Ram 1500 - can it tow an Airstream 28?

[Mergatroyd]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

http://www.hannafords.ca/used/Ford/2...ac52ae7e61.htm

Go to the above link, scroll through the pictures until you see the yellow "Tire and Loading Information" sticker, there you will see the "the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 851 kg or 1877 lbs".

A picture of the tire and loading sticker is included for every truck in inventory.

That's good information. I don't know if other dealers are putting photos of actual vehicle loading labels on their websites. I'd like to see GMC and Ram dealers doing that, too.

[davidrrand]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

http://www.hannafords.ca/used/Ford/2...ac52ae7e61.htm

Go to the above link, scroll through the pictures until you see the yellow "Tire and Loading Information" sticker, there you will see the "the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 851 kg or 1877 lbs".

A picture of the tire and loading sticker is included for every truck in inventory.

**********************

I did not even look at the photos! Every dealer should do this. You are so right. Our '15 F150 supercab Lariat with V8 has a sticker payload of 2031 lbs. That diesel engine is mighty heavy and of course all the goodies in a Platinum add a lot of weight. I had a '99 F350 with the 7.3 powerstroke and it had a payload around 3800 lbs. It was just a XLT and manual 6 spd. Seems crazy to me to buy a $70K truck that will tow more than you will ever need and have a payload less than a ton! Thanks for the reply.

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by Boxite

I have a Ram 1500...and so does my buddy....an almost identical truck...but his 20" wheels/tires reduce his hauling capacity almost by ONE THIRD of my 17" wheels. Ram charts demonstrate that sort of thing also. Don't think that buying big, ghetto wheels that you are improving truck performance.

Oh no, my 2012 Tundra had 17 or 18" steel wheels. I was able to swap them for some 20" wheels and tires for a pretty good price. The truck looks better, not getto at all, but that might all be in the eye of the beholder.

I sure didn't realize I was decreasing my payload by 33%!! I wonder why? I believe the tires have the same weight ratings.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by GettinAway

I sure didn't realize I was decreasing my payload by 33%!! I wonder why? I believe the tires have the same weight ratings.

You weren't necessarily doing so.

It depends on the rating of the wheel, and the rating of the tire. Either can be a limiting factor, depending on the specific situation.

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by GettinAway

Oh no, my 2012 Tundra had 17 or 18" steel wheels. I was able to swap them for some 20" wheels and tires for a pretty good price. The truck looks better, not getto at all, but that might all be in the eye of the beholder.

I sure didn't realize I was decreasing my payload by 33%!! I wonder why? I believe the tires have the same weight ratings.

You're right, if the tires have the same weight ratings, their load capacity is the same. The low profile 20" wheels/tires actually perform very well for towing. Air them up to max sidewall pressure for towing our FC 25, very little sidewall movement side-to-side stabilizes sway forces from the trailer. We've used them on our Ram's the last six years towing extensively, I like the ride, handling and stability.

Ghetto wheels huh?

[FCStreamer]

I have 20" wheels from the factory and payload wasn't impacted. They do look a little ghetto though.

[VernDiesel]

The way the 20s will decrease your payload is by being heavier you are closer to your GVWR. So IF each 20 is 10 pounds heavier than the 17s you would start out 40 pounds closer to GVWR. I have 20s & called Goodyear techline when I was looking to replace the original tires & was surprised when he said the max inflation is 44psi per the sidewall but max load rating is at 39 psi. Lots of TT towing in short time periods also showed better wear less blowouts & surprisingly better stability at 39 then 44. In part less rounding side to side of the tread surface. I now run one up from standard load rating to XL load rating. It's a max 51 psi tire that I run at 44 for the same reason. Lots of people run E loads at 55 or 60 when not towing then bump it up when towing without going to 80 psi where it shortens treadlife.

[Flht2k]

I tow with 2014 ram 3.92 gear, 5.7 hemi my rig is a 2017 28 flying cloud no problem

[VernDiesel]

Flht2k, Any camp ready scale numbers? And what hitch and bars do you use?

[Flht2k]

CURT MV Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch #17052

This is what I use, opinions may differ, but this setup levels the trailer, it breaks fine. Remember, this trailer ways about 5800 lb, I travel with very little water maybe 10gal,propane tanks filled. Also, all the weight is at the rear, behind both axles. The rear of the truck has chairs and a cooler and we have a golden retriever. I may not be this educated engineering type, but it is a #6600 , my TV capacity is 10600. I don't even worry about

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by dkottum

You're right, if the tires have the same weight ratings, their load capacity is the same. The low profile 20" wheels/tires actually perform very well for towing. Air them up to max sidewall pressure for towing our FC 25, very little sidewall movement side-to-side stabilizes sway forces from the trailer. We've used them on our Ram's the last six years towing extensively, I like the ride, handling and stability.

Ghetto wheels huh?

Thanks,
I wasn't really concerned. I thought the 33% reduction may have been a little off.
I had steel wheels on there. I don't think I added significant weight in going to the alloy 20s. Maybe the tire weighs less, with less rubber. I'm pulling a 23' FB, so I'm no where near capacity. I guess if I switched to a 27, I'd have to go to the scales, and be a lot more concerned.

[Jeffndaile]

Originally Posted by Mergatroyd

What happens if you get to where you are going and you unhitch for a few months and your wife doesn't want to drive a gigantic diesel to the supermarket every day?

My wife loves driving our diesel truck so much I have to chase the pick up down to grab the keys away from her..... :-)

[ldireland]

There is so much wrong with your question I don't know where to start. The biggest problem is tow safety depends on a safe tow vehicle. To downsize your tow vehicle because your wife may not like driving it to the store everyday is very disturbing. Get a bigger frig so she only has to go everyother day.

[Mergatroyd]

Originally Posted by ldireland

There is so much wrong with your question I don't know where to start. The biggest problem is tow safety depends on a safe tow vehicle. To downsize your tow vehicle because your wife may not like driving it to the store everyday is very disturbing. Get a bigger frig so she only has to go everyother day.

It's a lot safer driving a small car every day than a big truck. Most people who buy oversized trucks don't even know how to drive them.

[Bill M.]

My wife, 75, drives the short wheel base diesel every day. Loves it. She does have auto running boards to get in. She says she knows how to drive it. At least she is "willing" to give me some pointers when I try to drive it. We are looking at a new Subaru so I probably will have to cope with the big beast every day now. It helps to live in the suburbs. I do not go downtown if I can help it.

I have been on a lot of caravans with a lot of different TV's. Many 1/2 tons and SUV's. Have listened to many discussions, some negative, some positive. You can make a lot of different things work safely. Very few Airstreamers have had wrecks, but some I have talked with have. One went to sleep. No TV or hitch will fix that. Three lost it in a construction zone with uneven lanes. Maybe hitch and TV would have affected it. One almost made it though a green light when someone drove through the red and straight through his Airstream. One got sided by a school bus theat swung into his lane. Not sure how the TV would have affected these. Only a small sample, but several of them bought 3/4 ton TV's the second time. One bought a motor home to replace the trailer. A much higher percentage than have had actual wrecks have had extensive damage from blown tires. Many with TMS. Many tire failures without a lot of damage also.

So my thought is to pick what will work best for you, set it up in the best way possible, and drive accordingly to its capabilities. And choose good tires. You should be fine.

[Holy Grail]

Yes, unless you"re in the Rockies. I have an AS 28. I know. I also now have a RAM 2500 Cummins. Much better. Much, much better.

[Dockholiday]

I have no doubt that a mid size (I.e. approx 25' AS) TT and a 1/2 ton p/u w/ a proper weight distribution hitch and setup is more than adequate for the job. Myself, I spend the majority of my time not pulling a trailer. There is a great difference in ride quality when you compare a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton. My feelings are when I retire (and hopefully soon) I will be spending a lot of time w/ trailer in tow, but until that time - I'm going to make do w/ my 1/2 ton Ram and when I'm on the road more than a few weeks a year, I'll seriously consider a heavier pickup.

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by Dockholiday

. . . Myself, I spend the majority of my time not pulling a trailer. There is a great difference in ride quality when you compare a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton. My feelings are when I retire (and hopefully soon) I will be spending a lot of time w/ trailer in tow . . .

Dock, we have spent 6-7 months a year away from home with our Airstreams for the last 8 years. We don't just run up and down the roadways, we travel widely but spend the majority of our time not pulling a trailer. We travel to different destinations and spend time there, it's our home away from home. We really like the ride quality, drivability and relative economy of the two Rams we have used, and have seen no reason whatsoever to change.

An interesting side note. We take less gear along on our long retiree trips than we previously took as weekenders and vacationers, it sure makes travel a lot more pleasant.

[Moflash]

Originally Posted by Dockholiday

I have no doubt that a mid size (I.e. approx 25' AS) TT and a 1/2 ton p/u w/ a proper weight distribution hitch and setup is more than adequate for the job. Myself, I spend the majority of my time not pulling a trailer. There is a great difference in ride quality when you compare a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton. My feelings are when I retire (and hopefully soon) I will be spending a lot of time w/ trailer in tow, but until that time - I'm going to make do w/ my 1/2 ton Ram and when I'm on the road more than a few weeks a year, I'll seriously consider a heavier pickup.

Your statement about the ride quality difference between a 1/2 to a 3/4 or 1 ton was true years ago but things have changed drastically recently.We just took delivery of a 2017 F350 Platinum 6.7 diesel SuperCrew and the ride quality unloaded is surprisingly smooth and it is whisper quiet.We travel 15k to 20k per year pulling a 28ft International.
A 28ft is taxing on a 1/2 ton but maybe ok for a 25ft or less.We tried pulling with a new F150 and even with Max Tow package and a properly WD hitch it was a uncomfortable and unnerving pairing.Not for us.

These trucks are all light duty trucks and are offered in different sizes for different applications contrary to some beliefs stated on this forum this is a much better choice for those with larger Airstreams or people who enjoy not worrying about bringing things with them on their adventures.This is what they were designed for.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by Mergatroyd

It's a lot safer driving a small car every day than a big truck. Most people who buy oversized trucks don't even know how to drive them.

Trucks have some stability issues but it's good to have weight and size on your side. If you swerve every time you "get cut off" a car is a better choice. Happens all the time here in the city. Remember, unless they hit you, it's a single vehicle accident and your fault.

Teach the wife to park it in "pull through" spaces and she'll be fine.