saying "when you gonna get the truck and airstream." She is pushing me because the weather is getting good

I'm about to pull the trigger on :

19 RAM 150 Limited with all the tow related options and 20" tires.
19 Airstream Globetrotter 25

I'm reading about issues with the tongue weight and a low payload specific to this RAM/AS combo.

adult - 200lbs
adult - 130lbs
3 toddlers - 100 lbs

We pack heavy.

I do not want to jump to 2500 due to size and features.

What do you guys think?

Hello, I have a similar situation. We ordered a 27’ Globetrotter (similar tongue wt) and went to the Ram dealer with the specs. Salesperson ran the numbers in the Ram Configuration Tool (trailer wt., payload) and found a ‘19 Ram Laramie for us at another dealer. The Tool stated the payload was 1840# - a good fit for us. Turns out the door sticker stated actual payload for our truck is 1220#, not 1840. A trip to the CAT scales indicated we’re over the 4100# rear axle max.

To his credit, our salesperson worked with the Ram regional rep to authorize a buy-back. We’re waiting for the final figures and will go with a gas 2500. Payload on two different gas 2500’s was 3100 and 3200. Will vary by options but always 600-800# more than a diesel. *I drove both and would LOVE a diesel but can’t justify the extra $9K.

I really like the ‘19 Ram 1500 but am concerned about being so close to the max payload. I agree with the other posters who recommend the 2500 for peace of mind. The 6.4 Hemi will do the job just fine. Fuel mileage is a minus but you can buy a lot of gas for $9K. Plus maintenance costs are higher for the diesel.

Since you’re starting from scratch, take a hard look at the ‘19 Ram 2500 with Towing Technology and Safety Group options. Also, in mid-June they’re releasing the Trailer Tire Pressure Monitor system so you can monitor the Airstream’s tires from the Ram’s dash. It will warn you when a tire loses 10% of pressure. Plus, they’re adding a wireless trailer camera that integrates with the dash display.

By the way, the new Ram we’re looking at is not much more than our current Laramie Sport.

In summary, it’s not that you can’t do it, it’s should you?

Happy Camping!

[leif9016]

We have an '84 Sovereign 25 and a 2017 Ram 1500. We have no problem whatsoever. Reese equaliser hitch distributes the load and if you go with the 3.92 rear end you've got 10,400 pound towing capacity.
We have no problem with rear end sag and it tows like there's nothing there! We get 13-15 towing and around town and 20mpg on the highway. We have the 5.7, 395 HP. As the former owner of a Ford diesel, yes, the maintenance costs and fuel are more expensive. Only go diesel if you have to

[Gondul]

I just got rid of my 2019 RAM 1500 Limited... payload was 1310#

Just received delivery of my 2019 RAM Limited Crew Cab 2500 with 6.4, payload is 2900#.

I decided against the diesel for numerous reasons, the 6.4 is a great, reliable HD engine and with the 'new' 8 speed ZF transmission is quite nice.

IF you decide to go for a diesel, don't bother looking at the 2500, you will need a 3500, you will lose a significant amount of payload due to the weight. Several folks over on the https://hdrams.com/ are posting payloads of 1500-1800# with a 2500 diesel.