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Old 02-17-2015, 09:07 AM   #1
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Dodge Ram 1500 tow question.

Hi, New here, first post. I did a search here on this subject but didn't have any luck.

I am thinking about getting an airstream and am wondering which models I could safely tow with my 2009 Dodge ram crew cab, Big horn with the 5.7L Hemi? The best I can find the specs say 7,300 LB is the limit for this truck, sound right? Thanks
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Old 02-17-2015, 09:17 AM   #2
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Hello Jukebox. Welcome to the forum.

I'm also shopping for an AS and have a Ram as a TV. Mine is a '13 Laramie Longhorn CC with 5.7, 8 sp., 3.55 rear etc. As you do the research you will find that towing is not so much the issue as is payload. Because my Ram has so many options the payload is slightly over 1000#.

How big an AS are you considering?

BTW we are almost neighbors. I live in Hanover!
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Old 02-17-2015, 09:20 AM   #3
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Well I was thinking like a Flying cloud 19' maybe. They are expensive! Hoping to spot a used one in the classifieds here.
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Old 02-17-2015, 01:45 PM   #4
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Towing with a Ram 1500

Jukebox,
I have a 2008 Ram 1500 Laramie, Hemi, 3.92 rearend, 20 inch tires, tow package. I tow a 2005 25' Safari gross weight....6300 lbs with no problems. Weight distribution hitch plays a big part in towing safely. If you have a tow package on your truck you should be just fine!
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Old 02-17-2015, 02:12 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jukeboxfun View Post
Well I was thinking like a Flying cloud 19' maybe. They are expensive! Hoping to spot a used one in the classifieds here.
I'm not sure about an older 19' (older seems to weigh a bit less according to the learned folks on this forum) but a new one is less than 4,000# with a tongue weight of about 550#. From all of my research you will not have a bit of an issue towing.

They are expensive, I agree. Finding a used one would be a good option.
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Old 02-17-2015, 03:13 PM   #6
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You'll be fine if considering a 19 IMHO. Check and verify what YOUR truck's SETUP is rated at. Mine is 10K but I have a 5-speed with 3.92 gears.

You have an 09 so probably have a 5 speed like me, check and verify your gearing.

I tow a 27fb that maxes out at 7500lbs GVW, and I doubt I'll hit that anytime soon. I'd estimate I'm usually towing around 5800~6200lbs.

There have been several threads on the subject of these vehicles:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...tv-130669.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...-a-129793.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...ng-127383.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f252...sic-16108.html
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Old 02-17-2015, 03:19 PM   #7
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Also if you need you can lookup all the details of your truck, gearing, payload, Go here:

Ram Trucks - Recall

Click the link on the left hand side of the page that says EQUIPMENT LISTING

Enter your VIN and you will get a build sheet in PDF format.

We bought used, and this is how we verified our truck was 3.92 and had 32 gallon tank.
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Old 02-17-2015, 03:24 PM   #8
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we sold our FC 19 - the corner bed sucks
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Old 02-18-2015, 10:13 AM   #9
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ram1500

Your good to go with a truck that size; I was pulling a 31AS with a Suburban 350cu.in. It had a dry weight of 7100 lbs. I was also using my 1972 Imperial LeBaron 440 cu.in.; sailed along at 70mph real nice;
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Old 02-18-2015, 11:10 AM   #10
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2013 4Dr Ram 1500 4x4 20"

I have a 2013, 4Dr, Ram 1500, 4x4, 6 speed auto, 20" tires, 5.7, pulling 31' AS. My first trip ever was from Missoula, to Phoenix AZ. and Back, avg. 13 mpg. My next trip from Missoula to Port Angeles,WA then home Via Lake Louise.AB. avg. 12.5 mpg

After adjusting the hitch 2 times in the first 100 miles, I sometimes forget i have the trailer behind me. This is the first truck gas or deisel i have ever owned will pull a hill with a load of 8,000 or better at 65 and keep it within 2mph of cruise setting speed and not kick out cruise control.

I have naturally kicked it out of cruise because I did not like the rpm range the truck was operating at.

So the only thing you have to worry about with your truck is what is its true GVWR.

I would buy another one of these living in the mountains in a NY second.
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Old 02-18-2015, 11:59 AM   #11
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Not only do we pull our 27 foot Overlander,, but a Yamaha Rhino and off road gear in the truck bed all the time. I did add some helper air bags just to have a little extra cushion with bad pot holes..

FYI the rear axle itself was made to carry 4400 lbs.. Thats what the spec's told me anyway.. Since I pull a 10 bale 5th wheel trailer all the time around the farm and gross over 20,000 lb.. it must be on target as everything is holding up just fine..

For a 19 foot I don;t think I would even look back and worry about a thing other than where we might be going next.. Sodbust
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Old 02-18-2015, 12:09 PM   #12
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Actually the 4th generation Ram 2009~2015 1500 axles are rated at 3900lbs each. That's a total of 7800lbs.

The difference between Ram and Ford F150 is that Ram stamped their doors at 6500lbs GVWR and Ford stamped theirs as 7700lbs. Ford claims higher payload. I'll show you why that's a lie.

Ford's axles are FA 3750 + RA 4050 = 7800lbs


Now which company is giving you a margin of safety of 1000lbs VS 100lbs.

I rest my case. When you do the math the low payload numbers make more sense.

Ford guys can blab all they want on the forum. I'll keep posting these FACTS.

At the end of the day, the average person tends to overload their vehicle. And Ford guys over loading have more to worry about.
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Old 02-18-2015, 12:15 PM   #13
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My 2014 RAM 1500 axles are rated at 3,900 each and a GVW of 6,950.

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Old 02-18-2015, 12:17 PM   #14
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Hey BA,
I'm not following your thoughts on this. Where is the problem with what Ford is posting on the door sticker?
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Old 02-18-2015, 12:19 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Top View Post
My 2014 RAM 1500 axles are rated at 3,900 each and a GVW of 6,950.

Attachment 232684
Yeah I think the diesel's is just a tad bit more. I need to double check that point. I just repost this so often getting confused.

Quote:
Originally Posted by crispyboy View Post
Hey BA,
I'm not following your thoughts on this. Where is the problem with what Ford is posting on the door sticker?
The forum payload police, if you aren't over loading the axle you'll be fine, IMO.

Me 200lbs over my payload is lot different than an F150 200lbs over payload. As they'll be closer to the axle rating than me. That's my thinking.

Also a lot of stink is made over the Ram's GVWR vs the Ford's. I wanted to demonstrate the differences in math used by each company.
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Old 02-18-2015, 12:24 PM   #16
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After seeing the door sticker from the Dodge I see what you mean. I wonder why the Chrysler engineers are so conservative with their GVWR? whereas FOMOCO takes it to the max?
Just guessing but it may have to do with the suspension - leaf spring vs. coil spring
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Old 02-18-2015, 12:36 PM   #17
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Could be. It could be that there is no actual standard to GVWR determinations outside of the legal department which is my theory. I have never been able to find an explanation of how max GVWR is determined. Other than trying to beat certain federal standards by weighting a certain amount or saying your GVWR is a certain amount.

Kind of like how Cross Overs where rated as trucks for so long, and thus didn't have to comply with the fuel standards that the government set for cars.

Really just guessing at this point.
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Old 02-18-2015, 12:37 PM   #18
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Ram trucks seem to have the lowest payload numbers not only in 1500 but also in HD series. My question is, if GVWR was only related to axle ratings, what prevents Ram from increasing the payload number? Is there any other factor in play besides axle ratings? Do we have any auto engineer in the forum to explain what decides the GVWR? (BTW, I don't buy the argument by some folks here that say this number is BS and should be ignored).
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Old 02-18-2015, 12:51 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jukeboxfun View Post
Hi, New here, first post. I did a search here on this subject but didn't have any luck.

I am thinking about getting an airstream and am wondering which models I could safely tow with my 2009 Dodge ram crew cab, Big horn with the 5.7L Hemi? The best I can find the specs say 7,300 LB is the limit for this truck, sound right? Thanks
You can lookup your VIN on the RAM website.
Ram Trucks - Towing Capacity Chart
Click on the red "LOOK UP MY VEHICLE" button and enter your VIN.
Is that where you found the 7,300 number?
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Old 02-18-2015, 01:00 PM   #20
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It does appear these numbers are arrived at by the manufacturer and I'm still arguing it's 1 part engineering, 1 part trying to meet regulations, 1 part liability.

Quote:
In the United States, two important GVWR limitations are 2,700 kg (6,000 lb) and 3,900 kg (8,500 lb). Vehicles over 6,000 lb are restricted from some city roadways (though there is some dispute about whether this restriction is for actual curb weight or GVWR). Vehicles over the 8,500 lb threshold are required to have insurance under Section 387.303 of the Motor Carrier Act of 1980.
Gross vehicle weight rating - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Truck classification - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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