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Old 11-17-2014, 05:17 PM   #1
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And Newer RAM 2500 Owners - Question

My 25FB is to arrive tomorrow (my 1st trailer), which i will be towing with my 2013 RAM 2500 Diesel. Haven't towed anythign with the RAM yet. Looking for advise on the RAM/Trailer setup. Do the side mirrors stick out far enough (or is anybody using an extended mirror?). What type of hitch are you using? Anything special for setting the trailer up on the RAM display. Any other tidbits or words of wisdom?
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Old 11-17-2014, 05:34 PM   #2
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replying because I'm picking up my 1st trailer this Friday with my 2015 Ram 2500 (6.4L gas). I could use the same info (including air suspension settings)
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Old 11-17-2014, 05:42 PM   #3
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Do you have a 2WD, or 4? The only things that I had to learn the hard way about my Ram 2500 were how to set the air pressure in the tires, and how to change the inferior factory brake controller.

The Cummins Diesel engine is HEAVY, and so much so that to get a stable towing platform, I had to increase the front tire air pressure to 70 pounds from the factory recommended 60. The truck I had before, an '08 GMC 2500 Duramax, I ran 60 front, and 80 rear, and it tracked like an arrow. Wouldn't work well at all, and finally after looking at the weight tickets, figured out it needed more air pressure in the front, so I now run 70psi all the way around.

The factory brake controller that came with my truck had a bad delay, and caused me to give up my ProPride hitch because of it. I changed it out to a Tekonsha P3 and all is well. There is an instructional video on youtube that shows how to do it.

I'm using a Reese SC hitch, not the Strait Line, because the cams are too difficult to adjust, IMHO. The hitch is simple, easy to install, not too heavy, and I've never experienced a sway with it.

All of these problems were towing a 31' Classic, so with your lighter trailer, you may not even experience the problems I had.
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Old 11-17-2014, 05:44 PM   #4
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- if the truck comes with tow mirrors fold them out and use them
- use the tow/haul mode
- use the exhaust brake
- 70 psi all 5 tires (suggest no less than 65 psi in front tires when not towing as the cummins engine is heavy). The tpms in the newer trucks may want 80 psi
- trailer brake setup for heavy trailer and adjust 1-10 from there
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Old 11-17-2014, 05:57 PM   #5
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The 2500 & 1500's have the same tow mirrors, they work great! Flip them out, and adjust them. And enjoy your drive home.

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Old 11-17-2014, 06:16 PM   #6
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Assuming you bought the towing package with it: 1) the mirrors swing out for a wider view - just push up the outer ends to vertical - a Nevada Highway Patrol showed me this when he stopped me - he had a Ram at home. 2) you need a weight distribution hitch and sway bar - really helps even out the weight - don't need the super fancy expensive ones - your Ram is more than you need for your Airstream - in fact you will suffer from forgetting it's there - I get into trouble with to much power - think of yourself driving a semi truck, otherwise you'll overdrive (NHP above). Good Luck and enjoy!
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Old 11-17-2014, 06:57 PM   #7
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Is this the new 6.4 hemi in your new ride??? If so I have read about it, and it looks like a winner. I still like my 6.7 cummins with 6 speed auto......
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Old 11-17-2014, 07:34 PM   #8
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As others have stated, put higher pressure in your tires. I run 70 all the way around after much experimentation. I have the stock brake controller and have never experienced the issue mentioned by SteveH. I believe you will enjoy driving the combination as much as I do. I look forward to worry free drives whether I face bad weather or gruesome terrain - it is all good.
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Old 11-18-2014, 05:53 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tjdonahoe View Post
Is this the new 6.4 hemi in your new ride??? If so I have read about it, and it looks like a winner. I still like my 6.7 cummins with 6 speed auto......
I did get the 6.4 hemi. Its the 2015 model. As an aside to the above comments, the Laramie edition does not come with the tow mirrors, they do not rotate.

I only have 200 miles on the thing and the break-in period is 300 miles, so I haven't stomped the throttle yet. I pick up my airstream this Friday, so I'll post an update after I actually tow something with it.

I ended up getting the 2500 Ram 4x4 Laramie blackout. I've gotten quite a few questions when I park it somewhere.
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Old 11-18-2014, 12:25 PM   #10
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Not sure about an "inferior brake controller" -- as the one that came in my '14 Ram 2500 Laramie worked perfectly from the get-go. Easy to set and has worked perfectly for about 12,000 towing miles. The stock mirrors work great. You manually lift them into towing position and you have the smaller panorama mirrors on both sides. I tow with a ProPride 3P, and love it. Since I bought the truck specifically for towing, I have the 6.7L Cummins. You can pull ANYTHING Airstream makes up and down anything with 840 lbs of torque and the exhaust brake feature.
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Old 11-18-2014, 12:53 PM   #11
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I tow with a 2009 Dodge with a cummings and I had a brake problem with the original Tekonsha controler . I had straight electric brakes and no problem with it but, I bought a 2005 Classic that has electric activated hydraulic disc brakes and it was a nightmare to drive and tow that trailer until another member told me to try the Tekonsha P2 or P 3 . After adding the P3 controler there was no more problem . The earlier Tekonsha controler is not designed for electric over hydraulic braking but the P2 & P3 is.
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Old 11-18-2014, 02:06 PM   #12
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Had no idea the Blackout was avail in the 2500 series. That must be a new thing as it's only been on the express/sport series in 1500 variant. That looks awesome, and so different at the same time.

Tow mirrors must be optional with tow package, as my Laramie has them. I will say, when researching Ram's before buying ours Ram had some of the most confusing packages out of the big 3. The configurations where all over the board it felt like.

Quote:
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Not sure about an "inferior brake controller" -- as the one that came in my '14 Ram 2500 Laramie worked perfectly from the get-go. Easy to set and has worked perfectly for about 12,000 towing miles.
I can't exactly comment having a 1500, but they're probably using the same controller across the board, and my experience has been the same. Works great once dialed in.
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Old 11-18-2014, 02:12 PM   #13
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That is a good looking ride. To the "bat truck", Robin...
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Old 11-19-2014, 12:42 AM   #14
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Great Info. And i have had my 2500 for over a year, and didn't know the mirrors folded out - how cool. Time to go fill up them front tires.
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Old 11-20-2014, 04:41 PM   #15
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I have towed our 30 and 31, coast to coast and never folded out the rams mirrors. And I like it this way
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Old 11-20-2014, 05:11 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tjdonahoe View Post
I have towed our 30 and 31, coast to coast and never folded out the rams mirrors. And I like it this way
In many states you will no be in compliance with the law if you do not fold them out because of your wide body trailer.

Trailer Mirrors | AAA/CAA Digest of Motor Laws
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Old 11-20-2014, 06:51 PM   #17
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Looked up approx weights of engines ford and dodge near 1100 , with the chev duromax at 900, so all are real close...
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Old 11-20-2014, 08:56 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveH View Post
In many states you will no be in compliance with the law if you do not fold them out because of your wide body trailer.

Trailer Mirrors | AAA/CAA Digest of Motor Laws
Not to mention you won't be able to see much except the front of your trailer with them folded in. Plus side: At least you will know its still there.
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Old 11-20-2014, 09:08 PM   #19
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Yes, we towed many miles over the last three years with a 2012 Ram 2500 (CTD) using an Equal-I-zer hitch which was a carry-over from a 1/2 T Ford TV...although with the 3/4 T you may be able to get along without the weight re-distribution if you add something for sway control. The standard stinger supplied by EQ works fine with the Ram and a 25 FB - IIRC it is in the bottom most position with 7 washers in the tilt-down rivet. It will be very comfortable for you with the ability to utilize compression braking, Tow Haul mode, and real truck tires!

The brake controller worked wonderfully and was set between 3 - 4 depending upon the terrain and load. The mirrors on the Ram rotate out and provide excellent vision to the rear with the wide angle portion zoning in on the tires/wheel wells. Tires aired to 65-68 psi unless extended hwy driving at higher than 55-65 mph; then we'd raise the tire pressure to 70-72 psi. Your truck will advise you if you try to stay at the low pressure setting of 45 psi. Many trouble-free miles @ 11-14 mpg. You will enjoy; only recently did we trade to a Chev 2500HD - the verdict is out so far as we have only one trip on the Chev.

We camped at Snoqualmie Pass last July on our way to the Region 10 Rally and Airstream Adventures NW in Covington. In 2013 we went through there on Valentine's Day ... snowing heavily. We had a very calm sense of control with the Ram and 25' AS. Welcome to the fourm and Region 10 (if you decide to WBCCI).
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Old 11-21-2014, 08:51 AM   #20
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The common wording on mirrors in most states is "Every motor vehicle that is loaded and obstructs the driver’s view to the rear shall be equipped with a mirror located to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle." This applies to our trailers or a semi truck. If you can sit in the drivers seat and see down both sides of the trailer you are good. It isn't about seeing directly behind the trailer. That is a blind spot for an AS and a semi.

Being able to look down the side you can also see the wheels as you make turns and help yourself avoid running over curbs and the like on tight turns.

One reason I leave my Voyager backup camera on all of the time is to help with that directly behind blind spot.
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