Towing 30' 2018 Classic with 2019 Ram 1500 Limited

[Tom Lawn]

Just picked up our 2018 -30' Classic. Replaced our 25' safari so have to step up to a bigger towing vehicle with for 10,000 # and 886 #hitch weight.
Been doing the research and narrowed in on the new 2019 Ram 1500 Limited
4x4 with 5'7" box. 5.7L Hemi V8 with E-Torque/8 speed , 3.92 axle and 4 corner Air Suspension system capable of 11,250# towing and 1,750 payload.
We like the 1500 due to its size and e-Torque. We realize the 2500 would be the best but trying to keep the truck as small as we can for a number of reasons.
Any input or experience within new design pulling 10,000# would really help.
Ram factory and dealer said should be OK but they sell trucks.
Thanks

[out of sight]

Check the yellow payload sticker on the driver's door of the exact vehicle you're thinking of buying. I don't think the truck you mentioned has a 1750 payload capacity. They might advertise 1750 lbs but that could be for a completely stripped down version. I've seen Ram 1500's fully loaded Limited's in the 900 lb payload range.

[VernDiesel]

Hi Tom. Congrats on the new AS. I see 2 posts you are new to posting here at the forum so you may not know that this subjects gets beat up and debated pretty hard. IE long heavy AS and soft suspension half ton truck.

I transport AS with a Ram 1500 commercially. 540,000 miles taking them from Jackson Center to dealerships all over the country with my 8 speed Ecodiesel so I know the truck & AS. Towing the 30 Classic is for likely weight distribution reasons more difficult to get to tow really well than say a 30 International that does not have all the heavy options or even the longer 33 Classic that despite more weight and length tows better. Not to knock the 30 Classic its an excellent AS to camp in.

I'll tell you a camp ready 30 Classic with family is more stable and ideally towed with a HD but can also be done with a well set up 1/2 ton. By that I not only mean engine, gearing, factory trailer brake controller TBC, tow mirrors, and hitch camera. But more importantly a good WDH with built in sway control then set up one time to get it right taking advantage of a CAT scale to tell you IF you have replaced your unload steer weight and IF you have set the hitch and loaded the trailer for proper tongue weight range. This is the only way to know concretely that you will have the most safe stable and by the manufacturers numbers tow set up.

If you don't want to take an hour with your "wet" AS at a CAT scale to get it right you either hope the RV dealership guesses well enough using measurements to estimate what should be stable. (when semis pass and such or an emergency swerve around is needed) or you would be better off with a HD that is more forgiving. Last while the air suspension is nice and has benefits one downside is it can be a little more difficult to get the desired weight transfer from a WDH to get weight off the drive axle and put back onto the steer axle and also AS axles. Fan of the truck and it can do the job well but just a heads up that it may require a little more setup work to get it to be rock stable and a joy to tow with.

[gypsydad]

Welcome to the Forum! Your concern is justified. Post #2 here mentions the payload of a RAM 1500 being at 1750lbs; I also would want to see that on the door sticker. If so, that is a decent payload, but highly unusual, especially with a 1/2T RAM.

Also take note of post #3; he has a lot of experience delivering AS's over the years with his echodiesel 1/2T, but also shares wise words; look at the larger TV for the larger AS's.

We all understand that a 1/2T is easier to maneuver when not towing, but typically the downside comes when towing a larger AS and not having any payload to haul anything else. A 3/4T TV is highly recommended. I think you will appreciate the extra power and handling also when towing a larger AS. (Did I mention extra payload also?)

[Tom Lawn]

Thanks guys, you have offered a wealth of information.
We were so used to a great tow with our Yukon and 25' safari, never knew it was on the back.
Just hoping to have the same experience with our new Classic.
We have the 2019 , 1500 Limited on order pending our research.
Really pushed hard for payload info but since this is a new model I admit there has been a little confusion.
Really trying to make the 1500 work but want safety and reliability too.
I plan on hitch set up you recommend but really hope we are not making a mistake. We pull @ 2 months out of the year.
I forgot to mention at times we will have 2 kayaks on top with a couple bikes in the Truck and will push the 1,750 payload with hitch and toys on top. is this a really bad idea for us with the 1500?
Thanks so much for help

[ghaynes755]

Good advice on checking some door stickers. The 'claimed' towing capacity and weight capacities listed on the all of the various truck manufacturer sites are for stripped down base models of the base configuration. Find your local Ram dealer that has an nearly exact truck and check the yellow sticker. I'd sit down before you look. Even with a VIN number where you can check the Ram website for the capacity of that specific Ram truck you will find that the yellow sticker is less than recorded at RAM.

Go to https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing-guide.html and click on Look Up My Vehicle. Enter VIN 3C6UR5GJ6KG520860. Comes back with 2910#. Actual yellow tag on the door is 2828#. This is a 2019 2500 with Cummins. Pretty close in this example but you would think it would be accurate on the website. And much less than the advertised spec.

Remember that the total pounds on the door sticker are for all occupants, cargo and hitch weight. With a 1,000# hitch weight, if the truck sticker says 900#, well you get the picture.

I just went through this looking a 2019 Ram 2500/3500 which are just hitting the dealer lots. 2500 would be more than enough with payloads in the 2000# range. But after driving both the 2500 and 3500 I couldn't feel much difference if any in the ride. With the price being a couple of hundred more for the 3500 I went with the 3500. If I ever want to put a motorcycle or 4 wheeler in the back I won't have any load issue.

[gandttimes]

If you are trying to stay with a half ton,and I don't blame you as

[VernDiesel]

You ever teach a new little league kid how to bat? Do you tell him you are probably going to hit to right field so I want you to watch their? No you do not. You say watch the ball as the pitcher trys to throw it past you as you are trying to time and line up your bat with where that ball is going to be.

Similar here. You are aiming to hit a safe stable tow to do that the two primary things you need is to replace-ish your unloaded steer weight also to get your tongue weight in that 10 to 15% range. In my experience with the Ram 1500 about 12 percent is ideal as to have enough tongue weight that the AS doesn't want to sway and is stable when a semi or strong gust etc comes but not more than you need eating up your drive axle weight limit and GVWR. Do you want to exceed GVWR no but if its say 3% over his 7,100 pound GVWR he is not even going to be able to tell. However if his steer is 400 hundred pounds under his unloaded steer weight he will not like driving or endangering his family with that "white knuckle ride" or if he loaded the butt of the AS and the TW was say 8.5% that would be an easy to sway mess to tow also. My point keep the main thing the main thing first.

If his wet loaded camp ready Classic is say 8k loaded and set to 12% TW he would have about 960 pounds spread between the steer and the drive axle by his WDH. Add in his DW kyacks and bicycles he may be near the 7,100 to 7,400. But its best determined on the CAT scale and not stacking up weight guestimates toward a payload sticker number. No Auto or RV Mfg recommends that and neither does SAE society of automotive engineers. They give you axle limits, max tow, max receiver, GCVWR, and GVWR all to help make for a safe tow. And yes the auto mfg gives you a payload sticker number to help you estimate what you carry on your truck when you don't have a scale.

BTW CAT has a free app with gps directions so you can find a scale near home or on your next trip. Cost is usually around $10 first weigh $2 per additional weigh so its cheap to remove risk and make for the most safe steady tow.

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by Tom Lawn

Just picked up our 2018 -30' Classic. Replaced our 25' safari so have to step up to a bigger towing vehicle with for 10,000 # and 886 #hitch weight.
Been doing the research and narrowed in on the new 2019 Ram 1500 Limited
4x4 with 5'7" box. 5.7L Hemi V8 with E-Torque/8 speed , 3.92 axle and 4 corner Air Suspension system capable of 11,250# towing and 1,750 payload.
We like the 1500 due to its size and e-Torque. We realize the 2500 would be the best but trying to keep the truck as small as we can for a number of reasons.
Any input or experience within new design pulling 10,000# would really help.
Ram factory and dealer said should be OK but they sell trucks.
Thanks

Tom Lawn, I own a 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Sport and can offer some info on the real world payload capacity. We sat down with the sales person and the spec sheet for our 27’ Globetrotter - figured 1000# tongue for wet. He ran it through his config tool and came back with 1840# payload. We made the deal (dealer trade) and love the truck.

Fast forward to a conversation with Gypsydad who asked what the door sticker was. It’s 1220#. Holy Cr@p... Another Forum member PM’d me and shared his CAT scale tickets for a ‘19 Ram 1500 (1267# payload) and a 27’ FC. His rear axle was 4500# (4100# rated).

We’re waiting for our GT to arrive in a few weeks and will head to the scales. Talked to the salesperson who said if we’re over they will offer us a buy-back (we leased) so we can move up to a 2500. By the way, they have a 19’ Ram 2500 Big Horn 4x4 gas on the lot - payload sticker is 3100#.

With all the extra gear you’re going to add, really consider moving up a notch to the 2500. If you do, look at the Towing and Safety packages. Towing gives you 360 cameras and power folding trailer mirrors. Plus, you can add a Ram wireless trailer camera that displays on the truck’s 8 or 12” radio display. Safety gets you Adaptive Cruise and emergency braking.

Don’t get me wrong - I LOVE the 19’ Ram 1500 - the smoothest most comfortable ride I’ve ever had. I’ll decide once we have the Globetrotter and hit the scales.

Good luck and happy camping!

PS: There’s a site called 5th Gen Ram Forum with a thread dedicated to payload stickers - you should be able to find one like your Limited: https://5thgenrams.com/community/thr...g-sticker.374/

[VernDiesel]

Jeff good info & write up. Do you also have your friends steer & TT axles numbers from his scales slip? Also perhaps what WDH & springbars?

With hitch & loading adjustments he should be able to transition 300 pounds off his drive axle back onto his steer axle and back onto the TT axle to have a within spec and very stable and enjoyable tow setup. The last part being setting it to about 12 percent tongue weight.

The 27s will tow very nice stable & within specs behind the Rams with good setup.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Tom Lawn

Thanks guys, you have offered a wealth of information.
We were so used to a great tow with our Yukon and 25' safari, never knew it was on the back.
Just hoping to have the same experience with our new Classic.
We have the 2019 , 1500 Limited on order pending our research.
Really pushed hard for payload info but since this is a new model I admit there has been a little confusion.
Really trying to make the 1500 work but want safety and reliability too.
I plan on hitch set up you recommend but really hope we are not making a mistake. We pull @ 2 months out of the year.
I forgot to mention at times we will have 2 kayaks on top with a couple bikes in the Truck and will push the 1,750 payload with hitch and toys on top. is this a really bad idea for us with the 1500?
Thanks so much for help

I can't comment on the "tow" feel of a Classic with a 1/2T, but I would venture to say if your going to be camping in mountainous areas, I would highly recommend a 3/4T with that size TT.

Good to be thinking about your load in the back now, especially if carrying canoe or kayaks. I have both, but prefer the kayaks. The canoe weighs in at 90lbs and can be a bear to load especially with wind. The kayaks weight can go from 35lbs each to 50+lbs, depending on model, but they are much easier to load one at a time then the canoe...we never use the canoe anymore. Think about eventually carrying other stuff...(generator? firewood? bbq grill? fuel? more camp gear?

The rack system is something to think about also...are you going to get a "topper" with a rack, or something like I have, where the bed is open when carrying the kayaks? A topper to me, seems pretty nice, but it's another couple hundred pounds back there... Keep us informed on what you end up doing....good for us all to understand what works and what doesn't.

[dechampion]

I went through the same decision-making process earlier this year when buying my 2019 30' Classic. I ultimately opted to buy a Ram 2500 rather than tow with my existing 1/2 ton Tundra or Ram. We went on a 32-day first run out West including driving through the mountains. Although the 1/2 ton trucks probably could have towed the Classic, I am VERY pleased with the Ram 2500. Towed like a dream up mountains, down mountains, 50+ mph winds, etc.

[sbowman]

The latest trucks in 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton are pretty amazing in what they will do. 30' Classic is a lot of trailer.


45 years of towing many different RV's, equipment, vehicles of various weights, we chose a 2016 RAM 3500 w/the Cummins, 4 door, long bed, SW, 4x4 to pull our 2017 Classic. If we were to do it all over again would do the same. It works for us w/no regrets.



Safe travels and best regards

[sbowman]

Good article in Fall 2018 Overland Journal on 2019 1500 RAM.


http://www.exploringoverland.com/ove...-2019-ram-1500



Safe Travels and best regards

[jimfa440]

From a bit of experience. I towed a 25' for a LONG time with a Ford F150. We purchased a 30' AS, the Ford just didn't get it. I went with a used 2006 GMC 3/4 ton gas. It did a great job handling the weight, but it was just too thirsty. I traded for a new Ram 1500 ECO Diesel. It pulled the load just fine but down-hill mountain roads were a nightmare. It's not what you can pull, it's what you can control and stop. I refuse to sacrifice our safety for fuel mileage. I purchased a Nissan Titan XD Cummins Diesel. So far, so happy.

[gypsydad]

Interesting article on the RAM and I always thought they design a nice looking 1/2T. But, I would again caution on the "payload" from Dodge with a 1/2T; from the article:
"That stiff frame contributes to—depending on the specific option package—a maximum 2,300-pound payload and a maximum towing capacity of 12,750 pounds."

I would venture a guess that to get anywhere over 1500lbs payload, that RAM would be very light on the upgrades...unfortunately.

[rmesfo]

Originally Posted by sbowman

The latest trucks in 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton are pretty amazing in what they will do. 30' Classic is a lot of trailer.


45 years of towing many different RV's, equipment, vehicles of various weights, we chose a 2016 RAM 3500 w/the Cummins, 4 door, long bed, SW, 4x4 to pull our 2017 Classic. If we were to do it all over again would do the same. It works for us w/no regrets.



Safe travels and best regards

The dealers are really proud of their 3/4 and one ton HD's and it is reflected in the price. We went with a used F250 Powerstroke with 100K, one owner and well maintained for 20K. Works like a dream and you ALWAYS know you are not going to be skating on the edge. Worth a lot more than money.

Good luck on your search.

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by VernDiesel

Jeff good info & write up. Do you also have your friends steer & TT axles numbers from his scales slip? Also perhaps what WDH & springbars?

With hitch & loading adjustments he should be able to transition 300 pounds off his drive axle back onto his steer axle and back onto the TT axle to have a within spec and very stable and enjoyable tow setup. The last part being setting it to about 12 percent tongue weight.

The 27s will tow very nice stable & within specs behind the Rams with good setup.

VernDiesel, yes, I do have the other numbers! He put them in an Excel sheet with all three CAT weigh-ins. He’s using a Blue Ox Sway Pro with 1000# bars. Not sure what link on the chain he was at.

In our case I’d feel more comfortable if we had another 300-400 lbs. of payload on the sticker. Looks like a Big Horn with fewer options would have done the trick.

Are you still delivering Airstream trailers to dealers? If so, watch for a 27’ GT with VIN 9355 written on the front. It’s going to Ewald’s in Franklin, WI. We were at the factory on Monday; it came off the line Wednesday.

Thanks for sharing your experience with towing & setting up WDH on AS trailers! We all learn from it.

Jeff & Caryle McCaffrey

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by dechampion

I went through the same decision-making process earlier this year when buying my 2019 30' Classic. I ultimately opted to buy a Ram 2500 rather than tow with my existing 1/2 ton Tundra or Ram. We went on a 32-day first run out West including driving through the mountains. Although the 1/2 ton trucks probably could have towed the Classic, I am VERY pleased with the Ram 2500. Towed like a dream up mountains, down mountains, 50+ mph winds, etc.

Dechampion, which way did you go on your Ram 2500 - gas or diesel? I assume it’s a 2018 due to the timing of your trip. That’s quite a lengthy first run :-)

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[out of sight]

One of the big arguments against a 3/4 or 1 ton truck is that they make lousy daily drivers. But I have found that my 2500 Ram quadcab shortbed with 149" wheelbase is much easier to get into a supermarket parking space than I expected. A lot has to do with turning the circle. The RAM has one of the best turning circles at 47'.

The other big argument is that it can't fit into a standard garage. But that can free up the garage for a workshop.

The third argument is that it's too high to get into. Solved with a $35 ladder from Home Depot.